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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
New Ways to Heal Together; What’s New at The Leftover Pieces
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Welcome today fellow griever. I appreciate you, I see you and thank you so much for listening and if you can, please ---Support the show
You may have seen soft mentions of some new things I’ve been building — maybe in your inbox or on social — and today I’m diving all the way in. If this is the first you’re hearing of it, then welcome — you’re right on time.
In this heart-led episode of Down the Rabbit Hole, I’m walking you through what’s new — and what’s next — here at The Leftover Pieces™. Each of these new offerings has grown out of real conversations with grieving survivors — and from the truth of my own lived experience.
💜 First, I talk about Destination: Me™ — my intimate 12-week 1:1 coaching experience for moms ready to rebuild their identity, release guilt, and walk forward with purpose. This isn’t therapy. It’s future-focused healing. And as of now, there are just 3 open spots.
💜 Next, I share the details of the Because They Are Loved Anthology — a collaborative book of poems and letters written by those left behind after suicide loss. If you want to write for someone you love, you have until June 30 to submit.
💜 Then, for the first time, I reveal the name of my upcoming online community: The Lighthouse Community. This space will offer gentle connection, topic-based resources, and real-time support for grieving moms — all at an affordable monthly cost. It's built to be soft, welcoming, and real.
✨ I also talk briefly about the January 2026 Legacy Writing Project — and why now is the right time to join the waitlist and begin a longer payment plan if it’s been on your heart.
And yes — I still dream of bringing back retreats. 2026, if the world allows.
Come take a listen — not just to learn what’s coming, but to understand the why behind it all.
As always, take what serves you, leave the rest. I’m just so glad you’re here.
Sending love, peace and enough hope for us both! (See, that's just one way community helps -- we need others to be our strength and motivators and accountability partners when we can't get there alone!) "This is so lonely, but you do not have to be alone." - XO Melissa
Go to my WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central. GET ON MY EMAIL LIST THERE (Blue buttons on home page)
Have you seen the NEW Anthology Book "
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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.