From Beer Bros to Bedtime Dads: The Friendship Shift

When you become a dad, your friendships don’t disappear—they evolve. In this episode of The Dad Compass, we get real about how fatherhood changes your circle: who leans in, who drifts, and how to build a “dad tribe” that actually fits your life.

We cover the lonely-dad phase, the shift from quantity to quality, why some friends can’t handle your new priorities, and how to find real connection with neighbors, other parents, and like-minded men. Patrick shares a vulnerable story about choosing a game over his son—and the accountability and repair that followed. Dmitry talks about rebuilding connection with his kids and what honest friendship looks like as a father.

00:00 – “The Horse Mask Cold Open 🐴”
Kicking off in pure chaos — horse mask, Broncos jokes, and dad-level nonsense.

02:08 – “We Swear, It’s About Friendship (Kinda)”
The boys try to actually start the topic: friendship after fatherhood.

04:29 – “Can Dads Even Keep Friends?”
When life shifts from beers to bedtime stories — do your friends survive it?

06:47 – “Patrick’s Small-Town Advantage”
Why working with childhood friends is a blessing… and sometimes a curse.

09:19 – “The Awkward Parent Hangout”
When your kid’s friend has the weird parents — do you still say yes to the sleepover?

12:34 – “Rebecca, We’re Not Gonna Be Friends 😤”
The brutal honesty of meeting other parents and instantly knowing: nope.

16:18 – “Growing Up Hits Hard”
How fatherhood forces maturity (even when you’re still rocking the Broncos jersey).

18:55 – “Different Priorities, Different Paths”
Some friends grow with you; others stay stuck in their twenties.

23:20 – “Quality Over Quantity, Every Time”
Why dads stop chasing big friend groups — and what replaces them.

26:00 – “RV Neighbors, Beer, and Dad Tribes”
Dmitry’s life on the road and the rise of the backyard brotherhood.

35:36 – “Fatherhood Unscripted: The Broncos Regret”
Patrick opens up about missing a game… and what true accountability looks like.

47:05 – “Fatherhood Unscripted: The Emotional Connection”
Dmitry’s real talk on parenting, emotions, and his daughter’s growth.

55:03 – “Friendship Rules for Dads”
Final wisdom: trust, honesty, and why real friends call you out.

58:44 – “The Naked Home Invasion Theory 🤦‍♂️”
Ending strong with the classic Dad Compass chaos — humor meets vulnerability