THE MEN’S GROUP
A Novel of Messy Friendships
A raw, funny, and deeply human story about men, friendship, and showing up when it matters most.
COMING JUNE 2026
About the Book
Failed New York screenwriter Darcy Mattews is already frustrated with life, but it gets worse when his girlfriend breaks up with him and he hangs up the phone on his cancer-stricken father.
Out of desperation, he agrees to visit the men's group his best friend, Pat, has been pestering him to join, even though it sounds suspiciously like a cult. What begins as reluctant participation becomes a confrontation with shame, avoidance, and the stories men tell themselves to survive.
As Darcy begins to face the heartbreaking cost of his choices alongside the other men in the group, Pat spirals back toward destructive habits that threaten everything he’s built, including his marriage. Soon Darcy is forced to test whether the fragile honesty he has learned can extend beyond himself to Pat and everyone else he has neglected.
Funny, raw, and unexpectedly tender, The Men’s Group is a story about men, friendship, and the courage it takes to show up when everything inside you wants to run.
“The Men’s Group is a sharp, honest, and unexpectedly tender look at male friendship—the kind that’s messy, yet worth fighting for.”
- Marshall Goldsmith, NYT bestselling author of
What Got You Here Won’t Get Your There
Praise for The Men’s Group
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“The Men’s Group is a sharp, honest, and unexpectedly tender look at male friendship—the kind that’s messy, yet worth fighting for. Fishbein and Papadopoulos capture the humor, heartbreak, and quiet courage it takes for men to show up for one another when life gets hard. This is the kind of story that reminds you why good friends matter and why the hardest conversations are often the ones that deepen relationships and enrich life.”
— Marshall Goldsmith, bestselling author of What Got You Here Won’t Get You There
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“I absolutely loved this book. With equal parts humor and gravitas, The Men’s Group is as much a romp through the hard, dirty streets of New York City as it is a window into the human essence of its male characters. Fishbein and Papadopoulos pull no punches, crafting storylines that look honestly and unflinchingly at our dark addictions, the masks we wear, the stories we tell, and, underneath it all, the vulnerable hearts we desperately want to protect and just as desperately want to share. The Men’s Group is, above all, a courageous, open-hearted invitation to explore the rich, complex inner world of the man in every mirror."
— Ken Mossman, Men’s Coach and Founder of the Integrated Adult Man (IAM) Program
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“The Men’s Group captures something essential and urgently needed—the power of connection, vulnerability, and courage among men. Fishbein and Papadopoulos's storytelling is insightful, heartfelt, and packed with wisdom that can only come from men who truly walk the path. The result is a powerful, moving, and healing novel. A must-read.”
— Jim Curtis, Author & Self Development Coach
Be the First to Read The Men’s Group
Experience what it’s like to be part of a group of men committed to helping each other let go of the stories holding them back. Join the waitlist for launch updates and early bonuses.
No spam. Just meaningful updates.
About the Authors
Jacob Fishbein & Nicholaos Papadopoulos
Jacob Fishbein and Nicholaos Papadopoulos are executive coaches who have collaborated since 2016 and have led men’s groups for a combined twenty-five years. They are the hosts of the podcast With Love, Men and the co-founders of The Arena Men’s Group, a nationwide community for men navigating relationships, purpose, and pivotal life changes. Both live in New York City.
“A courageous, open-hearted invitation to explore the rich, complex inner world of the man in every mirror.”
- Ken Mossman, Men’s Coach & Founder of the
Integrated Adult Man Program
More Praise for The Men’s Group
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“The Men’s Group is a magnificent book that I recommend highly to both men and women. It is passionate, powerful, authoritative, engaging, and deeply helpful. Fishbein and Papadopoulos draw on their expert experience leading men’s groups to create a wonderful story about love, life, and the courage to heal. Buy two copies, one for yourself and one for someone who needs it. This book will change lives.”
— Jed Diamond, PhD, Founder/VHS (Visionary, Healer, Scholar in Residence) MenAlive.com
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“Jacob Fishbein and Nick Papadopoulos have been doing important work with men for decades. They know how to get men to talk when they’d rather keep their feelings bottled up. Now they've taken that life experience and written a highly engaging and readable novel, The Men’s Group. This book is so needed. For all those men who should go to a men’s group but are wary and afraid to be with other guys, this captivating novel will help reach them in the privacy of their homes—and hopefully get them ready to talk more openly about themselves.”New List Item
— Paul Sullivan, founder of The Company of Dads; former New York Times columnist
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“In The Men’s Group, Fishbein and Papadopoulos tell the story of a radically different kind of men’s group, one where courage is found through vulnerability and men are invited to share their deepest fears, shame, and confusion in order to discover their authentic selves. It’s raw, intense, and unfiltered. If you can weather the storm, you’ll find yourself on the edge of your seat. Rated ‘R’ for real.”
— Sharon Gannon, author and co-founder of the Jivamukti Yoga method
Be the First to Read The Men’s Group
A raw, funny, deeply human story about men, friendship, and the courage it takes to show up when it matters most. Join the waitlist for launch updates and early bonuses.
No spam. Just meaningful updates.
© 2025 Jacob Fishbein & Nicholaos Papadopoulos. All rights reserved.
For media inquiries: Jake@Jakefishbein.com
Follow us on Instagram: @arenamensgroup