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
Are We Too Sensitive?; Why the Empathetic Become Changemakers
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Today I “go down the rabbit hole” to talk about what’s on my mind… And this past week that’s been a lot! The title of today’s episode is “Are We Too Sensitive?; Why the Empathetic Become Changemakers!”
I am fired up by recent events and as you can guess, there’s a lot that can be unpacked here — I promise I won't go too deep but I hope that I scratch the surface just enough to highlight hope & even spark inspiration.
If you are reading this, I hope you will pause for a moment to remember all of the children, parents, brothers, sisters, and friends that we have lost to suicide. I also hope you will take a moment to remember the children we have lost to senseless gun violence in America. #wemustdobetter
Have you been to my website yet?? "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You"
Visit EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY HERE to get involved or find support
and HERE to find their area on Suicide by Firearm Support
To Visit AFSP's website area on DEMAND MORE FROM MENTAL HEALTH
and AFSP's area for Survivors
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My website "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central and that means my different SUPPORT GROUP Options are available and much more will be coming in 2022 and 2023
Go DIRECTLY to my SUPPORT page here where yo9u 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
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
And Grievers, I am always here. You can find me at The Leftover Pieces
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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.