Thriving with The Bovinos!
You ever wonder how other people do such great things with relative ease? When is it going to be your turn to catch a break? Well this is the podcast for you. Together we will share tools to overcome obstacles and not just survive but Thrive! We will meet people from all aspects of life and hear how they bet on themselves, took calculated risks, failed repeatedly and are living a life full of Joy and abundance.
Kathryn Bovino is the co-owner and creator of THRIVE Consultation and Therapy. She strives to use a dynamic, individualized approaches combined with her training, education, and experience to guide and support individuals and families to live a life of truly thriving and not just surviving.
Kathryn is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and earned her Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis, with a Graduate Certificate in Autism, from Ball State University in 2015. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of South Florida (2004) and has maintained certifications as a RDI® Program Consultant and Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist (ITDS) since 2006. Kathryn holds additional certifications as a Therapy Dog Team Handler, Life Balance Yoga Therapy Instructor and ACT Matrix Facilitator.
Brian Bovino earned his B.A at the University of Massachusetts Amherst majoring in Economics. He graduated with his Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University. Brian is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), a Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) Consultant and a Virginia Licensed Real Estate agent.
Brian began his work with families and children with Autism in 2004. Brian has worked in a multitude of settings including the public, private, and charter school settings as well as the Special Olympics, juvenile probation, short-term residential facilities, as a Firefighter/paramedic and currently as a Realtor. Brian enjoys sports, magic, and singing and is a 2015 international Barbershop Chorus Champion with the Westminster Chorus.
Brian and Kathryn live in Northern Virginia with their two children, dogs, cat, chickens and guinea pigs.
Thriving with The Bovinos!
Turning Tragedy into Triumph with Suzie Bartel
Suzie is the co-founder of the Ryan Bartel Foundation and mother of Ryan. After losing Ryan to suicide in the fall of 2014, Suzie felt the need to turn their tragedy into something positive by helping other teens and young adults from spiraling into depression and suicidal behavior when times get tough. In a short space of time, what started as a peer-led support group for teens at the high school Ryan attended, has grown into a non-profit whose teen and parent programs touch all corners of the Loudoun community.
Suzie has 30+ years’ experience as a senior marketing and business executive, running her own design and marketing business in London and then working in senior marketing positions for private and public companies in the US after moving to Loudoun County in 1999. Today she works closely with the Executive Director of the Foundation across all of the organization’s work. She is an active speaker in the community and an advocate for mental health and youth suicide awareness and prevention through the empowerment of youth.
Suzie has been recognized for her community leadership with several awards that
include Public Citizen of the year from the Virginia Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers; the Leadership Award by the Women’s Center; Loudoun County Sheriff’s Community Leadership Award; a finalist for the Loudoun Chamber Community Leadership Award; and Honoree for the ‘Loudoun 100’.
In this episode, Susie shares the journey of raising Ryan, who was diagnosed with Asperger's and struggled socially, leading to severe bullying and ultimately his tragic death. She discusses how her family coped with the loss and turned their grief into a mission to help other teens by starting a foundation focused on mental health and suicide prevention. Through scholarships, focus groups, and the establishment of 'The Fort'—a safe haven for teens—Susie and her family have created a lasting impact in their community. The conversation underscores the importance of listening to teens, recognizing the pressures they face, and fostering environments where they can be their authentic selves.
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:33 Remembering Ryan: A Mother's Story
00:52 Ryan's Struggles and Diagnosis
02:55 The Impact of Bullying
09:59 Creating a Legacy: The Scholarship
14:14 The Birth of the Foundation
18:14 The Fort: A Safe Haven for Teens
23:12 Expanding the Reach and Training Facilitators
25:27 Coping with Grief and Finding Purpose
30:03 Listening to Teens and Adapting Support
33:51 Coping with Grief: Different Reactions
34:16 Family Dynamics and Grieving
36:57 Finding Outlets for Emotions
40:28 Supporting Teens' Authenticity
41:31 Parental Guidance and Listening
45:33 The Impact of Social Media
53:03 Addressing Mental Health Stigma
57:31 Future Goals for the Foundation
01:01:19 Conclusion and How to Get Involved
For more information check out RyanBartelFoundation.org