Helping audiences rebuild when life doesn’t go as planned

BARBARA BOWMAN
Keynote Speaker | Author
Resilience & Life Transi

BARBARA BOWMAN Keynote Speaker | Author Resilience & Life TransiBARBARA BOWMAN Keynote Speaker | Author Resilience & Life TransiBARBARA BOWMAN Keynote Speaker | Author Resilience & Life Transi

BARBARA BOWMAN
Keynote Speaker | Author
Resilience & Life Transi

BARBARA BOWMAN Keynote Speaker | Author Resilience & Life TransiBARBARA BOWMAN Keynote Speaker | Author Resilience & Life TransiBARBARA BOWMAN Keynote Speaker | Author Resilience & Life Transi

Okay… Now What?

Okay… Now What? Okay… Now What? Okay… Now What?

Life doesn’t go according to plan.

Grief. Loss. Major life pivots.

I help audiences rebuild with clarity, resilience, and pract

Check Availability & Book Barbara
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Practical tools for navigating life’s hardest moments

Speaking & Keynotes

 

Barbara Bowman delivers keynote talks on resilience, grief, and life transitions — helping audiences navigate disruption and rebuild with clarity and direction. 

Barbara speaks at universities, women’s conferences, leadership events, and organizations focused on resilience and personal growth.


 

Signature Keynote

Okay… Now What?
How to Rebuild When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned

When life falls apart — through grief, betrayal, or major change — people often get stuck trying to recreate what was. This keynote gives audiences a practical framework for accepting reality, regaining   emotional footing, and moving forward with clarity and strength. 


 

Audience Takeaways

• Accept reality faster so forward movement becomes possible
• Recognize when rebuilding — not restoring — is the path forward
• Regain emotional footing during major life transitions
• Identify clear next steps instead of staying stuck
• Support others navigating grief with confidence and compassion



Book Barbara for your next event: bowheartpro@gmail.com

My Books

Barbara’s work extends beyond the stage through practical, real-world guides.

 

“Absolutely fantastic… captures the angst of the grieving and gives excellent advice for the supporting friend.”

★★★★★ Amazon Review

Finally, a death guide that won't bore you to death!

What NOT to Do at Funerals:

A Guide to Avoid Eternal Embarrassment


 A practical, memorable guide to helping people show up with confidence and compassion when someone is grieving — without saying or doing the wrong thing. , this guide blends lighthearted humor with heartfelt sensitivity. What Not to Do at Funerals helps you honor the lives we've l

BUY THE BOOK NOW | READ A SAMPLE
Coming in spring 2026

Getting Out! A Tactical Guide to Escaping Narcissism

A direct, no-nonsense guide for recognizing manipulation, protecting yourself, and getting out of toxic relationships. This isn’t theory — it’s a practical roadmap for navigating the chaos, reclaiming your clarity, and rebuilding your life.

Join the Waitlist

Watch Barbara in Action

See Barbara in action! View clips from past interviews, podcast appearances, and speaking engagement

Whether you're looking for a keynote that will have your audience both reflecting and laughing, a workshop that transforms awkwardness into understanding, or a podcast guest who can make death talk genuinely engaging, I deliver death etiquette wisdom with warmth, wit, and wisdom. 

Grief in the Modern World; Relationships, Pets & the Role of Social Media

With wit, warmth, and a whole lot of heart, Barbara shares how navigating loss—personal and profound—led her to write a humorous yet compassionate guide to help others avoid awkward moments at funerals.  From heartfelt experiences to hilarious faux pas, Barbara reminds us that empathy and laughter can go hand in hand, even during life’s most difficult goodbyes. 

I Never Knew (INK) But My Dog Did! By Lifecoach Maureen

 Hi Everyone! Let's talk about the unspoken rules of saying goodbye-with a little humor and a lot of heart! In today's episode we welcome the lively and insightful Barbara Bowman, author of "What NOT To Do at Funerals". While funerals are often heavy and emotional Barbara brings a refreshing lightness to this important conversation!
To reach Barbara: bowheartpro@gmail.com
To say hello, suggest a show, request to be a guest or inquire about coaching with your host: www.lifecoachmaureen.com
Don't forget to check out the dog boutique: www.mydogiseverything.net 

Thrive After 45™ with Denise Drinkwater Ep,#45

 The real talk we all need - because showing up during times of loss can be incredibly powerful... or painfully awkward. And most of us were never taught how to do it well.  I sat down with the wise, funny, and wonderfully down-to-earth Barbara Bowman - a midlife woman on a mission to make grief less confusing and more compassionate.   After experiencing more personal loss than most of us can imagine, Barbara decided to take everything she’s learned and turn it into something useful: a heartfelt (and honestly hilarious) guide called "What Not to Do at Funerals." 

Even Tacos Fall Apart

 Barbara's guides offer simple, practical advice to help people navigate the often uncomfortable and challenging moments that arise during these times. With a mix of lighthearted humor and genuine care, Barbara aims to make readers feel a little more at ease when dealing with life’s most difficult moments—and help them avoid the missteps that can leave a lasting impression for all the wrong reasons."  https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.twitch.tv%2Fvideos%2F2544312155&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw2mvdSWgz5BrSZYKvNDWATBut awkwardness doesn't have to be."

INsights & Straight Talk Rodd Duff

  

"By blending humor with practical advice, Barbara helps people navigate the complexities of funerals while honoring the dignity of the deceased and their families. Because death might be inevitable, but awkwardness doesn't have to be."

PURE WISDOM PODCAST

Barbara Bowman has experienced more funerals than anyone should, having helped plan and participate in the memorials of friends, family members, and even her own son. Through years of hearing countless stories about funeral faux pas and awkward situations, Barbara recognized a pressing need for a guide that blends humor with sensitivity. 

Additional Speaking Topics

Supporting Grieving Friends Without Making It Worse

Supporting Grieving Friends Without Making It Worse

Supporting Grieving Friends Without Making It Worse

 What to say (and what to avoid) when someone is grieving — with practical language people can actually use. 

Recognizing Toxic Relationship

Supporting Grieving Friends Without Making It Worse

Supporting Grieving Friends Without Making It Worse

How to identify manipulation, regain clarity, and begin making confident decisions about what comes next. 

Finding Humor in Difficult Seasons

Supporting Grieving Friends Without Making It Worse

Communicating in Difficult Conversations

 How perspective and humor can help people navigate difficult moments without minimizing the experience. 

Communicating in Difficult Conversations

Digital Death: Navigating Grief in the Age of Social Media

Communicating in Difficult Conversations

 Practical tools for saying the right thing when emotions are high and words matter most. 

Digital Death: Navigating Grief in the Age of Social Media

Digital Death: Navigating Grief in the Age of Social Media

Digital Death: Navigating Grief in the Age of Social Media

Navigate the complex intersection of grief, social media, and online memorials with compassion and authenticity.  

How to find the right words

Digital Death: Navigating Grief in the Age of Social Media

Digital Death: Navigating Grief in the Age of Social Media

Discover authentic ways to express sympathy when clichés fall short and silence feels awkward.

Book Barbara for Your Event

 Keynotes • Workshops • Universities • Women’s Conferences • Leadership Events

Email: bowheartpro@gmail.com

BowHeart Productions

bowheartpro@gmail.com 

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