Please enjoy a special BONUS episode, which originally aired on the podcast High Tech High: Unboxed. In the episode, educator Enrique "Chikle" Lugo shares how he helps students of color navigate white spaces.

Learn more about High Tech High at www.hightechhigh.org.

“With How Men Cry, we’re not even really just talking about physical tears. It’s really about all the different ways that we can cry out, essentially from not processing pain or trauma or some of these things that we hide behind the mask.” - Jordan “Dxtr Spits” Holmes

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Jordan “Dxtr Spits” Holmes. Dxtr’s motto is to "live life like an experiment, you cannot control what happens to you, but you can control the product you become". He explores experimental themes in his multi-sensory performances such as his signature black light live band performances. And his acapella spoken word and keynotes have brought crowds to tears while teaching inspirational deep life lessons. Dxtr most recently launched a movement called "How Men Cry" which is changing the narrative around men’s relationship to vulnerability and mental health. Dxtr has “the intention of making compassion contagious,” so we hope you catch the bug while listening to this episode :)

(2:00) Ashanti’s introduction

(6:35) Dxtr introduces himself and how he uses performance and facilitation in his men’s work.

(10:25) Dxtr shares the front of his mask - courage, smarts

(14:10) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - funny, serious, caring, smarts.

(22:40) Dxtr shares the back of his mask - fear, criticism, craving.

(29:30) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - fear, my brother & my nephew, proud of myself.

(33:30) Dxtr gives Ashanti the courage to share more about his brother and nephew.

(37:40) Dxtr shares some information on his movement, “How Men Cry”, and how you can get in touch with him.

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Connect with Jordan “Dxtr Spits” Holmes:

Website: instabio.cc/dxtrspits

Instagram: instagram.com/dxtr_spits

Create your own mask anonymously at millionmask.org

Email us questions and comments 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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Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: anchor.fm/branch-speaks/support 

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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

“I’m not trying to glorify suffering. If people can find ways of suffering less, I think that’s a really great thing. But I also find some beauty in - if we all sat around and talked about how terrified we were, I would rather be in that group than a bunch of groups who think they’ve healed it all.” - David Bedrick

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by David Bedrick. David is the founder of the Santa Fe Institute for Shame-Based Studies where he teaches therapists, coaches, and healers from around the world.  He is the author of  three books: “Talking Back to Dr. Phil”, “Revisioning Activism”, and “You Can’t Judge a Body by Its Cover.” David believes that being ashamed and emotionally hidden plays far too great of a role in how our society behaves and interacts. To counteract this behavior he believes in allowing the back of the mask to breathe and express its beauty. In this conversation, David and Ashanti do just that.

(1:55) Ashanti’s introduction.

(6:25) David introduces himself and his focus on depth psychology and shame. Then, he and Ashanti discuss what it takes to come back to one’s self and cleanse oneself from all of the conditioning we’ve received in life.

(13:50) David unpacks his Jewish heritage and how it dictates some of the choices he makes in subconscious ways.

(19:50) David shares the front of his mask - teacher, writer, feeling/vulnerability.

(21:35) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - serious, resting frown face, funny.

(29:35) Ashanti gives David some details about his life, background, and work, as well as his communities attitude toward education. 

(41:40) David shares the back of his mask - nighttime hell, exhaustion, terror - and how he finds beauty and belonging in his terrors.

(49:30) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - fear, worry, self-doubt, I go to church, inner battle.

(53:30) David shares how you can get in touch with him, as well as some final thoughts on suffering.

Connect with David Bedrick:

Instagram: instagram.com/david.bedrick

Website: davidbedrick.com

Facebook: facebook.com/david.bedrick.9

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Create your own mask anonymously at millionmask.org

Email us questions and comments 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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Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: anchor.fm/branch-speaks/support 

“We see a lot of the fighting, but if you actually look at some of the famous martial artists, they’re also well-known for their healing abilities. So a complete system is martial arts and healing arts - the yin and the yang. We can’t only just be fighting; we’re going to get hurt. This is part of the healing arts that we need to have in our arsenal.” - Justin Zhu

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Justin Zhu. Justin is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Stand with Asian Americans, the largest coalition of business, activist, and non-profit leaders fighting for Asian American safety, justice, and equity. Justin was also formerly the Co-Founder & CEO of Iterable, a marketing technology platform that powers communications to billions of people globally. In this conversation, Ashanti and Justin discuss and apply balance - and the principles of yin and yang - to the masks we wear and the stresses that burden us in this world.

