NEW EPISODE!! Today SUNDAY, Feb 4, 2024 The Leftover Pieces; Suicide Loss Conversations Podcast officially launched Season 5 !! I am honored to be back behind the mic talking with other loss survivors and experts....so that I can share these conversations with you - fellow griever.So, yes, I AM BACK!!! AND I did take a bit of a “pause” and I can’t wait to share with you why...(psst, episode 2 tells all of the details -- or at least some!)I am launching Season 5 with this very exciting episode directly from the book launch Zoom event for the latest legacy book “Because They Lived; Stories & Memories of Amazing Kids Lost to Suicide. As Told by the Moms They Left Behind” (Volume 3) AND I will be releasing at least one Down the Rabbit Hole episode as well!GET YOUR OWN COPY -- CLICK HERENow you can look for me again WEEKLY with a mixture of longer conversational episodes and the shorter solo down the rabbit hole episodes, roundtables and more.... I have missed you friends and am glad to be back!Check out ALL of my books (and there's more on the way!) -- CLICK HERE!!PS....LAST SESSION of the Legacy Writing Project for 2023 began August 16 BUT you can get on the wait list for the February 7, 2024, group NOW!!For a way to leave a Legacy of your child - GO HERE______________________________________________________________________My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" support central.The latest Legacy projects are NOW published BOOKS -- GET THEM HERE!!!ALSO, my first two books (tools I have created for you!) in the "Facing Life After Suicide" series are available on AmazonIf you, or someone you know, is struggling  with suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out:CALL 988   OR, you can also TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USASupport the showSupport the show

SUNDAY, Feb 4, The Leftover Pieces launched Season 5 with 3 new episodes ...with more coming EVERY WEEK! I am honored to be back behind the mic talking with other loss survivors and experts....so that I can share these conversations with you, fellow griever.So, yes, I AM BACK!!! AND I did take a bit of a “pause” and I can’t wait to share with you why...(psst, this episode tells why)I am launching Season 5 with a very exciting first episode directly from the book launch Zoom event for the latest legacy book “Because They Lived; Stories & Memories of Amazing Kids Lost to Suicide. As Told by the Moms They Left Behind” (Volume 3) AND I am releasing TWO Down the Rabbit Hole episodes as wellThen....look for me again WEEKLY with a mixture of longer conversational episodes and the shorter solo down the rabbit hole episodes, roundtables and more.... I have missed you friends and am glad to be back!Check out ALL of my books (and there's more on the way!) -- CLICK HERE!!PS....LAST SESSION of the Legacy Writing Project for 2023 began August 16 BUT you can get on the wait list for the February 7, 2024, group NOW!!For a way to leave a Legacy of your child - GO HERE______________________________________________________________________My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" support central.The latest Legacy projects are NOW published BOOKS -- GET THEM HERE!!!ALSO, my first two books (tools I have created for you!) in the "Facing Life After Suicide" series are available on AmazonIf you, or someone you know, is struggling  with suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out:CALL 988   OR, you can also TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USASupport the showSupport the show

This episode (the 3rd of 3 in the initial drop of Season 5) is releasing on SUNDAY, Feb 4, 2024.   I am honored to be back behind the mic talking with other loss survivors and experts....so that I can share these conversations with you, fellow griever.So, yes, I AM BACK!!! AND I did take a bit of a “pause” and I can’t wait to share with you why...(psst, episode 2 episode tells why if you haven't listened in order)THIS episode is me reading my recently published essay to (my) Alex “Serendipities & Synchronicities; An Essay to Alex” from the most recent legacy book (see next paragraph)I launched Season 5 with a very exciting episode directly from the book launch Zoom event for the latest legacy book “Because They Lived; Stories & Memories of Amazing Kids Lost to Suicide. As Told by the Moms They Left Behind” (Volume 3) AND I will be releasing TWO Down the Rabbit Hole episodes as well (I mean episode 2 was really just an update -- but an episode nonetheless)Now you can look for me again WEEKLY with a mixture of longer conversational episodes and the shorter solo down the rabbit hole episodes, roundtables and more.... I have missed you friends and am glad to be back. THANK YOU for listening to this episode. It means the world to share Alex with you!Check out ALL of my books including the latest legacy book (and there's more on the way!) -- CLICK HERE!!PS....LAST SESSION of the Legacy Writing Project for 2023 began August 16 BUT you can get on the wait list for the February 7, 2024, group NOW!!For a way to leave a Legacy of your child - GO HERE______________________________________________________________________My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" support central.The latest Legacy projects are NOW published BOOKS -- GET THEM HERE!!!ALSO, my first two books (tools I have created for you!) in the "Facing Life After Suicide" series are available on AmazonIf you, or someone you know, is struggling with suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out:CALL 988   OR, you can also TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USASupport the showSupport the show

