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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
Life After Suicide Loss: Keep/Recover Who You Are — Identity Words
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Identity doesn’t vanish after suicide loss; name the parts that still fit and make room for them on purpose.
Journal prompt: “Where I feel most like myself lately is…”
Identity doesn’t vanish; it gets buried. Today we name the parts of you that still fit—and make room for them on purpose.
A Flicker (Hope) — A familiar thread
Notice one moment you felt like you this week—how you spoke, moved, created, cared. Keep that thread.
To Rebuild (Healing) — Pick 1–2 identity words
Examples: listener, maker, advocate, steady, honest, curious, playful, caretaker, organizer. Circle 1–2 that land today. Write them at the top of your notes app.
Take a Step (Becoming) — Put identity on the calendar (≤10 min)
Tie one micro-act to your word:
- Maker: lay out one tool (sketchbook, yarn, instrument) and touch it for 10 minutes.
- Advocate: send one supportive message or share one resource.
- Listener/Steady: check in on one person with a two-sentence text.
Choose-your-energy menu:
- Hollow (low): Hollow — Whisper your word once. Put a hand on your chest and breathe out longer than in.
- Healing (medium): Healing — Do one 10-minute identity act; stop when the timer ends.
- Becoming (higher): Becoming — Schedule this identity act 3 times this week.
Food for Thought Today:
Identity isn’t a costume you perform; it’s a way your love moves through the room. When you choose one small act that matches who you are, you’re not pretending you’re okay—you’re remembering yourself in real time.
Exhale. Keep what serves you; leave the rest. I’ll be here again tomorrow. 💜
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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.