The Leftover Pieces: Suicide Loss Conversations

Today I go "down the rabbit hole" and give you a recap of the conversations that I had this season. And remember that there are just as many short, solo 'down the rabbit hole' episodes as well, but I will not be recapping those today. It is my hope that this recap will help newcomers to the podcast find episodes to go back and listen to as well as helping regular podcast listen...

Today, I go "Down the Rabbit Hole" to talk about the cycle of SHAME & STIGMA & SUICIDE.  I give my thoughts on how the & why the cycle exists and what I have done (and am doing) to try to break it and teach others to do so as well. We have to reduce the amount of pain and loneliness that exists (silently) in so many people that we love so that we may destigmatize mental healt...

This conversation is with an amazingly bright light of a human being.  Cara Perkins lost older sister Leah (Cox) unexpectedly in 2018 to suicide. In Cara's own words: "I work day to day as an interior designer in the furniture industry. After I lost my sister to suicide it became apparent to me how many have been touched by suicide and mental health issues. A dream was put into my heart...

Today Chellor of "Chellor's House of Rocks" will guide you into a place in your mind to help you ease into sleep or rest.  For me, sleep has eluded me SO much since losing Alex to suicide so I am always looking for help in that area! Along with other tools that I now use to (sometimes) get more sleep, I have found meditation to be helpful.  I plan to work with Chellor to release mor...

Today, I go "Down the Rabbit Hole" to talk about some of the hardest days & times of the year that we grievers face - their birthday, the holidays & even the day that they left us. I discuss what I have done (& even still do) to make these days special, bearable or some combination of both. I am not always "successful" but I just keep trying. These days are just so...

Today I share my conversation with suicide attempt survivor Sharon Greenwald. Hear her share her story and how it has led her to find her "why" and a life of purpose AND happiness! She talks openly about depression and where it took her... to an attempt on her life that she feels she only survived by divine intervention. Sharon wrote her memoir with the intention of propelling the conver...

Today I am sharing a very important conversation. I recently spoke with Joey Dumont, a self-professed 'recovering egoist' who took a year off to write a book about his life, his loss  & 'recovery' that turned into three and has now sent him down a new path of (comedic) enlightenment with a heart for helping others. Joey lost his younger brother to suicide in April 2007 and...

Today I dive (deep) into 'the rabbit hole' ... I let you into my mind to explore why (& how) I use Oracle cards! Yep -- I said it - Oracle Cards!!!  Many people refer to crystals, Reiki, tarot, oracle ... or really anything in the metaphysical, alternative based thinking or practices as "woo-woo". I personally have always been a science and fact seeking person so it may see...

In this conversation Brenda & I y=talk about the loss of her 22 year old son to suicide in 2012. And while Brenda, her family & loved ones were grieving it wouldn't be until Feb of 2017 when Chase would actually be found and their reality confirmed. This is a raw, real conversation that I think so much can be gained from. I hope you will gain as much as I did from it!  CAUTION: Sensit...

Today, I go "Down the Rabbit Hole" to kind of reminisce, appreciate where I am AND look ahead (just a bit).  My plan has always been to grow this podcast organically as it calls to me & to talk about things that matter - to me, but also to you.  I can't believe I am 19 episodes in … I truly love bringing this podcast to you … all while wishing I never has a reason to bring it to...

In today's conversation I talk to Emily Dziedzic of "A Radical Life with Emily". She is a Neurolinguistics Professional, a Master Certified Coach,  who works with clients in 1:1 Breakthrough Coaching to transform so that they may get out of the places they are stuck (especially in their grief) to leave behind non-serving emotions and step into  their own radical life...whatever that...

Today, I go "Down the Rabbit Hole" to discuss things I have watched, binged or still want to watch with regards to suicide, loss & grief in general. These are everything from movies to series to documentaries; and can be watched on various platforms. THIS IS NOT A DEFINITIVE LIST of what I have watched NOR all of the subject matter  ... just some that I chose to share today. Some of...