In this episode, I go down the rabbit hole to discuss the concept of acceptance, or acceptable, as it pertains to our loss. Words can be so very tricky.I am anxious to know your feelings after you listen to this episode. Do you agree? Have you encountered this with others wondering why you can’t “accept” your loss? Is your loss acceptable to you? .I launched Season 5 last week with a very exciting first episode directly from the book launch Zoom event for the latest legacy book “Because They Lived; Stories & Memories of Amazing Kids Lost to Suicide. As Told by the Moms They Left Behind” (Volume 3) and TWO Down the Rabbit Hole episodes as well. If you haven’t listened, you should when you have time!.Remember to look for me again WEEKLY with a mixture of longer conversational episodes and the shorter solo down the rabbit hole episodes, roundtables and more.... I have missed you friends and am glad to be back!You can look for me again WEEKLY with a mixture of longer conversational episodes and the shorter solo down the rabbit hole episodes, roundtables and more.... I will drop episodes between Sunday night & Monday night but the best way to know a new one is out, is still to subscribe to be notified from you podcast platform.THANK YOU for listening to this episode. It means the world!Check out ALL of my books including the lastet legacy book (and there's more on the way!) -- CLICK HERE!!PS....LAST SESSION of the Legacy Writing Project for 2023 began August 16 BUT you can get on the wait list for the February 7, 2024, group NOW!!For a way to leave a Legacy of your child - GO HERE______________________________________________________________________My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" support central.The latest Legacy projects are NOW published BOOKS -- GET THEM HERE!!!ALSO, my first two books (tools I have created for you!) in the "Facing Life After Suicide" series are available on AmazonIf you, or someone you know, is struggling  with suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out:CALL 988   OR, you can also TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USASupport the showSupport the show

Today I am sharing a poignant & heartfelt conversation I had with an amazing woman named Jessica Timmerman. She lost her brother to suicide & everything changed. Jessica & Zach were not a typical brother and sister.... losing both of their parents before they were 18, they became each other's whole family and also the very best friends. Zach died by suicide in 2022 while serving his country (he was 15 years in when he died) - leaving Jess to pick up the pieces and figure out how to live without him AND honor his amazing life.  This is a bold conversation with a brave lady & it's my honor to share it. "Jessica Timmerman is a married mom of three kids and a military mental health advocate, currently residing in Edmond, Oklahoma. Sergeant First Class Zachary M. Brown lost his life to suicide on Mother’s Day 2022 while on active duty in Germany. He was Jessica’s baby brother, a proud Infantryman, a combat veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan, a devoted Dad with a huge heart and made an impact on so many. Zach BELIEVED in a life of service and Jessica intends to continue that code".Today, we talk about: There are programs to help -- like the Army's A.S.E. Program --but they come with very human limitations.How the military failed Zach in life and his family & memory in deathBeing Hope Growers! How siblings (& others) become disenfranchised grieversWhat she became a Death Doula (& what it is) but where she feels drawn to help now.Some of her favorite things about ZachFind Jess at INSTAGRAM - please follow her & support her efforts for change And look for me to add a link to her (currently being updated) website in the next month or so to my resource page. THANK YOU for listening to this episode. It means the world!Check out ALL of my books including the lastet legacy book (and there's more on the way!) -- CLICK HERE!!PS....The FIRST SESSION of the Legacy Writing Project in 2024 is under way BUT you can get on the wait list for the August 7 group NOW!!For a way to leave a Legacy of your child - GO HERE______________________________________________________________________My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" support central.The latest Legacy projects are NOW published BOOKS -- GET THEM HERE!!!ALSO, my first two books (tools I have created for you!) in the "Facing Life After Suicide" series are available on AmazonIf you, or someone you know, is struggling  with suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out:CALL 988   OR, you can also TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USASupport the show

Today I go (deep) into the rabbit hole to discuss a haunting question -- haunting for anyone, but even more so for us suicide loss survivors. Everything is harder now, right? (but that's NOT the question).Sing with me “I can do hard things. I can do hard things...” (it may just be the weirdo in me, but yes, I sing it out loud to myself often ...when I feel frustrated or discouraged), and then I DO “it” -- whatever the current “it” is. Or at least TRY to. How about you? (STILL NOT THE QUESTION though).I want to know if you have asked yourself this question I ask in the episode-- now, in your “after loss” life OR before? Should you? (pssst....the answer is “yes”) YOLO is what Alex would say and he was my kid after all...I hope this episode is thought provoking & motivating....and YES, you have to listen to the episode to actually HEAR THE QUESTION!Today I touch base on: Why risk and hard things are easier for some ...or are they? Why asking this question mattersHow Rita Wilson factors inAnd an update on life in Puerto Rico ....and moreListen to the TedX Talk I reference HERE and for the joy of it (& because you will be left feeling like "I want to hear the song" So...HERE is the song she sings at the end (it's not part the original TedX recording) Remember to look for me again WEEKLY with a mixture of longer conversational episodes and the shorter solo down the rabbit hole episodes, roundtables and more.... I have missed you friends and am glad to be back! THANK YOU for listening to this episode. It means the world!Check out ALL of my books including the lastet legacy book (and there's more on the way!) -- CLICK HERE!!PS....The FIRST SESSION of the Legacy Writing Project in 2024 is under way BUT you can get on the wait list for the August 7 group NOW!!For a way to leave a Legacy of your child - GO HERE______________________________________________________________________My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.The latest Legacy projects are NOW published BOOKS -- GET THEM HERE!!!ALSO, my first two books (tools I have created for you!) in the "Facing Life After Suicide" series are available on AmazonIf you, or someone you know, is struggling  with suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out:CALL 988   OR, you can also TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USASupport the show

