The Leftover Pieces: Suicide Loss Conversations

Today I go “down the rabbit hole” to talk about a topic that’s completely interwoven with suicide itself - it’s tied to & a part of the same stigma that may have contributed to the suicide of our loved one in the first place. Implicit bias is most commonly thought of and discussed when having to do with obvious stigmas (aka stereotypes) like race, age, sexuality, ability, etc BUT it also appli...

SUCH a complicated topic ... BUT it comes up ALL of the time in conversations with other suicide loss grievers. People say all sorts of things to grievers - especially about suicide loss. THIS IS HARD. Right? How would we respond to someone in our position before we know what we do now? I know that's asking a lot to have you think about that BUT I do it because ultimately I want us all to hav...

Today I “go down the rabbit hole” to talk about ALICE... going Down. The. Rabbit. Hole . I actually 'stumbled ' across this blog and decided to give it an 'out loud read' ( aka; story time !)  in order to share it with you. The author, Gemma Cannon,  imparts great grief wisdom on "wonder" and the magic of employing hacks and strategies to grief! I hope you take someth...

Today I have a warm and comforting conversation with Kellie Woolf - author, suicide loss survivor, mom, wife, and former educator. Her Biography: "Kellie Woolf’s debut novel, Mount Hope, is set in Topeka, Kansas, where she was born and raised. While she now lives in Colorado With her husband, Steve, and her cat Figgy, Topeka will always be home. She graduated from Seaman High School, and all...

Today I “go down the rabbit hole” to talk about what’s on my mind… And this past week that’s been a lot! The title of today’s episode is “Are We Too Sensitive?; Why the Empathetic Become Changemakers!”  I am fired up by recent events and as you can guess, there’s a lot that can be unpacked here — I promise I won't go too deep but I hope that I scratch the surface just enough to highlight hope...

In this episode, hear Erin share about how for a long time she could not even say that her daughter died, let alone ‘ended her own life. Now  she is brave and not only talks about it, but she teaches yoga to help others heal their trauma and grief Erin Burden is Canadian-born but her family moved to Botswana, Africa at 2 and she mostly was schooled in Bulawayo Rhodesia. For college, she went to So...

Today I go “down the rabbit hole” to talk about when those 'grief waves' hit me even years (over 5 & 1/2 years) after the loss of my son to suicide. Are they they different now or the same as in the early days?   I talk about feeling your emotions - I believe it's the best way to Even later - even forever - it is stil "ok" to cry and scream and miss then with ALL OF YO...

Today I welcome Dan Maigler to the podcast. Dan is the mental health director for Paws for Patrick , a non-profit that connects people with mental health issues to Emotional Support Animals. Dan was Patrick's school social worker and when he died by suicide in May of 2020 it was devastating. Patrick's family starting Paws for Patrick has been incredibly healing for him and helped him end...

If you want to finally let go of your guilt after losing your loved one to suicide, then you should sign up for the Healing After Suicide Loss interview series. Caro Brookings handpicked 20+ top experts, authors, and support providers from the suicide grief and loss space for this free interview series on how to let go of your guilt, find peace and move forward one day at a time. And you can get a...

Lynn Brooks Lewis lost her son Daniel to suicide in August 2019,  and she has made the choice to not be consumed by the grief of her tragic loss. As a part of her healing process and to stay true to her choice, in addition to encouraging and inspiring other women with similar experiences, Lynn readily shares her grief story. In sharing her story, “I Choose to Live”, she talks about the positive im...

Today I go “down the rabbit hole” to talk about CLARITY . Defined it is the quality of being coherent and intelligible OR the quality of being clear and easy to understand. Seems important vs the alternative or the opposite-ambiguity unintelligible or dimness-  qualities which I feel occupied much of the first years after loss and belong more to the Mad Hatter than Alice. How do we become Alice -...

Today I talk to Nicolette Popa - or Nic as she is known to everyone who loves her. She is my son Alex's best friend ... so this one hits at home and is so very special for me to share. Nic shares her story and journey after suicide loss and how it has impacted her life every day since. You won't want to miss her story - she even shares her own personal story of coming out this past year...

