Life after suicide loss is indeed nothing short of a wasteland of the leftover pieces of your shattered heart, of your former self. As the host, Melissa, a mother who lost her 21-year old son Alex to suicide in 2016, has real conversations with other loss survivors, healers and mental health experts. In these conversations she explores the relevant topics and asks the hard questions we all need to talk about and hear answers to. Nothing is 'off limit' as she delves into areas such as trauma, hope, healing, self-care, stigma, grief & mental health. Melissa believes that we learn to live alongside our grief, not get over it. Only through real, honest talk and mindful choices can we make a real difference. For a supporter, or educator, these conversations hold nuggets of awareness and shine a spotlight on suicide and mental health in a real, and unapologetic, way. As a suicide loss griever, one can find the comfort of a community, and hope for a little brighter tomorrow. Melissa wants to help others, like herself, go from surviving to finding a life with meaning, maybe even happiness, amid their own leftover pieces.
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The Leftover Pieces; Suicide Loss Conversations podcast has been an incredibly helpful resource for me during my healing process. As someone who has experienced loss by suicide, I found the content of this podcast to be relatable and comforting. The interviews and insights provided by Melissa, the host, have helped me realize that I am not alone in my grief and that there is hope for healing. I appreciate the vulnerability and honesty with which the guests share their experiences, and I am grateful to Melissa for creating a space where these conversations can take place.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is its relatability. The content shared on The Leftover Pieces is so raw and authentic that it truly resonates with listeners who have experienced loss by suicide. Melissa's personal experiences as a loss survivor herself allow her to connect with her audience on a deep level, offering validation and understanding. The interviews with expert guests provide valuable advice and information that can be helpful to anyone navigating the complexities of grief after a suicide loss.
Another wonderful aspect of this podcast is how it challenges the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide. By openly discussing these difficult topics, Melissa creates a safe space for dialogue and helps break down barriers to understanding. The conversations she has are crucial in raising awareness about mental health issues and promoting compassion towards those affected by suicide loss.
As for any potential downsides, it can be emotionally challenging to listen to episodes dealing with such heavy subject matter. Suicide loss is deeply painful and can evoke strong emotions in listeners who have personal connections to this type of grief. While this emotional intensity may be necessary for healing and growth, it's important for listeners to approach these episodes at their own pace and take breaks when needed.
In conclusion, The Leftover Pieces; Suicide Loss Conversations podcast is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking support or understanding after experiencing the devastating loss of a loved one by suicide. Melissa's vulnerability, along with her guest's insights, offers a sense of community and hope for healing. This podcast is a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of open dialogue in promoting mental health awareness and compassion towards those affected by suicide loss. I highly recommend it to anyone on this difficult journey.
Today I speak with a father who lost his son Heston to suicide June 7, 2020"Andy Campbell's new book, Overcoming Life's Toughest Setbacks, distills his 15 core beliefs that helped him keep going when life didn't let up. His lens is earned: childhood sexual abuse and bullying, losing his mother young, estrangement from his father, a diagnosis of stage-4 pancreatic cancer with multiple surgeries and chemo, and the death of his youngest son by suicide. The result is a practical, no-nonsense approach—favoring humility, clear thinking, focused work, relentless curiosity, perseverance, and finishing what you start. Andy writes and speaks for people who are exhausted, hurting, and still trying, offering a framework you can reach for when you need steadiness. He lives with his wife and stays closely connected to his three adult children."More at askandycampbell.com.His Book: Overcoming Life's Toughest SetbacksIn this episode: we walk through key ideas from the book and talk about Andy's son, Heston (age 18) how he and his family has been processing their loss since his passing. We get a peek at Andy's father's-eye view of resilience and what surviving—and continuing to live with meaning—looks like now. He discusses his 15 core beliefs and how they are the guideposts he's documented (first for himself and now in his book) that have provided a path to continue forward. He shares his "why" is to share these beliefs with real life examples as a possibility they will encourage someone that they too can continue in spite of the grief -- feel it completely but still move through it.Support the show__________________________________________________________________________
Check out the BECAUSE THEY ARE LOVED Poetry & Letter Anthology HERE& Get 10% OFF either (or both) with Code: PODCAST10Now, for our episode-- Today, I'm joined by Reshma Kearney — a trauma-informed mindfulness and healing guide who helps people navigate grief and the life transitions after suicide loss with compassion and resilience. After losing her husband, Sean to suicide in 2022, Reshma has chosen to dedicated her life to creating spaces where grief can be honored, healing can be nurtured, and hope can be rediscovered. She works with adults, teens, and children, blending grief education, mental health awareness, mindful parenting, and trauma-informed support to help others live meaningful lives after loss.Our conversation weaves through resilience, parenting, and the power of mindfulness, including:Age-appropriate ways to talk with kids about difficult topics, including lossHow having mindfulness tools in place before her husband's death — including with her children — shaped their healing journeyParenting through grief and why a child's outcome is so connected to the resilience of their momHer husband's military service, including three deployments, and how that affected his mental healthHow children's yoga became a powerful practice during the pandemic and continues to be a foundation in her family's lifeWhy skills for mourning and grief are different than skills for living and thriving — and how she supports others through one-on-one coachingThis is a heartfelt, real, and hopeful conversation about meeting grief with presence, nurturing resilience, and finding ways to live fully while carrying what we cannot change.FIND HER HERE: hello@reshmakearney.comHer Instagram --- give her a follow! Check out the BECAUSE THEY ARE LOVED Poetry & Letter Anthology HERE& Get 10% OFF either (or both) with Code: PODCAST10Support the show__________________________________________________________________________
On day one of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, we explore how postvention becomes prevention—through families who consent to share a loved one's device so the Black Box Project can detect real-world patterns that help save lives.Kim Burditt Bartlett, MSW — She is a suicide loss sibling and Senior Manager of Family Engagement for Stop Soldier Suicide's Black Box Project. She creates trauma-informed resources and co-founded Sibling Strong Retreats. What is the Black Box Project is (plainly):A research and care initiative at Stop Soldier Suicide that, with family consent, analyzes data from devices of people who died by suicide to identify behavioral patterns and risk signals. Those insights are used to build models and interventions that reach others sooner. The project recently released its first findings (“The White Letter" - just released Aug 2025)Want to consider sending your loved one's device? REACH KIM DIRECTLY HERE kim.burditt@stopsoldiersuicide.org or at Direct phone: 919-275-0045Why this matters today:Postvention isn't just legacy; done right, it directly informs intervention and prevention.Families are not just “donors of data”—they're co-authors of new pathways to care.September is noisy; this is signal.In this episode we cover:Kim's brother Jon, and the path from personal loss to system-level change.How families are engaged, consent is handled, and what “dignity-first” looks like in practice.What the first findings suggest about detectable shifts before a death—and the limits of what data can and can't say.The core thesis: postvention → pattern → earlier intervention → prevention.Practical ways civilians (not just military families) can learn, share, or contribute to this work.Resources & links mentioned (or omitted):Stop Soldier Suicide — Black Box Project overview (learn, participate, or donate a device): [stopsoldiersuicide.org/blackboxproject]Stop Soldier Suicide/Black Box ProjectSibling grief: unique burdens, overlooked needs, and why peer connection matters --Sibling Strong Retreats (Kim's work for bereaved siblings). Sibling Support the show__________________________________________________________________________
"Grief truth: We keep going, together."Welcome, fellow griever.This is your Daily Nugget from me, Melissa, your host of The Leftover Pieces.Today we will share a moment of presence, a breath of truth, and a reminder.Lean in with me ---This month, we've walked through thirty-one days of truths about grief — the ones that don't fit on sympathy cards or in quick conversations, but live in the marrow of our lives.We've talked about love and loss, about how grief changes but never disappears, about how we carry them forward even as we learn to carry ourselves. If you've listened each day, you've done more than hear my words — you've shown up for your grief, for your heart, and for the love that still lives inside you. That matters. "Grief truth: We keep going, together."
