Episode Details

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 Lost

01:11 Podcast Welcome

02:14 Vulnerability Strength

03:32 Childhood Trauma

06:18 Raising Open Kids

09:05 Parenting Lessons

12:05 Midwife Mindset Work

14:58 Purpose After Loss

17:12 The Day She Died

19:25 Saying Yes to Grief

20:58 Not a Victim

26:10 Resilience and Gratitude

31:13 Choices in Darkness

37:51 Connection Over Isolation

41:47 Help Through Technology

43:02 Conscious Parenting Shift

46:12 Fear Fight Or Flight

49:21 Bullying Grooming Story

56:04 Grief Kindness Lessons

01:00:10 Thriving After Loss

01:10:32 Girls Find Community

01:17:03 Book Legacy Closing