Late Portland documentary filmmaker Brian Lindstrom focused on people society ‘put an X through’

Portland filmmaker Brian Lindstrom died last Friday, May 15, 2026 at age 65.  He was diagnosed with the rare brain disease Progressive Supranuclear Palsy only last month.  “He was a stellar husband. He was the most magnificent dad,” wrote his wife author Cheryl Strayed on Instagram Friday. “He was a man whose every word and deed was driven by kindness, compassion, and generosity. He saw the goodness in everyone. He believed that we are all sacred and redeemable.” Lindstrom was a guest on “Think Out Loud" in 2015 to talk about his film “Mothering Inside,” a program that aimed to keep families intact after mothers are sent to prison.  He said the film was the third in a trilogy, after “Finding Normal” and “Alien Boy: The Life and Death of James Chasse," all centered around one thing:  “Really trying to shine a light on people that we, as society, usually put an X through, and try to reveal their humanity and strength. And I feel so privileged to have been let into the program and to really see these women, not only nurture and develop bonds with their children, but really work on themselves and change. Their kind of life story in a sense, to change the way they thought of themselves and to put their experiences in a different context: one based on strength … I found that wonderful spiritual humility that comes about when someone takes a hard look at their life, admits that it's not working, and will do anything to change it.”  It was Lindstrom’s wish that any donations made in his memory go to the  Family Preservation Project, the organization that runs the “Mothering Inside” program. To hear a longer excerpt that includes a participant in the program who was in conversation with Lindstrom and “Think Out Loud” host Dave Miller, click the arrow below.