"Grief will always be part of your story." Welcome, fellow griever.This is your Daily Nugget from me, Melissa, your host of The Leftover Pieces.Today we will share a moment of presence, a breath of truth, and a reminder.Lean in with me --- It will not always be the main chapter—but it will always be written into the pages. "Grief will always be part of your story." Grief is not something you “finish” and leave behind. It becomes part of your life's landscape—woven into the way you see, feel, and love. With time, it may take up less space in your daily thoughts, but it will remain in the undercurrent, shaping who you are and how you move through the world. This isn't a curse. It's a reflection of the love you carry. You may find, over the years, that grief's presence becomes gentler, less sharp—but it will still speak to you in quiet moments, reminding you of the bond that cannot be broken. Your story is not only about loss—but loss is one of its threads. And that thread is woven from love. Breathe deeply. You are allowed to set down the weight, even for just a moment. What you know in your bones is unshakable. The journey you're on is sacred, even when it feels lonely. I'll meet you here again in OCTOBER for another go around of Daily Nuggets-- Until then, keep going. And remember, you are not alone--Talk SoonSupport the show__________________________________________________________________________
"Some days, survival is enough." Welcome, fellow griever.This is your Daily Nugget from me, Melissa, your host of The Leftover Pieces.Today we will share a moment of presence, a breath of truth, and a reminder.Lean in with me ---Not every day will be a day of breakthroughs or big steps forward. Some days, breathing is the accomplishment. "Some days, survival is enough." Grief takes energy—more than most people realize. There will be days when your body and mind have nothing left for anything beyond the basics. And that's okay. You don't have to live every day as a monument to progress. Some days are for simply existing. For staying hydrated, for making it to the end of the day, for resting your head on the pillow knowing you did what you could. These days are not failures. They are part of the rhythm of healing—a rhythm that allows space for stillness as much as for movement. You are still here. You are still loving them. And on the hardest days, that is more than enough. Breathe deeply. You are allowed to set down the weight, even for just a moment. What you know in your bones is unshakable. The journey you're on is sacred, even when it feels lonely. I'll meet you here again tomorrow. Until then, keep going. Talk SoonSupport the show__________________________________________________________________________
"You can love them and love your life." Welcome, fellow griever.This is your Daily Nugget from me, Melissa, your host of The Leftover Pieces.Today we will share a moment of presence, a breath of truth, and a reminder.Lean in with me --- At first, it may feel impossible—like joy would be a betrayal. But love is not a limited resource. "You can love them and love your life." Loving your life now doesn't mean loving them any less. In fact, it can be a way of honoring them—by living fully in the time you have, just as they would have wanted for you. Your love for them will always be part of you. Nothing in this world can dilute it. You can laugh, plan, dream, and still hold space for your grief. They can coexist. Sometimes joy will feel strange in grief's shadow—but in time, it will feel more like sunlight breaking through. You're not choosing between them and a future you can embrace. You're carrying both, in the same heart, as part of the same love.Take this breath. It's yours to soften into. The love you hold is real, and the path you walk is honored. No one else can live this story the way you do. I'll return tomorrow to walk with you again. Talk SoonSupport the show__________________________________________________________________________
"There will be days you feel closer to them." Welcome, fellow griever.This is your Daily Nugget from me, Melissa, your host of The Leftover Pieces.Today we will share a moment of presence, a breath of truth, and a reminder.Lean in with me ---Grief is not a decline in connection to our loved one. Some days, they feel so near you could almost reach out and touch them. "There will be days you feel closer to them." It might happen on a walk, when the wind shifts just right. Or in the middle of a song, when the lyrics brush against a memory. These moments can be both beautiful and bittersweet—reminding you of what's gone while also assuring you that love hasn't vanished. Some days, the veil between your worlds feels thinner, and their presence wraps around you like a warm blanket. Don't rush through those moments. Let them linger. Let yourself feel them, without needing to explain or diminish their magic. These flashes of closeness are reminders: love is not bound by time, distance, or even death. Pause here. This moment belongs to you, and you don't have to rush it. The truths you carry are yours to keep. The steps you take are yours alone. I'll be back with you tomorrow. Until then, Talk SoonSupport the show__________________________________________________________________________
"Grief will teach you who your people are."Welcome, fellow griever.This is your Daily Nugget from me, Melissa, your host of The Leftover Pieces.Today we will share a moment of presence, a breath of truth, and a reminder.Lean in with me --- Loss has a way of clarifying relationships in ways nothing else can. "Grief will teach you who your people are."Some people will step closer, willing to sit with you in the silence, hold space for your tears, and ask nothing in return. Others will drift away, uncomfortable with your pain or unable to face their own fears. This can be painful—sometimes more than you expect. But it also clears a path for deeper, truer connections to grow. The people who stay, who don't flinch when your grief shows its rawest edges—those are the ones you can trust with your heart. And sometimes, grief introduces you to people you've never met before, but who understand you in ways that feel like coming home. In grief, your circle may grow smaller—but it will also grow stronger. Those who remain are the ones who truly see youThis moment is yours, and you are allowed to rest in it.You carry truths that no one can take from you.You are walking a path only you can know.I'll be here again tomorrow. Talk soon. Support the show__________________________________________________________________________
"Healing doesn't mean forgetting."Welcome, fellow griever.This is your Daily Nugget from me, Melissa, your host of The Leftover Pieces.Today we will share a moment of presence, a breath of truth, and a reminder.Lean in with me ---Some fear that moving forward will erase the person they love. But healing and forgetting are not the same thing."Healing doesn't mean forgetting."Healing is about learning how to carry their absence without it crushing you. It's about weaving them into your days in ways that feel gentle instead of jagged. You will still have moments where the ache is sharp—but over time, you'll also have more moments where love leads instead of pain.Your memories don't fade because you heal. In fact, healing often makes space for more of them to surface—because you have the capacity to hold them without breaking.They are not slipping away from you. Healing is simply building a life where you can meet them in memory without being destroyed by the missing.Your love remains. Your bond remains. Healing is the proof—not the erasure—of their place in your life.Breathe deeply. You are allowed to set down the weight, even for just a moment. What you know in your bones is unshakable. The journey you're on is sacred, even when it feels lonely. I'll meet you here again tomorrow. Until then, keep going.Support the show__________________________________________________________________________
"It's normal to miss who you were before." Welcome, fellow griever.This is your Daily Nugget from me, Melissa, your host of The Leftover Pieces.Today we will share a moment of presence, a breath of truth, and a reminder.Lean in with me ---Loss doesn't just take the person you love—it reshapes you. "It's normal to miss who you were before." You may look back at the version of yourself who laughed more easily, dreamed more freely, or moved through the world without the shadow of grief.It's okay to mourn that version of you.Grief changes the architecture of your life and your identity. That doesn't mean the person you are now is “less.” It means you have been carved out and remade by something profound. In time, you may find new strength, deeper compassion, or a different kind of joy—but it's still okay to long for the innocence and lightness you once carried.Both grief and gratitude can exist for who you were and who you are becoming.Missing your old self is part of missing them. Both are threads in the same tapestry of love and loss. Take this breath. It's yours to soften into. The love you hold is real, and the path you walk is honored. No one else can live this story the way you do. I'll return tomorrow to walk with you again. Support the show__________________________________________________________________________
"You don't have to explain your grief."Welcome, fellow griever.This is your Daily Nugget from me, Melissa, your host of The Leftover Pieces.Today we will share a moment of presence, a breath of truth, and a reminder.Lean in with me ---Not everyone will understand. And honestly? Not everyone needs to."You don't have to explain your grief."Grief is intimate. It lives in the small moments, the private memories, the quiet aches only you can fully feel.You don't owe anyone a map of that landscape. You don't have to justify why today feels harder than yesterday, or why a certain song brings you to your knees.Some people will get it without words. Others won't—and that's okay.Your grief is not a debate to be won or a performance to be evaluated. It is yours to honor, in the way that feels right to you, without explanation.You are allowed to carry your grief quietly. It's not your job to make it legible to the world—it's your job to tend to your own heart. Pause here. This moment belongs to you, and you don't have to rush it. The truths you carry are yours to keep. The steps you take are yours alone. I'll be back with you tomorrow. Until then, rest easy. Support the show__________________________________________________________________________