NEW EPISODE DROP! In this episode (2 of a 3 part series) I go back down the rabbit hole to discuss the second piece in the series called “Mindset, Motivation & Monkeys” ...today is motivation day!I know -- it sounds super hard; nearly impossible, right? Stick with me - we will get there.So now you have your mindset (or at least know what you would like it to be; goals are a first step) ... you have picked your guidance word of the year. Great. NOW WHAT...? How do you find a way to actually be motivated you ask...well, we explore this idea today!In this episode I discuss: how to find motivation achieving balanceusing tools & understanding the traumawhy this even mattersflowery chasms, tiny villages, a bridge & more...Remember to look for me again WEEKLY with a mixture of longer conversational episodes and the shorter solo down the rabbit hole episodes, roundtables and more.... I have missed you friends and am glad to be back!THANK YOU for listening to this episode. It means the world!Check out ALL of my books including the lastet legacy book (and there's more on the way!) -- CLICK HERE!!PS....The FIRST SESSION of the Legacy Writing Project in 2024 is under way BUT you can get on the wait list for the August 7 group NOW!!For a way to leave a Legacy of your child - GO HERE______________________________________________________________________My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.The latest Legacy projects are NOW published BOOKS -- GET THEM HERE!!!ALSO, my first two books (tools I have created for you!) in the "Facing Life After Suicide" series are available on AmazonIf you, or someone you know, is struggling  with suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out:CALL 988   OR, you can also TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USASupport the show

Today, I welcome Bobbi Smith. At 22, this brave young woman is actually a two-time loss survivor. She actually first lost her best friend AND then, a few years later, her husband to suicide, yet the hope in her voice is inspirational. She is wise beyond her years - that happens after trauma, but she is not shrinking away from the very raw & complex parts of her experiences -- she is standing up & drawing attention to them."Her best friend since childhood, Racelyn, died on Feb. 20, 2018, at just 16 years old. While she felt the support of family & adults in her life, Bobbi's world was completely rocked. She even ended up completing her schooling online due to the bully-like, insensitive behavior of her peers after Racelyn died.Bobbi met Quentin through Racelyn; they were online friends for years! After Racelyn passed, they became closer after Quentin contacted her over social media to offer support and say he'd always be there to talk. It turned out he was, and their connection grew.After a road trip to visit Bobbi in October 2020, he asked her to be his girlfriend, and they married in December 2021. At the time, Quentin was a Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton from 2018 to 2022. Quentin Reed Smith was a 0331 Machine Gunner (Infantryman) in the United States Marines. He served one deployment to Japan. When he left the military, he was an E-4 corporal. He died from suicide by firearm in their backyard on Aug. 14, 2023, only 4 months short of turning 24, and he had only been out of the military for 9 months."You will hear us discuss many of the things listed above, but also:What was different the day he died...or was anything? Hear her describe (what sounds to me like) how his 'brain broke' in the moments before he died as she witnessed (audibly) his break...but having no understanding of the cause...part of the unanswered 'whys' many of us have.The detrimental "figure it out & hold your own" attitude toward mental health care while enlisted is a contributing factor to military & vet suicides.Why does she blame the military and their lack of support [for his death]- including but not limited to the fact that they do such a poor job reacclimating soldiers back into civilian life once they get out. The dehumanization she (& her family) felt at the hands of first responders.Fear & ignorance - what she believes would help or could be done differently (for soldiers) & through it all - how (she thinks) we can all make a difference by just saying their names...and more!THANK YOU for listening to this episode. It means so much to us! ______________________________________________________________________My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.PS....The FIRST SESSION of the Legacy Writing Project in 2024 is under way BUT you can get on the wait list for the August 7 group NOW!!For a way to leave a Legacy of your child - GO HEREIf you, or someone you know, is struggling  with suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out:CALL 988   OR, you can also TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USASupport the showSupport the show

