Your Local Dads Group
Connecting Dads, Nurturing Fatherhood
Open to dadas, papas, and babas with young children. The group provides a dedicated space for dads to connect, support one another, and thrive in their journey of fatherhood. Being a dad comes with its unique joys, challenges, and uncertainties. Groups foster a sense of community and provide a welcoming environment for dads from all walks of life. Participation serves as an invitation for ongoing connection and support.
Overview
October 20 - December 8
For dads with children 0-5 years old
San Francisco East Bay (Berkeley/Oakland) or Los Angeles
Combine dads-only discussions with unstructured kid hangs
Membership Fee
$397 includes 8-week series plus one-year access to the Papaful community app
Program Format
8 Tuesday evening sessions 7:30-9:30 PM, dads only [without children]
2 Sunday daytime sessions, dads with children, at a time and place determined by your group
Plus 1:1 pairings to connect on your own schedule
Week 1: Tue, Oct 20, in-person + Sun, Oct 25, in-person
Weeks 2-7: Oct 27 - Dec 1, live online + 1:1 pairings, in-person recommended
Week 8: Sun, Dec 6, in-person + Tue, Dec 8, in-person
In-Person Session Locations
East Bay meets in Emeryville
Los Angeles meets on the Westside
Community App (one-year access)
Local meetups and events
Introductions to other dads in your area
Discussion forums
Weekly check-ins
Ask Me Anything sessions
Details
You’ll be part of a cohort of 6-10 dads who live nearby and simultaneously a member of a larger group. Small enough to actually know each other’s names and big enough that someone else has also googled “is my kid supposed to do that?” at 2:13 am. Along the way, you’ll have a 1:1 buddy system so every dad has someone to check in with between sessions. Many participants are first-time fathers, and some might be parenting multiple children.
The common thread is simple: dads who want a little more support, perspective, and connection as they figure out this whole fatherhood thing.
No expertise required. Forget the dishes and just show up as you are. The rest tends to sort itself out.
Throughout the series we will apply the Papaful ANCHOR framework, which guides our conversations and reflections.
A — Acknowledge your inherited story
N — Name what you're carrying
C — Calm your nervous system
H — Hold your values
O — Own your leadership at home
R — Rebuild generational strength
Together, these steps help fathers understand where they come from, how they show up today, and how they want to lead their families moving forward.
Review our Commitment & Cancellation Policy here.
Meet the Facilitators
Andrew Gordon-Kirsch (he/him)
I’m an experienced facilitator and a relatively new dad. When I became a father, I found myself wishing for a place where I could talk honestly about the joys, the fears, and the quiet moments of “am I doing this right?” It turns out a lot of dads are asking the same question. That’s what led me to this work. I don’t show up as the Fatherhood Expert with a clipboard and a whistle. I show up as a curious dad who happens to know a thing or two about facilitation, group dynamics, and men’s work. My role is simply to hold the space so dads can share openly, learn from each other, celebrate the wins, and laugh along the way. For what it’s worth, I’m also a pickleball enthusiast, which means I believe two things deeply: good communities matter, and sometimes the best strategy is just to keep the ball in play. Parenting works a lot like that.
Kathrin Auger (she/her)
I’m a mother of two college kids and have spent decades supporting families through one of the most transformative (and disorienting) seasons of life: welcoming a new baby. My work began as a pediatric nurse in Switzerland, continued in the NICU, and eventually led me to become a postpartum doula, trainer, and educator here in Los Angeles. Over the years, I’ve worked with hundreds of families in those early weeks when everything feels both magical and overwhelming. What I’ve learned is this: parenting rarely unfolds the way the books describe. It’s messy, emotional, beautiful, and often exhausting. While much of my work has focused on supporting mothers and newborns, I’ve seen again and again how much fathers are navigating, often without a space to talk about it. That’s what draws me to this work. At Papaful, I help create a space where dads can slow down, connect, and be real about what fatherhood actually feels like. Sometimes what helps most isn’t advice; it’s having a place to share what’s really going on, be heard, and realize you’re not the only one figuring it out as you go.
Chris Ategeka (he/him)
I’m a dad to two incredible kids; one in college and the other still mastering the art of talking. With nearly two decades between them, I've had the unique joy of navigating college applications and diaper changes simultaneously. When I became a father, I realized that parenting is a hilarious mix of confidence and cluelessness. As a facilitator and professional mistake-maker, I create space where fathers can support each other, laugh at the chaos, and maybe even pick up a parenting hack or two. Fatherhood is a wild ride, and I’m here for all of it; the heartfelt moments, the sleepless nights, and the occasional existential crisis in the baby aisle. Let’s figure this out together.
For Dads Who Are
Seeking Community: If you're looking to connect with other dads who understand and are eager to share the joys, challenges, and emotional complexities of fatherhood, this group is for you.
Navigating Emotional Challenges: Whether you're facing stress, anxiety, work-life balance issues, relationship dynamics, self-care concerns, or intimacy and sexual dynamics, the group provides a supportive space to explore and address these emotional challenges.
Interested in Learning and Growing: If you're eager to gain insights and peer-to-peer learning from other dads who have faced similar situations, this group offers a platform for personal and parenting growth.
Open to Sharing and Listening: Being able to share your thoughts, experiences, and concerns openly and non-judgmentally is important. The group fosters a culture of active listening, compassion, and respect for each other's journeys.
Ready to Build Lasting Connections: This group is for dads who value genuine connections and long-lasting relationships. While not required, participating in the group provides a natural invitation for ongoing connections with fellow dads who are on a similar path.
Discussion Topics Include:
Birth and Adoption Stories
Parenting Identity and RolesWork-Life Balance
Intimacy and Sex
Balancing Personal Needs and Parental Responsibilities
Isolation and Loneliness
Stress and Anxiety
Self-Care
Gender Norms
Finding Support Beyond Your Partner