Can it really happen to ANY family??  Unfortunately, many of us have discovered that answer. My guest in this episode knows this all too well herself. Today I have a conversation with Janice "JJ" Joiner.  JJ, aka "the catcher of babies" (certified nurse midwife) spent her career as a women’s healthcare provider,  and is also a wife, mom, and “Honey” to her grandbabies! She says...

In today's "Down the Rabbit Hole" episode in life after a suicide loss, I talk about the NY Times article from this past week that has caused quite a stir amongst grievers and the therapeutic world alike. I take a shallow dive into the deep end on my thoughts (yes, it's just my opinion) and even I surprise myself a bit on where I land - well, at least where I might land (it&apo...

Lindsey Doolittle is my guest today. She is the author of a children's book called "Goodnight Mr. Vincent Van Gogh". This book is illustrated by suicide loss survivors and was inspired by the questions of Lindsey's nieces and nephews after her husband - their uncle Brett - died by suicide in 2015. Lindsey was a guest in Season 1 and while we touch base on some of the same topic...

Today I share my SECOND conversation with J India (Jennifer Ciotta) and it is a GIFT! As the title implies - there is a LOT packed into this one!    I am fortunate to call Jen my friend now and we just always have such great talks, so it is my pleasure to share this one.  Jennifer Ciotta is a trauma survivor, an intuitive, and a lightworker in the world of energy and healing. She  is the producer...

In today's "Down the Rabbit Hole" episode in life after a suicide loss, I talk about why helping helps - you know, why 'getting involved' or writing or painting - HELPS. I go into a lot of things here but the resulting message all ties back to why DOING or HELPING actually helps us move forward and heal!  I have included a few links of 'places & spaces' that...

Today I talk with the Hicks FAMILY - of #HicksStrong. ​ Today I have a conversation with Jolee, Mike, and Sienna. If you have lost a child to suicide, a sibling to suicide or a family or friend in the military to suicide this episode will speak loudly to you! The Hicks are a warm and fun-loving family who are fiercely loyal and connected.  Just three years ago, with one child in the Navy and the o...

Today I go "down the rabbit hole" for Part 3 in a 3 part series called "What has helped me the most" (after the loss of my son by suicide). I know that I have talked about these topics before - and I will again - because we need to hear them often, to be reminded - to be empowered - to SURVIVE! The first Part 1 (Ep 2 Season 3) addressed Community and Support. Part 2 was about T...

Today, I sit down with two survivors left behind after losing their loved ones to suicide . Debbie lost her father Don 12 years ago, and Adrianna's brother Luc died in May of 2017 - both died by suicide with a firearm. These ladies are both a part of the "Everytown for Gun Safety" organization - although in different roles and capacities. Their stories are meaningful and deserve an...

Today I go "down the rabbit hole" for Part 2 in a 3 part series called "what has helped me the most" (after the loss of my son by suicide). I know that I have talked about these topics before - and I will again - because we need to hear them often, to be reminded - to be empowered - to SURVIVE! The first Part 1 (Ep 2 Season 3) addressed Community and Support. Part 3 will be aro...

Today I go "down the rabbit hole" in a 3 part series called "what has helped me the most" (after the loss of my son by suicide). The next two parts will come out in the following weeks. Part 2 will address Tools & practices. Part 3 will be around Time and Self care. Please do respond if you would like to add to these or have any input that I might include. Today in Part 1,...

Today we kick off Season 3 of the podcast with a heartfelt, poignant conversation with author and TEDx Speaker Anne Moss Rogers. In 2015 her son Charles died by suicide and her world changed.  Anne Moss shares her story and the work she is doing now in honor of Charles. In her own words: "Anne Moss is her first name. It’s a southern thing. She is an Emotionally Naked® motivational speaker who...

Today I review Season 2 as I prepare to launch Season 3 in a few weeks. There are certainly some great life lessons and tools to take away - and wonderful connections. HERE IS THE LINK to The Podcast itself Here is a list of the CONVERSATIONS with corresponding episode and release date to help. I am not detailing the Rabbit Hole episodes here, but I DO recap them in this podcast episode: Episode 1...

Today, at the end of Season 2,  I go (deep) 'down the rabbit hole' to discuss reality in this solo episode. Since losing your loved one to suicide have you ever questioned reality? I know the edge of reality -and ‘someplace else’ - is a place I have often found myself firmly standing since the loss of my son Alex to suicide in 2016. This has happened for a few reasons I think.  I think s...