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
Movies, Series & Documentaries; About Suicide Loss & Grief
We regularly find suicide as a subject matter on TV and in film these days...or at least more than we did once. I am going to dive down the rabbit hole to talk about my suggestions and cautions - and a few hard "no's".
When you watch movies with a theme toward suicide or death, does the content activate you or help you? Since the reasons these films, or shows, are made can be so diverse - to educate, to cause fear or shock or disgust, or even to provoke or bring about change and awareness - so are our reasons for choosing, or not choosing, to watch them.
Today, I explore and discuss just some of the current choices out there. Be sure to also check out the two episodes from past seasons and here's the link to the Hallie Twomey episode that I mention as well
- Season 1 Ep 17 -What Am I Watching (aka binging)
- Season 2 Ep 17 - To Watch or Not to Watch
- S4 Ep 5- Scattering CJ - Hallie Twomey & I talk
I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW WHICH ONES YOU HAVE SEEN AND YOUR TAKE - from ANY of the episodes! Or others you would recommend to watch - or not to watch! I will also disclaim this episode as I do all others - take that which serves you and leave the rest. We are all on a very individual journey, and at different spaces inside of each journey. My heart and thoughts are always with you.
The shows/movies that I discuss are not linked, you will have to search them to see where they might currently be available or streaming. - it changes too much to keep up): I am listing them in the reverse order I talked about them but am listing them by category as I mentioned in the episode:
I Recommend:
- The Bear (series)
- Scattering CJ (documentary)
- Reservation Dogs (series)
- Mare of East Town
I recommend WITH Caution (aka "Maybe : depending on you and your place in grief)
- Facing Suicide (documentary)
- Those Left Behind (movie)
- Joe Bell (movie)
- CAKE (movie)
- I Love You, Now Die (documentary)
Probably a "No" for me:
- Girl from Plainville
- Grief (Indie film)
Honorable Mention for "Grief" as the subject:
- The Starling
- Rabbit Hole
- This is Where I Leave You
________________________________________________________
My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is where ALL THINGS are to b
__________________________________________________________________________
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.