The Leftover Pieces; Suicide Loss Conversations
You have found a podcast about surviving life after a suicide loss, which is nothing short of devastating, leaving you not knowing how to begin picking up the leftover pieces of your shattered heart. The host, Melissa Bottorff-Arey, who lost her 21-year-old son Alex to suicide on August 7, 2016, speaks to this from her own experiences. You will hear her have honest, hard conversations with other loss survivors, healers, and mental health experts on the podcast. She also produces shorter, solo episodes where she shares her own thoughts & experiences in this journey (thus far). She explores relevant topics and asks the hard questions. Nothing is 'off limit' as she delves into all areas of this grief, such as trauma, hope, healing, self-care, legacy & stigma. Melissa believes we learn to live alongside our grief, not get over it. We can make a difference only through authentic, meaningful connections and mindful choices. For a supporter or educator, these conversations hold nuggets of awareness and shine a spotlight on suicide and grief honestly and unapologetically. As a suicide loss griever, one can find the comfort of a community and hope for a little brighter tomorrow. Melissa wants to help others, like herself, go from surviving to finding a life with meaning, maybe even happiness, amid their own leftover pieces.
[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
Dr. Lenore Matthew; Melding Science & Spirit in Healing after Suicide Loss
Life after the suicide loss of a loved one- there is so much we could say about the SCIENCE of it. There is so much that we could say about the SPIRIT side of it all. BUT... can they overlap? Do they? Today I have a conversation with someone who feels like an old friend. She definitely is a friend (she is NOT old) but we are indeed new friends in the sense that we have only known each other a few years yet, the 'old friend' feeling comes from the deep connection we share where our souls have collided. Trust me - she is phenomenal! Dr. Lenore (Lenny to most) shares with us how she became a young widow with the loss of her beloved husband Bruno by suicide and how this has transformed her, her beliefs, and her life's purpose.
Today, you will hear Lenore and I talk about
- Her story as a young widow and the past few years
- Post-Traumatic Growth (over PTSD)
- Melding Science & Spirit
- What are medium vs psychic readings
- How often can/should we have readings?
- How to find a medium … and SO. MUCH. MORE.
You can find her and ALL of the wonderful work she is doing in the world at -->
Dr. Lenore Matthew - Melding Science and Spirit to Heal through Trauma and Grief
Her FIRST visit to my podcast (Season 1 Ep 30) - CLICK to LISTEN HERE
Other places or people we discussed---->
Forever Family Foundation
Journey Within
Arthur Findlay College (UK)
Angel the Medium (the medium I have a great connection with - besides Lenore!)
A bit more about Dr. Lenore Matthew in her own words --
Lenore Matthew, Ph.D., MSW is a Doctor of Social Work and a trauma and grief specialist, as well as a psychic medium and intuitive healer. Her intuitive gifts suddenly opened up when her husband, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, unexpectedly took his own life. Today, she blends her scientific background with her intuitive abilities, to help others heal through trauma and grief.
Her writing has been featured by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and The Mighty: Community for Mental Health Awareness, among others. Learn more about Dr. Matthew and her work at www.drlenorematthew.com and on Instagram at @drlenorematthew and on Facebook at facebook.com/delenorematthew
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My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" support central - MY HUB - and that means my different SUPPORT GROUP Options are available. Go DIRECTLY to my SUPPORT page here where you will find ALL of the ways to connect and find support. My first two books (tools I am creating for you!) in the "Facing Life After Suicide" series are available on Amazon
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
in Canada TEXT 686868
in the UK TEXT 85258