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
Tools Part 2; Engaging Your Senses In Grief Healing
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Today, I am publishing Part 2 of "Tools" … the first one is (way) back in Season 1, Episode 15. It's worth a re-visit even if you listened to it then. Today I talk about MORE TOOLS that I use in my daily (or weekly) life to help me not only survive the hard times but also stay focused and thrive through into the good. These tools really engage all of your senses to help you achieve a whole body-mind wellness
Here are some links to support the tools I talked about in today's journey "Down the Rabbit Hole"
Learn about Essential Oils - (DM me for more info if you wish. I am a wholesale dealer because I truly BELIEVE in these products and their benefits)
DoTerra Solutions
or
The DoTerra Story
For Meditation and Sound my GO TO is an APP called
Insight Timer - it is WORTH the small subscription price!!
YOGA - The poses I referred to were from this poster that hangs in my office (as you will see, there's more to this than just the poses)
I promise to talk about taste -- and food --- and it's role in our healing sometime soon!
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AND ALWAYS … THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT! It means the WORLD to me because after all, we are in this together!
As with everything you hear on my podcasts, please take that which serves you & leave the rest. I hope you will find something of value & I am so sorry that you need to be here, but so honored you are here.
Please reach out to me if you know of someone that I should talk to or if you yourself would like to have a conversation around the suicide loss and grief space. Instagram is probably still the best way to contact me or directly through email. I am already scheduling people into this Spring so it's not too soon t
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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.