Seekers of Meaning 1/17/2025: Jessica Fein, author of “Breath Taking,” book about her daughter’s illness

Jewish Sacred Aging Podcasts

On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Jessica Fein, author of Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes, discusses her daughter’s progressive degenerative illness and death.

They explore themes of resilience, the challenges of parenting a child with a rare disease, the adoption process, and the importance of community and self-care in the face of grief. Jessica shares her journey of acceptance, advocacy, and the profound love that defined her daughter Dahlia’s life, emphasizing the role of hope and faith in navigating life’s challenges.

About the Book from Amazon.com

“A master class in how to be a person.” –Joanna Rakoff, bestselling author of My Salinger Year

“Astonishing…one of the most moving memoirs I’ve read.” –Caroline Leavitt, best-selling author of With or Without You and Days of Wonder.

In Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes, Jessica Fein takes readers on a powerful journey through the profound joys and heart-wrenching challenges of love and loss. At the tender age of five, Jessica’s daughter Dalia is diagnosed with a rare degenerative disease, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the family’s life. Inspired by Dalia’s unyielding spirit and irrepressible zest for life, Jessica and her family embark on a remarkable odyssey of love, resilience, and self-discovery.

From the initial shock of diagnosis to the relentless battles against the ravages of disease, Jessica navigates the complexities of parenthood with unwavering courage and love. As each breath becomes a precious act of defiance against fate, Jessica learns to embrace the present moment with fierce determination, finding solace in the small joys that illuminate even the darkest of days.

But Breath Taking is more than a story of loss and grief; it’s a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the transformative power of love. Through laughter and tears, Jessica discovers the delicate balance between advocacy and acceptance, vulnerability and strength. Along the way, she confronts her deepest fears, finds unexpected allies, and discovers the resilience of the human heart.

With poignant insights and unflinching honesty, Jessica’s narrative transcends the boundaries of tragedy to offer a beacon of hope for anyone facing life’s most daunting challenges. Breath Taking is a masterclass in resilience, a testament to the enduring power of love, and a celebration of the extraordinary courage found in ordinary moments.

“More than an honest and humorous memoir, Breath Taking can be the guide star so many seek when life hands them more than they ever imagined they could endure.” –Daniel DeFabio, rare disease filmmaker and Co-founder of The Disorder Channel

“A story of relentless heartbreak met with wit, strength, and resilience.” –Jennifer Weisel Bailey, ELLE Magazine

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About the Guest

Jessica Fein

Jessica Fein is an author, advocate, speaker, and podcast host. She’s a seasoned media contributor, having published more than 100 columns
and essays in The Boston Globe, HuffPost, The Mighty, Psychology Today, Zibby Mag, Kveller, and more.

Jessica is a working mother and a relentless warrior in the memory of her dynamic daughter, whom she lost to a rare disease in 2022. She balances writing, podcasting, motherhood, and advocacy with her work as a senior marketing executive at a global multi-billion dollar education company. 

Jessica serves on the Board of Directors of MitoAction. She’s the mother of three, whom she and her husband adopted from Guatemala. They live in Framingham, Massachusetts with their quasi-service dog, who trained himself. 

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