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

Get in touch In Part 2 of our conversation with Erin Blechman, we begin with two words familiar to so many bereaved parents, “what if?” What if I had noticed something? What if I had called? What if I had made a different decision? Erin shares how guilt and child loss can become deeply intertwined, and offers a powerful reframing, turning “what if” into “even if,” as a way of confronting the painful belief that we somehow could have controlled the outcome. The conversation expands into how child loss changes us, why every family member must be allowed to grieve differently, the importance of support groups and community, and what Erin calls our “grief illiterate culture.” Erin also shares how the private journals she began after Max’s death became her book, My Unexpected Journey , and how her own grief eventually led her to become a grief educator and walk alongside other bereaved parents. And finally, we return to Max, not to how he died, but to how he lived, a creative, compassionate young man with a beautiful heart who cared deeply about others. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Get in touch What happens when a journalist who spent decades telling other people's stories suddenly finds himself living the story he never wanted? In this deeply thoughtful conversation, Bruce Barker and Kristin Glenn welcome author, journalist, writing coach, and bereaved father John DeDakis. Together, they explore the life and legacy of John's son, Stephen, the realities of grief after child loss, and the lessons John has learned through years of writing, speaking, and walking alongside other grieving parents. The conversation moves from fathers and grief to the power of storytelling, the healing found in authentic connection, and the role of community through organizations like The Compassionate Friends and Bereaved Parents of the USA. John shares honest reflections about masculinity, vulnerability, fear, hope, and why he believes that "hope has to be practical." Most of all, this episode is a reminder that while grief changes us forever, it can also deepen our capacity for empathy, meaning, and connection. Whether you are newly bereaved, many years into your journey, or walking beside someone who is grieving, we hope this conversation helps you feel seen, understood, and a little less 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

Get in touch 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

Get in touch 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

Get in touch 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

Get in touch 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

Get in touch 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

Get in touch 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

Get in touch 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

Get in touch 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

Get in touch In Part 2 of Gina’s story, we move beyond the moment everything changed and into the long, complicated reality of living after child loss. This conversation holds space for what grief becomes over time, the loneliness that cannot be fixed, the misunderstandings that even well-meaning people carry, and the deeply personal work of healing. Gina shares what it means to feel “Gabe-sized loneliness,” a space no one else can fill, and how grief work looks different for everyone. From avoidance and delayed healing to the life-changing impact of family therapy, this episode brings honesty to the hard, often unspoken parts of grief. You’ll also hear how love continues, through everyday rituals, through memories, and through the intentional ways Gina and her family carry Gabe forward. This is a conversation about choosing to live, about staying connected, and about finding strength you didn’t know you had. For grieving parents and those walking beside them, this episode is a reminder, you don’t have to understand it all to show up, but presence matters. 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

Get in touch In Part 1 of this deeply moving conversation, Gina shares the story of her son, Gabe, a kind, funny, and compassionate 17-year-old whose presence impacted everyone around him. From memories of his humor and heart, to the way he showed up for kids who felt unseen, this episode paints a beautiful picture of who Gabe was before everything changed. Gina then walks us through the day of the accident, the hospital, and the unimaginable moments that followed. What unfolds is not only a story of loss, but a powerful reflection of love, community, and the way people come together in the face of tragedy. This is a story about a life that mattered, a community that showed up, and a mother beginning to navigate the unthinkable. This is Part 1 of Gina’s story. 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