(1:35) Ashanti’s introduction

(5:20) Justin introduces himself, his background, his business career, and his transition to activism.

(8:50) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - excited, passionate, serious - and how he wants to translate his passion so that it is received in the right way.

(12:20) Justin shares the front of his mask - compassionate, competent, courageous - and how his family background shapes this mask.

(17:05) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - worry, growing pains, fear/doubt - and a recent moment where he needed to allow himself to hurt.

(24:35) Justin shares the back of his mask - uncertain, stressed, depressed.

(30:40) Ashanti and Justin discuss the many ways that we deal with stress and transfer positive and negative energies.

(43:00) Justin shares how you can get in touch with him.

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Connect with Justin Zhu:

Website: standwithasianamericans.com 

Twitter: twitter.com/hjzhu 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/stand-with-asian-americans

Instagram: instagram.com/standwithasianamericans

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Create your own mask anonymously at millionmask.org

Email us questions and comments at [email protected] 

---

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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Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: anchor.fm/branch-speaks/support

“The teacher who walks in the shadow of

the temple, among his followers, gives not

of his wisdom but rather of his faith and

his lovingness.

If he is indeed wise he does not bid you

enter the house of his wisdom, but rather

leads you to the threshold of your own

mind.”

On Teaching, by Kahlil Gibran

This TOTM Face to Face conversation is between Wenceslao and Patrick. Wenceslao is the Ever Forward Club’s Youth Host. You can get to know more about him in episode 123. Patrick taught Wenceslao when he was in middle school at San Francisco Friends School. As they share their masks, play our Adventure Card Game, and discuss trust, heartbreak, and connection, it’s inspiring to see a teacher-student relationship take on a new dynamic…

(2:00) Ashanti’s introduction.

(7:20) Patrick introduces himself, his background, and how he knows Wenceslao

(8:35) Wenceslao and Patrick make their masks together.

(9:20) Wenceslao shares the front of his mask - loves to learn, excited to be around people, responsible.

(10:45) Patrick shares the front of his mask - a smile, calm, athletic.

(12:25) Wenceslao shares the back of his mask - stressed and overwhelmed, feeling down when I’m alone, serious.

(14:05) Patrick shares the back of his mask - insecure, judgmental, need help.

(16:45) Wenceslao and Patrick play the Ever Forward Club: Adventure card game.

(17:15) Question 1. Tells us about a time when someone betrayed your trust.

(25:30) Question 2. Describe a time when you felt like you were in a difficult situation with a friend.

(28:20) Question 3. What is a lesson that you’ve learned from a challenging negative relationship?

(35:45) Question 4. How have you dealt with a broken heart?

(39:30) Wenceslao reads an excerpt from “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran.

(41:55) Patrick shares how his perspective has changed, going from student to teacher.

(46:30) Patrick makes some observations about how students today deal with pain and stress.

(57:25) Patrick shares some final words for Wenceslao.

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Create your own mask anonymously at millionmask.org

Email us questions and comments at [email protected] 

---

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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Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: anchor.fm/branch-speaks/support 

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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

“This is how you can communicate. This is how you can express. This is what tough can be. You being able to speak your truth about what’s happening is tough and courageous. Most people would just keep it to themselves.” - Paul Newell

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Paul Newell. Paul is a Men’s Health and Well-Being Teacher intent on co-creating a heart-full culture of men by guiding himself and other men to vibrate authentically in body, mind, and spirit. He facilitates personal development and empowerment courses for men to support them in enhancing emotional intelligence, communication, and connection. Paul also has a book, “The Heal.Thy.Man Method”, a pocketbook guiding men to self-awareness and self-fulfillment. So where does all of this inspiration come from? You’ll have to listen to Paul talk about bullying, parenthood, and what happens when these two universal life experiences intersect…

(2:30) Ashanti’s introduction.

(6:05) Paul introduces himself, his work, and how he uses his “rocky road” of a life to help others.

(9:05) Paul and Ashanti share their experiences with bullying when they were in school. Then, Paul shares how he currently helps his son, who is being bullied.

(20:00) Paul and Ashanti continue to discuss bullying, specifically the balance between confronting bullies and providing those being bullied the tools to manage and know their self and self-worth.

(32:05) Ashanti and Paul give their thoughts on why Andrew Tate is enticing to young boys. Then, they discuss our “swipe it away” culture.

(44:20) Paul shares the front of his mask - jovial, grounded, wise.

