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
Suicide Loss Widow Michelle Collins; What it Looks Like to Inhabit Joy
Today I speak with Michelle. Michelle lost her husband to suicide in April of 2016 - and she has so much to share about loss, life & mindfulness in the surviving places! She is an incredible light of a soul, and I am so glad we connected & even happier that I get to share her wisdom with you.... she says it but I agree, we feel like 'soul sisters'. Be sure to see all of the Links to books etc. that we mention below!
Here are just some of the things we hit on in this incredible chat!
- We are all over the topic of mindfulness because it is both of our 'grief love language' I think
- Her compound losses including the loss of her husband to suicide
- Hear her address Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs & the four A's
- The power of the "Pause" and meeting your own needs
- She even addresses faith -- and how that can matter
- And soooo much more....
- And OH...also hear her call me out on something -- it's all good!! She was not wrong! It was a great 'catch' ;)
Michelle Ann Collins is a dedicated professional who helps individuals navigate grief, trauma, and loss through her organization, Inhabit Joy. As a certified mindfulness meditation teacher, grief educator, wellness coach, and yoga therapist, she combines her knowledge of positive psychology, neuroscience, and mindfulness to guide clients toward resilience. Her personal journey through significant losses, including her mother’s death and her husband's suicide, transformed her trauma into growth and inspired her bestselling books, "Surviving Spouse or Partner Suicide Loss" and "Supporting a Survivor of Spouse or Partner Suicide Loss." In addition to her private practice, Michelle conducts workshops and wellness programs in corporate settings. She emphasizes mindfulness, yoga therapy, and wellness strategies, particularly for suicide loss survivors, aiming to normalize conversations around grief and suicide. Her mission is to help individuals cope with loss while rediscovering joy and purpose.
Find her HERE (you will be glad you did) on her Inhabit Joy Website
Find her books Surviving Spouse or Partner Suicide Loss" and "Supporting a Survivor of Spouse or Partner Suicide Loss." HERE
HERE's Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl (mentioned in the podcast)
And HERE is the book I refer to A Walk in the Wood; Meditations & Mindfulness from a Bear Named Pooh JUST GET IT --- It's INCREDIBLE!
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Please Listen to my Start Here - Meet Melissa Episode if you are new to the podcast & have not listened (or if you are not new, it was updated in Feb 2025 & you may learn something new:)
Go to my WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.
PS....The SINGLE DATE start for 2025 Leave a Legacy of your child - GO HERE
If you, or someone you know, is struggling ww suicidal thoughts, reach out:
CALL 988 OR, you can also TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USA