Today is MONKEYS DAY, where I'm returning to the rabbit hole to discuss the third (& final) piece in my current series, "Mindset, Motivation & Monkeys."So now you have your mindset (or at least know what you would like it to be; goals are a first step), you have picked your guidance word of the year, and you have discovered your motivation. So what now?In this episode, I discuss MONKEYS! Ok, as you may have guessed, not actual monkeys (flying or otherwise) but rather boundaries! (aka - 'not my circus, not my monkeys')Setting boundaries after loss is much more complicated than before, like everything, right? But for many of us, there are hurdles we can't overcome after the mindset and motivation part, and then we end up feeling stuck. Today, I discuss this at length to give you some actionable ideas that may help.In this episode, hear me discuss: the myth that boundaries are there to stop usThe next step - how to startRecognizing your monkeys - name themDefining themEnforcing them Real grief examples and more...In the end, we are truly only limited by what we believe, and we have a choice in what we think and choose to believe.  Our possibilities for life 'after' loss are only limited by our own mind. Yep, there's a LOT in those two sentences. Read them again. (And I know it's extraordinarily hard, but we can do hard things!)Some BONUS follow Up READING - just food for thought & for fun: A Person Without Boundaries ... (a post from The Daily Stoic)Setting Healthy Grief Boundaries (an easy read about a difficult thing!)THANK YOU for listening to this episode. It means so much to me! ______________________________________________________________________My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.PS....The FIRST SESSION of the Legacy Writing Project in 2024 is under way BUT you can get on the wait list for the August 7 group NOW!!For a way to leave a Legacy of your child - GO HEREIf you, or someone you know, is struggling  with suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out:CALL 988   OR, you can also TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USASupport the showSupport the show

REGISTER for Monthly SIBLING SUPPORT after Suicide loss HERE  Today I release a conversation with a sister talk about her baby brother Teddy. At 43, she lost her only sibling to suicide. Our personalities making us fast friends, Jen & I dug right in & discuss so many things surrounding, loss by suicide, AFSP & more...  A bit more about her:  "Jen Hoye is a passionate mental health and suicide prevention advocate, a board member of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Massachusetts Chapter, and a suicide loss survivor. Jen lost her brother, Teddy Fusco, Jr., to suicide in May 2017.Before July 2021, Jen Hoye hadn’t run in nearly 30 years – when she was on her high school cross country team. Several years after her brother Teddy’s suicide, Jen began walking for her physical & mental health. Jen was inspired by her brother to complete #HealingMiles remembrance walks and runs in honor of others who have died by suicide. Since September 2020, she has dedicated Healing Miles to hundreds of men, women, and children from across the globe. Today, Jen has completed a number of races representing Team AFSP, including the Boston Marathon (2021, 2022), & several more. Jen also completed her first ultramarathon to celebrate her upcoming 50th birthday.  Her goal is to support the AFSP’s mission to bring hope to those impacted by suicide – and to run Healing Miles in memory of others – in every state of the US. Jen has been featured on a number of podcasts, radio shows, and international video panels, as well as in the news media. She lives in Taunton, MA, with her family, three rescue dogs, cat, and chickens." Find here HERE  Jen Fusco Hoye | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree  Her message of HOPE is to take care of yourself, outside of serving others, because you will need to be 'good' before you can truly be that help.Today we discuss:Teddy's death was completely a surprise - & his personality 'type' that is so common (as I have come to understand)The chasm of life "after" & rebuilding despite its unrelenting presenceYears of unacknowledged grief masquerading as anger (aka living IN the chasm)How the 'rage' served it's purpose BUT ALSO had a cost!What happened during Covid that forced a 'shift'...Her 'talks' (walks) & how her anger turned toward kindness & how that was healing. Choosing to LIVE & BE the real YOU Marathons, AFSP, her 'Sicilian-ness' & moreFIND JEN (usually daily) behind that coffee cup, her beaming, infectious smile & that lovely leg tattoo - on Instagram HERE -  FOLLOW HER NOW for a daily dose of good 'medicine' for your soul! And you can USE #healingmiles if you run!  Support the show  ______________________________________________________________________My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.REGISTER for Monthly SIBLING SUPPORT after Suicide loss HERE If you, or someone you know, is struggling  with suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out:CALL 988   OR, you can also TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USASupport the show

Today I release a conversation with the founder & owner of Casa Alternavida which is on the beautiful, lush Caribbean Island of Puerto Rico - which now happens to also be where I call home as well! CLICK for The Leftover Pieces RETREAT INFO HERE In Yancy's words: "Casa Alternavida - A House of Transformation. Fresh perspective for a more fulfilling life.Casa Alternavida is a boutique wellness retreat center located in Puerto Rico offering a high-touchpoint, guided retreat experience for curious, growth-minded individuals and groups.Our approach is to get people out of their heads and into their body, a vast and commonly untapped intelligence that can bring deep insight and guidance. We work with nature as a metaphor during our daily adventures, supporting mindset shifts that give our guests opportunities to reconnect to their essential self.I am Yancy, the founder, is a master facilitator, somatic healer and I have a wealth of knowledge around retreat planning, nature guiding, and conscious communication. I am also a seasoned nature adventure guide with an abundance of knowledge and passion for their local flora and fauna."READ ABOUT THEM HERE in Preferred MagazineToday Yancy & I discuss:His story that includes loss & his ‘why’ for starting a retreat center of this typeThe life changing realizations he hadThe mindful way he put together Casa AlternavidaAn example of a ‘day in the life’ at a retreatSome of the specifics of our retreat that will be July 17-22, 2024What the takeaways will be from The Picking up the Pieces RetreatAnd more...Again, CLICK for The Leftover Pieces RETREAT INFO HERE You can FIND Yancy /Casa Alternavida through the links on my website!Find CASA ALTERNAVIDA's Website HEREFOLLOW the, on INSTAGRAM HERE Follow them on FACEBOOK HERE  Support the show ______________________________________________________________________My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.REGISTER for Monthly SIBLING SUPPORT after Suicide loss HEREIf you, or someone you know, is struggling  with suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out:CALL 988   OR, you can also TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USASupport the show

