Emilie Kiser EXCLUSIVE: The Loss That Changed Her Forever

On Purpose with Jay Shetty1h 3mJune 17, 2026
AI-Generated Summary

Emily Kaiser shares the devastating loss of her son Trigg, who died in a preventable pool accident just weeks after birth, revealing the raw, unfiltered reality of grieving while living publicly. What makes her story uniquely powerful isn't just the tragedy—it's her refusal to let grief be a private burden. She describes how the world's attention, media intrusion, and online commentary amplified her pain, yet she found strength in boundaries, therapy, and the deep, unbreakable bond with her husband Brady. Emily dismantles the myth of 'stages of grief,' explaining that it’s not a journey with an end, but a lifelong coexistence of joy and sorrow. Her mission now is to transform unbearable loss into a public call for child safety—specifically, pool fencing, ISR swim lessons, and constant vigilance—because she knows: 'It can happen to you.' Her message is clear: protect your children not out of fear, but out of love, and honor your child’s memory by making the world safer for others.

Key Takeaways
1

Grief never ends—it coexists with joy, love, and daily life, and you must learn to live with it, not move past it.

2

The belief that grief has 'stages' is a myth; it’s not linear, and you can shift between emotions rapidly without 'failing' your process.

3

Preventable child deaths like drowning are the leading cause of death in children under three—pool safety barriers are non-negotiable.

4

You can’t control everything, but you can control your preparation: install pool fences, use door alarms, enroll kids in ISR swim lessons, and never assume you’re immune.

5

Sharing your pain publicly is not a performance—it’s a choice to protect your inner world while still serving a purpose.

…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus

Chapters
0:00
7 min

The Phone Call That Shattered Everything

I got a phone call from my husband that our son Trick had fallen in the pool and that he wasn't breathing. Our whole world fell apart.

Highlight
6:54
7 min

The Public Grief: When Tragedy Becomes a News Story

Emily describes how the news broke without her consent, with helicopters, reporters, and public speculation invading her private pain.

14:22
6 min

The Myth of Grief Stages and the Truth of Forever Grief

It's never ending. Your grief is going to be with you for the rest of your life.

Highlight
20:43
9 min

The Pain of Being Judged by Strangers

Emily shares how online commentary—especially blame and assumptions—deepened her pain, even though she was already punishing herself.

29:59
8 min

The Mission: Turning Grief Into Prevention

I really just want people to know that this is preventable and it doesn't have to happen to you.

Highlight
High-Impact Quotes
I got a phone call from my husband that our son Trick had fallen in the pool and that he wasn't breathing. Our whole world fell apart.
Emily Kaiser0:08
This is never going to go away. Like we're going through the darkest thing we could ever possibly go through. We just lost our child. He's never coming back. And to hear that you're going to feel this forever was it's it feels impossible.
Emily Kaiser19:30
The biggest lesson is always going to be watch your kids. Don't take your eye off them. I don't care what anybody says, that's not 100% realistic.
Emily Kaiser56:19
Speakers

Host

Jay Shetty

Guest

Emily Kaiser
Topics Discussed
child loss grief95%child drowning prevention92%pool safety90%grief coexistence88%public grief85%parenting while grieving82%ISR swim lessons80%grief myths78%
People & Brands

Trigg

person

45xPositive

Teddy

person

22xPositive

Brady

person

18xPositive

Emily Kaiser

person

12xNeutral

Jay Shetty

person

10xNeutral

ISR

organization

4xPositive

Joanne Cacciatore

person

2xPositive

iHeart Podcast

organization

2xNeutral

Cardi B

person

1xPositive

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