(48:40) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - resting frown face, caring, serious, loving.

(51:35) Paul shares the back of his mask - regretful, combustible, powerless.

(55:40) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - fear of failure, family drama, where is my power.

(1:03:45) Paul shares how you can get in touch with him and find his book.

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Connect with Paul Newell

Website and Book: healthymanmethod.com

Instagram: instagram.com/newellnessmensguide

Youtube: youtube.com/@PaulNewellGuides 

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Create your own mask anonymously at millionmask.org

Email us questions and comments at [email protected] 

---

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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Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: anchor.fm/branch-speaks/support

“I’ve always been funny. As a kid I was funny. Always funny. But then ask me why I was funny, and the story’s not funny.” - Pellegrino Riccardi

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Pellegrino Riccardi. Raised in the UK in an archetypal Italian family, as a young adult Pellegrino balanced a career in education and music. He moved to Norway in the 1990s and, long story short, now works as a keynote speaker, with audiences varying from kindergarten school employees to the largest multinational corporations. Pellegrino delivers talks on human interaction and how to create a loving workplace, and he describes himself as “58 years old but feeling 35.” We’re excited for you to learn more about Pellegrino’s masks, his thoughts on perfectionism, and his analysis of humanity’s fear of rejection…

(2:10) Ashanti’s introduction.

(7:05) Pellegrino introduces himself, his journey in music and education, and his current work as a keynote speaker centered on emotion and feelings. Then, they discuss why they both do the work they do and the standard greetings that each language has to keep the status quo.

(23:20) Pellegrino shares the front of his mask - funny, independent, hard-working - and his “classic immigrant story.”

(26:50) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - funny, serious, hard-working. Then, he and Pellegrino find commonality in the roles they had to play at home when they were children.

(32:30) Pellegrino shares the back of his mask - sad, lonely, in pain.

(34:00) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - fear of failure, perfectionist, self-doubt. Then, he and Pellegrino discuss the pitfalls of chasing perfection.

(40:50) Ashanti and Pellegrino analyze the psychology of and the fear of rejection.

(46:50) Pellegrino shares some final words with the audience and shares how you can get in touch with him.

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Connect with Pellegrino Riccardi:

Website: pellegrino-riccardi.com

Instagram: instagram.com/pellegrino_riccardi

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pellegrino-riccardi-24425a9
His Book, “Drowning Quietly”: amazon.com/Drowning-Quietly-Memoir-Mans-Shortcomings/dp/1632995069

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Create your own mask anonymously at millionmask.org

Email us questions and comments at [email protected] 

---

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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Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: anchor.fm/branch-speaks/support 

“As men, it’s often our terminal uniqueness that we think we’re the only one struggling with ‘x’ and so we’re not going to bother or burden anyone else with this thing because it’s so minuscule. Yet it’s actually so powerful in ways that it can derail us.” - Sean Harvey

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Sean Harvey. The Chief Compassion Officer of Warrior Compassion Men's Studio, Sean is also a TEDx Speaker, Author, and Interfaith Minister whose book, “Warrior Compassion:  A Man's Quest for Deeper Connection”, offers a roadmap for men's healing as a catalyst for systems change and will be released in September 2023. Sean charges head first into some of the toughest environments, leading with love. He’s worked to transform the culture of law enforcement, he’s led men on immersive Soul Adventures, and he’s brought his compassion-centered approach to right-wing militia groups and White nationalist groups. Today, he takes off his mask to share how he developed an unwavering emotional foundation that is able to do this work effectively.

(2:15) Ashanti’s introduction.

(7:15) Sean introduces himself, how he found his spiritual calling to men’s work, and how he started reforming the hearts and minds of the police force and white nationalists.

(15:20) Sean shares the back of his mask - vision (strategic), journey (inspiration), intelligence (connects the dots).

(17:20) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - funny, serious, caring - and relates to Sean’s mask.

(22:50) Sean shares the back of his mask - addiction, HIV status (internalized homophobia), deep loneliness (not belonging), body shame.

(24:20) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - fear, worry, body shame - and tells the story of his relationship with body shame. Then, Sean does the same.

(34:50) Ashanti relates Sean’s story and his work to working with middle school boys.

(44:50) Sean and Ashanti take a look at “men’s work” and why it is in a place of reckoning.

(50:05) Sean then explains what it means to “surrender into the unknown.”

(54:40) Sean and Ashanti consider “the mask of love.” If love wore a mask, what would be on the front of it and behind it?

