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Today 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:

• 💔 The impact of losing a close friend to suicide in high school—and how that shaped her identity
• 🌪️ Navigating complex emotions of grief as a teenager and into young adulthood
• 🧠 The role therapy played in her healing and why she believes everyone should have access
• 🗣️ The importance of being honest and raw in grief conversations—especially among young people
• 🎥 A special shout-out to a friend who interviewed Lauren for a suicide loss documentary
• 🧘‍♀️ Her journey into mindfulness and what it’s teaching her about presence, healing, and compassion
• 🏃‍♀️ How getting back into running has been part of reclaiming her own life and grounding herself again
• 🎶 The songs and music that still connect her to Coble, offering unexpected comfort and ongoing connection
• 🧭 Her dreams of working in mental health and suicide prevention as she turns pain into purpose

Lauren reminds us that being brave doesn’t mean having it all figured out—it means showing up anyway, with an open heart and a willingness to heal. I’m honored to help share Coble’s memory and Lauren’s voice with all of you.

💛 Be sure to listen until the end for our chat about music across a generational divide & how we can still 'come together' ...and specifically why she is always "Feelin' Peachy" these days when she thinks of Coble. Thank you, Lauren, it was my pleasure!

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💜 The Leftover Pieces is support central for grieving hearts.
🔗 Stay connected: Join my free email community for weekly check-ins, resources, and encouragement.
🌟 For moms: Explore the $9 Lighthouse Community — safe connection, tools, and hope.
🛠 Resources for all grievers: Start here.
🤝 One-on-one grief coaching for moms after child loss to suicide: Learn more here.
📞 Need help now? If you or someone you love is struggling with suicidal thoughts, dial 988 in the U.S. & Canada, or text HOME to 741741.