Remembering Jovanni: Mandolyne Eleazar’s Story of Love & Loss

On Overdose Awareness Day, Rich Bennett and co-host Wendy Beck sit down with Mandolyne Eleazar for a courageous conversation about the life and loss of her 18-year-old son, Jovanni, to fentanyl toxicity. Mandolyne shares what helped, what didn’t, and why harm reduction, family therapy, and speaking our loved ones’ names matter. It’s a raw, hopeful listen for anyone navigating grief, stigma, or the realities of teen addiction. Sponsored by Rage Against Addiction Guest Bio:  Mandolyne Eleazar is a mother, creative, and advocate for overdose awareness and harm reduction. After losing her son Jovanni in November 2024, she’s committed to honest, stigma-free conversations about addiction, mental health, Narcan access, and compassionate support for families. She continues Jovanni’s legacy by carefully releasing his recorded music so others feel less alone. Main Topics: ·         Podathon for Recovery: 12 Days of Hope benefiting Rage Against Addiction·         Jovanni’s story: early experimentation, grief triggers, and the pull of opioids·         Teen treatment barriers and breakthroughs (state programs vs. residential care)·         Family therapy: rebuilding trust and communication at home·         Stigma, complicated grief, and finding a supportive community·         Harm reduction: making Narcan training and carrying normal for teens·         Supporting siblings who grieve differently·         Preserving legacy through art: Jovanni’s sketches and music releases·         Understanding autopsy results and fentanyl lethality·         The power of remembrance: “say his name”—Jovanni Resources mentioned: ·         Donate to Rage Against Addiction ·         Narcan / naloxone training & access (carry it, teach it, normalize it)·         Newport Academy (CT teen residential treatment referenced)·         Artist pages for LOSTMULTO (Jovanni) and his EP “The Big Bang Theory” on major platforms·         Universal’s Nintendo World (family memory touchpoint)·         Family therapy and teen mental-health counseling resourcesSend us Fan MailRage Against AddictionRage Against Addiction is a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting addicts and their familiDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showRate & Review on Apple Podcasts Follow the Conversations with Rich Bennett podcast on Social Media:Facebook – Conversations with Rich Bennett Facebook Group (Join the conversation) – Conversations with Rich Bennett podcast group | FacebookTwitter – Conversations with Rich Bennett Instagram – @conversationswithrichbennettTikTok – CWRB (@conversationsrichbennett) | TikTokSponsors, Affiliates, and ways we pay the bills:Hosted on BuzzsproutSquadCastSubscribe by Email