“It’s like having orange street cones there. You see ‘em. You know they’re there, but you can blow past them and it’s not going to stop you. That was my story ten years ago... I had to say it’s not about some external circumstance. It’s about what am I choosing.” - Jim Young, on chasing self-worth through work

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Jim Young. In addition to being a wildflower collector that loves working in his garden, Jim is a men's burnout coach, an improv comedian, an author, a speaker, and a facilitator. Jim’s overarching mission is to explore “expansive intimacy” - a way of being that allows us to connect deeply with people across all realms of our life. In this conversation, Jim and Ashanti find a lot in common, namely, their mama’s boy mentalities, there struggle with setting boundaries with their work life, and their belief that, as Jim puts it, “life is best when shared intimately”.

(7:20) Jim introduces himself and what makes him the master of dad jokes.

(10:20) Jim shares the front of his mask - calm, funny, helpful - and breaks down the corresponding image he drew.

(13:05) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - funny, caring, hard-working (busy) - and finds common ground in Jim’s writing on burnout. Then, he and Jim discuss men’s relationship with the act of caring.

(21:15) Jim shares the back of his mask - insecure, wannabe mama’s boy, critic - and runs through all the thoughts that are firing through his mind as he navigates himself and the world.

(25:35) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - Am I Enough, Worried, “I need a vacation”. He breaks down how he feels overloaded as a leader and what it felt like once he began to unload. Then, Jim relates to Ashanti’s sentiments with one key word: spaciousness.

(36:05) Jim and Ashanti discuss the natural guardrails of life and how easy it is to blow through them in unhealthy ways.

(43:50) Ashanti takes the time to appreciate his nephew, redefine success, and breaks down the five F’s.

(48:50) Jim shares a final message for the audience. Then, he shares how you can get in touch with him.

Connect with Jim Young:

Website: thecenteredcoach.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/thecenteredcoach

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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