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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!

__________________________________________________________________________

Please Listen to my Start Here - Meet Melissa Episode if you are new to the podcast & have not listened (or if you are not new, it was updated in Feb 2025 & you may learn something new:) 

Go to my WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.

PS....Get on the Jan/Feb 2026 Project Leave a Legacy of your child - GO HERE

If you, or someone you know, is struggling ww suicidal thoughts, reach out:
CALL 988   OR, you can also TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USA

Click to Send a Text or Voicemail to Melissa

Support the show

__________________________________________________________________________

The Leftover Pieces is Support for Life After Suicide Loss. Click links below

🎙 Leave me a message: Share a question, your story, or your person’s name for a future episode → theleftoverpieces.com/voicemail

Support After Suicide Loss

If you are grieving after suicide loss, you do not have to carry this alone.

Visit The Leftover Pieces for podcast episodes, grief support, resources, and ways to connect with Melissa’s work: https://theleftoverpieces.com 

or Join Melissa’s email list: https://theleftoverpieces.com/join

If you someone you love is in immediate crisis or may be in danger, please call or text 988 in the United States. You can also text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line

"Hello --It is May 19th, 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 & Surrender

Day 19: Today's truth is: "Everything's got a moral...if only you can find it."  Idea: Today, we're exploring the powerful concept of finding meaning in the midst of loss. 

People love to wrap loss in platitudes. "Everything happens for a reason." "They're in a better place."

But let's be honest — not all losses neatly fit into these tidy narratives. Some experiences of grief and loss are messy, complex, and devoid of any clear moral. 

The moral is how fiercely you love. The true moral of loss often lies in the depth and intensity of the love you cherished for those you’ve lost. It might also be found in the unexpected connections and communities that rise from the ashes of your grief, reminding you that you are not alone in your sorrow.

Remember, this path through grief is a journey, not a destination. Allow yourself the grace to navigate it in your own way, on your own terms. In doing so, you may discover that even amid the pain, there is room for healing, growth, and eventually, a newfound sense of purpose.

So, that's all for now...that's the nugget to carry 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 checkout for 5% off

It is good for BOTH the "Because They Lived" Anthology  Info & Submit HERE 

and The One-on-One Coaching (for moms) HERE

Both 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 & Canada

Click to Send a Text or Voicemail to Melissa

Support the show

__________________________________________________________________________

The Leftover Pieces is Support for Life After Suicide Loss. Click links below

🎙 Leave me a message: Share a question, your story, or your person’s name for a future episode → theleftoverpieces.com/voicemail

Support After Suicide Loss

If you are grieving after suicide loss, you do not have to carry this alone.

Visit The Leftover Pieces for podcast episodes, grief support, resources, and ways to connect with Melissa’s work: https://theleftoverpieces.com 

or Join Melissa’s email list: https://theleftoverpieces.com/join

If you someone you love is in immediate crisis or may be in danger, please call or text 988 in the United States. You can also text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line

"Hello --It is May 18th 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 & Surrender

Day 18: Today’s truth is: "If everybody minded their own business..." Idea: Setting boundaries.

Oh, the unsolicited advice grievers get can be overwhelming. People have their opinions on how you should grieve or when to move on, and it can all feel so draining. Just remember, you don’t owe anyone an explanation for your feelings. Your grief is personal, and it deserves the time and space to unfold in your own way. 

Take a moment today to set some boundaries. Say no to advice that doesn’t serve you. Don’t hesitate to ignore a text that feels intrusive or delete a comment that’s unhelpful. Get that journal out & practice writing a few responses when people offer unwanted 'help'

Breathe and remind yourself that you have every right to protect your peace during this tough time. It’s okay to focus on what uplifts you and to navigate your grief on your own terms.

So, that's all for now...that's the nugget to carry 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 checkout for 5% off

It is good for BOTH the "Because They Lived" Anthology  Info & Submit HERE 

and The One-on-One Coaching (for moms) HERE

Both 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 & Canada

Click to Send a Text or Voicemail to Melissa

Support the show

__________________________________________________________________________

The Leftover Pieces is Support for Life After Suicide Loss. Click links below

🎙 Leave me a message: Share a question, your story, or your person’s name for a future episode → theleftoverpieces.com/voicemail

Support After Suicide Loss

If you are grieving after suicide loss, you do not have to carry this alone.

