“I started to be selfish because I didn’t want to be hurt… Even how someone’s day was… If it didn’t matter to me, then I would not give it attention. This is awful. This is awful… Walls that I put around myself to block myself from being hurt… When you start to do this, you start to be alone.” - André Portela

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by André Portela. 20 years old and from Fortaleza, Ceará, André now lives in São Paulo, Brazil. He is set to graduate with a degree in Educomunicação, a mix of communication and education, following in the tradition of his mother. He also works with the Ever Forward Club, supporting the Million Mask Movement as a graphic and video content creator. In this conversation, Ashanti and André discuss how what we display on the surface differs from what exists on the inside - as it relates to what it even means to be “special” and what we do in an effort to prevent ourselves from being hurt. Please enjoy.

(9:30) André introduces himself, his work with the Ever Forward Club, his life in Brazil, and his passion for education.

(15:00) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - dedicated, busy, caring - and they discuss how they’re learning to be effective rather than busy. Then, they analyze why people choose not to burden others with their problems.

(26:20) André shares the front of his mask - hero, mature, special - and how his desire with projecting this quality has changed over time. Then, he and Ashanti continue discussing the word “special”, how we define it, and the different relationships people have with bragging.

(42:10) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - worried, resisting rest, negative self-talk. André subsequently relates to Ashanti’s negative self-talk.

(48:30) André shares the back of his mask - selfish, spoiled, mistakes - and how these are all different walls he’s put around himself to protect himself from being hurt.

(1:00:30) Then, Ashanti and André discuss how we might allow ourselves to lower our guard and allow ourselves to be hurt again.

(1:04:10) André shares some final thoughts.

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Connect with André Portela:

Instagram: instagram.com/andregportela

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andregportela

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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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anchor.fm/branch-speaks/message