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.

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Episoder(330)

The ZTC Foundation; In Memory of a Brother, and a Son

Today I share my conversation with Blake & Lisa. They are Zach Carter's mom and oldest brother. Zach died by suicide in 2022. The 3 of us talk about many things including, but not limited to, Zach's ...

31 Mar 20251h 15min

The Grief Seasons; Wintering & the Value in Hibernation

Today I tackle another precarious topic in life after suicide loss --remember, as always, take what serves you, and leave the rest. In today's Down the Rabbit Hole, I discuss this topic of what I ...

25 Mar 202521min

Dads Grief Matters; David James of The Peyton Heart Project

Today I release an impactful conversation that I had recently with Peyton James' dad - David. Peyton was an incredible young man who died by suicide in 2014 and while his dad will feel his absence for...

17 Mar 20251h 14min

Suicide Loss Widow Michelle Collins; What it Looks Like to Inhabit Joy

Today I speak with Michelle. Michelle lost her husband to suicide in April of 2016 - and she has so much to share about loss, life & mindfulness in the surviving places! She is an incredible light of ...

26 Feb 20251h 7min

(Last) Daily Nugget January 31; Philosophy as Medicine for the Soul

As a sort of "Re-Boot" for The Leftover Pieces; Suicide Loss Conversations podcast after taking the last 6 weeks of 2024 "off" I am choosing to 'start over' this way .... please listen weekly to Down ...

31 Jan 202511min

Lynn Lewis is Destined to Thrive; But Denial Isn't Always a Bad Thing

Today it is my honor to once again welcome back a resilient, inspirational survivor mom -- Lynn Lewis. I first spoke with Lynn in April of 2022. At that time Lynn was 3 years in after the loss of her ...

31 Jan 20251h 17min