Every life carries a purpose. But when a child dies young, it can feel as if that purpose was cut short, or even stolen. We’re left with questions that don’t have easy answers: What was their life meant to be? What impact did they have? How did they leave their mark on the world?
Andrea Magder knows that feeling all too well. She lost her artistic son, Ethan, suddenly to an opioid overdose. From music to poetry to even a novel, Ethan loved expressing himself through creativity.
But Andrea is working to turn that loss into something lasting. She’s created an online gallery showcasing the work of artists from around the world who have passed away, giving their creativity a chance to live on.
In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Andrea opens up about loving her son through his battle with addiction, finding a way to keep moving forward through overwhelming grief, and the ways she’s now helping others navigate their own journeys of loss.
Visit The Artist Lives gallery here.
If you enjoyed this episode, check out the following:
- Lights, camera, change: Emmy nominated producer creates documentary about addiction following son’s death
- The Voice You Knew — The Story You Didn’t
- Inside Victoria’s Voice: The Diary That’s Waking Parents Up
MEET THE GUEST
Andrea Magder
Andrea Magder is a NYC-based writer, grief coach, and founder of The Artist Lives Gallery, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the legacies of artists who passed away without recognition. She launched the organization in memory of her son, Ethan, following a successful career in film development and independent production. Today, her work focuses on supporting those who have lost loved ones to addiction, with her essays featured in publications like Next Avenue and Elephant Journal.
