unMASKing with Male Educators: Creating Emotionally Safe Classrooms & Schools for Male Students

“I can’t light a fire under young people. But I can help them find their fire, and then I can feed it. That’s my goal as a mentor.” - Jordan Bowman

Jordan Bowman is the Executive Director of Journeymen, a nonprofit mentoring teenage boys to become men of integrity. Jordan is passionate about fostering connection and compassion, focusing on self-awareness and emotional intelligence. He designs and facilitates transformative experiences for diverse groups, guiding them in leadership development, team-building, and strategy. Join us to hear Jordan's insights on building resilient young men and cultivating conscious masculinity.

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(0:00) Welcome

(1:10) Jordan introduces himself

(4:15) Jordan and Ashanti make their masks

(7:05) Front of Jordan’s Mask

(9:00) Front of Ashanti’s Mask

(10:45) Work-life balance and service-minded people

(12:49) Back of Jordan’s Mask

(16:20) Back of Ashanti’s Mask

(21:52) Mentoring, compromising with mentees, and the tension of stretching someone’s development

(30:30) Addressing conflict in the classroom; building a restorative classroom

(35:04) How to evolve while working with men and boys; next steps for our society

(37:40) How to get in touch with Jordan

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Topics include: sonder, work-life balance, mentoring, teaching, working with young boys and men, healthy masculinity vs. toxic masculinity, mentoring vs. teaching, building restorative culture with young people, conflict resolution, classroom culture

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Connect with Jordan Bowman:

Website: https://journeymentriangle.org/ 

Website: https://www.jbowman.org/ 

Social Media: @Jordan7Bowman

Social Media: @Journeymen_NC

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Join our 5k Challenge: https://charity.pledgeit.org/20thAnnualEF5KChallenge 

Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ 

Email us questions and comments at [email protected] 

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Connect with Ashanti Branch:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaks

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/

Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/

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Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support 

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Connect with Ever Forward Club:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclub

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclub

Twitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclub

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

“There was a point where I woke up on my birthday and I could not breathe. And every time I took a breath, it felt like I was having a heart attack. I went to the hospital, and they could not figure out what it was…” - Ryan Rigoli

In this episode, Ashanti welcomes Ryan Rigoli, a Spiritual Coach & Teacher, Musician, and Monk with Celebrating Life Ministries. Ryan shares his journey of profound healing through forgiveness, self-understanding, and grace, and he now supports others in awakening their hearts and accessing inner wisdom. A Stanford University graduate, Ryan has spoken at prestigious venues including, Stanford Business School and Wisdom 2.0. He also composes and produces meditative piano albums, including his latest, 'Harmony', a collaboration with his father aimed at helping people experience inner peace.

(0:00) Welcome 

(1:20) Ryan introduces himself

(6:26) Front of Ryan’s Mask

(9:28) Front of Ashanti’s Mask

(10:10) Bullying, and when a student curses at you

(17:28) Back of Ryan’s Mask

(22:58) Back of Ashanti’s Mask

(24:15) Bullying, and when a student curses at you, cont’d

(29:55) “Being a lion allows you to be a lamb”

(36:49) Ryan on working with clients

(40:25) Ryan’s experience with bullying

(47:02) How music helped cure Ryan’s physical and emotional ailments(49:51) Closing

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Connect with Ryan Rigoli:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryan.rigoli 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryan.rigoli 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanrigoli 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3eWHsgpUZAGt3AKevu49FH 

Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ryan-rigoli/1311115109 

Website: http://www.ryanrigoli.com

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“Medical students are seen through a lens that a lot of people in our society are not. And it is unfortunate. You take the most neurotic people you could possibly imagine. You stick them all in one room and you've got future physicians.” - John Feldkamp

John Feldkamp, a medical student and co-president of his class at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, is passionate about pediatrics, emergency medicine, and men’s health. His research focuses on gender disparities in healthcare utilization and the chronic health burden of men. As the Director of Men's Health Initiatives at Hey Brother Co., John leads workshops and writes articles on various topics related to masculinity, including gym culture and men's mental health. He enjoys powerlifting, climbing, and writing poetry and prose. Join Ashanti and John as they discuss the intersections of medicine, masculinity, and community building.

Topics include: med school, medical school culture, medical school’s attitude towards men’s health initiatives, Murph workouts, health insurance, teacher retention/burnout, men’s health, doctor visits, how American masculinity affects our healthcare habits, the Surgeon General’s Loneliness Epidemic

(0:00) Welcome

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Connect with John Feldkamp

John’s Writing: www.heybrotherco.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feldyj/

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Our BetterHelp Promo: https://www.betterhelp.com/everforwardclub/

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Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ 

Email us questions and comments at [email protected] 

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Connect with Ashanti Branch:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaks

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/

Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/

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Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support 

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Connect with Ever Forward Club:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclub

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclub

Twitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclub

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

In this episode of "Face to Face," Wenceslao welcomes Demarco, an 8th grader, star athlete, and member of the Ever Forward Club. Demarco is a bit nervous but ready to take on the world of high school in the Bay Area. Listen in as they discuss friendship, boundaries, sports, bullying, and how to balance life as a teen in 2024.

