The Leftover Pieces; Suicide Loss Conversations
You have found a podcast about surviving life after a suicide loss, which is nothing short of devastating, leaving you not knowing how to begin picking up the leftover pieces of your shattered heart. The host, Melissa Bottorff-Arey, who lost her 21-year-old son Alex to suicide on August 7, 2016, speaks to this from her own experiences. You will hear her have honest, hard conversations with other loss survivors, healers, and mental health experts on the podcast. She also produces shorter, solo episodes where she shares her own thoughts & experiences in this journey (thus far). She explores relevant topics and asks the hard questions. Nothing is 'off limit' as she delves into all areas of this grief, such as trauma, hope, healing, self-care, legacy & stigma. Melissa believes we learn to live alongside our grief, not get over it. We can make a difference only through authentic, meaningful connections and mindful choices. For a supporter or educator, these conversations hold nuggets of awareness and shine a spotlight on suicide and grief honestly and unapologetically. As a suicide loss griever, one can find the comfort of a community and hope for a little brighter tomorrow. Melissa wants to help others, like herself, go from surviving to finding a life with meaning, maybe even happiness, amid their own leftover pieces.
[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
Mindsets, Motivation & Monkeys" Pt 1; What IF Asked Yourself THIS Question?
Today I go (deep) into the rabbit hole to discuss a haunting question -- haunting for anyone, but even more so for us suicide loss survivors. Everything is harder now, right? (but that's NOT the question).
Sing with me “I can do hard things. I can do hard things...” (it may just be the weirdo in me, but yes, I sing it out loud to myself often ...when I feel frustrated or discouraged), and then I DO “it” -- whatever the current “it” is. Or at least TRY to. How about you? (STILL NOT THE QUESTION though).
I want to know if you have asked yourself this question I ask in the episode-- now, in your “after loss” life OR before? Should you? (pssst....the answer is “yes”) YOLO is what Alex would say and he was my kid after all...I hope this episode is thought provoking & motivating....and YES, you have to listen to the episode to actually HEAR THE QUESTION!
Today I touch base on:
- Why risk and hard things are easier for some ...or are they?
- Why asking this question matters
- How Rita Wilson factors in
- And an update on life in Puerto Rico ....and more
Listen to the TedX Talk I reference HERE and for the joy of it (& because you will be left feeling like "I want to hear the song" So...
HERE is the song she sings at the end (it's not part the original TedX recording)
Remember to look for me again WEEKLY with a mixture of longer conversational episodes and the shorter solo down the rabbit hole episodes, roundtables and more.... I have missed you friends and am glad to be back!
THANK YOU for listening to this episode. It means the world!
Check out ALL of my books including the lastet legacy book (and there's more on the way!) -- CLICK HERE!!
PS....The FIRST SESSION of the Legacy Writing Project in 2024 is under way BUT you can get on the wait list for the August 7 group NOW!!
For a way to leave a Legacy of your child - GO HERE
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My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is 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