Today, I share my conversation with the Founder of PsycheX, Josh Halu, and his invited guest, suicide loss survivor-mom Natika Terrell. Plant Medicine has gotten a bad rap, becoming stigmatized in 'hippie culture' that led to government bans, which are (thankfully) now beginning to disappear, allowing for unparalleled mental health research and incredible breakthroughs! I did not step into this topic lightly. While I have been curious for a while (as I know several people who have greatly benefited from psychedelics), allowing that stigma to play a role, I have kept it at arms distance at best. Then Josh Halu reached out. I have been researching, listening, and even leaning in ever since. I am very excited to share this conversation with you, hoping it may add another possibility to your toolbox! PsycheX's Mission: Is to create a unified, trustworthy, and inclusive platform that fosters connections, education, and opportunities in the psychedelic industry.Their Vision: To make psychedelics a cornerstone of mental health care by developing the most comprehensive, trusted, and inclusive platform for resources, education, and therapy options.Today, we discuss plant medicines such as ketamine, ayahuasca, mdma, mushrooms (psilocybin), and more...Find PsycheX HEREMeet Josh"Josh Halu, Founder and CEO of The Psychedelic Exchange, is a dynamic leader committed to revolutionizing mental health care through the innovative use of psychedelic therapies. His background, steeped in military leadership from his time at West Point and as an Army Officer, fuels his dedication to a critical mission: bringing the number of veteran suicides down to zero. With his deep understanding of mental illnesses, including trauma, depression, and PTSD, as well as the unique challenges faced by veterans, Josh is pioneering new approaches in mental health care. He strives to transform the landscape of treatment and support for all, while destigmatizing the use of psychedelic medicines for mental wellness."Find JOSH HERE on his WEBSITEReach him at info@psychex.com  Here on InstagramMeet NatikaNatika Terrell is a mother who has used psychedelics to aid in healing the trauma of losing her daughter, Carla to suicide in February of 2015.  Through this loss journey she has been able to be more vulnerable in sharing her story as well as how she is facing life now.  She aspires to be a motivational speaker who helps to be a voice for mental health including the power of psychedelics and plant medicine for mental health and healing.______________________________________________________________________[Please note that this episode is not intended as an endorsement of psychedelics, and Melissa is not a doctor or medical professional. As always, you should consider seeking medical (or appropriate) guidance when considering their use & possible outcomes.]  ______________________________________________________________________My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.REGISTER for Monthly SUPPORT after Suicide loss HEREIf you, or someone you know, is struggling  with suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out:CALL 988   OR, you can also TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USASupport the show

Today is an extra personal episode … we are officially kicking off Season 4. This season comes out as our family hits 6 years since my 21-year-old son Alex died by suicide. For this season premiere episode, I sat down in a Zoom-style quasi-round-table-talk with (some of ) my family to revisit & review not only where we are now but also what the journey of the past 6 years has looked like for us, collectively and individually. Surviving suicide loss is anything but easy -but doing it together helps.In this episode, I chat with: G.R. - my husbandParker - my youngest childAubrie - Parker's long-time girlfriend. (they are both 24 years old)Jennifer- my best friend of 20 years. We talked about:  The day Alex died - the feelings, the fog, the chaos The weeks that followed - survival, hyper-vigilance & moreThe years leading up to now - how we survived, began to reengage in life, & now, how we are rebuilding from here... …and I think it was enlightening as well as healing on some level for all of us. I hope you take something helpful - maybe even hopeful- from it as well.  I know I sure did! Also,  please reach out if you want to share a guest or topic idea for Season 4 - and I am always open to feedback if you have it! melissa@theleftoverpieces.com_______________________________________________  My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" support central  - MY HUB - and that means my different SUPPORT GROUP Options are available and much more will be coming in 2022 and 2023 "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You"Go DIRECTLY to my SUPPORT page here where you will find ALL of the ways to connect and find supportMy first two books (tools I am creating for you!) in the "Facing Life After Suicide" series are available on AmazonIf you, or someone you know, is struggling  with suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out:The National Suicide Lifeline is there for you OR CALL 988In a crisis you can also TEXT--->TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USAin Canada TEXT 686868in the UK TEXT 85258Support the show

