.jpg)
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
Life After Suicide Loss; A Friend-to-Friend Round Table Discussion
Today you are getting the much-anticipated, long promised (& finally here)- friends roundtable episode! And it was so. worth. the. wait!
After loss it feels like (publicly) there is so much that is centered around the immediate family and friends often seem 'forgotten' or definitely might feel unseen in their grief. It's really important to me to give them a voice because their loss was NOT small or inconsequential, at all! It was so very relevant and important in their lives!
Today I talk with three amazing humans who all lost a dear friend to suicide. A fourth friend who couldn't join, is represented by submitting answers to the talking points and I read these answers to Intermingle his answers in between the other's answers.
We here from Christian Murillo & Branislav Tadic from North Kansas City, Missouri here in the States and also from Oakley Mengel from Elkford, British Columbia, Canada. Brock Lorenzen (also from NKC) submitted his answers (and I read them for him in his absence).
Christian, Brock and Branislav lost their friend (my son) Alex and Oakley lost her dear, best friend Donavon.
This conversation is a joy and heartbreaking all at once, but it is so very, very powerful and I am SO THANKFUL that we had this time!
Some of the things we speak to are:
- How the loss of their friends affected their life - at the time of loss & now
- Do you ever receive signs from spirit?
- Were you treated 'differently' as "just" a friend?
- And they offer GREAT encouragement for surviving and thriving after this loss while you still carry them forward with you in life
- And so much more ...
Such an IMPACTFUL & AMAZING conversation - like me, I think that you will take a WHOLE lot from this! It was a REAL GIFT FOR ME!!
______________________________________________________________________
PS....LAST SESSION of the Legacy Writing Project for 2023 began August 16 BUT you can get on the wait list for the February 7, 2024, group NOW!!
For a way to leave a Legacy of your child - GO HERE
______________________________________________________________________
My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" support central.
The latest Legacy projects are NOW published BOOKS -- GET THEM HERE!!!
ALSO, my first two books (tools I have created for you!) in the
__________________________________________________________________________
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.