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

Bruce Barker
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Biweekly

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. 1d ago

    Erin Blechman (part 1): More Than How He Died -E546

    Get in touch Erin Blechman describes her son Max as one of the most interesting people she has ever known. He was intelligent, creative, compassionate, funny, and deeply sensitive. He played music, wrote poetry and short stories, performed stand up comedy, and cared deeply about the injustices he saw in the world. Max also lived with major depressive disorder, and in June of 2020, at age 25, he died by suicide. In Part 1 of this two part conversation, Erin shares Max’s life beyond the circumstances of his death and speaks openly about the earliest days of child loss, the fog of grief, the yearning to be with your child again, anger, survival, and the isolation bereaved parents can experience. Bruce and Erin also explore the relationship between grief and trauma, and why understanding both can be an important part of learning to live after the unimaginable. This episode includes an open conversation about suicide, mental health, and 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

  2. Aug 29

    Moms Retreat Reunion: Finding Connection After Child Loss -E545

    Get in touch What happens when a group of mothers who have experienced the death of a child step away from everyday life and into the mountains together? In this special episode of Don't Forget To Breathe, Kristin reunites with several of the moms who shared a retreat weekend in the Colorado mountains. Together, they reflect on what they carried home with them, the connections they formed, and what it means to spend time with people who understand a grief that so often feels impossible to explain. Their conversation explores the isolation of child loss, learning to be gentle with yourself around anniversaries and milestones, allowing others to show up for you, and discovering that laughter and joy do not betray the children we love and miss. They also talk honestly about how different grief can look from one parent to another, and why sometimes the greatest gift isn't advice or the right words, but simply having someone willing to sit beside you and say, "Your tears are safe with me." There is no retreat that can change the reality that our children died. But finding people who understand can change how we carry that loss. If you've been feeling alone in your grief, we hope this conversation reminds you that you don't have to carry it alone. The Don't Forget To Breathe Foundation is planning additional retreat weekends for bereaved parents, including an upcoming Mother's Retreat in November 2026. Visit dontforgettobreathefoundation.org or reach out to us to learn more. Come as you are. We'll meet you there. 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

  3. Aug 9 ·  Bonus

    The song, Don’t Forget to Breathe

    Get in touch Don’t Forget To Breathe I still talk to you in empty rooms In the silence and the Sunday afternoons Some days I laugh Some days I break Some days I don’t know What my heart can take   And everybody says that time moves on But they don’t know a love this strong So we carry what we cannot leave And somehow learn to breathe   So don’t forget to breathe When the night gets hard to see When the world keeps moving on And you’re still holding on There’s a place for every tear Every memory still here You are not alone tonight We’ll sit with you awhile And don’t forget to breathe   We speak their names around this fire Like keeping love alive is our desire And maybe grief’s just love that stays Long after someone slips away   So pull your chair a little near There’s healing in the stories shared right here No fixing words No grand relief Just hearts that still believe   So don’t forget to breathe When the ache won’t let you sleep When the quiet feels too loud And you can’t stand in the crowd There’s a road we didn’t choose Still we walk it two by two You are not alone tonight We’ll sit with you awhile And don’t forget to breathe   Ahhhh Love don’t end It just changes shape again Ohhhh And the ones we miss the most Still live inside these souls   So don’t forget to breathe Through the heartbreak and the grief There’s a light we cannot see Still shining quietly And if all you do today Is simply make it through the pain That is more than enough tonight You’re still here and so are we So don’t forget Don’t forget to breathe Don’t forget to breathe Don’t Forget To Breathe 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

  4. Aug 2

    Season 4 Wrap and Don't Forget To Breathe song -E444

    Get in touch As Season 4 comes to a close, Bruce Barker reflects on an unforgettable year of conversations, courage, and connection. In this special solo episode, Bruce looks back at some of the season's most impactful moments with guests including Tammy, Jamie and Cooper, Scott Allen, Marissa, and John DeDakis. He shares how their stories, along with conversations with co-host Kristin Glenn, have helped normalize grief, honor our children, and remind bereaved parents that they are never alone. Bruce also offers a preview of what's ahead in Season 5, including upcoming guests, new Foundation initiatives, and the first episode of the new season, which will reflect on National Bereaved Parents Month, the Compassionate Friends and Bereaved Parents of the USA national conferences, and the anniversaries of Zach and Kristen. Finally, Bruce debuts the Don't Forget To Breathe song, a deeply personal tribute inspired by the words that have become the heartbeat of the podcast and a reminder that love endures, hope remains, and our children's stories continue to be told. And here are the lyrics... Don’t Forget To Breathe I still talk to you in empty rooms In the silence and the Sunday afternoons Some days I laugh Some days I break Some days I don’t know What my heart can take   And everybody says that time moves on But they don’t know a love this strong So we carry what we cannot leave And somehow learn to breathe   So don’t forget to breathe When the night gets hard to see When the world keeps moving on And you’re still holding on There’s a place for every tear Every memory still here You are not alone tonight We’ll sit with you awhile And don’t forget to breathe   We speak their names around this fire Like keeping love alive is our desire And maybe grief’s just love that stays Long after someone slips away   So pull your chair a little near There’s healing in the stories shared right here No fixing words No grand relief Just hearts that still believe   So don’t forget to breathe When the ache won’t let you sleep When the quiet feels too loud And you can’t stand in the crowd There’s a road we didn’t choose Still we walk it two by two You are not alone tonight We’ll sit with you awhile And don’t forget to breathe   Ahhhh Love don’t end It just changes shape again Ohhhh And the ones we miss the most Still live inside these souls   So don’t forget to breathe Through the heartbreak and the grief There’s a light we cannot see Still shining quietly And if all you do today Is simply make it through the pain That is more than enough tonight You’re still here and so are we So don’t forget Don’t forget to breathe Don’t forget to breathe Don’t Forget To Breathe Thank you for walking this journey with us. We'll see you in Season 5. 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

