The Leftover Pieces: Suicide Loss Conversations
Suicide loss changes everything. The Leftover Pieces® Podcast explores life after suicide through honest conversations with survivors, experts, and grieving parents learning to live forward after unimaginable loss. Parents, partners, siblings, and friends share what it means to keep living when the world has been forever changed.
Hosted by Melissa Bottorff-Arey, whose 21-year-old son Alex died by suicide in 2016, the show blends intimate conversations with survivors, healers, and mental health professionals with short solo reflections you can actually use. Together we explore child loss, trauma and nervous-system care, anniversaries and seasons, stigma, faith and meaning, legacy, and the everyday practices that help make life livable again.
At its heart, this podcast is about learning to live forward after loss. We never move on from the people we love, but we can learn to carry the grief differently. This road can feel incredibly lonely—but you are not alone here.
For supporters, educators, and professionals, these conversations also offer insight into the realities of suicide grief and what genuine, non-fixing support can look like.
If you’d like to share your story or expertise, you can request to be a guest through Melissa’s website.
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Content Note
This podcast speaks candidly about grief and suicide loss and may feel activating for some listeners. We avoid graphic descriptions and discussion of suicide methods. Please care for yourself as needed. Melissa is not a doctor or licensed therapist, and nothing shared here should be considered medical or mental-health advice.
The Leftover Pieces: Suicide Loss Conversations
I Love You & So Do Others; Amber Carroll of "We Are Team Jake"
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It is my honor to share my conversation with Amber Carroll of "Team Jake" today. She speaks so bravely - and so boldly - as a sister who lost her precious brother, her best friend, to suicide on January 2, 2019. On that day she says her whole world changed and that she will never be the same person. She shares with me who Jake was and how he still inspires her today. After finding his journals, she became inspired to use his words to help others who are struggling - including herself. This is a touching story for siblings but also for anyone who has lost someone by suicide.
Here's a bit about Amber:
"Amber Carroll is a broadcast journalist based out of California and co-founder and President of the non-profit, We Are Team Jake. After losing her brother, Jake, to suicide in 2019, she became a mental health awareness and suicide prevention advocate.
She is an avid traveler, living in close to 12 states, a dedicated runner, and a huge sports fan. Amber is also a Certified Life Coach focusing on helping people write their own stories."
Find TEAM JAKE HERE
Find Amber & Team Jake on Instagram HERE
Find the "I Love You and So Do Others" PODCAST HERE
Find them on TWITTER HERE as well
About the Podcast: The “ I Love You and So Do Others Podcast” is a unique outlet providing various resources, contacts, groups, and events surrounding mental health! The I Love you and So Do Others Podcast is intended for a mature audience. Episodes discuss topics that can be triggering. I am not a licensed therapist or a medical professional. I have no medical license or professional counseling license. The opinions expressed by those on this show are their own and do not reflect the views of myself or We Are Team Jake. Thank you so much for listening to the I Love You and So Do Others Podcast.
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My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" support central - MY HUB - and that means my different SUPPORT GROUP Options are available. Go DIRECTLY to my SUPPORT page here where you will find ALL of the ways to connect and find support. My first two books (tools I am creating for you!) in the "Facing Life After Suicide" series are available on Amazon
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out:
The National Suicide Lifeline is there for you OR CALL 988
In a crisis, you can also TEXT--->
TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USA
in Canada TEXT 686868
in the UK TEXT 85258
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💜 The Leftover Pieces is support for life after suicide loss. Click links below
🎙 Leave me a message: Share a question, your story, or your person’s name for a future episode → theleftoverpieces.com/voicemail
🔗 Stay connected: Join my email community for weekly support, resources, and honest conversations.
🛠 Start here: Explore website for suicide loss resources for early grief, family support, and next steps.
🤝 For moms: One-on-one grief coaching for mothers navigating life after child loss.
📞 Need support right now? If you or someone you love is struggling, call or text 988 (U.S. & Canada), or text HOME to 741741.