"Grief can change your definition of strength."Welcome, fellow griever.This is your Daily Nugget from me, Melissa, your host of The Leftover Pieces.Today we will share a moment of presence, a breath of truth, and a reminder.Lean in with me ---Before loss, strength might have looked like pushing through, holding it all together, or never letting anyone see you cry. After loss, strength often has a different face. "Grief can change your definition of strength."Grief strips away the illusions we once had about what it means to be “strong.”It teaches us that real strength is showing up when our heart feels heavy, letting the tears fall instead of swallowing them down, and asking for help when we can't carry the weight alone.Strength is choosing to keep living—not because it's easy, but because love calls us to.It's not about appearing unshaken; it's about moving through the shaking and still finding a way to take the next breath.You may not see your strength in the mirror, but it's in the quiet choices you make every day to keep going.Your strength is not measured by how little you hurt. It's measured by how deeply you love, even when it hurts the most.This moment is yours, and you are allowed to rest in it.You carry truths that no one can take from you.You are walking a path only you can know.I'll be here again tomorrow. Talk soon. Support the show__________________________________________________________________________
"Grief is the price of love." Welcome, fellow griever.This is your Daily Nugget from me, Melissa, your host of The Leftover Pieces.Today we will share a moment of presence, a breath of truth, and a reminder.Lean in with me ---If we never loved deeply, we'd never hurt this much. "Grief is the price of love." Grief is not a punishment. It's the echo of the love that filled your life—and the love that still lives inside you.The ache you feel is proof that what you had was real, beautiful, and worth every moment.If the price of that love is this grief, it's a price we pay willingly—because to have lived without it would have been an even greater loss.We can't separate love and grief. They are two sides of the same coin, and both are sacred. Let your grief remind you: you loved deeply, and that love will always be yours. Breathe deeply. You are allowed to set down the weight, even for just a moment. What you know in your bones is unshakable. The journey you're on is sacred, even when it feels lonely. I'll meet you here again tomorrow. Until then, keep going. Support the show__________________________________________________________________________
"There is no 'getting over' grief." Welcome, fellow griever.This is your Daily Nugget from me, Melissa, your host of The Leftover Pieces.Today we will share a moment of presence, a breath of truth, and a reminder.Lean in with me --- We've all heard it: “You'll get over it.” As if loss is something we recover from, like a cold. "There is no 'getting over' grief." But grief is not an obstacle you climb and leave behind. It's not a wound that disappears without a scar.It becomes part of you—woven into the way you see the world, the way you love, the way you move through your days.Over time, you might laugh more, cry less, feel a little lighter. But you're not “over it.” You're carrying it differently. You're integrating it into a life that's been permanently changed.The truth is, we don't get over grief—we grow around it.Don't let anyone convince you that healing means forgetting. It means learning to live fully with your love and your loss side by side. Take this breath. It's yours to soften into. The love you hold is real, and the path you walk is honored. No one else can live this story the way you do. I'll return tomorrow to walk with you again. Support the show__________________________________________________________________________
"Memories are a form of connection." Welcome, fellow griever.This is your Daily Nugget from me, Melissa, your host of The Leftover Pieces.Today we will share a moment of presence, a breath of truth, and a reminder.Lean in with me ---We sometimes fear that talking about them will hurt too much—or that others will grow tired of hearing their name. But memories are not just reminders of what we've lost. They're threads that keep the connection alive. "Memories are a form of connection." Every story you tell, every mental picture you replay, every detail you hold close—it's all a way of keeping them with you. Memories can bring tears, yes. But they can also bring comfort, laughter, even a deep sense of gratitude for the moments you were given. They remind us that the relationship didn't end when their life did. Love doesn't vanish; it just shifts into new forms—and memory is one of the most powerful of those forms.So speak their name. Share their stories. Every time you do, you keep the bond alive. Pause here. This moment belongs to you, and you don't have to rush it. The truths you carry are yours to keep. The steps you take are yours alone. I'll be back with you tomorrow. Until then, rest easy. Support the show__________________________________________________________________________
"It's okay to not be okay." Welcome, fellow griever.This is your Daily Nugget from me, Melissa, your host of The Leftover Pieces.Today we will share a moment of presence, a breath of truth, and a reminder.Lean in with me ---There's a strange pressure after loss to present yourself as “fine,” as though grief is something that should be quickly packaged and hidden away. "It's okay to not be okay." But pretending you're okay doesn't make the pain disappear—it just pushes it deeper, where it festers.Sometimes the most courageous thing you can do is admit, “I'm not okay right now.” It's not weakness. It's honesty. And honesty is what opens the door to real support.When we give ourselves permission to not be okay, we give others a chance to meet us where we are. We also give ourselves the compassion we need to heal in our own time.Grief is not a problem to be fixed—it's a wound to be tended. And tending takes truth.If today isn't okay, let that be enough. You're still allowed to rest, breathe, and hope that tomorrow will feel even a little lighter.This moment is yours, and you are allowed to rest in it.You carry truths that no one can take from you.You are walking a path only you can know.I'll be here again tomorrow. Talk soon. Support the show__________________________________________________________________________
"Your pace is the right pace."Welcome, fellow griever.This is your Daily Nugget from me, Melissa, your host of The Leftover Pieces.Today we will share a moment of presence, a breath of truth, and a reminder.Lean in with me ---We live in a world that measures progress in milestones, deadlines, and “shoulds.” But grief doesn't fit neatly into any of those boxes. "Your pace is the right pace."Some people will think you're “moving too slow.” Others will think you're “doing too well” too soon. The truth? None of them live in your body or carry your loss.Your grief moves at the pace it needs. Sometimes that's two steps forward and one step back. Sometimes it's sitting in place for weeks until you can catch your breath.There is no finish line, no expiration date, no universal speed limit for healing. You are allowed to take as much time as you need—and to pick up the pace only when you decide it's right. You don't need anyone else's permission to take your time. The pace that lets you breathe is the right pace for you.Let's take another breath.Let this moment be enough.Keep what serves you, leave the rest I'll be here again tomorrow. Talk soon. Support the show__________________________________________________________________________
"Joy and grief can live in the same heart." Welcome, fellow griever.This is your Daily Nugget from me, Melissa, your host of The Leftover Pieces.Today we will share a moment of presence, a breath of truth, and a reminder.Lean in with me ---For a long time, I thought joy would be a betrayal—that if I laughed or felt lightness, it meant I'd somehow let go of the person I lost. "Joy and grief can live in the same heart." What I've learned is that grief and joy are not enemies—they're companions. Joy is not the absence of grief; it's the reminder that love still lives here.When we give ourselves permission to feel joy again, we're not moving on—we're moving with. We're letting our love for them expand into the moments they can no longer experience. Sometimes joy is a big, loud burst of laughter. Sometimes it's quiet—a sunrise, a song, the warmth of someone's hand in yours. And sometimes it's bittersweet, joy and sorrow woven so tightly you can't tell them apart. Both are welcome. Both are human. Both are part of love. When joy shows up, let it in. It's not replacing your grief—it's reminding you that your heart is still capable of holding beauty alongside the pain.Let's take another breath.Let this moment be enough.Keep what serves you, leave the rest I'll be here again tomorrow. Talk soon. Support the show__________________________________________________________________________
"You are not weak for grieving." Welcome, fellow griever.This is your Daily Nugget from me, Melissa, your host of The Leftover Pieces.Today we will share a moment of presence, a breath of truth, and a reminder.Lean in with me ---Some people mistake tears for fragility, or heartbreak for collapse. But grief has a way of showing us that real strength often looks nothing like what we thought it would. "You are not weak for grieving." It takes unimaginable strength to get out of bed when the weight of loss is pressing you into the mattress. It takes courage to speak your loved one's name when it catches in your throat. It takes grit to face birthdays, holidays, and ordinary Tuesdays without them.Strength isn't about smiling when you want to cry, or staying “positive” when the ache is overwhelming. True strength is continuing to live when a part of your heart is gone.If anyone has told you to “be strong,” I want you to know this—you already are. Every breath you take in the shadow of your loss is proof of that.Don't measure your strength by how well you hide your pain. Measure it by how you keep going in spite of it.Now, take another breath.Let this moment be enough.Keep what serves you, leave the rest I'll be here again tomorrow. Talk soon. Support the show__________________________________________________________________________
