“I find that when I was a kid I wasn’t validated a lot, and I wanted that. I used to internalize that… So I always felt like not having that in my formative years - that validation, that love, that security -  it affects me now. So for me, going through therapy and going all the way back… those formative years are really important. The picture, the self-perception, you have as a kid, a lot of that stuff stays with you.” - Muhammad Bilal

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Muhammad Bilal. Muhammad is an African American filmmaker, actor, and educational consultant from the South Side of Chicago. His film, The Blue Cave, won 22 awards and was accepted into 42 film festivals worldwide in 2021, and it is now airing on Short & Fresh on REVOLT TV. Now in post-production on a new film, Perdido, Muhammad has always demonstrated a high level of compassion and empathy for individuals in their formative years. We are so lucky to have Muhammad on our side, fighting for a kinder, more understanding world through his many talents.

(1:55) Ashanti’s introduction.

(6:30) Muhammad introduces himself and shares some details about his career in film and education.

(8:55) Muhammad talks about two of his films, “The Blue Cave” and “Perdido.” And he and Ashanti share their thoughts on police brutality and vicarious trauma.

(16:15) Muhammad shares the front of his mask - creative, strategic, successful.

(17:00) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - serious, concerned, caring - and he shares some concerns he has for his community in Oakland. Then, he and Muhammad continue to discuss how guns and policing can affect someone’s psyche, whether it be through direct or indirect encounters.

(29:00) Muhammad shares the back of his mask - depressed, pessimistic, perfectionist.

(30:00) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - worry, doubt, pressure - and he and Muhammad look back on their formative years, and how childhood experiences and dynamics never go away.

(41:00) They continue discussing youth wellness and how PTSD drives us into one of three responses - fight, flight, or freeze.

(47:45) Muhammad shares how you can get in touch with him.

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Connect with Muhammad Bilal:

Instagram: instagram.com/bilalworldentertainment

The Blue Cave: instagram.com/the_blue_cave_

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Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: anchor.fm/branch-speaks/support

Create your own mask anonymously at millionmask.org

If you are interested in being on the Face to Face podcast, email us at [email protected]

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Connect with Ashanti Branch:

Instagram: instagram.com/branchspeaks

Facebook: facebook.com/BranchSpeaks

Twitter: twitter.com/BranchSpeaks

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch

Website: branchspeaks.com

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Send in a voice message:

anchor.fm/branch-speaks/message