.jpg)
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
Behind the Coffee Cup; A Sister's 'Anger to Love' Walks
REGISTER for Monthly SIBLING SUPPORT after Suicide loss HERE
Today I release a conversation with a sister talk about her baby brother Teddy. At 43, she lost her only sibling to suicide. Our personalities making us fast friends, Jen & I dug right in & discuss so many things surrounding, loss by suicide, AFSP & more... A bit more about her:
"Jen Hoye is a passionate mental health and suicide prevention advocate, a board member of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Massachusetts Chapter, and a suicide loss survivor. Jen lost her brother, Teddy Fusco, Jr., to suicide in May 2017.
Before July 2021, Jen Hoye hadn’t run in nearly 30 years – when she was on her high school cross country team. Several years after her brother Teddy’s suicide, Jen began walking for her physical & mental health. Jen was inspired by her brother to complete #HealingMiles remembrance walks and runs in honor of others who have died by suicide. Since September 2020, she has dedicated Healing Miles to hundreds of men, women, and children from across the globe. Today, Jen has completed a number of races representing Team AFSP, including the Boston Marathon (2021, 2022), & several more. Jen also completed her first ultramarathon to celebrate her upcoming 50th birthday. Her goal is to support the AFSP’s mission to bring hope to those impacted by suicide – and to run Healing Miles in memory of others – in every state of the US. Jen has been featured on a number of podcasts, radio shows, and international video panels, as well as in the news media. She lives in Taunton, MA, with her family, three rescue dogs, cat, and chickens."
Find here HERE Jen Fusco Hoye | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree
Her message of HOPE is to take care of yourself, outside of serving others, because you will need to be 'good' before you can truly be that help.
Today we discuss:
- Teddy's death was completely a surprise - & his personality 'type' that is so common (as I have come to understand)
- The chasm of life "after" & rebuilding despite its unrelenting presence
- Years of unacknowledged grief masquerading as anger (aka living IN the chasm)
- How the 'rage' served it's purpose BUT ALSO had a cost!
- What happened during Covid that forced a 'shift'...
- Her 'talks' (walks) & how her anger turned toward kindness & how that was healing. Choosing to LIVE & BE the real YOU
- Marathons, AFSP, her 'Sicilian-ness' & more
FIND JEN (usually daily) behind that coffee cup, her beaming, infectious smile & that lovely leg tattoo - on Instagram HERE - FOLLOW HER NOW for a daily dose of good 'medicine' for your soul! And you can USE #healingmiles if you run!
Support the show
______________________________________________________________________
My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.
REGISTER for Monthly SIBLING SUPPORT after Suicide loss HERE
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