Today I is one of my short, solo episodes where I "go down the rabbit hole" to talk about life after suicide loss. Specifically today I am talking about my life as I have intentionally, carefully cultivated it so that I can thrive after this unimaginable loss - in a life I never wanted and didn't ask for. This is a hard and brutal journey we are on but with support and tools and time - it's possible to learn to live again - even finding meaning and happiness. The suicide loss of my son forever changed me, and it took support and cultivating with intention to rebuild a life that matches the new version of who I am. As with everything, know that the examples are from my life and my journey - take what serves you and simply leave the rest. I am sending you much love, light and peace as you make your way in this life after suicide loss - you are not alone!  See the LINKS BELOW to my WEBSITE and all of the things "the Leftover Pieces;" ARE YOU A MOM looking to rebuild after suicide loss and thinking of writing a book, or starting a legacy project - get info on my upcoming 2023 M.OM.s Mastermind HERE If you, or someone you know would like to be considered for the podcast, please email me at melissa@theleftoverpieces.com _______________________________________________________ My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" support central  - MY HUB - and that means my different SUPPORT GROUP Options are available and much more will be coming in 2022 and 2023 "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You"Go DIRECTLY to my SUPPORT page here where you will find ALL of the ways to connect and find supportMy first two books (tools I am creating for you!) in the "Facing Life After Suicide" series are available on AmazonIf you, or someone you know, is struggling  with suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out:The National Suicide Lifeline is there for you OR CALL 988In a crisis you can also TEXT--->TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USAin Canada TEXT 686868in the UK TEXT 85258Support the show

Today I am sharing my thought-provoking conversation with mom and author A.S. King (aka Amy to friends).  She shares about her daughter Gracie who died by suicide in Dec. of 2018. She openly talks about the duality of being a public speaker who advocates for teen mental health and is a champion for teens' voices in general AND that she is also a mom who lost her child amidst her advocacy and openness...because suicide happens, Amy speaks her mind and this "tell-it-like-it-is" host thinks that is admirable. I wish more people were willing to have this type of unguarded, honest chat...there is a LOT to take away from today."A.S. King is an award-winning author for young people and is the recipient of the 2022 Margaret A Edwards award which recognizes an author's work in helping adolescents become aware of themselves and addressing questions about their role and importance in relationships, society, and in the world. Amy is a faculty member of the Writing for Children and Young Adults MFA program at Vermont College of Fine Arts and spends many months of the year traveling the world speaking to high school and university students, educators, and humans who care about the mental health of young people. After more than a decade of living self-sufficiently and teaching literacy to adults in Ireland, she now lives in Pennsylvania." You will hear Amy and I talk about:The loss of her daughter Gracie to suicide in  Dec. 2018Our immense need for trauma-informed "everyone" in our world todaySuicide is normal- how we create stigma where it needn't be From banned books to banned mental health care initiatives - where we are getting it all wrong & the current climate we have is only making it worse!Suicide prevention may be "sexy" but why do suicide loss survivors understand it's NOT where our attention should be - the real path forward to less suicideTeenagers are real people who deserve real respect & not just be labeled & dismissed (& are often mostly smarter than us so-called grown-ups)There is so much more trauma to deal with than most will admit - we need to start listening and healing Learn more at www.as-king.com (P.S... that award-winning author part is serious - go buy her books, she's amazing!)Find her on Social media - Instagram and Twitter Find other good stuff and links here--->>> Good Stuff and Links_______________________________________________  My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" support central  - MY HUB - and that means my different SUPPORT GROUP Options are available. Go DIRECTLY to my SUPPORT page here where you will find ALL of the ways to connect and find support. My first two books (tools I am creating for you!) in the "Facing Life After Suicide" series are available on AmazonIf you, or someone you know, is struggling  with suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out:The National Suicide Lifeline is there for you OR CALL 988In a crisis, you can also TEXT--->TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USAin Canada TEXT 686868in the UK TEXT 85258Support the show

