“For people like myself, who have a lot of privilege, I try to become aware of other people’s experiences. And then I can make a conscious choice: ‘How do I want people to experience me? What choices can I make to level the playing field?’ And the only way that that really works is when I take off my mask.” - Ray Arata

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Ray Arata. Ray is the author of SHOWING UP: How Men Can Become Effective Allies in the Workplace. He’s also a coach, master facilitator, and co-founder of Better Man Leadership, but Ray prides himself most in being an ally. We hope you enjoy learning why Ray has dedicated his life to creating a more inclusive, heart-centric world, and how Ray’s masks play a role in this journey.

(2:10) Ashanti's introduction.

(5:55) Ray Introduces himself, why he is a heart-centered man, and why he has dedicated himself to men’s work.

(10:00) Ray shares the front of his mask - happy, grounded, calm, present. Then, he shares the back of his mask - afraid, not enough, alone.

(11:35) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - serious, dedicated, hard-working, caring. Then, he shares the back of his mask - overloaded, worrier vs. warrior, my brother in jail.

(15:50) Ray and Ashanti find common ground in their experiences as older brothers.

(19:40) Ray and Ashanti discuss why some youth choose not to make themselves emotionally vulnerable. Then, Ashanti tells a story about an experience from Yuma, Arizona.

(28:30) Ray shares what he has seen in his work helping reshape the behavior of men in corporate America.

(36:55) Ray and Ashanti discuss The Better Man Conference, how the conference is open and beneficial to all gender identities, and the importance of guiding the next generation of men away from the old playbook.

(42:40) Ray shares how you can get in touch with him, the titles of his books, and his last words.

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Connect with Ray Arata:

Ray’s newest book: showingupbook.com

The Better Man Conference: bettermanconference.com

Website: rayarata.com

Social Media: rayarata.com/contact

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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

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Connect with Ever Forward Club:

Instagram: instagram.com/everforward

Facebook: facebook.com/everforwardclub

Twitter: twitter.com/everforwardclub

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club