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Artwork for The Leftover Pieces: Suicide Loss Conversations

The Leftover Pieces: Suicide Loss Conversations

Melissa Bottorff-Arey
Grief
Mental Health
Suicide Loss
Healing
Self-Care
Stoicism
Suicide
Community Support
Loss
Identity
Boundaries
Suicide Prevention
Hope
Journaling
Trauma
Legacy
Epictetus
Grief Management
Marcus Aurelius
Connection

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 ... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes325Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Mental HealthAlternative HealthHealth & Fitness

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Artwork for The Leftover Pieces: Suicide Loss Conversations

Latest Episodes

Click to Send a Text or Voicemail to Melissa

In this brief but so important Bonus "Mini-sode", Melissa sits down with internationally recognized personality expert and author Paul D. Tieger to discuss groundbreaking new research exploring a possible... more

Click to Send a Text or Voicemail to Melissa

In this deeply honest conversation about suicide loss and long-term grief, Melissa sits down with Tracy Oeser, MSPsy — suicide loss survivor, grief educator, bereavement coach, and founder of Journey Thru... more

Click to Send a Text or Voicemail to Melissa

What (actually) happens after survival?

In this episode of Down the Rabbit Hole, Melissa speaks honestly about the part of grief few people prepare grieving mothers for — the “now what?” space that often... more

Click to Send a Text or Voicemail to Melissa

Mother’s Day after child loss can feel impossibly complicated. In this episode of Down the Rabbit Hole, Melissa speaks honestly about the layered reality of motherhood after suicide loss—the grief, the lo... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Colleen Kraft
Pediatrician with 36 years of experience; mother of Tim
None specified
Episode: When the Mind Breaks: A Mother, A Doctor, and the Reality of Psychosis
Sean Dadashi
Co-founder of Rosebud, an AI-powered journaling app. He struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts during his teenage years.
Rosebud
Episode: Journaling as a Lifeline After Suicide Loss: Reflection, Healing, and Support
Jacquelyn Dickey
A wife, mother, accomplished horse trainer, author, and suicide prevention advocate.
Episode: Surviving Early Suicide Loss: Honoring Austin’s Legacy Through Art, Horses, and Advocacy
Emily Dziedzic
A trained NLP master coach and hypnotist who helps women break free from anxiety, fear, and emotional overwhelm using subconscious rewiring.
EmilyDziedzic.com
Episode: Your Mind Won’t Let You Move Forward: The Power of Subconscious Healing after Suicide Loss
Patty Born
A board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and licensed massage therapist who is also a two-time suicide loss survivor.
Episode: Widen the Lens, Reach In; Patty Born on Loss, Connection, & Showing Up
Jamie Brickhouse
Writer and storyteller, a Suicide Attempt Survivor who lost four friends to suicide.
Episode: The Loop We Don’t See; Jamie Brickhouse on Alcohol & Depression
Reshma Kearney
A trauma-informed mindfulness and healing guide dedicated to helping others navigate grief after losing her husband to suicide.
Episode: Mindfulness Shifts Grief: Reshma Kearney Guides Others
Betsy Thibaut Stephenson
Author and advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention
Episode: Blackbird; A Mother's Reflection on Grief, Loss & Life After Suicide; Betsy Thibaut Stephenson
Lauren Wood
A third year human services student passionate about social justice and suicide prevention.
Northeastern University
Episode: Remembering Her Friend Coble; A Brave Voice on Grief, Growth & Mental Health

Host

Melissa Bottorff-Arey
Host of The Leftover Pieces: Suicide Loss Conversations, blending personal reflections on life after suicide loss with interviews and resources.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 154 ratings
  • A lifeline for this grieving mom

    After the loss of my son by suicide, I was lost and felt so alone. Melissa’s podcast has been a lifeline for me as I navigate how to move forward after his loss. Thank you, Melissa, for sharing your story.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Adaple
    United Statesa year ago
  • This podcast has helped me so much

