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
Widow Abby Dart Speaks Up; 19 Years After Husband’s Suicide
Today I have a poignant conversation with Abby Dart... a suicide widow of 19 years. Her husband Steve died by suicide in 2004 when her 5 children were only 8,10, 12, 13 & 17 (now, 26,29,31,32, & 36 to put it in perspective). Because Steve was in the public eye (in politics) and they had to figure out to grieve publicly while trying to find private time as a family. We pack a LOT into our time together and this was a very enlightening chat.
"I wonder if I'm just still trying to find myself. Because I feel I was robbed of my future, I was, with my husband... And I never really figured it out...So no, I never remarried. And I think I'm still searching." - Abby Dart
"(Suicide is) it's such an abrupt and complicated way for our life to take a hard right turn." Melissa w/ The Leftover Pieces
Some of what Abby & I discuss today:
- The stigma & mental health - still not where we should be
- Her family with 5 kids - then and now
- The importance of a community of support
- Her brokenness - even today AND the duality of it all
- Mental Health AS HEALTH
- Did his death cause her to be "stuck" forever...?
- Her "WHY" as to still talking about suicide 19 years later
- AND so much more!
Abby Dart is a mother of five and Steve Dart's widow. She has her B.A. in Political Science, J.D. Law Degree, Member California Bar, Executive Director for Scenic Michigan and has had Extensive Political Campaign Experience.
Such a poignant conversation - like me, I think that you will take a lot from this!
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PS....LAST SESSION of the Legacy Writing Project for 2023 began August 16 BUT you can get on the wait list for January 2024 anytime!
For a way to leave a Legacy of your child - GO HERE
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My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" support central.
The latest Legacy projects are NOW published BOOKS -- GET THEM HERE!!!
ALSO, my first two books (tools I have created 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