The Leftover Pieces: Suicide Loss Conversations
Suicide loss changes everything. The Leftover Pieces® Podcast explores life after suicide through honest conversations with survivors, experts, and grieving parents learning to live forward after unimaginable loss. Parents, partners, siblings, and friends share what it means to keep living when the world has been forever changed.
Hosted by Melissa Bottorff-Arey, whose 21-year-old son Alex died by suicide in 2016, the show blends intimate conversations with survivors, healers, and mental health professionals with short solo reflections you can actually use. Together we explore child loss, trauma and nervous-system care, anniversaries and seasons, stigma, faith and meaning, legacy, and the everyday practices that help make life livable again.
At its heart, this podcast is about learning to live forward after loss. We never move on from the people we love, but we can learn to carry the grief differently. This road can feel incredibly lonely—but you are not alone here.
For supporters, educators, and professionals, these conversations also offer insight into the realities of suicide grief and what genuine, non-fixing support can look like.
If you’d like to share your story or expertise, you can request to be a guest through Melissa’s website.
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Content Note
This podcast speaks candidly about grief and suicide loss and may feel activating for some listeners. We avoid graphic descriptions and discussion of suicide methods. Please care for yourself as needed. Melissa is not a doctor or licensed therapist, and nothing shared here should be considered medical or mental-health advice.
The Leftover Pieces: Suicide Loss Conversations
Grief Truth #1; August Daily Nuggets INTRO
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Hello Fellow Griever— and Welcome Back.
If you’ve been wondering where I’ve been… you’re not wrong. July was quieter than usual here on the podcast (totally quiet!) — but it wasn’t in vain.
Behind the scenes, I’ve been pouring myself into some powerful new offerings: two brand-new grief coaching programs — each with their own beautiful workbook now published and available — and the long-awaited launch of The Lighthouse Community.--- >LINK HERE
The Lighthouse is a sacred space just for grieving moms — a soft landing place full of connection, support, and deep healing. There’s so much available inside for just $9/month… and your first month is on me. Use code TRIAL2025 to get started. I’d love to have you join us.
And now, we begin a new month together.
This is the start of the August Daily Nugget series — a month of Grief Truths.
Every day, I’ll meet you here with a short reflection — something honest, real, and hopefully helpful — a small truth to anchor you in the middle of this big, unrelenting thing we call grief.
I’ve done this before — and I’ll be doing it again. There will be new daily series in October and December too, each with its own theme and rhythm.
But for now, we’re in August. And this month, we sit with the truths. The ones that might not fix anything, but help you feel a little more seen, a little less alone.
Thank you for listening. Thank you for showing up.
Let’s begin.
NOW.... Our AUGUST 1 DAILY NUGGET
“Healing doesn’t mean forgetting.”
We live in a world obsessed with closure. It urges us to “move on,” as if grief is a task with a tidy ending. But those of us living it — we know better.
Healing doesn’t mean forgetting.
Healing means learning how to carry the weight. How to breathe around it. How to let love lead, even when your heart still aches.
Forgetting was never the goal.
Our love for them deserves a lifetime. And healing? It’s simply the process of building a life where that love can still live.
You’re not doing it wrong. You’re remembering — and healing — all at once
Take a breath.
Let the truth settle where it needs to.
Take what serves you — and leave the rest.
And come back tomorrow, because…
You’re not broken — you’re grieving.
And you are never alone in this.
I’ll be right here.
Talk soon.
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💜 The Leftover Pieces is support central for grieving hearts.
🔗 Stay connected: Join my free email community for weekly check-ins, resources, and encouragement.
🌟 For moms: Explore the $9 Lighthouse Community — safe connection, tools, and hope.
🛠 Resources for all grievers: Start here.
🤝 One-on-one grief coaching for moms after child loss to suicide: Learn more here.
📞 Need help now? If you or someone you love is struggling with suicidal thoughts, dial 988 in the U.S. & Canada, or text HOME to 741741.