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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
Imogen's Mom; A Good Mourning Legacy
Today I talk to Imogen Carn who is a suicide loss survivor. "Im", as she goes by, is the co-host of the Good Mourning Podcast (with Sally "Sal" Douglas). Im & Sal believe that "together, let’s make the topic of grief more open and less awkward." They speak to grief and loss of many different kinds as they both lost their mothers (but to different manner of death)
Im's mother Vanessa died by suicide on Feb 22, 2020, just before the world locked down for the first wave of the pandemic. Her death was a complete and total shock to the family as Vanessa had no previous history of mental health conditions or suicidal ideation. She even says it would be months before she would really comprehend the lockdown because of the trauma of her grief. Im is warm and candid and funny. This conversation is important and it was my honor to have shared this time with Imogen!
Find her on INSTAGRAM at Good Mourning |Grief Podcast HERE
Find Imogen (& Sally) on their podcast Good Mourning HERE and the Facebook Group
Dr. Edith Eger's book, The Choice, as was referenced and her follow-up book, The Gift
HERE is the LINK for The Alliance of Hope
HERE is the LINK to Rebecca Jax Holistic Healing
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IN THE COMING WEEKS - by Sept 15 - my (in progress) 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 discovery/growth. I believe these two things are intertwined for us in the earlier stages of grief especially.
Interested? Please DM me on Instagram or email me at anytime melissa@thel
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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.