ABOUT
DadAwesome exists to activate dads to lead with wonder—building intentional connection with their kids while experiencing God’s awesomeness together.
Our Story
Maybe you've felt it too—that nagging question in the back of your mind about whether you're doing enough as a dad. You love your kids fiercely, but between work demands and life's endless distractions, intentional fatherhood feels like another item on an impossible to-do list.
In January 2018, Jeff Zaugg sat on a porch in Arizona when his cousin asked a simple question: "How do you stay so intentional as a dad?"
Despite being a pastor of Family Ministry in a local church, Jeff realized he had no real answer. The truth hit hard—while he was intentional in other areas of life, he wasn't actively pursuing growth in the role that mattered most: being a dad.
That moment changed everything.
Jeff did what many dads do when they realize they need to step up—he took action. But instead of going it alone, he invited twenty other dads to join a 10-week experiment in intentional fatherhood. No perfect answers, just real men committed to growing together.
The Movement Grows
What started as ten simple video episodes shared among friends became something much bigger. When those initial weeks ended, the dads wanted more. "What's next?" they asked.
That question launched the DadAwesome podcast—conversations with everyday dads, grandfathers, counselors, and authors who were living out intentional fatherhood. The podcast created an easy entry point for men to discover practical resources and connect with a community of fathers who simply wanted to be better.
But DadAwesome became more than just talk. We believe dads need activation, not just information. Through 100-mile bike rides, obstacle races, and triathlons, over 1,000 men have stepped into hard challenges together—building brotherhood while raising over $1 million for partners who directly serve the fatherless.
The Impact Today
What began as one dad's honest question has grown into a movement of fathers who refuse to drift through this treasured role. Hundreds of podcast episodes later, thousands of dads are discovering that intentional fatherhood isn't about perfection—it's about showing up, growing together, and leading your family with purpose and wonder.
The father your family needs isn't some perfect version of yourself—it's the man willing to grow, to learn, and to lead with courage.
Your children are waiting for the dad you're becoming. We're here to help you discover him.
Activating dads to lead with wonder
Activating dads to lead with wonder
Our Mission
Activating dads to lead with wonder
With
The single greatest gift that dads can give their kids is the gift of presence—being fully with—choosing moment by moment to show up. We encourage dads to stand under the waterfall of God's love and bring their kids along. When a father experiences the lavish love of his Heavenly Father, it overflows into his children's lives. We are building a community of dads who are committed to showing up—for their families, for those without families, and for one another.
Wonder
The role of a dad is to become like a child—to meet each moment with the same curiosity, joy, and amazement that children naturally possess. We want to help dads lead in wonder—grow curious, honor moments, and experience the joy of the journey. First, as sons themselves who know they are loved, healed, and accepted without striving. Then, as dads whose singular vision is to extend what they've received generously to their kids.
Our Values
Being "awesome" isn't the prerequisite to being DadAwesome. Being DadAwesome is about pursuing a life of intention, owning our deficiencies, and working toward fully showing up for our kids in the ways that God designed us to. Below are some of our guiding values and what we are helping others pursue.
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To lead well is to assume the posture of an understudy. So we are eager to draw from the experiences of others. We reject the temptation to be one-uppers or walking highlight reels. In everything, we show up openhandedly, as peers who are “in it” and unafraid to course-correct along the way. We lead as learners.
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While gathering resources is valuable in our leadership, we're convinced that this alone isn't the point. We’re after connection—dads connecting with their kids, and also to each other. We believe that fatherhood should look more like a neighborhood—an in-it-together, side-by-side, and face-to-face experience. Connection is our heart.
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No matter the size of the step taken or the total distance traveled, we bring the confetti along for the ride—celebrating others consistently and generously. Whether it's our own kids or other dads on the journey, we want to let them know that we are for them—for who they are, and all that they are steadily becoming. The cheer zone is loud.
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“Awesome" is no small word. It moves beyond the boundaries of the status quo in pursuit of something more. As dads, we choose not to settle for less in any area of our lives. We actively pursue a higher standard for ourselves, first as sons, then as dads. And in doing so, we call others higher—not forcefully, but faithfully. Passivity is not an option.