"Grief changes, but it never disappears." Welcome, fellow griever.This is your Daily Nugget from me, Melissa, your host of The Leftover Pieces.Today we will share a moment of presence, a breath of truth, and a reminder.Lean in with me ---In the early days, grief can feel like it's everywhere—heavy in your chest, clouding your mind, weighing down every breath. But as time passes, it shifts. The edges soften, the waves become less constant… yet it's still there."Grief changes, but it never disappears." I've learned that this change isn't about grief leaving—it's about us changing in relationship to it. At first, it knocks us flat without warning. Over time, we find our footing. We still feel the pull of the tide, but we know where the rocks are, where the shallows give us a break, and how to keep our head above water when it rises suddenly. Grief becomes part of the terrain we live in—not the only feature, but one that shapes our days. It may surprise us sometimes with its depth or strength, but it also teaches us resilience. And the truth is, I wouldn't want it to disappear completely. Because if it did, so would the reminder of just how deeply I loved.If your grief looks different now than it did before, it's not a sign you're “over it.” It's a sign you've been learning to live alongside it—and that's its own kind of strength.Now, take another breath.Let this moment be enough.Keep what serves you, leave the rest I'll be here again tomorrow. Talk soon. Support the show__________________________________________________________________________
"Grief is love finding new ways to flow." Welcome, fellow griever.This is your Daily Nugget from me, Melissa, your host of The Leftover Pieces.Today we will share a moment of presence, a breath of truth, and a reminder.Let's lean in At first, it might feel like the love you carry has nowhere to go. But over time, you realize—it's not gone. It's simply seeking a new path. "Grief is love finding new ways to flow." Grief can feel like a dam—holding back the flood of love you still carry for them. But love is persistent. It finds cracks, trickles, streams, and eventually, whole rivers through which it can move again.Sometimes it pours into the stories you tell, the causes you support, or the way you show up for others. Sometimes it flows quietly into the small rituals you keep—lighting a candle, wearing their favorite color, whispering their name when no one else is around.This love is not lost. It's transforming, adapting, and weaving itself into the life you are still living.You don't have to force it to find a direction. Just notice where it's asking to go—and trust yourself to follow. Now, take another breath. Let this moment be enough. Carry the piece that speaks to you. You're not alone in this remembering. I'll be here again tomorrow. Talk soon. Support the show__________________________________________________________________________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 HereIf 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
"Healing is not the same as forgetting."Welcome, fellow griever.This is your Daily Nugget from me, Melissa, your host of The Leftover Pieces.Today we will share a moment of presence, a breath of truth, and a reminder.Let's lean inSome people think moving forward means leaving the past behind.But grief teaches us otherwise.Healing is not the same as forgetting.Healing isn't about erasing the person we lost or softening their memory until it no longer stings. It's about carrying them with us in a way that lets us breathe without breaking apart every time. I've learned that forgetting was never the goal — love doesn't ask that of us. Instead, healing asks us to weave the person into who we are now, so their presence is threaded into every chapter that follows. They're not gone from the story — they've simply changed chapters with us. Now, take another breath. Let this moment be enough. Carry the piece that speaks to you. You're not alone in this remembering. I'll be here again tomorrow. Talk soon. Support the show__________________________________________________________________________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 HereIf 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
"Grief does not follow a straight line."Welcome, fellow griever.This is your Daily Nugget from me, Melissa, your host of The Leftover Pieces.Today we will share a moment of presence, a breath of truth, and a reminder.Let's lean inIf you've ever felt like you're “doing grief wrong,” you're not."Grief does not follow a straight line."The path is messy. It loops back on itself. It sends you down side roads you didn't even know existed. Just when you think you're “moving forward,” something takes you right back to day one. But here's the truth — that's not failure. That's grief doing what grief does.This isn't a race, and it isn't something you graduate from. It's a living, breathing part of you now, one that changes shape as you do. Some days you'll feel strong and certain. Others will knock you flat. And that's okay. You're not meant to follow a straight line — you're meant to follow your heart through the twists and turns, and trust that it knows the way, even when you can't see the map. Now, take another breath. Let this moment be enough. Carry the piece that speaks to you. You're not alone in this remembering. I'll be here again tomorrow. Talk soon. Support the show__________________________________________________________________________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 HereIf 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
“Silence can be a sacred companion.” Welcome, fellow griever.This is your Daily Nugget from me, Melissa, your host of The Leftover Pieces.Today we will share a moment of presence, a breath of truth, and a reminder.Let's begin. Before we start, plant your feet and notice how the ground holds you. Even now, you are supported.Silence can be a sacred companion.One of grief's quiet tricks is convincing us we're fragile — like one more loss, one more memory, might make us shatter. But look at you. You've been walking this uneven, unmarked path for longer than you thought possible. Your steps may be wobbly, your pace uncertain, but you have learned how to keep moving through landscapes you never wanted to see. And maybe that's the truth worth holding today: you are already doing what once felt impossible. That is not just survival — that's strength, even if it doesn't feel like it. Now, take another breath. Let this moment be enough. Carry the piece that speaks to you. You're not alone in this remembering. I'll be here again tomorrow. Talk soon. Support the show__________________________________________________________________________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 HereIf 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
“This loss rewrites your story.”Welcome, fellow griever.This is your Daily Nugget from me, Melissa, your host of The Leftover Pieces. Today we will share a moment of presence, a breath of truth, and a reminder. Let's begin.Let's take a breath together. Let yourself arrive. Sometimes we don't need answers — just something true to hold. Here's today's grief truth.This loss rewrites your story.You had a story — a vision for how things would go.Then loss ripped the page in half.But the story didn't end there.You're still writing it, even now — breath by breath, memory by memory.It's okay to mourn the old version. That version mattered.But so does the version that's here now, holding the pen with trembling hands and a heart that still beats with love.Every loss doesn't erase your life; it reshapes it.The new chapters may be harder… but they can still hold meaning, love, and even beauty.This part of your story is still yours to tell — and you're doing it bravely. Now, take another breath. Let this moment be enough. Carry the piece that speaks to you. You're not alone in this remembering. I'll be here again tomorrow. Talk soon. Support the show__________________________________________________________________________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 HereIf 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
“Grief teaches you who you are beneath the pain.” Welcome, fellow griever. This is your Daily Nugget from me, Melissa, your host of The Leftover Pieces. Today we will share a moment of presence, a breath of truth, and a reminder. Let's begin. Take a breath. Let yourself arrive. Sometimes we don't need answers — just something true to hold. Here's today's grief truth.Grief teaches you who you are beneath the painBefore this loss, I thought I knew who I was. But grief came in and unraveled everything I thought I understood. It stripped me down — not to destroy me, but to show me who I am without the mask. Grief doesn't just change us — it reveals us. It shows us the raw, resilient, cracked-open soul beneath the surface. You're not who you were — but that doesn't mean you're lost. It means you're becoming. So, let's take a breath. Let this moment be enough. Carry the piece that speaks to you. You're not alone in this remembering. I'll be here again tomorrow. Talk soon.Support the show__________________________________________________________________________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 HereIf 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
“Some days are sacred, no matter how much time has passed.”Welcome, fellow griever. This is your Daily Nugget from me, Melissa, your host of The Leftover Pieces. Today we will share a moment of presence, a breath of truth, and a reminder. Let's begin.Take a breath. Or Two - or three. Let yourself arrive. Sometimes we don't need answers — just something true to hold. Here's today's grief truth.Some days are sacred, no matter how much time has passed. For me- today is one of those days. Nine years ago today, my son Alex died. And no matter how much time passes… this day still stops me. The air feels different. The grief shifts — not heavier, but deeper. Like an underground river I've learned to navigate. This isn't just a date on a calendar. It's a sacred marker. A heart-shaped scar that reminds me he was here. That he is here. Some days are like that. For all of us. Days where time folds in on itself, and we're right back in the moment when the world changed. Today, I miss Alex. AND today I honor Alex. His laughter. His spunk. His love. The way he changed me, and the way he still guides me. His life & legacy. If today is sacred for you too — for any reason — know that you're allowed to feel it fully. And if today isn't one of those days, all of this applies to your days... remember, You don't have to explain your grief to anyone. You just have to keep loving. Keep remembering. Keep breathing. Some days are sacred. And so is your story. Let's a take another breath together. Let the truth settle where it needs to. You don't have to carry everything — just what feels true today. You're not lost — you're walking with your truth. I'll be here again tomorrow. Talk soon.Support the show__________________________________________________________________________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 HereIf 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