  5. Jul 20

    Who Am I After Child Loss -E443

    Get in touch Who were you before your child died? And who have you become since? In this deeply personal conversation, Bruce Barker and Kristin Glenn explore one of the most profound realities of child loss: the person you were before your child died no longer exists. Together, they reflect on how grief reshapes identity, relationships, priorities, purpose, and even the way we experience the world. They talk about losing not only a son or daughter, but also the future they imagined, the confidence they once carried, and the version of themselves they thought they would always be. They also discuss the unexpected qualities that emerge through grief, deeper compassion, greater authenticity, a different understanding of success, and a renewed desire to help others, while acknowledging they would trade every lesson learned for one more moment with their children. Throughout the episode, Bruce and Kristin invite listeners to pause and consider difficult but important questions: What parts of yourself do you miss?What parts of yourself are you proud of?How have your priorities changed?What would your child recognize in the person you've become?If you've ever looked in the mirror after child loss and wondered, "Who am I now?" this conversation reminds you that you're not alone. Grief changes us, but it doesn't end our story. Together, we continue learning how to carry both who we were and who we are becoming. 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

  6. Jul 12

    Marissa's Story: Healing Isn't Betrayal, Even When It Feels That Way -E442

    Get in touch Marissa's daughter, Skylar, died in 2015 at just four years old. More than a decade later, Marissa shares what many bereaved parents quietly experience: the love hasn't changed, the grief hasn't disappeared, and healing can sometimes feel like betraying the child you miss every day. In this deeply vulnerable conversation, Marissa talks about the physical pain of grief, addiction as an attempt to numb unbearable sorrow, carrying what she describes as "a rock" inside her, and the loneliness that comes when everyone around you seems to move forward while you remain emotionally anchored to the day your child died. She also shares the hope she's beginning to discover as she starts grief counseling, why saying a child's name matters more than many people realize, and what grieving parents truly need from those who love them. Whether you're grieving the loss of a child or supporting someone who is, this episode offers honest insight into the lifelong journey of carrying profound love alongside profound 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

  7. Jul 5

    Grief in Their Words: Voices That understand Child Loss -E441

    Get in touch Sometimes another person's words express exactly what our hearts have been trying to say. In this special episode, Bruce and Kristin step away from the traditional interview format to share writings and reflections from several remarkable voices in the grief community, including Jameson Arasi, Paula Griffith, Donna Ashworth, and The Grief Table. Together, they explore powerful themes including why grief is a lifelong expression of love, how grief and joy can exist together, the difference between memories and missing, learning to "move with" grief rather than trying to move on, and why speaking our children's names keeps their presence alive. More than a discussion about inspirational quotes, this conversation is an invitation to discover resources that may bring comfort, validation, and hope—whether your loss is recent or decades old. If you've ever struggled to find words for your grief, this episode may help you find them. Because while grief changes shape, love never disappears.  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

  8. Jul 2

    A New Chapter: Introducing the Don't Forget To Breathe Foundation -E440

    Get in touch What began as one father's way of surviving the loss of his daughter has grown into something far bigger than a podcast. In this special episode, Bruce Barker and Kristin Glenn announce the launch of the Don't Forget To Breathe Foundation, a nonprofit created to expand connection, conversation, and community for bereaved parents and those who walk beside them. Bruce and Kristin share the story behind the foundation, the unmet needs they continue to see in the child loss community, and their vision for creating spaces where grieving parents feel heard, understood, and supported—whether their loss was recent or decades ago. They also introduce upcoming initiatives including retreats for mothers, fathers, and couples, facilitator training, educational resources, support circles, and new conversation prompt cards designed to strengthen grief support groups. You'll also hear about the foundation's first public appearances at the upcoming national conferences for The Compassionate Friends and Bereaved Parents of the USA, and learn how you can help ensure that no parent has to navigate child loss alone. Whether you're a bereaved parent, family member, friend, professional, or someone who simply wants to support grieving families more compassionately, this episode is an invitation to become part of a growing community built on hope, authenticity, and connection. Together, we're creating connection, conversation, and community—so no one has to navigate child loss 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

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 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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