Welcome to DADS™— Read This First.
I’m glad you’re here!
Presence. Character. Real Connection.
The First DAD.
Hello. I’m Matthew, and I’m grateful you’re here because I believe that together we can help each other as men, husbands, and fathers.
I started DADS™ because I’m a husband and father of five young children who is concerned about the outcomes I see in today’s families and children — anxiety, digital dependence and dysfunction to name just three — and I want something better for mine.
I am far from perfect — and I am certainly not claiming to have all the answers — But I’m determined to be the best man, husband and father I can be, and to help others where I can.
At an event on June 21, 2025, I turned to a friend and asked, half-jokingly, if he would join me in not giving our kids smartphones until they turn 18. I said, “We’ll be Dads Against Devices.” It was my wife who noticed the acronym: DAD. And that’s how DADS™ got started.
Whilst I am concerned about technology and its impact, DADS™ is about more than just devices. My hope is to inspire men, husbands, and fathers to lead by example and instruction in their own homes.
What I Believe.
I love my family and believe that presence, character, and real connection are at the heart of the human experience and central to living a life of meaning, purpose, and joy.
I believe that everyone should strengthen their bodies and nurture the deeply human attributes of love, communication, empathy, kindness, gratitude, humility, forgiveness, critical thinking, imagination, discipline, patience, integrity, resilience, courage, wisdom, and faith.
I believe that being a husband and father is among the most noble pursuits.
I believe fatherhood is absolutely essential to the wellbeing of children.
I believe that fathers should lead their families by example and instruction in unity with mothers — supported by mentors and caregivers.
I believe that family life and childhood should be protected from social media and unlimited, unmonitored, and unrestricted screen time, gaming, and the internet.
I also believe that the family is the fundamental building block of a healthy and functioning society.
This is why I strive to live my DADS™ pledge.
My DADS™ Pledge.
I will lead my family by example and instruction to be present, build relationships, strengthen the body, build character, and nurture love, gratitude, faith, and other deeply human virtues.
What I do
I live the pledge in my own home — then I invite others to join me without judgement.
I have honest conversations around manhood, marriage, and parenting… even when they’re difficult.
I share practical tips, inspiring stories, encouragement and resources to help DADS™ and others.
Join me on this journey. Get my DADS™ Newsletter.
You won’t find me on social media — and that’s the point. In line with what I believe, my DADS™ Newsletter is primarily analog. Each month I distribute physical copies of my newsletter around local communities.
I also publish the digital version of my newsletter right here on Substack so that anyone, anywhere can have access to it, share it, and participate in the community we are creating.
If you would like to receive and read every issue of my DADS™ newsletter, you can subscribe to my mailing list. Thank you for joining me on this journey!
Sustaining DADS™
My DADS™ physical newsletter is a labor of love that’s a free gift from my home to yours.
That said, I always appreciate those who believe in me or the DADS™ idea and want to help me sustain it and make it reach more people.
If you would like to support me, here are three optional ways you can help sustain DADS™. Thank you!
Become a monthly sustainer. Monthly sustainers have access to weekly DADS Discussions, community interaction, and occasional bonus essays. Choose to sustain for $5/mo
One off sustainers. You can Venmo one off amounts — anything, and everything helps.
Purchase Merchandise. I’ve created some DADS™ branded apparel that helps sustain the mission, and spread the message.
How I Use AI
I value the writing process and desire all my content to be original and authentic.
I am not opposed to using the remarkable tools available to us. Before printing my newsletter I typically use the following prompt in chat GPT:
What is the tone and message of this? Are there any serious grammar errors that need fixing?
Based on the feedback I make edits if necessary — but the voice remains authentic and human.
Occasionally I use AI tools to help with research and brainstorming ideas but never to draft full articles. DADS™ need other humans to share, support and encourage; not an algorithm.