The Leftover Pieces: Suicide Loss Conversations
Suicide loss changes everything. This show is about life after suicide—real talk and practical support for grief after suicide: parents, partners, siblings, and friends finding their footing again. Each week, we explore what helps in suicide bereavement so you can keep going with honesty and hope.
Hosted by Melissa Bottorff-Arey, whose 21-year-old son, Alex, died by suicide in 2016, the podcast blends intimate conversations with survivors, healers, and mental health experts with short solo “Daily Nugget” episodes you can actually use. We cover child loss, trauma and nervous-system care, anniversaries and seasons, stigma, faith and meaning, legacy, and the everyday practices that make life livable again. You’ll hear grounded tools, language that honors your person, and the reminder that you are not broken—you are grieving.
For supporters and educators, these episodes offer insight into the realities of suicide grief and what genuine, non-fixing support looks like. If you’d like to share your story or expertise, you can request to be a guest via my website. 💜
Content Note
This podcast speaks candidly about difficult experiences and may feel activating. We avoid method details and graphic description. Please care for yourself as needed. I’m not a doctor or licensed therapist; nothing here is medical or mental-health advice.
The Leftover Pieces: Suicide Loss Conversations
Life After Suicide Loss of a Child; The 3 Universal Needs Moms Share
Today I go "down the rabbit hole" to discuss a topic near and dear to my heart. As a mom who lost a child by suicide myself, I have become increasingly aware that while we moms definitely have some different needs we do seem to share 3 common ones. We need:
- Resources - at the time of loss & beyond to help us find all of the places for help, healing & information
- Community - a place to connect, grieve & grow with other moms who understand our loss (& by proxy, understand us)
- Legacy - the need to find ways to ensure our child is remembered, that their life mattered.
I explore this topic today and you can find answers to many of these needs within the Leftover Pieces community -- on my website the leftoverpieces.com
It is my hearts mission to provide ways through this to other suicide loss survivors & I am always looking for new ways to do just that. Ultimately, I have discovered that this is not easy, but you do not have to be alone!
Also see the links below to check out all of the NEW things happening here at the Leftover Pieces. Talk soon! - Melissa
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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. I work to meet the needs of the three main things all moms say they need after the loss of their child by suicide - resources (at the time of loss and beyond), a community of connection that 'gets it' and a way to ensure that their child leaves an enduring legacy in this world!
For resources go to my Resource Page HERE
For Community, go t my Support Page HERE where you will find ALL of the ways to connect and find support.
For a way to leave a Legacy of your child - GO HERE
The latest Legacy project is NOW published as a BOOK -- GET IT HERE!!!
ALSO, my first two books (tools I have created 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
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Get THE Leftover Pieces APP & don't miss anything! CLICK HERE
💜 The Leftover Pieces is support central for grieving hearts.
🔗 Stay connected: Join my free email community for weekly check-ins, resources, and encouragement.
🌟 For moms: Explore the $9 Lighthouse Community — safe connection, tools, and hope.
🛠 Resources for all grievers: Start here.
🤝 One-on-one grief coaching for moms after child loss to suicide: Learn more here.
📞 Need help now? If you or someone you love is struggling with suicidal thoughts, dial 988 in the U.S. & Canada, or text HOME to 741741.