FATHERS GROUPS

Stories of Men is a global community of male-identifying individuals gathering virtually to share our stories, question cultural norms, and become a force for good in the world.

PLEASE NOTE: This program is not currently active. To learn more about our active programs, events, and offerings, please contact us. Thank you!

WHY: For millennia, men gathered together around campfires to share our stories – stories of the hunt, of battle, of rite-of-passage and of our families and communities. Today, many of us feel disconnected from an embodied sense of belonging amongst men. Stories of Men is a call back to community and brotherhood, in service to a more just and thriving world for all.

How did we get here, anyway? Our society teaches men to bottle up our emotions, to abandon intimacy and connection in order to avoid looking weak, and to pursue status and power over others in an attempt to affirm our self-worth. Without the skills or support to express feelings in healthy and authentic ways, we can become numb to the raw power and sensuality of existence. This disconnectedness can lead to destructive behaviors such as addiction, the need for control, and even violence. What most men want is to feel loved, connected and alive – and yet far too often our cultural conditioning keeps us distant, detached, and depressed.

Today, men from around the world are co-creating a new story of masculinity by exploring the power of healthy vulnerability in community. Men are actively working to heal our wounds from the old story of masculinity that has left many of us emotionally shut down, sensually deprived, and unsure how to access or live our purpose in the world. We are leaning into our fears and learning from our failures as we discover what it means to live a life of deep connection, purpose and fulfillment – as wholehearted men. We are redefining what it means to be a man in the 21st century, starting from within our own hearts. Join us.

WHAT:  Stories of Men gatherings are 90 minutes long. Each event begins with a welcome and introduction to the theme of the night. We then break into small groups (of 4-5 men each) to engage in storytelling, story-listening and emergent learning. Finally, we come back together to reflect on the experience and integrate our learning.

Stories of Men is made possible by a growing group of skilled facilitators who are trained to hold courageous space for participants throughout the experience. We call ourselves the Facilitator Collective. There is one facilitator for every 3-4 participants, allowing for intimacy and support in our small-group format.

Join us for Stories of Men. No need to think of yourself as a storyteller or have a specific story in mind, just come to the session prepared to listen deeply, connect and share.

WHO: Stories of Men gatherings are open to all individuals who identify as male, inclusive of all backgrounds and identities. Ages 18 and older.

Why only men? We believe that some of the deepest personal work that men need to do is best held in spaces with other men. As men, we often don’t have a lot of places in which we feel comfortable sharing our emotions and our vulnerability and that is what this space is for. We work to be accountable to each other and also to groups for women and non-binary folks. Over time, we hope to create all-gender opportunities to engage in this work together.

INCLUSIVENESS: We seek to create spaces in which all male-identifying people feel a sense of belonging and brotherhood. We believe that #BlackLivesMatter and we are committed to cultivating antiracism and racial justice in the Stories of Men community. We support the #MeToo movement and take a stand for gender equity as a vital affirmation of our common human worth and dignity. We recognize that we are guests on this land and that we are all interconnected in a larger community of life.