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The holidays can be one of the hardest times for grieving parents. Between memories of what once was and the silence of what’s missing, emotions can feel overwhelming. In this heartfelt episode of Don’t Forget To Breathe, host Bruce Barker shares gentle reflections and practical coping strategies for navigating the season after child loss.

Discover ways to approach family gatherings, honor your child’s memory through meaningful traditions, and give yourself permission to rest and feel. Whether this is your first or fifteenth holiday season without your child, this conversation reminds you that grief and love can coexist; and that hope, connection, and compassion can still be found, even in November and December.

You’re not alone. Together, we can find meaning and connection in the season that reminds us to breathe, remember, and hold onto hope.

grief support, child loss, holidays, coping with grief, bereaved parents, emotional healing, hope after loss, grief podcast.

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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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My guest, Sheila Johnson Wilson, a writer, musician, and professional coordinator, has endured the loss of more than 20 loved ones, including 17 in just five years. Through deep personal work, she’s found healing and now shares her story to inspire others with courage to heal, support one another, and dream again.

Contact information for Sheila and William Wood are:

[email protected]

William Wood: [email protected]

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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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In part three of my conversation with Marnie, she shares life after Joey’s death in 2022—the weight of grief, the struggles, and the ways she continues forward while holding onto her daughter’s memory. Unlike the first two episodes, we recorded this in Marnie’s home, where she invited me into Joey’s room, unchanged since the last time she slept there. Surrounded by Joey’s art and presence, it was a sacred, moving experience. I now invite you to lean in and hear Marnie’s honest and heartfelt 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

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In the second of three conversations, Marnie continues sharing the story of her daughter, Joey—this time moving into the heartbreaking account of her final days and the moment of her death. Alongside the deep pain, Marnie reflects with tenderness and honesty on the love that carried them through. Recorded in a bustling coffeehouse, this episode invites you to listen past the background sounds and into a mother’s unflinching story of loss, love, and remembrance.

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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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In the first of three conversations, Marnie from Colorado opens her heart to share memories of her daughter, Joey—the devastating medical diagnosis, countless hospital visits, and the daily fight to keep her alive, as well as the laughter, adventures, and everyday moments that filled their life with love. Recorded in a cozy coffeehouse, this episode invites you to see Joey through her mother’s eyes, before the tragedy that changed everything.

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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In this episode, I revisit one of the most talked-about topics from Season 2, Episode 9: Did You Really Just Say That?
We’ll reflect on some of the surprising, hurtful, or well-meaning-but-wrong things people say to grieving parents. I also share a few new comments I’ve heard recently from others in my grief support groups. If you've ever been on the receiving end of words that missed the mark—or if you want to better support someone in grief—this episode is for you.

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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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Nineteen years ago today, Kristen died. In this short episode, I reflect on the weight of this day—what it brings up, how I’ve coped, and the ways I’ve honored her memory through the years. Grief changes, but it never disappears. This is a quiet space to remember, to feel, and to share the journey of healing.

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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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Where Has Bruce Been?
After a three-year pause, Don’t Forget To Breathe returns with a raw and transparent look at the life-changing events that kept Bruce away from the mic. In this powerful relaunch, Bruce shares his journey through divorce, trauma, therapy, self-discovery, healing, and a new direction in life. It's a fresh chapter—honest, heartfelt, and rooted in the hope of moving forward together.

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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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After more than three years away from the mic, I’m back with Season 3—bringing heartfelt, healing conversations around life after child loss. This season features solo reflections, revisits to powerful past topics, and honest stories from fellow grieving parents. I may not be a professional, just a dad walking this journey, but I hope these episodes help you feel seen, heard, and less alone. Let’s take one step at a time, together.

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

(Originally aired July 2021) We are joined by a special guest, Dr. Jody Barker, who talks about the concept of secondary trauma with public educators. And the episode takes a turn to dive into the "trigger" event Bruce and Jody experienced, that led to the original discussion of secondary trauma. It was a deep dive.