Visit The Leftover Pieces for podcast episodes, grief support, resources, and ways to connect with Melissa’s work: https://theleftoverpieces.com 

or Join Melissa’s email list: https://theleftoverpieces.com/join

If you someone you love is in immediate crisis or may be in danger, please call or text 988 in the United States. You can also text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line

“Hello --It is May 17th and welcome to Wonderland Fellow Griever. — “You’ve just stepped Down the Rabbit Hole — where mental health meets madness after loss. Let’s get real, together. This is your daily dose of truth, grief, and yes, just the right bit of madness.”

WEEK  3: Control & Surrender

Day 17: Today’s truth is: "I can't go no lower... I'm on the floor, as it is." Idea: Hitting emotional rock bottom. 

This is for you if you're here right now— on the floor emotionally, spiritually, or perhaps even physically. It's okay to be here.  

There's no pep talk today. No forced optimism or attempt to shine a light on hidden blessings. Just this simple acknowledgment: you are not alone in this struggle. You are still here, and that matters more than you might realize. Your presence in this moment is enough, even if everything feels heavy.  

When you hit the floor, survival is the goal—this is your immediate focus, not thriving, not fixing, not finding silver linings.

So today, give yourself permission to stay low if that’s what you need. It’s alright to surrender to this feeling. Be present in this moment and allow yourself the space to feel what you’re feeling. Let yourself lie still if you need to. Breathe deeply and steadily. Cry if it helps. Do nothing if that feels right. Embrace the stillness and let the floor support you, cradling you through this challenging time. There is strength in simply being, even when it feels like you're at your lowest. You are held, you are valid, and you are enough just as you are.

So, that's all for now...that's the nugget to carry 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."

[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 & Canada

Click to Send a Text or Voicemail to Melissa

Support the show

__________________________________________________________________________

The Leftover Pieces is Support for Life After Suicide Loss. Click links below

🎙 Leave me a message: Share a question, your story, or your person’s name for a future episode → theleftoverpieces.com/voicemail

Support After Suicide Loss

If you are grieving after suicide loss, you do not have to carry this alone.

Visit The Leftover Pieces for podcast episodes, grief support, resources, and ways to connect with Melissa’s work: https://theleftoverpieces.com 

or Join Melissa’s email list: https://theleftoverpieces.com/join

If you someone you love is in immediate crisis or may be in danger, please call or text 988 in the United States. You can also text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line

“Hello --It is May 16th and welcome to Wonderland Fellow Griever. — “You’ve just stepped Down the Rabbit Hole — where mental health meets madness after loss. Let’s get real, together. This is your daily dose of truth, grief, and yes, just the right bit of madness.”

WEEK  3: Control & Surrender

Day 16: Today’s truth is: "The time has come, the Walrus said, to talk of many things..."  Idea: Talking about the hard stuff. 

We avoid talking about suicide. We avoid talking about grief. We avoid talking about mental health — especially when it's messy, raw, and unfixable. The stigma looms large and heavy.

Silence is heavy. It isolates us. It shames us. The blame-shame game is brutal after a suicide loss & definitely not where we should surrender control. Take away its power by talking about it --- everywhere you can.

So today, say one hard thing out loud. Maybe just to yourself. Maybe to someone safe. Maybe just whispered into the wind. It's a step towards healing, towards breaking the silence.

There's power in truth. There's freedom in saying the things we're told to keep quiet. And you don't have to carry that silence forever.Every time we choose to voice our thoughts and feelings, we reclaim a piece of ourselves, fostering connection and understanding with those around us

So, that's all for now... that's the nugget to carry 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."

[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 & Canada

Click to Send a Text or Voicemail to Melissa

Support the show

__________________________________________________________________________

The Leftover Pieces is Support for Life After Suicide Loss. Click links below

🎙 Leave me a message: Share a question, your story, or your person’s name for a future episode → theleftoverpieces.com/voicemail

Support After Suicide Loss

If you are grieving after suicide loss, you do not have to carry this alone.