Nine years ago tomorrow, my son Alex died & every August 6th became the eternal last day. I hadn't found those words until now. The day before everything changed. The last day of “before.”This is a poem I wrote when I woke today—rising from the weight—where memory meets survival.Most days, I carry grief with grace. My soul is expanded. Alex is always with me. I now do work I never would've chosen—but know is the deepest calling of my life: walking with other grievers thru the wilderness of loss.But this day—& the one that follows—is different. The duality sharper. The air heavier. So I write. I speak. I survive—how I need. I hope that for you.The Eternal Last Daythe eve that always remembersI awoke this morning heavy— Heavy like an unrelenting fog, where nothing beyond the fade is seen. Heavy like the sadness that lives in my soul, a constant very best worst companion—never-ever leaving my side. Familiar is this painful comfort.I awoke this morning with the wish to end all wishing— to erase tomorrow from ever entering, oh those years ago. A wish flung—hurled—into the blackness of a bottomless well.I awoke with tears at the ready— ready to carry the unimaginable back down my face, on a well-carved path to my heart. One more day in this year—before another year is marked. One more day in the rest of mine.To be permanently heavy. To over-wish an impossible wish. To forever exist in the unimaginable. To wander with certainty through the wilderness of an enlightened soul.A harsh reality no one sees. The impossible undoing of today. To survive again today— & in the changeless worse, the unnamed tomorrow. To just survive.Lighter… hopeful… bearable— I know they must still live on the other side of this dripping fog— thick as sorrow, damp with memory, and yet just as deafeningly silent.A breath. An echo? Relief? Promise? Dreams? No. Yet—perhaps. And somehow still—impossibly believable they'll return. Just not this morning. Just not on this eternal last day.________________________________________________________________________________________Grief isn't all I am, but it will always be part of me. On days like this, it takes the lead. If you're on your own eternal last day, please know: there's no one way to survive. Say no. Be still. Binge TV. Garden. Cry. Create. You're not alone. I'm here. Alex is here. And this podcast, this community—it exists because connection always matters. Just survive. We'll carry the rest, together. —Melissa
“Memories hurt — and they can also heal.” Welcome, fellow griever. This is your Daily Nugget from me, Melissa, your host of The Leftover Pieces. Today we will share a moment of presence, a breath of truth, and a reminder. Let's begin. I invite you to take a breath -- or two. Let yourself arrive. Sometimes we don't need answers — just something true to hold. Here's today's grief truth.Memories hurt — and they can also heal.There was a time I couldn't say his name without crying. A time when memories cut sharper than glass.But slowly — almost imperceptibly — some of those memories softened. I started to smile when I said his name. I started to need those stories, those flashes of him, like medicine. Memories hurt because they hold what we've lost. But they also heal — because they keep that love alive. Let yourself remember. Even when it stings. Let it crack you open. That's where the light gets in. Take another breath. Let the truth settle where it needs to. You don't have to carry everything — just what feels true today. You're not lost — you're walking with your truth. I'll be here again tomorrow. Talk soon. - MelissaSupport the show__________________________________________________________________________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 HereIf 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
“Guilt and love often feel the same.” August 5 Daily NuggetTake a breath. Let yourself arrive. Sometimes we don't need answers — just something true to hold. Here's today's grief truth.Guilt and love often feel the same.Guilt is one of grief's heaviest companions. It creeps in through the cracks of “what if” and “why didn't I.” But here's something I've come to learn: guilt often masquerades as love. It's not always about wrongdoing — it's about a love so deep, so fierce, that you would have done anything to change the ending. Guilt says: “I failed.” Love says: “I would've done anything for you.” When guilt shows up, try to ask it what it's trying to protect. Sometimes, it just wants to be seen. And sometimes, love just needs a place to rest. Take a breath. Let the truth settle where it needs to. You don't have to carry everything — just what feels true today. You're not lost — you're walking with your truth. I'll be here again tomorrow. Talk soon.Support the show__________________________________________________________________________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 HereIf 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
Today's Grief Truth - “Some days are lighter. Some days are heavy — and that's okay.” Welcome, fellow griever. This is your Daily Nugget from me, Melissa, your host of The Leftover Pieces. Today we will share a moment of presence, a breath of truth, and a reminder. Take a breath. Let yourself arrive. Sometimes we don't need answers — just something true to hold. Here's today's grief truth.Yes, some days are lighter. Some days are heavy — and that's okay.There are days when your chest feels less tight. When the world feels a little brighter. And then there are days where breathing feels like work. Both are part of the journey.Grief doesn't move by calendar or clock. It doesn't care about what you should feel today. It arrives on its own terms. Your job isn't to chase the light or escape the dark — your job is to honor what is. Whether you're standing in sunshine or shadow today, you are still walking forward. And that is enough. Take a breath. Let the truth settle where it needs to. You don't have to carry everything — just what feels true today. You're not lost — you're walking with your truth. I'll be here again tomorrow. Talk soon.Support the show__________________________________________________________________________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 HereIf 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
Today's Grief Truth -" Grief is Not Linear". There's no finish line here. No checklist. Grief is wild and unpredictable. You might feel “okay” one day — and the next, the wind knocks you flat. But that doesn't mean you're back at the beginning. It means you're walking through it honestly. Progress in grief doesn't move forward like an arrow — it spirals. It folds back on itself. It teaches you again and again what it means to hold love and pain in the same palm. If today feels hard, it doesn't erase how far you've come. You're still healing — even here, even now. Take a breath. Let the truth settle where it needs to. You don't have to carry everything — just what feels true today. You're not lost — you're walking with your truth. I'll be here again tomorrow. Talk soon.[P.S... Like this podcast? Support the show by clicking...thank you]SEE YOU TOMORROW!!! Support the show__________________________________________________________________________My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central. FIND the $9 Lighthouse Community for Moms 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
Here's today's grief truth. “It's okay to laugh and cry in the same hour.” Grief is full of contradictions — and also full of truth.One moment, you're sobbing in the car because their favorite song came on. The next, you're belly-laughing at the memory of something wild they once did.That swing? That unpredictability? It doesn't mean you're unstable — it means you're human.We are wired to hold both heartbreak and humor, joy and sorrow, love and longing.You are allowed to laugh, even in your sadness. You are allowed to cry, even in your joy.Grief contains multitudes — and so do you.Take a breath. Let the truth settle where it needs to. You don't have to carry everything — just what feels true today.You're not lost — you're walking with your truth. I'll be here again tomorrow. Talk soon.[P.S... Like this podcast? Support the show by clicking...thank you]SEE YOU TOMORROW!!! __________________________________________________________________________My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.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 & CanadaSupport the showSupport the show
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 HEREThe 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 onceTake 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!!! __________________________________________________________________________My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.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 & CanadaSupport the showSupport the show
Welcome today fellow griever. I appreciate you, I see you and thank you so much for listening and if you can, please ---Support the showToday, I'm taking you behind the scenes — not just of the podcast, but of why I do all of this.Spoiler alert: it's not about making six figures. Not even close to what it's about! It started with a mic, a grieving heart, and the hope that I could create the kind of podcast I couldn't find after losing my son Alex to suicide. And in many ways, most ways that matter, it still is about that same 'seed' that was planted when the podcast started... the desire to create the space i couldn't find and to walk alongside others on this journey.In this episode, I share how The Leftover Pieces was born — and how everything that's followed (coaching, community, books, retreats…) has grown out of real conversations with other survivors like you. We talk about how I approach grief support differently, why I resist cookie-cutter coaching models, and how I've built this space with heart, not hustle.Yes, I left a full-time job to do this.No, I don't have sponsors or ads.Yes, this work is sacred.And yes — if the podcast has helped you, you can support it (there's a button on the website) — but this episode? It's just me, being real, with no pitch. Just truth. The link is also here in the show notes (top and bottom) BUT I would love you to check out all of the new and newly "spruced up" things on the website! I have been working hard and am so proud of what you will find there.Take what serves you, leave the rest. And thank you — truly — for being here.
