She lost her daugher to s**cide. Here's how she survived

This episode of Tomorrows Not Today podcast, Eslana Lower, a Gold Coast nurse, midwife, mother, business owner, and author, shares the story of losing her 15-year-old daughter Riley to suicide on Nov 17, 2022, after Riley jumped from their 33rd-floor balcony while Eslana and Riley’s sisters were home. Eslana found her and describes the aftermath, including trauma, anger, and learning to “say yes” to grief and life. She explains how childhood abuse and neglect shaped her, how parenting taught her, and why vulnerability is strength, emphasising conscious communication to avoid shame. Eslana discusses resilience “born of gratitude,” the danger of self-isolation, and the need for connection and specialised support. She describes factors behind Riley’s death, including Snapchat-based bullying and alleged grooming by an older supervisor, and shares how her surviving daughters are thriving, finding community through youth group and church. She promotes her book, “Resilience After Great Loss: Learning to Live and Grieve Simultaneously,” and offers copies to those who can’t afford it.00:00 Riley Lost01:11 Podcast Welcome02:14 Vulnerability Strength03:32 Childhood Trauma06:18 Raising Open Kids09:05 Parenting Lessons12:05 Midwife Mindset Work14:58 Purpose After Loss17:12 The Day She Died19:25 Saying Yes to Grief20:58 Not a Victim26:10 Resilience and Gratitude31:13 Choices in Darkness37:51 Connection Over Isolation41:47 Help Through Technology43:02 Conscious Parenting Shift46:12 Fear Fight Or Flight49:21 Bullying Grooming Story56:04 Grief Kindness Lessons01:00:10 Thriving After Loss01:10:32 Girls Find Community01:17:03 Book Legacy Closing