Workshops for Men
Don’t wait for change—create it. Breakthrough, in-person or online, gives you the tools, connection, and courage to thrive in a community that values you.
Breakthrough Online
All meetings are conducted Live via Zoom
Breakthrough In-Person
All meetings are conducted in the Monterey CA area
Real change starts here
Breakthrough isn’t just another workshop. It’s a catalyst. For over 35 years, men from all walks of life have come here ready for something different, something deeper, and walked away changed. It’s not therapy, and…it touches something that therapy doesn’t, that therapy can’t.
This is where you stop going it alone. Where you begin to unlearn the conditioning that says you have to figure it all out by yourself. A place where you can overcome the “trauma of being raised male.” Here, you’ll experience new ways of showing up: with presence, with purpose, with authenticity, and with other men by your side.
It’s not about being fixed. It’s about getting real. About trusting yourself again, and other men, too. And what you’ll gain isn’t just insight. It’s momentum. Energy. Clarity. Love. A way of living that feels grounded and true.
Start now by attending an free Introductory Session. Click the button below
Financial Aid
No one is ever turned away for financial reasons. As part of our nonprofit mission Breakthrough provides discounted tuition to men experiencing financial challenges.Through the generous donations of our alumni, friends of the program, and other philanthropic partners we can offer a limited amount of scholarship funds each year.
Please complete the application by clicking the link below and Breakthrough will contact to you to process your application and determine the amount of assistance available. Scholarship Financial Aid is awarded on a case-by-case basis and is not guaranteed.
Registration Options
Breakthrough is the change you didn’t know you needed.
Personal development for men. It’s often not talked about; it just doesn’t seem “manly.” And, it’s often a turning point where men gain wisdom, emotional intelligence, listening skills, community, and belonging. Whether life feels off-track or looks fine on the outside but feels empty within, Breakthrough offers a space to step into something more; more purpose, more clarity, more you.
With both In-Person and Online formats available, you can choose the path that fits your life and start walking it, one real step at a time.
Explore Financial Aid
No man should be turned away from this work because of money. As a nonprofit, we offer financial aid made possible through generous alumni donations. Reach out—we’re here to help.
Who is this for?
Breakthrough is for any man ready to stop settling. Whether you feel stuck, find yourself repeating patterns that no longer serve you, want stronger relationships, or simply crave deeper connection and meaning, this is your invitation.
Even if everything looks “fine” on the outside, if something inside says, there has to be more, you’re in the right place.
At Breakthrough, you’ll learn to live more fully and show up more authentically—with yourself, and with others. You’ll be welcomed into a circle of men who’ve stood where you’re standing, and who will walk beside you, without judgment, every step of the way.
You are not alone. You belong. You matter. You’re enough and you’re welcome here.
Attend a Introductory Session to learn more and meet the community.
“At its core, Breakthrough is about being the best man you can be.”
We’re thrilled you’re interested in enrolling! You’ll find out what we mean by “life-changing.”
Breakthrough offers two course types: online and in-person. Both cover the same material and have the same outcomes.
The workshop is delivered in two sessions, Breakthrough 1 and 2, with 1 focused on healing your inner man and 2 on having that healed man show up in the world.
There are several options for payment so, to enroll today, just fill in the registration form, make a deposit and we’ll be in touch to work out the rest of the details.
Tuition assistance and scholarships are available—because every man deserves this opportunity.
Workshop Presenters
Manning Phillips
Manning began his Breakthrough journey in 2005. Being a person who believed in doing things himself and depending on himself, Manning decided to join the Breakthrough workshop when he heard they offered to teach "tools for life".
Within a year of completing the workshop Manning was asked to join a workshop team supporting new men with their journey and as they say, the rest is history. Having served with every past and active Presenter to learn from the masters. Now after over 20 workshops, Manning continues to learn and grow as he actively works the material continuing a motto from undergraduate days in college - "learn by doing".
