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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
“Movies, Shows & Books, Oh My; What to Watch ...Or Not “
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Are you a late-night grief-insomniac like me? Do you need to escape, or maybe think deeply? I have it all! New today and a few more on the way...a long overdue episode about what I have watched or read etc. and what my take is on these shows, movies, books & more. There are a few honorable mentions (HM) in most categories that I will not say as much about, but I do talk briefly about why they are mentioned.
My Past Podcasts on this same topic (all different shows, etc... mostly):
Must Have APP - Does the Dog Die
Movies:
- Love, Liza (Philip Seymor Hoffman 2002)
- What Dreams May Come (Robin Willimas 1998)
- Roadrunner; The Story of Anthony Bourdain (2021)
- (HM) Coco (2017)
- (HM) Steel Magnolias (1989)
- (HM) The Big Chill (1983)
TV Shows/Series:
- The Bear (FX on Hulu at the time of recording - 2 Seasons out, 3# coming in June 2024 with more planned)
- Dead to Me (Netflix at time of recording - 3 Seasons)
- (HM always) Scattering CJ (documentary)
- (HM) Blue Bloods (2010 - current CBS - stream on paramount & Prime) good handling of grief
- (HM) Somebody Feed Phil - 7 seasons - lighthearted & entertaining (some legacy/honoring of grief) Netflix currently
- (HM) Friends - ('94-2004; 10 seasons -for caution/curious observation & entertainment) Max currently has all
Books/Reads:
- Get Griefy Magazine available online OR Amazon
- Suicidal- why we kill ourselves by Jesse Bering
- Dying to be Free by Beverly Cobain
- Because They Lived
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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.