Visit The Leftover Pieces for podcast episodes, grief support, resources, and ways to connect with Melissa’s work: https://theleftoverpieces.com 

or Join Melissa’s email list: https://theleftoverpieces.com/join

If you someone you love is in immediate crisis or may be in danger, please call or text 988 in the United States. You can also text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line

"Hello --It is May 15th 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 & Surrender

Day 15: Today’s truth is: "Remember who you are" Idea: Reclaiming lost parts of self. 

In grief, we lose not only our child, but sometimes ourselves. Our roles change. Our future plans shift. And suddenly we’re asking, “What’s left of me?”

But here’s what I believe: who you are (were) isn’t completely gone — it’s just under pain. It is possible to unearth it and bring what serves you back, while welcoming -- or familiarizing ourselves with the new bits, as we can. Someday, though it's hard to imagine now, these bits won't feel that stiff newness that feels uncomfortable like it does now - one day it will be a comfy, softened part of your new life's tapestry ---maybe just not yet, and that's ok.

Today, name one truth about yourself that still stands. One strength, one value, one small piece that was yours long before loss.

You are still in there. Grief doesn’t erase you. It reshapes you. And remembering who you are is how you begin again.

So, that's all for now...that's the nugget to carry 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."

[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 & Canada

Click to Send a Text or Voicemail to Melissa

Support the show

__________________________________________________________________________

The Leftover Pieces is Support for Life After Suicide Loss. Click links below

🎙 Leave me a message: Share a question, your story, or your person’s name for a future episode → theleftoverpieces.com/voicemail

Support After Suicide Loss

If you are grieving after suicide loss, you do not have to carry this alone.

Visit The Leftover Pieces for podcast episodes, grief support, resources, and ways to connect with Melissa’s work: https://theleftoverpieces.com 

or Join Melissa’s email list: https://theleftoverpieces.com/join

If you someone you love is in immediate crisis or may be in danger, please call or text 988 in the United States. You can also text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line

“Hello --It is May 14th 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 2: Madness & Acceptance

Day 14: Today’s truth is: "All the ways about here belong to me.” Idea: Taking back your voice. 

There’s no one way to grieve. And yet the world loves to offer advice — move on, don’t be sad, get help, stay strong.

But this path? It’s yours. You decide the pace, the expression, the silence, the shout.

You get to say no to social events. You get to celebrate your child’s birthday in your pajamas. You get to cry in the grocery store — or laugh at something dumb without guilt.

All the ways about here belong to you. You are the author of your healing, however messy or non-linear it may be.

So, that's all for now...that's the nugget to carry 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."

[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 & Canada

Click to Send a Text or Voicemail to Melissa

Support the show

__________________________________________________________________________

The Leftover Pieces is Support for Life After Suicide Loss. Click links below

🎙 Leave me a message: Share a question, your story, or your person’s name for a future episode → theleftoverpieces.com/voicemail

Support After Suicide Loss

If you are grieving after suicide loss, you do not have to carry this alone.

Visit The Leftover Pieces for podcast episodes, grief support, resources, and ways to connect with Melissa’s work: https://theleftoverpieces.com 

or Join Melissa’s email list: https://theleftoverpieces.com/join

If you someone you love is in immediate crisis or may be in danger, please call or text 988 in the United States. You can also text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line

“Hello --It is May 13th 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 2: Madness & Acceptance

Day 13: Today’s truth is: "I'm not myself, you see." Idea: Identity disturbance. 

These words hit deep, don’t they? Because when your child dies, the “you” who existed before — she fractures. The version that shows up now may feel hollow, uncertain, or unrecognizable.

And that’s okay. You’re not broken — you’re in the middle of becoming...becoming what's next. We do not have to engage in the overwhelm of becoming something particular, especially in early grief, just the idea of becoming what's next is all we need to be open to in the beginning.

Grief demands a redefinition. A rebuilding. Today, think of one small part of yourself that still feels familiar. A value. A talent. A piece of your heart - even a small piece.

Let that be your thread. You don’t need the whole tapestry. Just the thread to begin...it will take shape over time, with work and choice and help- one stitch at a time.

