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 get ing 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.
[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
Lisa Johnson of Honor Connor; How to Walk & Talk for Hope
Today I share my talk with Lisa Johnson. She is the Managing Director and Co-Founder of Honor Connor - a nonprofit who's mission it is to stop the stigma and start the conversation around mental health, addiction & suicide loss. Honor Connor also provides hope & healing to those affected by suicide loss by providing education & resources. Lisa & her husband Scott started Honor Connor after they lost their son Connor in 2016 to suicide after a struggle with depression, anxiety, cancer and substance abuse.
Lisa talks openly about:
- the total devastation that suicide leaves in its wake
- how isolating this loss can be but until you live it, you just don't understand - hence the need for conversation & education
- how survivors need to find hope and support to start to heal
- how everything changes and that you have to do things differently now
- why they started Honor Connor
- what programs and events Honor Connor is currently providing
To find Lisa and Honor Connor go to the WEBSITE HERE
We also talked a lot about the upcoming 2nd Annual Walk & Talk for Hope. The 2nd Annual Honor Connor Walk & Talk for Hope is an opportunity for all of us to invite our family and/or friends to get together for dedicated time to Walk & Talk about the stuff that really matters.
As one of Honor Connor's signature programs, they encourage everyone to join them virtually or in person at one of the two satellite locations.
Each registered walker will receive Honor Connor’s 'Conversation Starter - Digital Tool Kit' to support you starting the conversation on the day of the walk, and every day.
Register for free and join on
Saturday, November 26th to Walk & Talk for Hope!
GO directly to the Walk & Talk page HERE to register for free
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My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" support central - MY HUB - and that means my different SUPPORT GROUP Options are available. Go DIRECTLY to my SUPPORT page here where you 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:
CALL 988
OR, you can also TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USA
in Canada TEXT 686868
in the UK TEXT 85258