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
Sibling Roundtable Talk; Cara, Sienna & Parker Talk Suicide Loss of Their Siblings
Today I take on the topic of sibling loss by suicide with 3 younger (now older?) siblings - Cara lost her big sister Leah in 2018; Sienna lost her big brother Macoy in 2019 and Parker lost his big brother Alex in 2016. This is a long one -- so prepare yourself - but you will find that it is ALL. SO. GOOD.
Hear them talk about - and relate with each other-with things like:
- The attention they receive now (does their sibling seem 'sainted' or put up on a pedestal now?)
- How their stories - their very life - feels like people's worst nightmares; and that. How people avoid being IN their reality.
- Do they have anger toward their sibling? What does this look like for them?
- Unrecognized and suppressed feelings ...
- How they feel about being around people that know vs. people that don't (the before and after)
- How you definitely find out who really cared for your sibling (and you) after.
- Do they lean in, or avoid, discussing their loss and suicide in general.
- Dealing with the stupid things people say - whether they know, or whether they don't
- The heartbreak AND relief when people don't know your sibling.
- HOW do they grieve.... or DO they?
- AND SO MUCH MORE!
This is such a dynamic - and yes, lengthy (BUT in such a necessary way) - conversation!
I hope you will listen and even pass it along to a sibling or parent that needs to take in this valuable
Want to connect with these amazing people??
Find Cara & Esther and Astor HERE or on IG HERE
Find HicksStrong HERE
AND if you have real estate needs in the Kansas City area, find Parker HERE
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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