A place to
Come As You Are.
You don’t need the right words, the right mood, or the polished version of yourself. Come to talk, compete, laugh, celebrate, or just be here.
Our story
How Bracket the Silence began
Bracket the Silence started with a March Madness fundraiser in memory of my dad, John Marino, who died by suicide April 29th, 2023. At first, it was just that — a way to honor him, raise money for suicide prevention, and give people a reason to come together.
But something about that gathering stayed with me. I was grieving, and being around people who understood sadness, loss, and what it means to miss someone mattered more than I expected. At the same time, the bracket gave us something good to rally around — something to laugh about, compete over, and celebrate. We didn’t have to leave the hard stuff behind to enjoy being together.
That was the part I couldn’t stop thinking about. Something as simple as a bracket had created connection — bringing together people who might not have crossed paths otherwise and giving us a reason to share something good.
I started to wonder what could happen if I kept creating reasons like that.
That question became Bracket the Silence.
OUR MISSION
To create events, traditions, challenges, conversations, and shared experiences that give people more reasons to connect and show up for one another.
Our beliefs
You don't have to be better to be here
Bracket the Silence creates reasons to connect — without asking anyone to show up as anything other than who they are.
A place to
A way to Hold Space for each other.
Holding space can look like listening, cheering someone on, celebrating with them, checking in, or simply letting them be exactly where they are.
A reason to Keep Showing Up.
Connection is built in ordinary moments. Join the bracket. Come back to the conversation. Celebrate someone. Invite somebody in. You're welcome here.
Our symbol
Why a bracket?
It started with a March Madness bracket, but over time it became a symbol for something bigger.
The brackets hold space.
For the competition. The conversation. The people who show up.
The heart is the connection inside it.
The care, presence, and humanity that make showing up matter.
Together, they hold both — the competition and the connection.
We make the invitation. You decide how you show up.
Online by design
Why Virtual?
Bracket the Silence lives online on purpose.
You shouldn't have to be nearby or know someone already to be part of something.
Our challenges, brackets, prompts, conversations, and traditions are designed to give people different ways to connect — wherever they are and however they feel comfortable joining in.
Join in. Hang back. Follow along. There's more than one way to be part of it.
Our traditions
What we come back to
The things that mean something to us.
March Madness
This is where BTS began. Every March, we come back to the bracket that started it all. And yes, a nameplate on the Silence Shatterer Trophy is still up for grabs.
57 Challenge
Created in honor of Dad and the 57 years he was here. Every April 29, we choose 57 ways to show up — for ourselves, for someone else, or for the people around us. There's no scorecard for showing up. Your 57 is yours.
The Extra Chair
Every November, we leave room for one more. For someone we miss. For someone who might need an invitation. For someone we haven't reached out to in a while. Or even, ourselves. A small reminder that there's always room for another chair.
FAQ
Questions, answered.
No wrong way to ask.
Who is Bracket the Silence for?
Everyone. If you've ever wanted a place to show up as yourself — no performance, no pressure — there's space for you here.
Do I have to be struggling to belong here?
Not at all. Bracket the Silence isn't a support group or a treatment program — it's a community. Whether you're thriving, struggling, or somewhere in between, you belong.
How can I participate?
Join a virtual event or challenge. Cast a vote. Answer a community question. Share something of your own. Encourage someone else — or simply follow along quietly. There is no required level of participation to belong here. As BTS grows, we plan to open the door to in-person events, too.
What if I need accommodation to participate?
Just let us know. Reach out through any form on the site and we'll work with you to make sure you can take part fully.
Does BTS provide mental health or crisis services?
No. BTS is a community for connection — not therapy, diagnosis, or crisis care. Please see our support page for mental health resources. Text or call 988 for immediate assistance.