Welcome to Shaping Freedom, I’m your host Lisane Basquiat. When you think of hip-hop, a common image is that of a “hard” man who is strong, stoic, and above all else, perfect. However, we both know this isn’t possible. Men struggle with the same mental health challenges we all struggle with. 

Today, I sit down with Shanti Das founder of Silence the Shame, a mental health foundation. As more famous artists open up about the challenges everyone faces without prejudice the more people can access the help they need. 

After tragedy struck Shanti’s personal life, her public life became one of health and healing. She will dive into how this tragedy has guided her, how her work within the hip-hop community has bled out into wide-reaching groups, and how it’s time that men finally talk about their feelings in a more honest and real way.