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The Leftover Pieces; Suicide Loss Conversations
This podcast focuses on surviving life after a suicide loss, an experience that can be devastating and leave you feeling lost as you try to pick up the pieces of your shattered heart. The host, Melissa Bottorff-Arey, lost her 21-year-old son, Alex, to suicide on August 7, 2016, and brings (& often shares) her insights from her personal journey.
In each episode, Melissa engages in honest and challenging conversations with other survivors of loss, healers, and mental health experts. She also produces shorter solo episodes where she reflects on her own thoughts and experiences thus far. The podcast covers a wide range of relevant topics and addresses difficult questions. Melissa explores all aspects of grief, including trauma, hope, healing, self-care, legacy, and stigma. She believes that we learn to live alongside our grief rather than getting over it. Actual change comes through authentic, meaningful connections and mindful choices.
For supporters or educators, these conversations provide valuable insights and shine a light on suicide and grief genuinely and unapologetically. Listeners who are grieving a suicide loss can find comfort in the community and hope for a better tomorrow. Melissa aims to help others, like herself, transition from merely surviving to discovering a life filled with meaning and, potentially, even happiness amid the leftover pieces around you. You can always schedule a time to chat about being a guest from my main website.
[Please NOTE: This podcast is for only relational, informational, and entertainment purposes. It candidly and openly discusses sensitive and sometimes activating topics. There will be no in-depth or graphic descriptions of the method, but merely the possible mention of suicide, murder, rape, and the like. Be guided and care for yourself accordingly. Also, Melissa is not a doctor or licensed therapist, and nothing on this podcast should be taken in place of, or as, medical/mental health advice or recommendations.]
The Leftover Pieces; Suicide Loss Conversations
How to Begin Healing After Suicide Loss; Transform with Support & Tools at Casa Alternavida
Today I release a conversation with the founder & owner of Casa Alternavida which is on the beautiful, lush Caribbean Island of Puerto Rico - which now happens to also be where I call home as well!
CLICK for The Leftover Pieces RETREAT INFO HERE
In Yancy's words:
"Casa Alternavida - A House of Transformation. Fresh perspective for a more fulfilling life.Casa Alternavida is a boutique wellness retreat center located in Puerto Rico offering a high-touchpoint, guided retreat experience for curious, growth-minded individuals and groups.
Our approach is to get people out of their heads and into their body, a vast and commonly untapped intelligence that can bring deep insight and guidance. We work with nature as a metaphor during our daily adventures, supporting mindset shifts that give our guests opportunities to reconnect to their essential self.
I am Yancy, the founder, is a master facilitator, somatic healer and I have a wealth of knowledge around retreat planning, nature guiding, and conscious communication. I am also a seasoned nature adventure guide with an abundance of knowledge and passion for their local flora and fauna."
READ ABOUT THEM HERE in Preferred Magazine
Today Yancy & I discuss:
- His story that includes loss & his ‘why’ for starting a retreat center of this type
- The life changing realizations he had
- The mindful way he put together Casa Alternavida
- An example of a ‘day in the life’ at a retreat
- Some of the specifics of our retreat that will be July 17-22, 2024
- What the takeaways will be from The Picking up the Pieces Retreat
- And more...
Again, CLICK for The Leftover Pieces RETREAT INFO HERE
You can FIND Yancy /Casa Alternavida through the links on my website!
Find CASA ALTERNAVIDA's Website HERE
FOLLOW the, on INSTAGRAM HERE
Follow them on FACEBOOK HERE
Support the show
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My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.
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💜 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.