“As a guy, I want to be able to express my emotions. I would hate for other youth or young men to feel like they can’t do that. It’s such a narrow way of being. You miss out on such a huge experience if you don’t get to talk about how you’re doing.” - Nicholas M.

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Nicholas M. As a Youth Outreach Worker, Nicholas provides 1-1 support to youth in the community. He meets his youth where they are, whether they just need some mentorship or they are dealing with anxiety and depression. Nicholas’s own mask, and the reason that supporting and mentoring youth resonates with him, is informed by his upbringing in South Africa. Now that he is in Vancouver, B.C., he’s navigating a new culture and honing in on what he expects from himself and what he’s looking for in friendships. Enjoy the conversation!

(1:25) Ashanti’s introduction.

(6:40) Nicholas introduces himself, his work, and his hobbies.

(8:55) Nicholas shares the front of his mask - friendly, kind, quiet. Then, Ashanti shares the front of his mask - passionate, serious, hard-working.

(13:15) Nicholas shares the back of his mask - insecure, self-doubt, lonely.

(15:00) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - overwhelmed, anger, self-doubt - and talks about how he dealt with a difficult workshop.

(21:05) Nicholas shares how he processes anger. And Ashanti relates to it through some work he’s been doing at a juvenile detention center.

(30:30) Nicholas sheds some more light on the work he does and how he was drawn to it.

(36:55) Nicholas looks back on his upbringing in South Africa drew him towards working with youth.

(43:30) Nicholas looks back on watching the documentary “The Mask You Live In” and shares his final message for young people. Then, talks about his friend and family groups and where he goes to take off his mask.

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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