“We have to get over the idea that every problem can be fixed…

‘If there’s no logical solution, then is it worth thinking about?’

The answer is yeah, absolutely. There are so many problems in life that we’re never going to solve, but we should still think about them and talk about them.” - Tim Mousseau

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Tim Mousseau. As a survivor of sexual violence, Tim refused to let the incident control him. As someone who now controls his own story, speaking and advocating at universities, Fortune 1000 companies, and Congressional offices, he’ll be the first to tell you that the work he does on his emotions and identity will never be finished or “fixed” - it’s just an ongoing process. We hope you enjoy this conversation with Tim and gain strength and insight!

(1:00) Ashanti’s introduction.

(4:10) Tim introduces himself and his work, which involves speaking about and researching sexual violence prevention, harassment prevention, and masculinity.

(7:05) Tim shares the front of his mask - knowledgeable, driven, courageous - and how these three words relate to his work and his personal story.

(10:55) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - serious, dedicated, passionate - as it relates to leadership and motivating others. Then, they discuss what happens when work takes over your identity, and the phenomenon Tim calls “resting bro face.”

(17:35) Tim shares the back of his mask - listless, isolated, fragmented - and how he is still reconciling the dueling and disparate aspects of his identity.

(21:15) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - survivor remorse, doubt: writer and father, worried about youth. Then, he ponders why he hesitated to share the first section on the back of his mask. And Tim breaks down how our culture needs to improve how we handle disclosing survivorship.

(33:25) Often, men have been discouraged from showing both their joyful nature and their sadness, weakness, or victimhood. Ashanti and Tim discuss how to get men out of the restrictions that come from both sides of their emotions.

(44:05) For many men, the logical and rational side of the brain is valued over the emotional side. Ashanti and Tim talk about why this is problematic, and how this leads to the mentality that everything must always be “fixed.”

(49:55) Tim shares how survivors can reach a point in life where the story doesn’t control them, and they control the story.

(56:55) Tim shares how you can get in touch with him.

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Connect with Tim Mousseau:

Website: timmousseau.com

Instagram: instagram.com/tim_mousseau

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tim-mousseau

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Create your own mask anonymously at www.100kmasks.com

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