Don't Forget To Breathe: A Podcast for Living after Child Loss.

Bruce Barker
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Don’t Forget To Breathe is a podcast for parents living after child loss, and for those walking beside them through grief. Hosted by bereaved parents Bruce Barker and Kristin Glenn, this show offers honest, compassionate conversations about life after child loss, long-term grief, healing, and learning how to keep living while carrying profound loss. Together, Bruce and Kristin create a space where grief does not need to be explained, and where parents can feel understood, supported, and less alone. Originally launched in 2020, the podcast began as a form of soul-cleansing and healing, as Bruce shared his journey as a father who suddenly lost his 20-year-old daughter in 2006, a tragedy no parent should ever have to endure. After a three-year hiatus marked by deep personal transformation, including divorce, closing a business, intensive therapy, and continued healing, the podcast returns with a renewed heart and a deeper, more expansive perspective. With Kristin joining as co-host in Season 4, the conversation widens. Drawing from decades of lived experience, Bruce and Kristin are joined by parents who bravely share their stories of grief, resilience, and life after the loss of a child. Together, they explore how grief changes over time, and how sorrow, hope, love, and even laughter can exist side by side. The podcast also creates space for spouses, family members, friends, and anyone walking beside a bereaved parent, offering insight into the realities of grief and the power of simply showing up with compassion and presence. You’ll hear the shift in voice, perspective, and presence, from surviving to living. Wherever you are in or around grief, this podcast offers connection, understanding, and the quiet reassurance that no one has to carry loss alone.

  1. 2d ago

    Scott's Story: A Father’s Journey Through Loss, Love and Living Again -E438

    Send us Fan Mail As we release this episode on Father's Day weekend, we recognize that this day can carry many emotions for bereaved fathers. It can be a day of love, remembrance, gratitude, heartache, and longing, often all at the same time. In this special conversation, Bruce and Kristin sit down with Scott Allen to talk about his daughter, Jamie Summer Allen, a gifted mother of eight, talented musician, massage therapist, and deeply compassionate soul whose life touched countless people. Scott shares Jamie's story, from her remarkable ability to connect with others to the devastating motorcycle accident that took her life seven years ago. He speaks candidly about the shock of child loss, the darkness of early grief, and the years spent learning how to survive, heal, and eventually embrace moments of joy again. Together, they explore the realities of fatherhood after loss, the wisdom our children leave behind, the importance of finding safe people who can truly listen, and the unexpected ways healing can arrive. For Scott, some of those lessons came through Jamie's children, whose love, honesty, and resilience helped guide him forward when he wasn't sure he wanted to keep going. This episode is filled with laughter, tears, hard-earned wisdom, and powerful reminders that grief is not something we overcome, but something we learn to carry. It is a conversation about love that continues, even after death, and about the enduring bond between a father and his child. Whether you are a bereaved parent, supporting someone who is grieving, or navigating Father's Day while carrying the loss of a child, Scott's story offers hope, understanding, and the reassurance that you are not alone. Support the show Help keep the Don’t Forget To Breathe podcast going. Become a supporter today and be part of the movement to bring light, connection, and hope to those living with loss. Follow this link to become a Supporter: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1376761/support

    43 min

  2. Jun 14

    I Don't Know What To Say to a Grieving Parent (part 2) -E437

    Send us Fan Mail In Part 2 of I Don't Know What To Say to a Grieving Parent, Bruce Barker and Kristin Glenn continue their conversation for those supporting a bereaved parent. This episode focuses on why positivity can feel dismissive, why grief cannot be fixed, and why presence matters more than advice, answers, or silver linings. Bruce and Kristin talk about the difference between support and fixing, the harm of phrases like “stay positive” or “God needed another angel,” and why grieving parents need people willing to stay, listen, and remember their child over time. They also discuss the importance of supporting grieving fathers, who are often expected to hold everything together while their own grief goes unseen. This conversation is a compassionate guide for friends, family members, co-workers, and anyone walking beside a parent after child loss. Support the show Help keep the Don’t Forget To Breathe podcast going. Become a supporter today and be part of the movement to bring light, connection, and hope to those living with loss. Follow this link to become a Supporter: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1376761/support