Welcome today fellow griever. I appreciate you, I see you and thank you so much for listening and if you can, please ---Support the showYou may have seen soft mentions of some new things I've been building — maybe in your inbox or on social — and today I'm diving all the way in. If this is the first you're hearing of it, then welcome — you're right on time.In this heart-led episode of Down the Rabbit Hole, I'm walking you through what's new — and what's next — here at The Leftover Pieces™. Each of these new offerings has grown out of real conversations with grieving survivors — and from the truth of my own lived experience.
"Hello --It is May 31st and welcome to Wonderland Fellow Griever. — “You've just stepped Down the Rabbit Hole — where mental health meets madness after loss. This is your daily dose of truth, grief, and yes, just the right bit of madness.”WEEK 5: The FINALE for may 2025 Daily NuggetsDay 31: Today's truth is: "You're still here. That matters." Idea: Completion, continuation, and gratitude. Day 31. We made it. This is something! THANK YOUYou've shown up—for 31 days—inside your grief, your heart, and your truth. That is not small. It is extraordinary. Your courage is inspiring. You are an extraordinary person.This wasn't about fixing anything. It was about witnessing and giving voice to the parts that often go unseen. And you've done that.You're still here. And that matters. It matters immensely.Wherever you go from here — know that you carry love. That you are love. And that your story and your loved one's story are still unfolding.This is not the end—just a pause. Remember, I'll be right here when you need me, and there's a bright future waiting for you.Thank you for walking through May with me. Remember, you're not alone—not in this life, not in this grief, and not in this strange, sacred, mad little world we share. I'm here for you, always.So, this is where I leave you - the finale May Nugget -- but by far, not our last time together -- I am so very, very grateful for you. If you have seen my new link in the show notes, or on my podcast, and have donated, please know I am grateful from the depths of my heart - all of it helps me continue being able to help other grievers. AND Here is the Coupon Code: Podcast5 - to use at checkoutIt is good for BOTH the "Because They Lived" Anthology Info & Submit HERE and The One-on-One Coaching (for moms) HEREBoth coupons good through June 30, 2025 - Thank you for listening! - MelissaTake a breath. Take what you need. leave the rest. And come back tomorrow because, remember, you're not broken—you're grieving. And you're not alone in this madness. ---I'll be right here Talk Soon."[P.S... Like this podcast? Support the show by clicking...thank you]SEE YOU TOMORROW!!! __________________________________________________________________________My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.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 & CanadaSupport the show
"Hello --It is May 30th and welcome to Wonderland Fellow Griever. — “You've just stepped Down the Rabbit Hole — where mental health meets madness after loss. This is your daily dose of truth, grief, and yes, just the right bit of madness.”WEEK 5: The 3 Day Wrap -up for the MonthDay 30: Today's truth is: "Life, what is it but a dream?" Idea: The surreal nature of life after loss. Grief makes reality feel hazy — like you're walking through someone else's life. Or maybe the world is continuing without you.It's okay to feel lost in this surreal, poetic, and incomprehensible life. But remember, you're not alone in this journey.It's okay to feel like you're simultaneously living in a dream and reality. Your emotions are not only valid but also a testament to the depth of your love.And know that your child's love still threads through this dream. You're not living it by yourself. All of us in this community are walking this path with you, sharing the same love and loss.So, let's end here. One more day to go. This was the second to last nugget for May. AND Here is the Coupon Code: Podcast5 - to use at checkoutIt is good for BOTH the "Because They Lived" Anthology Info & Submit HERE and The One-on-One Coaching (for moms) HEREBoth coupons good through June 30, 2025 - Thank you for listening! - MelissaTake a breath. Take what you need. leave the rest. And come back tomorrow because, remember, you're not broken—you're grieving. And you're not alone in this madness. ---I'll be right here Talk Soon."[P.S... Like this podcast? Support the show by clicking...thank you]SEE YOU TOMORROW!!! __________________________________________________________________________My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.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 & CanadaSupport the show
"Hello --It is May 29th and welcome to Wonderland Fellow Griever. — “You've just stepped Down the Rabbit Hole — where mental health meets madness after loss. This is your daily dose of truth, grief, and yes, just the right bit of madness.”WEEK 5: The 3 Day Wrap -up for the MonthDay 29: Today's truth is: (Finale echo) "I can't go back to yesterday..." Idea: Reinforcing transformation.We began this month with this truth and return to it now — because some truths don't get easier, only more familiar.You can't go back. And that's a heartbreak you'll carry. But remember, you've also carried your love. Your memory. Your child's spirit-all the way to this moment. That's a testament to your resilience.So today, take a moment to acknowledge your emotional journey. What has shifted in you this month? What feels a fraction lighter, clearer, or braver?You didn't go back. But you did move. And that's not just something; it's a significant step forward in your journey.So, let's end here. That's your truth - your nugget for today.AND Here is the Coupon Code: Podcast5 - to use at checkoutIt is good for BOTH the "Because They Lived" Anthology Info & Submit HERE and The One-on-One Coaching (for moms) HEREBoth coupons good through June 30, 2025 - Thank you for listening! - MelissaTake a breath. Take what you need. leave the rest. And come back tomorrow because, remember, you're not broken—you're grieving. And you're not alone in this madness. ---I'll be right here Talk Soon."[P.S... Like this podcast? Support the show by clicking...thank you]SEE YOU TOMORROW!!! __________________________________________________________________________My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.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 & CanadaSupport the show
"Hello --It is May 28th and welcome to Wonderland Fellow Griever. — “You've just stepped Down the Rabbit Hole — where mental health meets madness after loss. This is your daily dose of truth, grief, and yes, just the right bit of madness.”WEEK 4: Resilience & ReclamationDay 28: Today's truth is: "Why did you come out here at all?" Idea: The isolation of grief. There are days when grief makes you question your place in the world. You might feel like a shadow of yourself. Or like a misfit in every room.Isolation is part of this journey. But it doesn't have to define it.Today, reach for a small connection. Share a memory, a text, a voice that sees you. These shared memories keep your loved one's spirit alive.You came out here — into this complicated world — because your love for your person still lives. This is a testament to your strength and resilience, even in the face of unbearable loss.And that love deserves to be witnessed. You deserve to be seen. Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Others understand and are here to support you.So, that's what I have today. That's your nugget.AND Here is the Coupon Code: Podcast5 - to use at checkoutIt is good for BOTH the "Because They Lived" Anthology Info & Submit HERE and The One-on-One Coaching (for moms) HEREBoth coupons good through June 30, 2025 - Thank you for listening! - MelissaTake a breath. Take what you need. leave the rest. And come back tomorrow because, remember, you're not broken—you're grieving. And you're not alone in this madness. ---I'll be right here Talk Soon."[P.S... Like this podcast? Support the show by clicking...thank you]SEE YOU TOMORROW!!! __________________________________________________________________________My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.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 & CanadaSupport the show