So, that's all for now...that's the nugget to carry 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."

[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 & Canada

Click to Send a Text or Voicemail to Melissa

Support the show

__________________________________________________________________________

The Leftover Pieces is Support for Life After Suicide Loss. Click links below

🎙 Leave me a message: Share a question, your story, or your person’s name for a future episode → theleftoverpieces.com/voicemail

Support After Suicide Loss

If you are grieving after suicide loss, you do not have to carry this alone.

Visit The Leftover Pieces for podcast episodes, grief support, resources, and ways to connect with Melissa’s work: https://theleftoverpieces.com 

or Join Melissa’s email list: https://theleftoverpieces.com/join

If you someone you love is in immediate crisis or may be in danger, please call or text 988 in the United States. You can also text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line

“Hello --It is May 12th and welcome to Wonderland Fellow Griever. — “You’ve just stepped Down the Rabbit Hole — where mental health meets madness after loss. Let’s get real, together. This is your daily dose of truth, grief, and yes, just the right bit of madness.”

WEEK 2: Madness & Acceptance

Day 12: Today’s truth is: "Curiouser and curiouser!"  Idea: Letting yourself explore emotions. 

This isn’t just a cute phrase. It’s a lens — one that invites us to approach our emotions with curiosity instead of criticism.

What if, instead of judging your grief, you just observed it? Got curious about it?

Sad again today? Curious. Feeling irritable with no clear reason? Curious. Laughed unexpectedly? Curious — not guilty.

Curiosity doesn’t require answers. It simply invites awareness. And that awareness gives us space to breathe inside our emotions, instead of being buried under them.

Today, gently ask: “What am I feeling?” And then let the answer be whatever it is — without needing to fix it.

So, that's all for now...that's the nugget to carry 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."

[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 & Canada

Click to Send a Text or Voicemail to Melissa

Support the show

__________________________________________________________________________

The Leftover Pieces is Support for Life After Suicide Loss. Click links below

🎙 Leave me a message: Share a question, your story, or your person’s name for a future episode → theleftoverpieces.com/voicemail

Support After Suicide Loss

If you are grieving after suicide loss, you do not have to carry this alone.

Visit The Leftover Pieces for podcast episodes, grief support, resources, and ways to connect with Melissa’s work: https://theleftoverpieces.com 

or Join Melissa’s email list: https://theleftoverpieces.com/join

If you someone you love is in immediate crisis or may be in danger, please call or text 988 in the United States. You can also text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line

“Hello --It is May 11h and welcome to Wonderland Fellow Griever. — “You’ve just stepped Down the Rabbit Hole — where mental health meets madness after loss. Let’s get real, together. This is your daily dose of truth, grief, and yes, just the right bit of madness.”

WEEK 2: Madness & Acceptance

Day 11: Today’s truth is: “I give myself very good advice, but I very seldom follow it.” Idea: Struggling with self-care. 

If you’re anything like me, you know what might help: getting outside, texting a friend, taking a breath, eating something nourishing. And yet? The doing part often feels impossible.

That’s not laziness. It’s grief. It drains the energy even from the smallest acts of care. But here’s the thing: You deserve care, even now. Especially now.

So today, don’t try to fix everything. Don’t make a to-do list. Just pick one small thing you would tell someone else to do — and offer it to yourself.

Drink a glass of water. Step outside for two minutes. Lie down and close your eyes without apology. Tiny steps count. You count.

So, that's all for now...that's the nugget to carry 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."

[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 & Canada

Click to Send a Text or Voicemail to Melissa

Support the show

__________________________________________________________________________

The Leftover Pieces is Support for Life After Suicide Loss. Click links below

🎙 Leave me a message: Share a question, your story, or your person’s name for a future episode → theleftoverpieces.com/voicemail

Support After Suicide Loss

If you are grieving after suicide loss, you do not have to carry this alone.

Visit The Leftover Pieces for podcast episodes, grief support, resources, and ways to connect with Melissa’s work: https://theleftoverpieces.com 

or Join Melissa’s email list: https://theleftoverpieces.com/join

If you someone you love is in immediate crisis or may be in danger, please call or text 988 in the United States. You can also text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line