Mansplaining the Event Recap
On Thursday, November 9, 2023, we hosted the first ever dadX: Mansplaining Men's Health event at the world-famous Leisure Club. We had five speakers and lots of great conversation. Checkout our CBUS Dads blog post recapping the event or listen to the special podcast episode that was recorded from the live feed of the event. Pour yourself something good and hear it in all its glory.
Original Speaker Lineup
Nick Dekker - Social Health for Men - You can call Nicholas Dekker “Dr. Breakfast.” After all, he really loves breakfast and has a Ph.D
Nick is a food and travel writer based in central Ohio, writing his award-winning blog Breakfast With Nick since 2007, where he and his family document their journeys exploring restaurants, coffee, donuts, beer, the arts, family travel, and much more. Nick freelances for Columbus Monthly, Ohio Magazine, TourismOhio, The Kitchn, Great Lakes Publishing, Experience Worthington, Cubby at Home, Worthington
Spotlight, 42+ Magazine. His work has also appeared in the Columbus Dispatch, Columbus Alive, Experience Columbus, Columbus Parent, PC World Magazine, and many other publications. Nick and his work have been featured in the New York Post, Toronto Star, Taste of Home, Good Day Columbus, Columbus Dispatch, and other media. You can learn more by visiting his website.
Nick is a food and travel writer based in central Ohio, writing his award-winning blog Breakfast With Nick since 2007, where he and his family document their journeys exploring restaurants, coffee, donuts, beer, the arts, family travel, and much more. Nick freelances for Columbus Monthly, Ohio Magazine, TourismOhio, The Kitchn, Great Lakes Publishing, Experience Worthington, Cubby at Home, Worthington
Spotlight, 42+ Magazine. His work has also appeared in the Columbus Dispatch, Columbus Alive, Experience Columbus, Columbus Parent, PC World Magazine, and many other publications. Nick and his work have been featured in the New York Post, Toronto Star, Taste of Home, Good Day Columbus, Columbus Dispatch, and other media. You can learn more by visiting his website.
Shaun Ditty, LPC, - Mindfulness for Men - I have worked as a counselor for nearly a decade in a variety of settings. Most recently, I worked in a school setting where I primarily worked with children ages three to eleven years old. I enjoy working with families just as much as kids. My therapeutic style draws from a diverse variety of theoretical orientations and ideas. I am most passionate about the use of positive psychology and the way it can help better inform us on how to live a more full and meaningful life. I also work with a wide variety of concerns enjoying work with individuals with sleep concerns, school related issues, as well as those with behavioral health concerns.
I love to spend time outdoors and can often be found in one of many of central Ohio’s parks. I live in Westerville with my Dalmatian, Jill, which I rescued in 2022. You can learn more by visiting his website.
I love to spend time outdoors and can often be found in one of many of central Ohio’s parks. I live in Westerville with my Dalmatian, Jill, which I rescued in 2022. You can learn more by visiting his website.
Parker Huston, PhD, - Mental Health for Men - I have been a practicing pediatric psychologist for almost 10 years. The term Pediatric Psychology means that I work with child and adolescent patients (ages 2-18) who have both physical health and behavioral health concerns. Often, these problems are overlapping and can reduce quality of life. I’ve treated children with a wide variety of concerns, such as anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), tic disorders, behavior problems, ADHD, sleep problems, chronic pain, and functional abdominal pain. My main focus has been working with children and families experiencing problems with feeding and gastrointestinal conditions as well as other chronic medical conditions. These include Cerebral Palsy, neurological conditions, and complications from premature birth. I was a proud member of the Comprehensive Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital for 5 years before deciding to open a practice to improve access to care in the Central Ohio area. I’ve spent the past 8 years learning from a multidisciplinary team of medical providers, dieticians, occupational therapists, speech therapists, nurses, and social workers about the many ways to treat complex conditions in children from birth through adolescence.
