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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
Because Legacy Matters; The Little Tin Man & His Big Heart
NEW EPISODE DROP! Today is MOTHER’S DAY 2024. As a special Down the Rabbit Hole episode and to honor a piece of my own journey in motherhood, I am reading my chapter “The Little Tin Man and His Big Heart” - a chapter written (by me) about parts of my son Alex’s life. Alex died by suicide on August 7, 2026, but his legacy continues as we tell his stories and speak his name.
You can find this story in the book series Because They Lived, plus stories of other amazing kids gone way too soon. Memories and Stories of Amazing Kids Lost to Suicide as Told by the Moms They Left Behind. There is a link on my website and in my Instagram Bio. There are three Volumes out, and a fourth will be out in June.
That’s 14 Moms who have left permanent legacies of their kids in the world! If you are a mom, there is still time to sign up for the last project of the year - starting in August. Email me today and we will set a time to talk about whether this is right for you....and read all about it (or watch a video) on my website. You can do this too!
Remember to take care of yourself and have a gentle day. Talk Soon!
Also, look for me again WEEKLY with a mixture of longer conversational episodes and shorter, solo, down-the-rabbit-hole episodes, roundtables, and more... I have missed you, friends, and I am glad to be back
Find ALL Legacy BOOKS HERE
Check out the LEGACY PROJECT HERE
THANK YOU for listening to this episode. It means so much to me!
Like what you hear? Support the show
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My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.
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
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