The Leftover Pieces; Suicide Loss Conversations
This podcast focuses on surviving life after a suicide loss, an experience that can be devastating and leave you feeling lost as you try to pick up the pieces of your shattered heart. The host, Melissa Bottorff-Arey, lost her 21-year-old son, Alex, to suicide on August 7, 2016, and brings (& often shares) her insights from her personal journey.
In each episode, Melissa engages in honest and challenging conversations with other survivors of loss, healers, and mental health experts. She also produces shorter solo episodes where she reflects on her own thoughts and experiences thus far. The podcast covers a wide range of relevant topics and addresses difficult questions. Melissa explores all aspects of grief, including trauma, hope, healing, self-care, legacy, and stigma. She believes that we learn to live alongside our grief rather than get ing over it. Actual change comes through authentic, meaningful connections and mindful choices.
For supporters or educators, these conversations provide valuable insights and shine a light on suicide and grief genuinely and unapologetically. Listeners who are grieving a suicide loss can find comfort in the community and hope for a better tomorrow. Melissa aims to help others, like herself, transition from merely surviving to discovering a life filled with meaning and, potentially, even happiness amid the leftover pieces around you.
[Please NOTE: This podcast is for only relational, informational, and entertainment purposes. It candidly and openly discusses sensitive and sometimes activating topics. There will be no in-depth or graphic descriptions of the method, but merely the possible mention of suicide, murder, rape, and the like. Be guided and care for yourself accordingly. Also, Melissa is not a doctor or licensed therapist, and nothing on this podcast should be taken in place of, or as, medical/mental health advice or recommendations.]
The Leftover Pieces; Suicide Loss Conversations
Lynn Brooks-Lewis's Story; "I Choose to Live" after the Suicide Loss of her Son
Lynn Brooks Lewis lost her son Daniel to suicide in August 2019, and she has made the choice to not be consumed by the grief of her tragic loss. As a part of her healing process and to stay true to her choice, in addition to encouraging and inspiring other women with similar experiences, Lynn readily shares her grief story. In sharing her story, “I Choose to Live”, she talks about the positive impact self-love has on how she manages the grief and how she strives daily to move forward living an impactful and meaningful life.
She is a DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster), is the founder of TeaTime Chats with Lynn and is a From Grief To Gratitude Certified Grief Coach.
TeaTime Chats with Lynn is a non-clinical, informal space for adult women grieving the death of a loved one who find themselves feeling alone and stuck in their grief, to connect with other women who have similar experiences.
As a From Grief to Gratitude Certified Grief Coach, Lynn works with adult women who are grieving the death of a loved one. She encourages and guides them as they move from pain to peace, heartbreak to happiness and grief to gratitude at their own pace in a one-on-one setting.
She also offers talks centered around grief and self-love. She resides in Richmond VA, USA with her husband, Keith.
FIND LYNN HERE on Facebook
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My website "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is LIVE and that means my different SUPPORT SPACE Options are available and much more will be coming in 2022
Go DIRECTLY to my SUPPORT page here where yo9u will find ALL of the ways to connect and find support
My first two books (tools I am creating for you!) in the "Facing Life After Suicide" series are available on Amazon
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out:
The National Suicide Lifeline is there for you
IN a crisis you can also TEXT--->
TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USA
in Canada TEXT 686868
in the UK TEXT 85258
And Grievers, I am always here. You can find me at The Leftover Pieces