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
The Legacy Project; Listen to Moms Talk about Remembering Their Kids
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This is a very special episode...no apologies for saying that. It IS a special episode.
Today, my conversation is with four of the five moms that just completed the 13 week Legacy Writing Project that started January 11, 2023. One mom was unable to make it due to scheduling, but she was greatly missed in the conversation. I could not be prouder of their bravery and the stories they told.
Today you will meet, Ellen, Aidan's Mom; Nalini, Nick's Mom; Barb, Donavon's Mom; Crystal, Taylor's Mom; and we honor Cerita (Gages mom) who wasn't with us physically but was in heart! I know you will understand by the end of the episode the magic that now exists between them!
These moms each read a little piece of their chapter AND we discuss these six items with regard to the project:
- Why they chose this project
- What their favorite part of the project was
- What the most challenging part of the project was
- How did the time frame (total and weekly etc) feel to them
- What their plans for the published book are
- Would they recommend the project to other grieving moms
In the years since losing my son, Alex, I discovered that moms who have lost their children to suicide have many different needs. Still, three of them seem universal - the need for resources to help them navigate this grief journey, a community of connection to other moms who 'get it,' and an ache in their hearts to be sure their child is remembered. I provide paths to the first two; this book project helps with the last piece.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED in either the April 26 OR the August 16, 2023 Legacy Project sessions please CLICK HERE NOW for more info and to schedule a discovery call with me ASAP because I expect the wait list to fill quickly.
The actual published book will be out in the next few weeks (and when it is I will add a LINK here to replace this text. I can't wait to hold and own this treasure!!
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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.
ALSO, my first two books (tools I am creating for you!) in the "Facing Life
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Get THE Leftover Pieces APP & don't miss anything! CLICK HERE
💜 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.