    34 min

  3. Jun 7

    I Don't Know What To Say to a Grieving Parent (part 1) -E436

    Send us Fan Mail What do you say to a grieving parent? For many people, the fear of saying the wrong thing leads to silence, distance, and disappearance. But for bereaved parents, that silence often hurts far more than imperfect words ever could. In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Bruce Barker and Kristin Glenn speak directly to the friends, family members, co-workers, and supporters who want to help grieving parents but feel unsure how. Together, they share honest insight into: • Why presence matters more than perfect words • Simple phrases that genuinely help • Why saying a child’s name matters • The impact of silence and avoidance • Common responses that unintentionally hurt • How grief does not need fixing, it needs witnessing This episode is both practical and deeply personal, offering compassionate guidance for anyone walking beside a bereaved parent. Support the show Help keep the Don’t Forget To Breathe podcast going. Become a supporter today and be part of the movement to bring light, connection, and hope to those living with loss. Follow this link to become a Supporter: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1376761/support

    34 min

  4. May 30

    Jamie & Cooper's Story: A Brother's Grief After Sudden Loss (part 2) -E435

    Send us Fan Mail In part two of this heartfelt conversation, Cooper shares what it has been like navigating life after the loss of his brother, Parker, following part one’s conversation with their mom, Jamie. Cooper speaks openly about the silence that filled their home after Parker died, the loss of motivation that followed, and the way grief evolved over time, from regret about the past to longing for the future they should have shared together. He also talks about sibling grief being overlooked, the pressure young men often feel to “stay strong,” and why finding someone safe to talk to changed everything for him. This episode is a powerful reminder that siblings grieve deeply too, and that their voices deserve to be heard. Support the show Help keep the Don’t Forget To Breathe podcast going. Become a supporter today and be part of the movement to bring light, connection, and hope to those living with loss. Follow this link to become a Supporter: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1376761/support

    22 min

  5. May 23

    Jamie & Cooper's Story: Heart Rocks and Mom Armor (part 1) -E434

    Send us Fan Mail In Part 1 of this deeply personal conversation, Jamie shares the story of her son Parker, a vibrant, fearless ten-year-old whose life was tragically cut short during the Baja 500 in Mexico. What follows is a raw and honest discussion about the moments that changed everything, the chaos and heartbreak of navigating unimaginable loss in a foreign country, and the impossible task of surviving while trying to hold a family together. Jamie reflects on Parker’s larger-than-life personality, his love for football and friendships, and the meaningful ways his presence continues to show up through heart rocks, community, and acts of love. Together, Bruce, Kristin, and Jamie talk openly about grief inside a family, what it means when people call grieving parents “strong,” and why connection with others who understand can become a lifeline. This episode is heartbreaking, beautiful, and deeply human. Support the show Help keep the Don’t Forget To Breathe podcast going. Become a supporter today and be part of the movement to bring light, connection, and hope to those living with loss. Follow this link to become a Supporter: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1376761/support

    28 min

  6. May 17

    You Can't Fix This -E433

    Send us Fan Mail We live in a world wired to fix things. But grief, especially child loss, is not something that can be fixed. In this episode, Bruce and Kristin explore the powerful shift from being a “fixer” to becoming a “witness.” Together, they unpack the instinct to ease pain, the discomfort that often causes people to pull away, and the quiet, lasting impact of simply staying present. This conversation is for grieving parents, and also for those who love them but don’t know what to say or do. You’ll hear honest reflections on what helps, what hurts, and why consistency matters far more than perfect words. Because in the face of unimaginable loss, you don’t need to have the answers. You just need to stay. If you’ve ever wondered how to truly show up for someone in grief, this episode offers a path forward, one rooted in presence, honesty, and compassion. Support the show Help keep the Don’t Forget To Breathe podcast going. Become a supporter today and be part of the movement to bring light, connection, and hope to those living with loss. Follow this link to become a Supporter: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1376761/support