Manning continues to explore where the Breakthrough material can help others. In 2020 when Covid was at its peak, Manning designed and presented a Community Foundation of the Monterey Peninsula funded workshop on Resilience for Essential Workers. Most recently, he has begun to expand the Breakthrough curriculum in support of expectant and new fathers, for the eventual presentation with organizations such as the Parenting Connection.
Arnold Westphal
In addition to serving Breakthrough as the Executive Director, Arnold is also a Breakthrough Workshop Presenter. After completing the workshop in 2018 Arnold knew there was more for him at Breakthrough. With his usual enthusiasm he took on training to teach the Breakthrough Workshop and joined ranks of Breakthrough presenters in 2020. Presenting the workshop has become the most richly rewarding experience of his life.
As a lifelong musician, the workshop also allows him to weave song into his presentation. Providing another way to connect the men through sounds and lyric to this powerful work. Passionate, deep, engaging and empathetic are some of the words used to describe Arnold in action.
Stuart Home
Stuart went through the Breakthrough program in 2009 and started working on leadership teams in 2010. He has previously served as an Ally, Small Group Leader, and Coordinator, and is now a Presenter for Breakthrough workshops. Stuart worked closely with Breakthrough’s founder Fred Jealous when he revised much of the curriculum for the second half of the program in 2012-2013. For many years Stuart has also served on the Workshop Leadership Council helping guide the development of the Breakthrough curriculum.
One of Stuart’s strengths as a presenter is his ability to provide direct and easily understandable explanations of the Breakthrough concepts and how they apply to everyday life. These are life tools that really work and that have made a difference in countless men’s lives. Stuart finds great satisfaction in making these tools accessible to men from all walks of life who stand to benefit from the program.
Dean Fahselt
Dean Fahselt has been involved in Breakthrough since early 2018. After completing the Breakthrough workshops, he went on become a small group leader in both 2019 and 2020. In late 2020 he mentored under John Hain and became a Speaker in 2021. Participating in Breakthrough workshops and being an active member of this community is both a practice and passion for Dean.
Tony Brigantino
Tony Brigantino is an engaging and charismatic presenter with a special knack for using real life examples to help demonstrate the Breakthrough material. He is an adventurous, fun loving man with a zesty view of life.
Tony first learned about Breakthrough from a teenager who had introduced her stepfather to the program. The free intro-night proved to be a beacon for Tony upon hearing these promises, “Breakthrough will provide you with the tools to become a better listener, better husband and better father.” These tools indeed helped Tony become a better listener, better father for his four adult children, and better husband. His wife Christina says “Breakthrough taught Tony how to love”.
Since 2009 he has continually participated in active roles within the Breakthrough community as self-led group member, Ally, Small Group Leader, Site Committee member, Workshop Coordinator. Tony's current role is Workshop Presenter.
Danny Krueger
Danny Krueger embarked on his Breakthrough journey as a young father back in 2008, where he found transformative experiences that enriched his personal growth, notably in areas of partnership, fatherhood, and friendship.
Since then, Danny has played pivotal roles within the organization, serving as a Workshop Presenter, a Board of Directors member, and contributing to the Strategic Planning Committee.
He observes that his longstanding dedication to Breakthrough has fostered a mutually beneficial cycle, where his efforts to support others' development have paralleled his own journey towards grace and mindfulness.
Paul Behan
Paul Behan began his Breakthrough journey in 2009 and has served as a volunteer on many teams since then. He brings a unique blend of experience as an educator, administrator, and musician to his work with Breakthrough. Over the course of his career, Paul has served both in the classroom as a teacher and in leadership as a school district administrator, where he guided programs designed to support learning, growth, and community engagement. His professional journey reflects a deep commitment to fostering environments where people can connect, reflect, and learn from one another.
Beyond education, Paul is also an accomplished musician, bringing creativity and a love for expression into his work with others. Whether leading a discussion, facilitating growth, or sharing music, he seeks to create experiences that are both thoughtful and inspiring. His sessions are grounded in the belief that education is not just about knowledge, but about building meaningful connections and strengthening community.