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
The Legacy Project; Listen to Moms Talk about Remembering Their Kids
This is a very special episode...no apologies for saying that. It IS a special episode.
Today, my conversation is with four of the five moms that just completed the 13 week Legacy Writing Project that started January 11, 2023. One mom was unable to make it due to scheduling, but she was greatly missed in the conversation. I could not be prouder of their bravery and the stories they told.
Today you will meet, Ellen, Aidan's Mom; Nalini, Nick's Mom; Barb, Donavon's Mom; Crystal, Taylor's Mom; and we honor Cerita (Gages mom) who wasn't with us physically but was in heart! I know you will understand by the end of the episode the magic that now exists between them!
These moms each read a little piece of their chapter AND we discuss these six items with regard to the project:
- Why they chose this project
- What their favorite part of the project was
- What the most challenging part of the project was
- How did the time frame (total and weekly etc) feel to them
- What their plans for the published book are
- Would they recommend the project to other grieving moms
In the years since losing my son, Alex, I discovered that moms who have lost their children to suicide have many different needs. Still, three of them seem universal - the need for resources to help them navigate this grief journey, a community of connection to other moms who 'get it,' and an ache in their hearts to be sure their child is remembered. I provide paths to the first two; this book project helps with the last piece.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED in either the April 26 OR the August 16, 2023 Legacy Project sessions please CLICK HERE NOW for more info and to schedule a discovery call with me ASAP because I expect the wait list to fill quickly.
The actual published book will be out in the next few weeks (and when it is I will add a LINK here to replace this text. I can't wait to hold and own this treasure!!
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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.
ALSO, 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