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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: Workday Micro-Boundaries That Keep You Functional
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Mondays can hit hard in life after suicide loss—protect capacity with tiny yes/no lines and one clear choice.
Journal prompt: “One thing my body asked for (and what I did)…”
Mondays can hit hard. Today we protect capacity with tiny, professional yes/no lines.
A Flicker (Hope) — One clear choice
Choosing “later” instead of forcing “now” can bring instant relief. That relief is data—keep it.
To Rebuild (Healing) — Three office scripts
Inbox: “I’ll review and reply by EOD/Wednesday.”
Meeting: “I can do 20 minutes; what’s the priority?”
Focus: “Heads-down for the next hour—will circle back after.”
Take a Step (Becoming) — Bookend your day
Add two 5-minute blocks to your calendar: Start-Up (water, orient, top 1 task) and Shut-Down (close tabs, summarize, tomorrow’s first brick).
Choose-your-energy menu:
- Hollow (low): Put up a 25-minute focus block (do-not-disturb + one small task).
- Healing (medium): Use one script verbatim today.
- Becoming (higher): Create a daily Start-Up and Shut-Down template and set them to repeat.
Food for Thought Today:
Professional clarity is humane—to you and everyone else. Boundaries reduce confusion, and less confusion means less activation. Let the calendar and the sentence do the heavy lifting.
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.