"Hello --It is May 27th and welcome to Wonderland Fellow Griever. — “You've just stepped Down the Rabbit Hole — where mental health meets madness after loss. This is your daily dose of truth, grief, and yes, just the right bit of madness.”WEEK 4: Resilience & ReclamationDay 27: Today's truth is: "It sounds uncommon nonsense." Idea: Navigating unhelpful advice. Grief comes with opinions — often terrible ones. "Everything happens for a reason." "They wouldn't want you to be sad." "At least you have other children."Let's name that for what it is: nonsense. Well-intentioned - maybe. But deeply unhelpful.On the other hand, "I'm here for you." "Take all the time you need." "It's okay not to be okay." These are the kind of things that can genuinely help.You don't have to smile and nod or educate every person. But you can give yourself permission to reject the societal noise and feel supported in your struggle. Embrace your emotions and know it's okay to feel what you feel. You understand your grief better than anyone. Your truth is your guide. Let that be louder than their nonsense. Remember, your journey is yours alone, and every step you take is valid. Stand firm in your reality, and don't let others dictate your path to healing.So, that's what I have today. That's your nugget.AND Here is the Coupon Code: Podcast5 - to use at checkoutIt is good for BOTH the "Because They Lived" Anthology Info & Submit HERE and The One-on-One Coaching (for moms) HEREBoth coupons good through June 30, 2025 - Thank you for listening! - MelissaTake a breath. Take what you need. leave the rest. And come back tomorrow because, remember, you're not broken—you're grieving. And you're not alone in this madness. ---I'll be right here Talk Soon."[P.S... Like this podcast? Support the show by clicking...thank you]SEE YOU TOMORROW!!! __________________________________________________________________________My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.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 & CanadaSupport the show
Welcome today fellow griever. I appreciate you, I see you and thank you so much for listening and if you can, please ---Support the showToday, I release a recent conversation with Betsy Thibaut Stephenson to talk about her son Charlie who was a smart, witty, reserved, and was (silently) living with being 'unmotivated' & being depressed. Despite doing what seemed like all of the right things, Charlie, a rising senior in college, died by suicide in July of 2022 at only 21 years old. It was shocking and devastating -- and they are learning to live with it, to carry with it! "Betsy Thibaut Stephenson lives in Alexandria, Virginia with her husband and labrador retrievers. When she isn't visiting her grown daughters in North Carolina and South Carolina, she is helping public affairs clients tell their story to policymakers and the media. Blackbird is her first book."There are SO many take aways from this mom-to-mom heart-to-heart....Here's a few of the highlights of our conversation include: How they responded as a family when Charlie reached out when he spoke out about his thoughts of self-harm from the first time. The trips to see him after he opened up-- and the letter she wrote him, that he carried with him & was found in his backpack after he was gone.The letters he wrote and left behind (not a suicide note, per se, but insight of sorts) & what those told his family & how they 'helped' them understand moreThe shock of his death-- and how they spoke 'the open truth' from the beginning.ALL of the 'signs; she gets from him now... why bringing him into 'everything" helps and makes it lighter somehow. (I love this part!) It's OK to be 'selfish' in your griefWhy the title "Blackbird" for the book --- you HAVE TO HEAR THIS--- stuff you can NOT make up here people!?? What IS Stuck Song Syndrome (OMG --- there's a name for it!!) LO-FI people -- LO-FI is the answer.... who knew? There is SOOO much to this incredible chat that I think you will love --- I hope you will get this book and curl up Find Betsy & her book HERE@blackbirdbetsy21 on Instagram_________________________________________________________________________My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.I hope you will consider SUBMITTING A POEM OR LETTER to my NEW ANTHOLOGY PROJECT --- a book called "Because They Are Loved" SEE ALL OF THE DETAILS HERE!! PS....The Legacy Writing Project in 2024 has finished. Volume 5 is out in the world ...GET ON THE LIST NOW for the SINGLE DATE start for 2025 OR FUTURE PROJECTSFor a way to leave a Legacy of your child - GO HEREIf 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 & CanadaSupport the showSupport the show
"Hello --It is May 26th and welcome to Wonderland Fellow Griever. — “You've just stepped Down the Rabbit Hole — where mental health meets madness after loss. This is your daily dose of truth, grief, and yes, just the right bit of madness.”WEEK 4: Resilience & ReclamationDay 26: Today's truth is: "I shall be punished... by being drowned in my own tears." Idea: Emotional overwhelm.Have you ever felt like grief might consume you? If you let it in, would it pull you under for good?You're not alone. Many of us have felt the weight of grief, fearing that our pain is too big, too dark, too much. But remember, we're all in this together.But your tears are not a punishment. They are a testament to the depth of your love. They are released. They are language.Today, if you cry — let it come. Let it move through you. You are not drowning. You are flowing. And in this flow, you will find healing and eventually, you will find shore again.So, let's end here today. with this nuggetAND Here is the Coupon Code: Podcast5 - to use at checkoutIt is good for BOTH the "Because They Lived" Anthology Info & Submit HERE and The One-on-One Coaching (for moms) HEREBoth coupons good through June 30, 2025 - Thank you for listening! - MelissaTake a breath. Take what you need. leave the rest. And come back tomorrow because, remember, you're not broken—you're grieving. And you're not alone in this madness. ---I'll be right here Talk Soon."[P.S... Like this podcast? Support the show by clicking...thank you]SEE YOU TOMORROW!!! __________________________________________________________________________My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.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 & CanadaSupport the show
"Hello --It is May 25th and welcome to Wonderland Fellow Griever. — “You've just stepped Down the Rabbit Hole — where mental health meets madness after loss. This is your daily dose of truth, grief, and yes, just the right bit of madness.”WEEK 4: Resilience & ReclamationDay 25: Today's truth is: "Why is a raven like a writing desk?" Idea: Unanswerable questions. This is one of those questions that has no answer. It's a shared experience, much like the ones we ask in grief: Why my loved one? Why then? Why now? And the BIG one - Why suicide?Some things don't make sense. They can't. It's important to acknowledge this. No logic will soothe the ache. No theory will soften the silence.And that's where we meet mystery. Not to solve it — but to survive it. To say: I hate this. I don't understand this. But I'm still breathing inside of it.Today, if the questions are loud, let them be. You don't have to answer them to live with them. And remember, if the weight of these questions becomes too heavy, there are people who care about you and are ready to listen.So, let's stop here. That's your nugget for today.AND Here is the Coupon Code: Podcast5 - to use at checkoutIt is good for BOTH the "Because They Lived" Anthology Info & Submit HERE and The One-on-One Coaching (for moms) HEREBoth coupons good through June 30, 2025 - Thank you for listening! - MelissaTake a breath. Take what you need. leave the rest. And come back tomorrow because, remember, you're not broken—you're grieving. And you're not alone in this madness. ---I'll be right here Talk Soon."[P.S... Like this podcast? Support the show by clicking...thank you]SEE YOU TOMORROW!!! __________________________________________________________________________My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.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 & CanadaSupport the show
"Hello --It is May 24th and welcome to Wonderland Fellow Griever. — “You've just stepped Down the Rabbit Hole — where mental health meets madness after loss. This is your daily dose of truth, grief, and yes, just the right bit of madness.”WEEK 4: Resilience & ReclamationDay 24: Today's truth is: "Then you shouldn't talk." Idea: The silence around grief. Sometimes, we silence ourselves — afraid to be too heavy, sad, or too much. It's not easy to express these emotions; we all struggle with it. Other times, the world silences us — with awkwardness, judgment, or discomfort.But your story matters. Your voice matters. Your grief deserves to be heard and acknowledged.If no one is listening, talk to the page, pour your heart into a journal, speak to the endless sky above, or even address the memory of your loved one. And remember, it's okay to seek professional help if you need it.And if you have no words today, that's okay, too. Silence can be sacred and immensely powerful in its own right.Don't mistake your silence for invisibility or insignificance.You are still here. Your presence is a powerful testament to your existence, loud enough to be recognized and valued. So, let's stop here. That's your nugget for today.AND Here is the Coupon Code: Podcast5 - to use at checkoutIt is good for BOTH the "Because They Lived" Anthology Info & Submit HERE and The One-on-One Coaching (for moms) HEREBoth coupons good through June 30, 2025 - Thank you for listening! - MelissaTake a breath. Take what you need. leave the rest. And come back tomorrow because, remember, you're not broken—you're grieving. And you're not alone in this madness. ---I'll be right here Talk Soon."[P.S... Like this podcast? Support the show by clicking...thank you]SEE YOU TOMORROW!!! __________________________________________________________________________My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.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 & CanadaSupport the show