    I lost my ex Travis Oct 9th 2021 and it has been the hardest journey I’ve ever had take. Losing him that way has changed every aspect of my life. It changed everything. I’m not the same person i was. I lost him and myself that day. Like you say, I’m so sorry we all have a reason to be here but I’m so grateful to you for creating this community and a safe place to come and not feel so alone. Thank you! 💕

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RM0550
    United States2 years ago
  • A Friend at night who understands…

    I lost my dear son to mental illness and suicide in February 2022. There are many nights when I fall asleep to the kindness of strangers and fellow itinerants on this journey. Melissa combines wisdom, learning, humor, practical tips and a sense of calm, knowing that we would all choose not to be here if we could. One of the best resources I have found, and I’ll be listening tonight….

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Docmom3460
    United States2 years ago
  • Much needed help & advice

    Thank you Melissa i truly do not know what I would be doing without your podcast I stumbled on it out of sheer desperation we lost our son Daniel age 26 he was everything to us and his 3 sisters we deeply miss & love him & this has forever changed our world.I listen to you in my darkest moments & you always help in some way this podcast is a must for anyone in the horrific situation.Also better than 2 phycologist that I have been talking too

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kim Matthews
    Australia2 years ago
  • Thank you

    My world came crashing down when my youngest died unexpectedly. While faced with finding my way through the most difficult journey of my life, I stumbled across this podcast. I didn’t sign-up to be in the grieving mother club, yet here I am trying to navigate life without my son. Melissa’s podcast and book have been a blessing.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Grieving In Ohio
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners describe the host as compassionate, real, and practical in guiding grief.
The show is a supportive, non-judgmental space that helps people feel less alone.
Guests and resources are consistently described as helpful and credible in navigating long-term grief.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Journaling as a Lifeline After Suicide Loss: Reflection, Healing, and Support
Q: What are the safeguards in place for users who may be experiencing suicidal ideation?
Rosebud has strict security measures to protect user data and employs a public benchmark called CARE to assess AI safety and ensure effective responses for high-risk cases.
Journaling as a Lifeline After Suicide Loss: Reflection, Healing, and Support
Q: How does the Rosebud app work?
Rosebud is an interactive journal that provides thoughtful prompts and helps users delve deeper into their experiences.
Widen the Lens, Reach In; Patty Born on Loss, Connection, & Showing Up
Q: What did you do to try to put all those guardrails in place?
Patty explains how she openly discussed mental health and suicide with her children from a young age, and sought resources proactively to safeguard them.
Mindfulness Shifts Grief: Reshma Kearney Guides Others
Q: How have your children been coping with their grief?
Reshma discussed her children's varying responses to grief and how they've been encouraged to express their emotions and seek support.
Mindfulness Shifts Grief: Reshma Kearney Guides Others
Q: Can you talk about Sean's case and the challenges he faced?
Reshma elaborated on Sean's struggles with childhood trauma and the pressures of being in the Army, which contributed to his mental health challenges leading up to his death.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on life after suicide loss and chronic grief, blending intimate survivor stories with practical guidance on nervous-system care, healing, and meaning after devastating loss. Episodes frequently explore rebuilding identity, sustaining hope, and creating ongoing support through both personal reflection and guest conversations with survivors, clinicians, and advocates. A notable strength is the blend of heartfelt storytelling with concrete resources, including community meetups and tools to manage long-term grief, stigma, and healing without rushing to “move on.” Listeners likely value compassionate, non-judgmental support, practical coping strategies, and community connection during a uniquely isolating experience.

What sta... more

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Healing Narratives of Suicide Grief
2. All There Is with Anderson Cooper
3. 10% Happier with Dan Harris
4. DEAD Talks
5. The Oprah Podcast

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 6 years ago and published 325 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Colleen Kraft
2. Sean Dadashi
3. Jacquelyn Dickey
4. Emily Dziedzic
5. Patty Born
6. Jamie Brickhouse
7. Reshma Kearney
8. Betsy Thibaut Stephenson

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