In this episode of "Face to Face," Wenceslao welcomes Demarco, an 8th grader, star athlete, and member of the Ever Forward Club. Demarco is a bit nervous but ready to take on the world of high school in the Bay Area. Listen in as they discuss friendship, boundaries, sports, bullying, and how to balance life as a teen in 2024.

Topics include: baseball, setting boundaries, understanding/empathizing with bullies, advice/what to expect in high school, athletics, balancing school and extracurriculars authentic friendships, deciding where to go for high school

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(0:00) Welcome

(3:00) Demarco introduces himself

(4:30) Front of Wenceslao’s Mask

(4:55) Front of Demarco’s Mask

(5:15) Back of Wenceslao’s Mask(5:55) Back of Demarco’s Mask

(6:40) The Ever Forward Club’s Adventure Card Game: boundaries, trust, and bad days

(13:50) The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran; reading and analysis

(17:30) Bullying, authentic friendship, empathy, brotherhood, balancing commitments, and what Demarco has learned from the Ever Forward Club

(29:55) One more poem by Kahlil Gibran; high school advice from Wenceslao to Demarco

Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ 

Email us questions and comments at [email protected] 

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Connect with Ashanti Branch:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaks

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/

Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/

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Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support 

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Connect with Ever Forward Club:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclub

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclub

Twitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclub

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/