It is my honor to share my conversation with Amber Carroll of "Team Jake" today.  She speaks so bravely - and so boldly - as a sister who lost her precious brother, her best friend, to suicide on January 2, 2019. On that day she says her whole world changed and that she will never be the same person. She shares with me who Jake was and how he still inspires her today. After finding his journals, she became inspired to use his words to help others who are struggling - including herself. This is a touching story for siblings but also for anyone who has lost someone by suicide.  Here's a bit about Amber: "Amber Carroll is a broadcast journalist based out of California and co-founder and President of the non-profit, We Are Team Jake. After losing her brother, Jake, to suicide in 2019, she became a mental health awareness and suicide prevention advocate.She is an avid traveler, living in close to 12 states, a dedicated runner, and a huge sports fan. Amber is also a Certified Life Coach focusing on helping people write their own stories."Find TEAM JAKE HERE Find Amber & Team Jake on Instagram HERE Find the "I Love You and So Do Others" PODCAST HEREFind them on TWITTER HERE as wellAbout the Podcast: The “ I  Love You and So Do Others Podcast” is a unique outlet providing various resources, contacts, groups, and events surrounding mental health! The I Love you and So Do Others Podcast is intended for a mature audience. Episodes discuss topics that can be triggering. I am not a licensed therapist or a medical professional. I have no medical license or professional counseling license. The opinions expressed by those on this show are their own and do not reflect the views of myself or We Are Team Jake. Thank you so much for listening to the I Love You and So Do Others Podcast._______________________________________________  My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" support central  - MY HUB - and that means my different SUPPORT GROUP Options are available. Go DIRECTLY to my SUPPORT page here where you will find ALL of the ways to connect and find support. My first two books (tools I am creating for you!) in the "Facing Life After Suicide" series are available on AmazonIf you, or someone you know, is struggling  with suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out:The National Suicide Lifeline is there for you OR CALL 988In a crisis, you can also TEXT--->TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USAin Canada TEXT 686868in the UK TEXT 85258Support the show

Today I share an amazing story about how one mom dug deep into her broken mom's heart and honored her child.  We talk about the common feeling and challenges that unite all of us that have had our lives shattered by suicide but we also honor the uniqueness that is each of our children.WATCH "Scattering CJ" ALL month on PBS in your area OR stream any time right from theWEBSITE HEREHallie Twomey carries a burden of guilt surrounding her 20-year-old son CJ’s death which has molded her into a life of advocacy. She turns to her husband John and son Connor for support both emotionally and physically but also knows that helping others, helps her. Hallie labors through her guilt by talking openly and honestly, as often as possible, to anyone that will listen. She shares in raw detail about the nightmare CJ’s death has left behind in hopes that his story may help prevent others from following in his footsteps.Scattering CJ was an idea born out of Hallie’s need to do something more for her son. Although it was her idea, to begin with, it would not have been possible without the full support of both John and Connor. Over the past 8 years, all three have opened themselves to this journey and trusted that it was the right decision. They collectively agree that CJ’s journey on this planet wasn’t over and that his 'larger than life personality should travel far and wide. They are all humbled and honored by the response Scattering CJ has received and owe a debt of gratitude to all those who now consider themselves a part of the Scattering CJ community.WATCH "Scattering CJ" ALL month on PBS in your area OR stream any time right from the WEBSITE HERE _______________________________________________  My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" support central  - MY HUB - and that means my different SUPPORT GROUP Options are available. Go DIRECTLY to my SUPPORT page here where you will find ALL of the ways to connect and find support. My first two books (tools I am creating for you!) in the "Facing Life After Suicide" series are available on AmazonIf you, or someone you know, is struggling  with suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out:The National Suicide Lifeline is there for you OR CALL 988In a crisis, you can also TEXT--->TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USAin Canada TEXT 686868in the UK TEXT 85258Support the show

Today I speak with a dad who lost his son to suicide. Michael Hicks knows that dads grieve too but they do not talk about it nearly as much as moms. Michael shares his story, and his feelings, to help break that norm and alleviate the stigma around men and showing their emotions.  If we are going to see a real change in how men approach mental health and a correlating decrease in men ending their own lives, we have to have these conversations. We have to have brave vulnerability as Mike shows in telling his story. This is a very powerful episode. Find Michael (along with Jolee and Sienna) at HicksStrong HEREMeet my challenge by DONATING HERE to help Soldiers get the help they needHere is a write-up he shared with me about Macoy that I think should be shared - US NAVY ABH AN Macoy Austin Daniel Hicks Aviation Boatswain Mate Airman Macoy Hicks joined the Navy upon graduating from High School in 2017. His first duty assignment after basic training was to Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C. to the prestigious Naval Ceremonial Guard. It was a significant honor for Macoy to be selected for training with the Ceremonial Guard whose primary mission is to represent the service in Presidential, Joint Armed Forces, Navy, and other public ceremonies in and around the nation's capital. Among its most solemn duties is to provide honor guards for naval funerals at Arlington National Cemetery. Thousands of funerals are held every year at Arlington, with between 30 to 40 funerals a day during the week and 6 to 8 on weekends. Military funeral guards are referred to as "missions" to help the guard detach emotionally. But many cannot detach as was the case for Macoy, who was haunted by the repeated sorrow he witnessed. He was later transferred to the USS Nimitz but his PTSD combined with a traumatic brain injury, followed by personality changes, insomnia, depression, and fruitless visits to Navy mental health providers, left him feeling like nobody in the sea service cared about him. On February 11, 2019, Macoy Hicks died by suicide while in naval custody. He was twenty years old. To honor their son and brother and to ensure that military service personnel and families have greater access to mental health providers the Hicks family created the non-profit HicksStong Inc. The organization provides funding for active-duty military service personnel and veterans who wish to be linked with qualified and confidential therapists. Speaking on behalf of her family, Macoy's sister, Sienna states "I believe he is proud of us... Macoy's suffering will not be in vain; even after the abrupt end of his own, he is saving lives."_______________________________________________  My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" support central  - MY HUB - and that means my different SUPPORT GROUP Options are available. Go DIRECTLY to my SUPPORT page here where you will find ALL of the ways to connect and find support. My first two books (tools I am creating for you!) in the "Facing Life After Suicide" series are available on AmazonIf you, or someone you know, is struggling  with suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out:CALL 988OR, you can also TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USAin Canada TEXT 686868in the UK TEXT 85258Support the show

