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The Leftover Pieces: Suicide Loss Conversations
Suicide loss changes everything. This show is about life after suicide—real talk and practical support for grief after suicide: parents, partners, siblings, and friends finding their footing again. Each week, we explore what helps in suicide bereavement so you can keep going with honesty and hope.
Hosted by Melissa Bottorff-Arey, whose 21-year-old son, Alex, died by suicide in 2016, the podcast blends intimate conversations with survivors, healers, and mental health experts with short solo “Daily Nugget” episodes you can actually use. We cover child loss, trauma and nervous-system care, anniversaries and seasons, stigma, faith and meaning, legacy, and the everyday practices that make life livable again. You’ll hear grounded tools, language that honors your person, and the reminder that you are not broken—you are grieving.
For supporters and educators, these episodes offer insight into the realities of suicide grief and what genuine, non-fixing support looks like. If you’d like to share your story or expertise, you can request to be a guest via my website. 💜
Content Note
This podcast speaks candidly about difficult experiences and may feel activating. We avoid method details and graphic description. Please care for yourself as needed. I’m not a doctor or licensed therapist; nothing here is medical or mental-health advice.
The Leftover Pieces: Suicide Loss Conversations
Grief After Suicide: Say Less, Save Energy—Boundaries Without the Essay
Clarity protects your battery in life after suicide loss—short, kind sentences are real self-care.
Journal prompt: “Today, permission looks like…”
Clarity beats performance. Short, kind sentences protect your battery.
A Flicker (Hope) — Immediate ease after a clean line
Feel the exhale when you keep it simple: fewer words, less convincing, more relief. Keep the relief.
To Rebuild (Healing) — Three scripts to pocket
Time-box: “I can do 20 minutes.”
Scale-down: “I’m joining by phone today.”
Opt-out: “I’m skipping this one—catch you next time.”
Take a Step (Becoming) — One rehearsal, one use
Pick the script you’ll most likely need. Say it out loud once (rehearsal). Use it at the first low-stakes opportunity.
Choose-your-energy menu:
- Hollow (low): Put your phone on Do Not Disturb for 15 minutes.
- Healing (medium): Send one boundary text using time-box or opt-out.
- Becoming (higher): Remove one non-essential task from this week and don’t replace it.
Food for Thought Today:
You don’t have to prove your pain to earn a boundary. The fewer words you need to be clear, the more energy you keep for healing. Let the sentence do the work—and let your nervous system enjoy the quiet that follows.
Exhale. Keep what serves you; leave the rest. I’ll be here again tomorrow. 💜
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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.