Turning Grief into Action with Adrienne

When Adrienne’s dad, Joel, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s just after his 50th birthday, she had no idea how profoundly it would shape her life. Over the next ten years, she grieved him twice—first, as she watched the disease slowly take him, and then again when he died. In this episode, we talk about what it’s like to lose a parent in stages, the loneliness of grief in early adulthood, and how Adrienne found purpose in advocacy. Now a fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association, she shares how her grief led her to a career that makes a real impact. She also tells us about her dad—the fun, music-loving, ice-cream-obsessed man who continues to inspire her every day.