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 getting 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. You can always schedule a time to chat about being a guest from my main website.
[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
Grief Truth #1; August Daily Nuggets INTRO
Hello Fellow Griever— and Welcome Back.
If you’ve been wondering where I’ve been… you’re not wrong. July was quieter than usual here on the podcast (totally quiet!) — but it wasn’t in vain.
Behind the scenes, I’ve been pouring myself into some powerful new offerings: two brand-new grief coaching programs — each with their own beautiful workbook now published and available — and the long-awaited launch of The Lighthouse Community.--- >LINK HERE
The Lighthouse is a sacred space just for grieving moms — a soft landing place full of connection, support, and deep healing. There’s so much available inside for just $9/month… and your first month is on me. Use code TRIAL2025 to get started. I’d love to have you join us.
And now, we begin a new month together.
This is the start of the August Daily Nugget series — a month of Grief Truths.
Every day, I’ll meet you here with a short reflection — something honest, real, and hopefully helpful — a small truth to anchor you in the middle of this big, unrelenting thing we call grief.
I’ve done this before — and I’ll be doing it again. There will be new daily series in October and December too, each with its own theme and rhythm.
But for now, we’re in August. And this month, we sit with the truths. The ones that might not fix anything, but help you feel a little more seen, a little less alone.
Thank you for listening. Thank you for showing up.
Let’s begin.
NOW.... Our AUGUST 1 DAILY NUGGET
“Healing doesn’t mean forgetting.”
We live in a world obsessed with closure. It urges us to “move on,” as if grief is a task with a tidy ending. But those of us living it — we know better.
Healing doesn’t mean forgetting.
Healing means learning how to carry the weight. How to breathe around it. How to let love lead, even when your heart still aches.
Forgetting was never the goal.
Our love for them deserves a lifetime. And healing? It’s simply the process of building a life where that love can still live.
You’re not doing it wrong. You’re remembering — and healing — all at once
Take a breath.
Let the truth settle where it needs to.
Take what serves you — and leave the rest.
And come back tomorrow, because…
You’re not broken — you’re grieving.
And you are never alone in this.
I’ll be right here.
Talk soon.
[P.S... Like this podcast? Support the show by clicking...thank you]
SEE YOU TOMORROW!!!
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My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.
NEW July 30, 2025 ---> FIND the $9 Lighthouse Community for Moms Here!!
Resources for ALL --> Find Here
One-on-One Grief Coaching for Moms after suicide loss ---> Find Here
If you, or someone you know, is struggling ww suicidal thoughts, reach out:
CALL 988 in the US or Canada OR, you can also TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USA & Canada