Why We Created
Thrive Together
We're Kyle and Leyla: two coaches, married, rearing kiddos who, despite our best efforts, seemed to bicker through every dinner. And maybe you also know this feeling: you're all together physically, but it's not real connection. The kids are distracted, the grown-ups are exhausted, and dinner feels like something to survive. We felt it, too. And we wanted something different. What we really wanted was a home where everyone felt seen, appreciated, and celebrated for what's good in them.
Kyle has a PhD in organizational psychology, a U.S. Navy Special Operations background, and a certification in Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice from the VIA Institute. Leyla spent 24 years as a senior U.S. diplomat in nine countries, and now coaches professionals through major life transitions. Between us, we knew the research on what makes people thrive. We just needed it to fit into a busy Tuesday night. So, Kyle did what any obsessive researcher would do: he built a practice for our own family.
The first version was a spinner wheel with prompts based on positive psychology: name a strength you saw in someone today, share something you're grateful for, notice a moment of presence together. We tested it at dinner. Within weeks, something had shifted and it was palpable: there was less bickering and more kindness. Even compliments started flowing! Our seven-year-old began saying things like, "I noticed you used bravery today, Daddy!" and "Mama used creativity to make dinner!" We shared it with other families and they reported out similar results. The evidence is clear: when you consistently notice the good in each other, you grow closer. Suddenly, family life felt like it transformed to something flourishing - not just surviving in a busy, heavy world.
That's how Thrive Together was born. It's not just another game; it's a practice that happens when families stop rushing past each other and start actually seeing each other.
That's the movement we're building. One spin at a time, and one family at a time. Because we believe in celebrating what's strong, not what's wrong. And the world needs more families who thrive together.
WHY THRIVE TOGETHER WORKS
Thrive Together is built on one of the most researched ideas in modern psychology: people flourish when they know their strengths and see them reflected back by the people who matter most.
The game is rooted in positive psychology-based character strengths, a framework developed by Dr. Martin Seligman and Dr. Neal Mayerson identifying 24 universal strengths, such as curiosity, kindness, humor, bravery, fairness, etc. Decades of research show that when people recognize and use these strengths, they experience greater happiness, resilience, and connection. It's the recipe for human flourishing.
We took that science and made it simple enough for a five-year-old to play.
Every spin invites your family to do what the research says works: notice strengths in action, express gratitude out loud, and practice seeing the good in each other. No lectures. No worksheets. Just a game that feels like play and works like an intervention.
When families share stories, listen with care, and name what's best in each other, those small moments become the foundation for something bigger—kids who feel seen, parents who feel connected, and a home that feels different.
Thrive Together helps your family come back to what matters most: being present, being kind, being positive, and growing closer one spin at a time.