My treatment style uses primarily cognitive and behavioral foundations; however, I integrate many other theories into my practice as needed for any individual patient or family. This means that we will work on identifying the emotions, thoughts and behaviors that are having a negative impact in someone’s life and try to learn new skills in order to improve overall functioning. I use standardized measurements to track progress toward the goals that we establish together, and this data is shared openly as part of the treatment process. Parents and other family members are always actively involved in treatment because they help to support and reinforce the changes we work on in our therapy sessions. You can learn more by visiting his website.
My treatment style uses primarily cognitive and behavioral foundations; however, I integrate many other theories into my practice as needed for any individual patient or family. This means that we will work on identifying the emotions, thoughts and behaviors that are having a negative impact in someone’s life and try to learn new skills in order to improve overall functioning. I use standardized measurements to track progress toward the goals that we establish together, and this data is shared openly as part of the treatment process. Parents and other family members are always actively involved in treatment because they help to support and reinforce the changes we work on in our therapy sessions. You can learn more by visiting his website.
Darrell O'Neal - The Cost of Fatherhood - Darrell O'Neal is a figure of multifaceted expertise and passion. As a seasoned Cash Management Officer at Chase bank, he demonstrates a deep commitment to financial integrity and business acumen. Beyond the world of finance, Darrell enlivens events as a professional mobile DJ, bringing joy and rhythm to gatherings with his dynamic music sets.
His most impactful role, however, is as the founder of Fatherhood Fraternity, an initiative that brings to the forefront the importance of communal fatherhood. Through this platform, Darrell seeks to emphasize the value of shared experiences and storytelling in creating a supportive community for fathers. His dedication to this cause has been recognized with the Gillette Man of the Year award in March 2023, underscoring his influence and commitment to making a difference.
In the same month, Darrell was also honored with the Culture Carrier award within his business line, marking him as a leader who drives positive cultural change. He is a passionate advocate for storytelling, particularly in elevating the narratives of fathers, to foster a sense of belonging and understanding within the paternal community.
Darrell is an eternal learner, an introspective soul who values personal growth and family above all. While he thrives in his professional and public roles, he is also committed to his inner journey, continually seeking to better himself and, by extension, the lives of those around him. Through his work and his example, Darrell O'Neal stands as a testament to the power of quiet introspection paired with active community engagement.
His most impactful role, however, is as the founder of Fatherhood Fraternity, an initiative that brings to the forefront the importance of communal fatherhood. Through this platform, Darrell seeks to emphasize the value of shared experiences and storytelling in creating a supportive community for fathers. His dedication to this cause has been recognized with the Gillette Man of the Year award in March 2023, underscoring his influence and commitment to making a difference.
In the same month, Darrell was also honored with the Culture Carrier award within his business line, marking him as a leader who drives positive cultural change. He is a passionate advocate for storytelling, particularly in elevating the narratives of fathers, to foster a sense of belonging and understanding within the paternal community.
Darrell is an eternal learner, an introspective soul who values personal growth and family above all. While he thrives in his professional and public roles, he is also committed to his inner journey, continually seeking to better himself and, by extension, the lives of those around him. Through his work and his example, Darrell O'Neal stands as a testament to the power of quiet introspection paired with active community engagement.
Mike Scherer - Surviving Testicular Cancer - Mike Scherer is a proud husband, father, and young adult cancer survivor. He started Worth the Wait Charity with his wife Megan, to help young adult cancer survivors afford fertility services before and after cancer treatments. Mike is also a financial planner and Chief Financial Officer of a Columbus-based investment firm in his professional life. When he’s not advocating or working, you can find Mike playing sports with his son or going on family bike rides around Columbus.
Our event emcee is Matt Lofy, Founder/ Cohost of The Dadass Podcast. Matt is a husband and Dad, veteran, Chamber of Commerce executive, former backpacking guide, blogger and spin instructor.
Special Thanks to Our Host
About our Host: Leisure Club, a nostalgically inspired social membership club, was created as an alternative place for folks to relax and unwind. Membership at Leisure Club includes reservation access to the space with BYOB or self-serve options including our house coffee and Garage Beer. Our calendar of casual competitions, live entertainment, and volunteering opportunities are a way for our members to engage with a fun, active community. Interested to learn more? Find us on the internet at leisureclub.co