“That tough-guy veneer just melted away, and I started crying. I barely got out the words, 'Thank you.' I just felt afraid of dying; I felt afraid for my family, for my friends… But then, once I got over that masculine mask stuff, I was like, ‘Ok, I’ll take the help!’ And it allowed me to heal like crazy. It’s not been perfect, but I have had so much rich support.”

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Ed Frauenheim. As a writer, speaker, and consultant, Ed is about reinventing masculinity, organizations, and society - and connecting the dots among these three concepts. In addition to discussing what it’s like to publish books and gain a footing and following after leaving a steady job, Ed and Ashanti explore some of the more challenging, grounding things in life - like how men can be more honest with their physical health, and how to get over the embarrassment of asking for help in these instances. Happy Holidays, and enjoy the show.

7:30 Ed introduces himself, his writing, his work, and his passion for issues around masculinity.

10:55 Ashanti shares the front of his mask - serious, creative, funny - and how his definition of creativity has expanded.

15:15 Ed shares the front of his mask - positive, smart, caring.

19:00 Ashanti shares the back of his mask - fear, confined, anger (brother) - and how his brother recently brought some unhealthy responses out of him.

27:15 Ed shares the back of his mask - pessimistic, unsure, self-absorbed - and how each item on the back connects to one on the front.

29:15 Ed and Ashanti continue to explore the friction amongst care, self-interest, patience, and growth.

36:35 Then, they discuss writer’s block, some of the ways we can get around it, and how it can have emotional roots.

43:45 Ashanti and Ed discuss why it is so hard for men to be open and honest and to ask for help when it comes to health issues.

49:45 Ed shares how you can get in touch with him.

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Connect with Ed Frauenheim:

Website: edfrauenheim.com

Book: edfrauenheim.com/masculinity-at-work

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ed-frauenheim-685294

Facebook: facebook.com/ed.frauenheim

Twitter: https://twitter.com/edfrauenheim

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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