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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.
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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
“Movies, Shows & Books, Oh My; What to Watch ...Or Not “
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Are you a late-night grief-insomniac like me? Do you need to escape, or maybe think deeply? I have it all! New today and a few more on the way...a long overdue episode about what I have watched or read etc. and what my take is on these shows, movies, books & more. There are a few honorable mentions (HM) in most categories that I will not say as much about, but I do talk briefly about why they are mentioned.
My Past Podcasts on this same topic (all different shows, etc... mostly):
Must Have APP - Does the Dog Die
Movies:
- Love, Liza (Philip Seymor Hoffman 2002)
- What Dreams May Come (Robin Willimas 1998)
- Roadrunner; The Story of Anthony Bourdain (2021)
- (HM) Coco (2017)
- (HM) Steel Magnolias (1989)
- (HM) The Big Chill (1983)
TV Shows/Series:
- The Bear (FX on Hulu at the time of recording - 2 Seasons out, 3# coming in June 2024 with more planned)
- Dead to Me (Netflix at time of recording - 3 Seasons)
- (HM always) Scattering CJ (documentary)
- (HM) Blue Bloods (2010 - current CBS - stream on paramount & Prime) good handling of grief
- (HM) Somebody Feed Phil - 7 seasons - lighthearted & entertaining (some legacy/honoring of grief) Netflix currently
- (HM) Friends - ('94-2004; 10 seasons -for caution/curious observation & entertainment) Max currently has all
Books/Reads:
- Get Griefy Magazine available online OR Amazon
- Suicidal- why we kill ourselves by Jesse Bering
- Dying to be Free by Beverly Cobain
- Because They Lived...(# Volumes and more on the way)
Other:
- Gaia TV Streaming Service
Please also hit up my Resource Page for more recommendations/options....
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My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.
PS....The FIRST SESSION of the Legacy Writing Project in 2024 is under way BUT you can get on the wait list for the August 14 group NOW!!
For a way to leave a Legacy of your child - GO HERE
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out:
CALL 988 OR, you can also TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USA
Click to Send a Text or Voicemail to Melissa
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💜 The Leftover Pieces is support for life after suicide loss. Click links below
🎙 Leave me a message: Share a question, your story, or your person’s name for a future episode → theleftoverpieces.com/voicemail
🔗 Stay connected: Join my email community for weekly support, resources, and honest conversations.
🛠 Start here: Explore website for suicide loss resources for early grief, family support, and next steps.
🤝 For moms: One-on-one grief coaching for mothers navigating life after child loss.
📞 Need support right now? If you or someone you love is struggling, call or text 988 (U.S. & Canada), or text HOME to 741741.