How Tacoma Dads Group Is Redefining Fatherhood, Friendship, and Mental Health

Building adult friendships can feel awkward, especially for dads navigating identity, fatherhood, and mental health. In this episode of the Own Your Awkward Podcast, Andy Vargo sits down with Sean Leacy, founder of Tacoma Dads Group, to explore how community, autism awareness, and authentic connection can transform not only fatherhood, but life itself.

Sean’s story is deeply aligned with the heart of Own Your Awkward. It’s about discovering who you really are, unlearning what no longer fits, and building spaces where people feel seen instead of tolerated.

Why Dads Struggle with Friendship

One of the most powerful themes in this conversation is something many dads quietly experience, loneliness. Sean openly shares that historically, dads “kind of haven’t had friends.” Adult life doesn’t exactly come with a built in playbook for making meaningful connections, especially once kids, work, and responsibilities pile up.

Tacoma Dads Group was created to solve that exact problem. It gives dads an immediate starting point. You’re a dad. You live here. That alone is enough to show up.

From there, friendships form naturally. Not forced networking. Not surface level small talk. Just men showing up awkwardly at first and realizing they’re not alone.

The Power of Shared Identity

Sean explains that one of the biggest reasons the Tacoma Dads Group works is shared identity. Being a dad in Tacoma instantly lowers the barrier to entry. You don’t have to explain yourself. You don’t have to perform.

New dads are welcomed intentionally. Veteran members actively approach newcomers. Group apparel even helps dads recognize each other in public, turning awkward moments into easy conversations.

It’s community by design, not accident.

Discovering Autism Later in Life

A major turning point in Sean’s life came when his oldest son was diagnosed as autistic. That diagnosis eventually led Sean to discover that he himself is autistic.

Suddenly, decades of awkwardness, social anxiety, and feeling out of place made sense.

Sean talks about growing up before words like masking were common. In his early twenties, there wasn’t widespread language or online community around neurodivergence. So like many people, he learned to hide parts of himself just to fit in.

That realization didn’t just bring clarity, it brought compassion. For his younger self. For his kids. And for other dads who might feel different but don’t yet have the words.

Parenting Neurodivergent Kids with Awareness

With four neurodivergent children, Sean and his wife have intentionally shaped their home to be sensory friendly. They pay close attention to sound, light, texture, and emotional overwhelm, not just for their kids, but for themselves too.

This awareness changed how Sean parents. Instead of discipline rooted in confusion or frustration, there’s understanding. Instead of “why are you like this,” there’s “how can I support you.”

That mindset also flows directly into Tacoma Dads Group, creating a space where neurodivergent dads feel welcome instead of awkwardly tolerated.

Deconstructing Faith and Rebuilding Identity

Another pivotal chapter in Sean’s story is faith deconstruction. In his early thirties, he and his wife began questioning the beliefs they inherited rather than chose.

Sean describes realizing that many of his behaviors, beliefs, and identities weren’t authentically his. They were simply passed down.

Letting go was painful. They lost friendships. They lost community. But what they gained was authenticity.

They even describe entering a “second childhood,” allowing themselves to explore interests and experiences they once believed were off limits.

Losing One Community and Finding a Better One

Leaving their church meant losing a built in social structure. That loss was real. But what replaced it was something deeper.

Sean explains that Tacoma Dads Group provided more genuine support than he ever experienced before. When someone gets sick, meal trains happen. When someone struggles, people show up.

Not because they’re supposed to. Because they want to.

Redefining Masculinity and Mental Health

One of the most powerful parts of this conversation is how Tacoma Dads Group directly challenges traditional masculinity.

No more quietly suffering.
No more pretending everything is fine.
No more emotional isolation disguised as strength.

Sean and the leadership team model vulnerability. When one dad opens up, it often opens the floodgates for others.

This culture creates present fathers, engaged partners, and emotionally healthier men.

What Makes Tacoma Dads Group Unique

The group now offers 20 to 40 hours of events every month, including
• Cold water plunges
• Dad’s nights out
• Board game and Dungeons and Dragons nights
• Adventure days with kids
• Family days
• Pop up events like basketball and karaoke

There’s something for everyone, and no pressure to attend everything.

You find your people at your pace.

Owning Your Awkward Builds Belonging

At its core, this episode is about permission. Permission to be awkward. Permission to be honest. Permission to stop performing masculinity and start living authentically.

Sean’s story is proof that when you own who you are, you don’t just change your life, you create spaces that help others do the same.

And that’s what community is supposed to be.