.JPG)
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.
💜
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
Why I Do This; Let Me Share My Reasons
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Today, I go "down the rabbit hole" again. I specifically wanted to talk to you about why I do this podcast; why I do all of the things I do in the area of suicide loss and grief. In the simplest version I could just say "because I lost my son Alex to suicide" and while that is of course the catalyst, my motivation and reasons run so far beyond that. Thank you for giving me a safe space to share and for listening - because connecting with other loss survivors, means more than I can say. If I can provide hope, or comfort, or shred of healing to even one of you... that is why I do this. if you get to know Alex even a little through me ... that too, is why I do this.
So, as I share in this episode, IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS (no later than Sept 15) my website "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" will be LIVE and that means my first coaching options will be available. The first (3 month) group is planned to begin Sept 29, so stay tuned and then there will be a new group start every 3 months. There WILL be limited spots in each group so let me know if you want on the notify list! These groups will be one part community, one part hope/healing. I believe these two things are intertwined for us in the earlier stages of grief especially.
This coaching has been a long time in coming grievers. I knew, in my heart, that this was my WHY about a year and a half ago … then I set out on the next stage of my healing/learning journey. I am so, so ready to be able to serve this community in an expanded capacity. I have gained a lot through my lived experiences, but also through my certifications (with more to come). Please DM me on Instagram or email me at anytime melissa@theleftoverpieces.com
The website will be at www.theleftoverpieces.com (naturally, right?)
Keep an eye out - even book mark it & check back in a few weeks (there IS a holding page with "coming soon" there now) !!
__________________________________________________________________________________
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 FALL so it's not too soon to reach out!
Let's have a conversation Let's keep talking Let's be there for each other. Let's make a change. TALK SOON!
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out & talk to someone
The National Suicide Lifeline is there for you
__________________________________________________________________________
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.