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
Dan Maigler - From Tale to Tail; A Mission in Paws for Patrick
Today I welcome Dan Maigler to the podcast. Dan is the mental health director for Paws for Patrick, a non-profit that connects people with mental health issues to Emotional Support Animals. Dan was Patrick's school social worker and when he died by suicide in May of 2020 it was devastating. Patrick's family starting Paws for Patrick has been incredibly healing for him and helped him endure the suicide of his own nephew Brian, in January of this year (2022).
Dan is also a therapist in private practice and the host of the mental health podcast Not Allowed to Die where he explores listener questions about treatment and dilemmas his clients are facing.
Paws for Patrick is a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting young people to emotional support animals (ESA's) and therapy animals to aid them as they live with mental illness. Utilizing their unique Wish Granter and Therapy Dog programs, they provide the funds and resources to bring the love of animals to the people who need it most. They also seek to raise awareness of mental illness and break the stigma that still exists. Patricks' animals, especially his beloved dog Cici, provided him with a sense of peace and love that no human could ever provide. This work can never bring Patrick back, and the pain of his loss will never go away, yet his memory and his legacy still lives on in the most profound way.
Dan's Podcast "Not Allowed to Die" can be found HERE
And some links directly to episodes I referenced -- but all of his episodes are great
HERE is the Suicidal Friends 101 episode
HERE is the episode on Emotional Support Animals FAQ's
HERE is the episode on the death of his nephew
You can find out more about Paws for Patrick HERE on their website
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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.