"Hello --It is May 23rd and welcome to Wonderland Fellow Griever. — “You've just stepped Down the Rabbit Hole — where mental health meets madness after loss. This is your daily dose of truth, grief, and yes, just the right bit of madness.”WEEK 3: Control & SurrenderDay 23: Today's truth is: "Try again: draw a long breath..." Idea: Starting over. Some days, you start over five times before noon. And that's okay. Grief doesn't care about linear progress — it just asks that you show up, in whatever form that may be. Your journey is valid, no matter how it unfolds.This quote is a gentle nudge. Not a demand. Not a hustle. Just a breath. Just a whisper that even here, in the heaviness, you still get to begin again. And it's okay to begin again, as many times as you need.So today, draw a long breath. Literally. Right now. Inhale. Hold. Exhale. That's it. That counts. That matters.Starting again doesn't mean starting over. It just means returning — to now, to your body, to your strength. Embracing the present moment is your anchor in the storm of grief.So, that's all for now...that's your nugget AND Here is the Coupon Code: Podcast5 - to use at checkoutIt is good for BOTH the "Because They Lived" Anthology Info & Submit HERE and The One-on-One Coaching (for moms) HEREBoth coupons good through June 30, 2025 - Thank you for listening! - MelissaTake a breath. Take what you need. leave the rest. And come back tomorrow because, remember, you're not broken—you're grieving. And you're not alone in this madness. ---I'll be right here Talk Soon."[P.S... Like this podcast? Support the show by clicking...thank you]SEE YOU TOMORROW!!! __________________________________________________________________________My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.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 & CanadaSupport the show
"Hello --It is May 22nd and welcome to Wonderland Fellow Griever. — “You've just stepped Down the Rabbit Hole — where mental health meets madness after loss. This is your daily dose of truth, grief, and yes, just the right bit of madness.”WEEK 4: Resilience & ReclamationDay 22: Today's truth is: "It's a poor sort of memory that only works backwards." Idea: Creating forward-looking memories.Grief keeps us anchored in the past—the moments before, the final day, the last words. That's not wrong, but it can feel like we're trapped in a loop.Today's quote gently nudges us toward a different kind of remembering, including forward memory. That's the legacy work. That's telling their story. That's inviting their memory into what comes next.What does forward memory look like for you? It could be a journal, a tattoo, a foundation, or any other form that resonates with you. The choice is yours, and it's a way to honor their memory in a way that feels right for you.Grief is a journey that takes us both backward and forward, and it's okay to live in both directions. It's okay to cherish the past and look forward to the future. You're not alone in this, and it's a part of the healing process.So, remember, grief is not just about looking back. It's also about looking forward. That's your nugget for today.Take a breath. Take what you need. leave the rest. And come back tomorrow because, remember, you're not broken—you're grieving. And you're not alone in this madness. ---I'll be right here Talk Soon."AND Here is the Coupon Code: Podcast5 - to use at checkoutIt is good for BOTH the "Because They Lived" Anthology Info & Submit HERE and The One-on-One Coaching (for moms) HEREBoth coupons good through June 30, 2025 - Thank you for listening! - Melissa[P.S... Like this podcast? Support the show by clicking...thank you]SEE YOU TOMORROW!!! __________________________________________________________________________My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.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 & CanadaSupport the show
"Hello --It is May 21st and welcome to Wonderland Fellow Griever. — “You've just stepped Down the Rabbit Hole — where mental health meets madness after loss. This is your daily dose of truth, grief, and yes, just the right bit of madness.”WEEK 3: Control & SurrenderDay 21: Today's truth (revisited) is: "I can't go back to yesterday..." Idea: Accepting life as it is now. Let's revisit this truth: You can't go back. And it's cruel — because back there is where your loved one still lived. The pain of this loss is real and valid, and it's okay to feel it. But forward doesn't mean forgetting. Forward means carrying. It means honoring. It means showing the world your resilience and strength. Today, name one thing that remains—a memory, a ritual, a cherished keepsake. A part of your child's spirit is not lost; it's still present in your life, a comforting connection that will never fade. When you share stories or engage in activities they loved, you weave their essence into your ongoing journey. We understand that this journey is not easy. You are not walking away from them. You are walking with them into what's next, embracing both the joy of your memories and future challenges. This ongoing journey is a testament to their enduring legacy that continues to shine through you.So, that's all for now...that's your nugget todayTake a breath. Take what you need. leave the rest. And come back tomorrow because, remember, you're not broken—you're grieving. And you're not alone in this madness. ---I'll be right here Talk Soon."AND Here is the Coupon Code: Podcast5 - to use at checkoutIt is good for BOTH the "Because They Lived" Anthology Info & Submit HERE and The One-on-One Coaching (for moms) HEREBoth coupons good through June 30, 2025 - Thank you for listening! - Melissa[P.S... Like this podcast? Support the show by clicking...thank you]SEE YOU TOMORROW!!! __________________________________________________________________________My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.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 & CanadaSupport the show
"Hello --It is May 20th and welcome to Wonderland Fellow Griever. — “You've just stepped Down the Rabbit Hole — where mental health meets madness after loss. This is your daily dose of truth, grief, and yes, just the right bit of madness.”WEEK 3: Control & SurrenderDay 20: Today's truth is: "Begin at the beginning... and go on till you come to the end." Idea: Getting unstuck. Grief can make even the most straightforward steps feel like climbing a mountain. It's okay to feel lost. But remember, you're not alone; many have walked a similar path and found their way through.Start right here. Right now. With whatever is in front of you. It's not about the whole journey. Just the next breath. The next sip of water. The next kind thought toward yourself. Each small action builds upon the last, creating a foundation for healing. It's important to remind yourself that movement, no matter how slow, is still progress. It's not about speed or perfection; it's about honoring your feelings and taking each step forward with compassion. So be gentle with yourself, embrace the process, and recognize that every little effort counts. You have the strength to move forward, one breath at a time.So, that's all for now...that's the nugget to carry todayTake a breath. Take what you need. leave the rest. And come back tomorrow because, remember, you're not broken—you're grieving. And you're not alone in this madness. ---I'll be right here Talk Soon."[P.S... Like this podcast? Support the show by clicking...thank you]SEE YOU TOMORROW!!! __________________________________________________________________________My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.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 & CanadaSupport the show
Support the showToday I speak with Lauren Wood, a (super brave) third year Human Services student at Northeastern University in Boston, passionate about social justice, equal mental health access, and (naturally) suicide prevention. Lauren opens up about losing her dear friend Coble to suicide when she was just a senior in high school—an event that shattered her world and changed the trajectory of her life. Now, years later, she is leaning into the hard work of healing while actively building a future in advocacy and mental health support.She shares "I am incredibly honored to share my sweet friend Coble's memory through Melissa's incredible platform". Likewise, Lauren, I am incredibly honored to have had this conversation.With honesty, vulnerability, and grace, she brings her voice to this conversation—keeping Coble's light alive while illuminating the often-silent journey of grief that young people carry. This is a conversation about love, loss, growing up too soon, and the power of reclaiming joy.In this episode, we discuss:
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