    30 min

  7. May 9

    Tammy's Story: A Mother's Day Without Him -E432

    Send us Fan Mail In this deeply moving episode of Don’t Forget To Breathe, Tammy shares the story of her son, Easton, a bright, joyful little boy who was deeply loved and long awaited. What began as a normal season of life turned into unimaginable loss in a matter of hours. Tammy walks us through the shock of losing Easton, the trauma of those final moments, and the long road of learning to live with grief that doesn’t go away. She speaks candidly about: The physical and emotional weight of grief The loneliness that many bereaved parents feel How loss reshapes identity, relationships, and even future joy The fear and complexity of loving again And the ways she continues to honor Easton’s life and legacy This conversation is especially meaningful as we approach Mother’s Day, a time that can be incredibly painful for grieving mothers. Tammy’s story is raw, honest, and full of love, a reminder that even in the deepest grief, connection and meaning can still be found. If you are a grieving parent, or someone who loves one, this episode will stay with you. Support the show Help keep the Don’t Forget To Breathe podcast going. Become a supporter today and be part of the movement to bring light, connection, and hope to those living with loss. Follow this link to become a Supporter: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1376761/support

    38 min

  8. May 2

    When Joy Feels Like Betrayal -E431

    Send us Fan Mail There’s a moment many grieving parents experience, but rarely say out loud. A moment where laughter returns, or a sense of lightness breaks through… and almost immediately, it’s followed by guilt. In this episode, Bruce and Kristin explore the complex and often conflicting emotions that arise when joy reenters life after child loss. Why does happiness feel like betrayal? Why do we question our right to feel anything other than grief? Through personal stories, including Bruce’s first unexpected laugh after loss and Kristin’s experience during a pregnancy after losing her son, this conversation gently unpacks the tension between love, loyalty, and healing. They talk about: • The emotional “whiplash” of joy and guilt • The pressure to appear visibly sad • The fear of forgetting, or being seen as “over it” • How grief and joy can exist side by side, not in opposition • And the slow, often reluctant permission to live again If you’ve ever felt guilty for smiling, laughing, or simply feeling okay… this episode is for you. Joy is not a betrayal. It’s love, continuing to find a way forward. Support the show Help keep the Don’t Forget To Breathe podcast going. Become a supporter today and be part of the movement to bring light, connection, and hope to those living with loss. Follow this link to become a Supporter: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1376761/support

    29 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Don’t Forget To Breathe is a podcast for parents living after child loss, and for those walking beside them through grief. Hosted by bereaved parents Bruce Barker and Kristin Glenn, this show offers honest, compassionate conversations about life after child loss, long-term grief, healing, and learning how to keep living while carrying profound loss. Together, Bruce and Kristin create a space where grief does not need to be explained, and where parents can feel understood, supported, and less alone. Originally launched in 2020, the podcast began as a form of soul-cleansing and healing, as Bruce shared his journey as a father who suddenly lost his 20-year-old daughter in 2006, a tragedy no parent should ever have to endure. After a three-year hiatus marked by deep personal transformation, including divorce, closing a business, intensive therapy, and continued healing, the podcast returns with a renewed heart and a deeper, more expansive perspective. With Kristin joining as co-host in Season 4, the conversation widens. Drawing from decades of lived experience, Bruce and Kristin are joined by parents who bravely share their stories of grief, resilience, and life after the loss of a child. Together, they explore how grief changes over time, and how sorrow, hope, love, and even laughter can exist side by side. The podcast also creates space for spouses, family members, friends, and anyone walking beside a bereaved parent, offering insight into the realities of grief and the power of simply showing up with compassion and presence. You’ll hear the shift in voice, perspective, and presence, from surviving to living. Wherever you are in or around grief, this podcast offers connection, understanding, and the quiet reassurance that no one has to carry loss alone.

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