We regularly find suicide as a subject matter on TV and in film these days...or at least more than we did once.  I am going to dive down the rabbit hole to  talk about my suggestions and cautions - and a few hard "no's".When you watch movies with a theme toward suicide or death, does the content activate you or help you? Since the reasons these films,  or shows, are made can be so diverse - to educate, to cause fear or shock or disgust, or even to provoke or bring about change and awareness - so are our reasons for choosing, or not choosing, to watch them.Today, I explore and discuss just some of the current choices out there.  Be sure to also check out  the two episodes from past seasons and here's the link to the Hallie Twomey episode that I mention as wellSeason 1 Ep 17 -What Am I Watching (aka binging)  Season 2 Ep 17 - To Watch or Not to Watch S4 Ep 5-  Scattering CJ - Hallie Twomey & I talk I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW WHICH ONES YOU HAVE SEEN AND YOUR TAKE - from ANY of the episodes! Or others you would recommend to watch - or not to watch! I will also disclaim this episode as I do all others - take that which serves you and leave the rest. We are all on a very individual journey, and at different spaces inside of each journey.  My heart and thoughts are always with you. The shows/movies that I discuss  are not linked, you will have to search them to see where they might currently be available or streaming. - it changes too much to keep up): I am listing them in the reverse order I talked about them but am listing them by category as I mentioned in the episode:I Recommend: The Bear (series) Scattering CJ (documentary)  Reservation Dogs (series)Mare of East TownI recommend WITH Caution (aka "Maybe : depending on you and your place in grief)Facing Suicide (documentary)Those Left Behind (movie)Joe Bell (movie) CAKE (movie)I Love You, Now Die (documentary)Probably a "No"  for me: Girl from PlainvilleGrief (Indie film)Honorable Mention for "Grief" as the subject:The StarlingRabbit HoleThis is Where I Leave You________________________________________________________My WEBSITE  "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You"  is where ALL THINGS are to be found - including moms support groups, links to my books and grief growth tools plus resources for all survivors and more. Please reach out to me if you know of someone that I should talk to or if you yourself would like to have a conversation around the suicide loss and grief space.. I am always looking to connect and continue the conversation. melissa@theleftoverpieces.comIf you, or someone you know, is struggling  with suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out:The National Suicide Lifeline is there for you OR 988TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USAin Canada TEXT 686868in the UK TEXT 85258And Grievers, I am always here. You can find me on  at The Leftover PiecesSupport the show

Life after suicide loss - in the case of today's guest, child loss after suicide - requires learning to be open to the presence of your pain, at least if you want to begin down the path of healing. But, what does that mean?  Marianne Gouveia of the no-profit EricsHouse and I explore this and so much more in this episode. Today, you will hear Marianne and I talk about How we work through our 'grief bursts' What is "Catholic Fear" and how to move past itHow the healing can begin after the shock, numbness & isolation...and then continue from thereGrief inside a marriage ... and So much more! Eric's House and its vision "...that no person who is bereaved by suicide or substance abuse will suffer these devastating losses alone."You can find Marianne and ALL of the wonderful work being done through EricsHouse---> HERE AT EricsHouse WEBSITEFOR MEN needing a SUPPORT GROUP - GO HERE A bit more about Marianne and Eric's House  -- Marianne spent 35 years as an aerospace and defense executive. She was President and Vice President along with various other capacities with a concentration on international business development and program management. She owned and operated an international aerospace company for more than 10 years.Marianne left corporate America to pursue a business coaching certification through the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC) and is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation (ICF). After the loss of her youngest son, Marianne chose to turn her tragedy into good for others. She founded EricsHouse in 2017 to help those left behind sort through these devastating losses to integrate their grief so they may find joy and happiness again. EricsHouse helps people rise, survive, and thrive even in the face of devastation.Outside of her corporate life, she experienced several life transitions encompassing career, business, loss of a sibling, loss of a child, loss of parents, a divorce, a Down Syndrome son, and a Down Syndrome sister._______________________________________________  My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" support central  - MY HUB - and that means my different SUPPORT GROUP Options are available. Go DIRECTLY to my SUPPORT page here where you will find ALL of the ways to connect and find support. My first two books (tools I am creating for you!) in the "Facing Life After Suicide" series are available on AmazonIf you, or someone you know, is struggling  with suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out:CALL 988OR, you can also TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USAin Canada TEXT 686868in the UK TEXT 85258Support the show