(1:02:05) Sean tells the story of how he reconnected with his father years after telling him he was gay.

(1:12:00) Sean shares how you can get in touch with him.

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Connect with Sean Harvey:

Website/Book: warriorcompassion.com

Instagram: instagram.com/warrior_compassion

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/seanharvey

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Create your own mask anonymously at millionmask.org

Email us questions and comments at [email protected]

---

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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Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: anchor.fm/branch-speaks/support

“Pleasure is a freedom-song,

But it is not freedom.

It is the blossoming of your desires,

But it is not their fruit.

It is a depth calling unto a height,

But it is not the deep nor the high.”

On Pleasure, by Kahlil Gibran

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This TOTM Face to Face conversation is between Wenceslao and Camilo. Wenceslao is the Ever Forward Club’s new Youth Host! You can get to know more about him in episode 123. Camilo, age 15, is a friend of Wenceslao’s and already a prolific music producer. As they share their masks, play our Adventure Card Game, and discuss all things music, passion, and persistence, it’s inspiring to see what our youth can become with all the tools of the 21st Century at their fingertips…

(2:10) Ashanti’s introduction.

(6:35) Camilo and Wenceslao introduce themselves and explain what the front and back of the mask represent.

(7:50) Camilo shares the front of his mask - energetic, happy, excited. Then, he shares the back of his mask - tired, unmotivated, stressed.

(8:45) Wenceslao shares the front of his mask - semi-athletic, smart, a fun person. Then, he shares the back - not confident/self-doubt, introverted/shy, stressful.

(10:40) Wenceslao and Camilo begin playing Ever Forward Club: The Adventure card game. Question 1 is, “What is a hidden talent that you want to work on more?”

(11:45) “What is something you want to do in your life but don’t talk about?”

(14:30) “Name a relationship that needs to end.”

(16:10) “Tell us about a time when you realized you’re becoming an adult.”

(17:10) “Are you more afraid of success or failure.”

(19:15) “What is a lesson you’ve learned from a challenging or negative relationship?”

(20:25) Wenceslao asks Camilo some questions about his music and relates music to some quotes from the book, “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran

(25:30) Then, Camilo tells the story of how he began making beats for one of his favorite artists.

(41:30) Wenceslao and Camilo wrap up their conversation.

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Check out the film, “Close”

youtube.com/watch?v=6EJGnU2AmV4

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Create your own mask anonymously at millionmask.org

Email us questions and comments at [email protected]

---

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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Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: anchor.fm/branch-speaks/support

“We on the progressive side have twisted up intersectionality. And we’ve twisted it up such that we have not agreed - metaphorically speaking - to move through the intersection unified. We’ve gotten stuck in the intersection. And while we’re there people are making up new rules. And those new rules show up as new words. And everybody got a new word. So we can’t move because we’re in this biblical Tower of Babel.” - Steve Vassor

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Steve Vassor. A servant leader, founder, proud father, husband, mentor, emerging author, and DJ, Steve has worked at, led, supported, and funded many-a-nonprofit. In addition, he’s launched several social enterprises engineered around his passion for DJ-ing and desire for a brighter tomorrow. As in any profession, “the masks we wear” play a role in the nonprofit industrial complex - Steve can testify to this. And in this conversation, Steve needs to let a few things off his chest as to why the progressive movement isn’t where it should be…

(2:00) Ashanti’s introduction.

(4:50) Steve introduces himself, his family, his work, and his love of DJ-ing.

(7:45) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - serious, intense, caring - and ponders what brings out his intensity.

(10:45) Steve shares the front of his mask - smart, insightful, cheery - and how his DJ-ing style represents the reverse, or the back of his mask.

(17:35) Steve breaks down what happens when two people have different definitions of “the same thing.”

(24:15) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - worried, food addiction, health deteriorating - and expands on the root cause of the addiction.

(35:00) Steve shares the back of his mask - optimistic/hopeful, worried/doubtful, impatient - and reflects on the fallout of the years 2016 through 2020.

(44:50) Steve explains why he believes progressive movements have been stagnant.

(50:30) Steve shares how you can get in touch with him.

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Connect with Steve Vassor:

Website: stevevassor.com

Website: djstevevassor.com

Twitch: twitch.tv/DjSteveVassor

Twitter: twitter.com/SteveVassor

Instagram: instagram.com/steve_vassor

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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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Send in a voice message:

anchor.fm/branch-speaks/message