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Every day, we accept the invitation to enjoy the dad-life. And as we lead with enthusiasm, we find it to be contagious—for our kinds and for other dads. We work to reframe fatherhood as a genuine privilege, and a one-of-a-kind, joy-filled adventure. We laugh liberally, at ourselves and at moments along the way. And in doing so, we rekindle our own child-like spirit—which serves to deepen our connection with our kids.
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We intentionally look for ways to shine the spotlight onto others. From generously celebrating the examples, work, and accomplishments of others, to elevating the needs of the marginalized and doing something about it. We will model what it looks like to be Kingdom-focused dads. Our hearts, minds, and hands will be open as we pursue lives of sacrifice. It's not about us.
Our Approach
The DadAwesome Framework
From DadAverage to DadAwesome
Through hundreds of conversations with remarkable fathers, a clear pattern emerged: six essential elements that spark transformation in any dad's journey. This isn't about perfection—it's about progression. Small, intentional steps that can revolutionize how your kids experience you as their dad.
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You're not just making daily decisions; you're crafting a multigenerational storyline. Every choice you make as a dad extends far beyond today, creating ripples that will impact your children's children. The question isn't whether you're writing a story—it's whether you're writing one worth telling.
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Before you can become a loving father to your children, you must first discover that you're a beloved son of God. When you truly understand how much your Heavenly Father treasures you, that love overflows naturally into your parenting. You can't give what you haven't received.
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Drift is the enemy of greatness. Intentional dads fight against settling for average by making conscious choices that align their actions with their deepest values. Love isn't just a feeling—it's spelled T.I.M.E. Where you invest your time reveals what you truly treasure.
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Your capacity to love your kids is directly connected to how well you've dealt with past wounds. Every dad carries rocks—pain, regret, insecurity. But pursuing healing and embracing forgiveness transforms those broken pieces into beautiful foundations for your children's futures.
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Being a dad is the opportunity of a lifetime. You can either treasure this gift or endure it. DadAwesome means ensuring your children know beyond doubt that you genuinely enjoy being their dad. Joy isn't just your invitation—it's theirs too.
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You're not meant to wait for someone else to build the bridges your family needs. God has positioned you as a catalyst for change in your home, your community, and beyond. Leadership starts with stepping into your God-given role as the dad your family needs.
These aren't just concepts—they're transformational forces that can revolutionize your experience of fatherhood, one intentional choice at a time.
Board Members
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Taylor Doolittle
Taylor Doolittle counts it an incredible honor to help people grow in faith, family, and leadership through both his personal life and professional work. Taylor serves as a top residential real estate agent in the Twin Cities, leading a thriving team while prioritizing his greatest callings as a husband and father. He has been married to his wife, Sarah, for more than 10 years, and together they have three young children—Rory, Olive, and Zion. Taylor is passionate about pointing people toward Jesus, building authentic community, and creating meaningful family memories through outdoor adventures, from canoe trips in the Boundary Waters to mountain bike rides on local trails.
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Simon Osamoh
Simon Osamoh, a Minneapolis-based author, entrepreneur, and security consultant, balances family life with his wife and two sons, his commitment to enhancing non-profit safety, and his passion for road cycling. In the warm summer months, he can be found logging countless miles on his bike.
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Conner Kelderman
[bio coming soon]
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Pete Theobald
Pete Theobald lives in St. Paul with his wife and three children. Pete invests in people through his spray foam business and rental properties. He enjoys playing games with his young kids, mountain biking, and connecting with his wife and friends in his wood burning sauna.
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Bart Scharrer
Bart Scharrer, while currently serving as Executive Pastor at Friends Church in Yorba Linda, CA, counts it an incredible honor to have been in full time ministry for more than 30 years, helping coach, develop and invest in people’s spiritual journeys. He has been married to Amy for over 25 years and has two daughters in college. He and his family love spending time together doing almost anything adventurous. If he’s not at the beach playing volleyball or spikeball with his family, he can be found training for his other passion, triathlons.