In this episode, I have a serious conversation with a warm, funny & insightful lady! Mary has experienced a lot of loss - both of her parents to suicide, her first child dies at 3 months old & her brother-in-law also ended his life... just to name some of her life traumas.  Spread over a lifetime, by her forties it had all taken a serious toll on her & she found herself living inside d...

Today I head "Down The Rabbit Hole" to discuss some tangible "tools" that I would recommend taking a look at in the quest to find your own. This is a follow up to a previous episode, one of several to come, where I get more specific on some of the "tools" that have (or still do) serve me well in this suicide loss grief space I live in. Part 2 will be published in a fe...

Supporting a person who is grieving, especially grieving a suicide loss,  can be quite tricky and is not for the faint of heart. Grieving is hard, hard work but so is supporting the bereaved... especially if you too are also grieving. This episode is a conversation that I had with my husband, G.R. where among other things we discuss how we have weathered this loss, the grief, the stigma & more...

In this mini "Down the Rabbit Hole " Episode I discuss my thoughts on the New Year & how as a suicide loss griever there is a 'suck' to it for sure, but also promise & hope. This is NOT to be taken as definitive OR construed as medical advice.  I offer ONLY my own perspective & thoughts  based on my life, beliefs & experiences, but that's all it is … this l...

Today I want to share my conversation with Susan Ward. Susan lost her son Rader on June 7, 2017 to suicide just one week shy of his 16th birthday on June 13. Rader was a creative, intuitive & intelligent child who thrived in Montessori school. Susan & her husband William first noticed Rader's struggles  after Rader entered public school. We talk about how they sought 'help'...

In this mini "Down the Rabbit Hole " Episode I discuss the many tools that I have placed in my "grief toolkit" and others that I am exploring. This is NOT to be taken as definitive OR construed as medical advice.  I offer ONLY my own perspective & thoughts  based on my life, beliefs & experiences, but that's all it is … this ladies opinion .  And I really only scra...

Today I have a powerful conversation with Jennifer. You will hear her tell her story of the trauma- addiction- mental health-roller coaster that she was on for nearly 27 years before hitting bottom & starting to crawl back up. Jennifer struggled with serious suicidal thoughts at the bottom and she discusses it very candidly & I firmly believe that engaging in these conversations is where h...

In this mini "Down the Rabbit Hole " Episode I discuss an often natural feeling in grief - one in which joy eluded me & how I got back to feeling a balance ... & feeling deserving of joy once again.  I offer my own perspective & my advice based on my life, beliefs & experiences, but that's all it is … this ladies opinion.  As with everything you hear on my podcasts,...

In this wonderful conversation with Shelby Forsythia we discuss her new book "Your Grief, Your Way" which is a 366 day (non-religious) daily devotional that I personally think should be in the hands of every griever. We discuss that while her loss is not in the suicide loss space that some components of grief are universal and that filling our 'grievers toolbox' with tools from...

The mini "Down the Rabbit Hole " Episode touches on the 'shoulds' & (possibly) 'shouldn'ts' of the first year(-ish) while you are in survival mode. I offer my own perspective & my advice based on my life, beliefs & experiences, but that's all it is … the ladies opinion.  As with everything you hear on my podcasts, please take that which serves yo...

In this conversation, I talk to Lindsey Doolittle, a suicide (police sergeant's) widow, a loss survivor, but also an advocate and an activist, an artist and an author. We discuss how her husband's police department shunned and shamed her, where she found hope, and how she is living with her loss while providing meaningful support to others now. There is a LOT to take away from this conve...

In this (second)) Mini Solo "Down the Rabbit Hole" (DTRH) Episode I delve into the topic of "THE HOLIDAYS".... I talk about how they were, and how they are now and how I have (started) to deal with it in my (new) life alongside suicide loss & grief. You can find and connect with me at The Leftover Pieces Instagram or The Leftover Pieces Podcast Webpage Life after suicide lo...

This is a conversation is with Parker. We talk about losing his 21 year old brother to suicide at the age of 19 when he was just starting college, just starting his 'adult' life - a life he expected would always include his brother. I talk candidly to Parker who MY youngest child about (my other son)  Alex's death by suicide in 2016 and how it has changed him,  and also our family....