Topics include: baseball, setting boundaries, understanding/empathizing with bullies, advice/what to expect in high school, athletics, balancing school and extracurriculars authentic friendships, deciding where to go for high school

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(0:00) Welcome

(3:00) Demarco introduces himself

(4:30) Front of Wenceslao’s Mask

(4:55) Front of Demarco’s Mask

(5:15) Back of Wenceslao’s Mask(5:55) Back of Demarco’s Mask

(6:40) The Ever Forward Club’s Adventure Card Game: boundaries, trust, and bad days

(13:50) The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran; reading and analysis

(17:30) Bullying, authentic friendship, empathy, brotherhood, balancing commitments, and what Demarco has learned from the Ever Forward Club

(29:55) One more poem by Kahlil Gibran; high school advice from Wenceslao to Demarco

Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ 

Email us questions and comments at [email protected] 

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Connect with Ashanti Branch:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaks

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/

Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/

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Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support 

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Connect with Ever Forward Club:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclub

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclub

Twitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclub

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

In this special 200th Episode, host Ashanti Branch beams in from the Ever Forward Club’s new office and revisits some of the most powerful moments from the past year. This includes some parts work (internal family systems) with Jamin Heppell (ep. 159), discussion on self-love with Gael Aitor (ep. 160), and an analogy between life and repotting plants with Trevor Taylor (ep. 177).

Topics include: parts work, internal family systems, IFS, self-love, self-hate, self-talk, positive self-talk, negative self-talk, mentoring, holding space, repotting plants, personal growth, changing environments

(0:00) Introducing the new office and welcome

(2:45) Jamin Heppell

(21:45) Gael Aitor

(31:00) Trevor Taylor

(34:45) Final thoughts and reflections

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Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ 

Email us questions and comments at [email protected] 

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Connect with Ashanti Branch:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaks

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/

Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/

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Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support 

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Connect with Ever Forward Club:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclub

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclub

Twitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclub

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

Donofriend, or Donovan Taylor Hall, joins Ashanti Branch, a master educator with 20+ years of experience in schools, to talk about what they are reflecting on as educators and what they’re seeing in the halls of modern-day schools. Donovan is an experienced teacher and positive youth development expert who travels around the country speaking at schools and pushing into classrooms. Learn more about him in episode 152.

Topics include: an Edutopia video reaction, self-determination theory, participation trophies, teen mental health, building a sense of independence and resilience in students and teens, self-reliance, autonomy, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Miyazaki, Halloween, grit, stick-to-itiveness, Do Hard Things by Steve Magness, helicopter parents, and stranger danger

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(0:00) Welcome and Edutopia video

(4:00) Donovan and Ashanti introduce themselves.

(6:00) Self-determination theory, helicopter parents, losing ability to build community, and Halloween

(15:00) The participation trophy origin story, and valuing “productive struggle”

(19:30) Miyazaki and Avatar, and what we can learn about youth wellness/mentorship from these films

(25:00) Mentoring with curiosity instead of mentoring to “fix and solve” immediately

(26:00) Allowing students to sit with silence and discomfort

(29:00) Offering children advice instead of telling them what to do

(32:30) Emotional language and articulating feelings/needs clearly - for both young people and adults

(45:30) Final thoughts on providing room to explore and being transparent, vulnerable, and curious as an educator/parent/mentor

Connect with Donovon Taylor Hall:

Website: www.donovantaylorhall.com

Instagram, TikTok, Youtube: @donofriend

Join our 5k Challenge: https://charity.pledgeit.org/20thAnnualEF5KChallenge 

Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ 

Email us questions and comments at [email protected] 

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Connect with Ashanti Branch:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaks

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/

Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/

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Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support 

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Connect with Ever Forward Club:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclub

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclub

Twitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclub

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

This week we welcome David Reese, a high school English teacher with an unparalleled zest for life, to the show. David, the youngest of ten children, has been surrounded by strong women and extraordinary men throughout his life. With 7 sisters, 2 brothers, and a large extended family, David has always been inspired by the compassion, hard work, and humor of those around him.

Topics include: father figures, football, high school sports, men’s work and boys’ work in high school, transformative activities that teach students compassion and empathy, changing a school’s culture, modeling and encouraging vulnerability in the classroom
(0:00) Welcome

(2:55) David introduces himself

(5:30) Ashanti's sister is recovering from health problems

(7:27) Front of David’s Mask - Sense of humor, Passion, Fascination

(9:21) Front of Ashanti’s Mask - Funny, Serious, Travel

(14:36) Back of David’s Mask - Disappointment, Despair, Shades of Inner Turmoil

(21:02) Back of Ashanti’s Mask - Anger, Worry, Shades of Inner Turmoil

(23:38) Exhausted teachers, and the Oberlin High School Men’s Work Project

(36:05) David and his father

(42:28) A transformative activity re: physical touch

(51:30) Closing

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Connect with Oberlin High School:

Website: https://www.oberlinschools.net/our-schools/oberlin-high-school

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Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ 

Email us questions and comments at [email protected] 

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Connect with Ashanti Branch:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaks

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/

Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/

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Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support 

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Connect with Ever Forward Club:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclub

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclub

Twitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclub

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

In this episode, host Ashanti Branch welcomes Antwone "Diirt Da Dreamsaver" Johnson, a motivational speaker and entrepreneur who has dedicated his life to helping individuals understand the importance of continuous learning and education. Through his organization, Growing with DiiRT, he inspires others to take charge of their own destinies, emphasizing that education is key to achieving one's dreams.

Topics include: survivor’s guilt, perfectionism, grieving, college tours, the public school system, leadership, stages of grief, history, African American history, oppression, and depression

(0:00) Welcome

(4:00) Antwone introduces himself.

(8:28) Front of Ashanti’s Mask - serious, passionate, driven(12:25) How the vision might overwhelm people

(16:27) Front of Antwone’s Mask - gratefulness/gratitude, work ethic, mannerisms

(21:13) 4 years to life - preparing young people for life after high school

(25:33) Back of Ashanti’s Mask - worry, fear of failure, grief

(29:10) Antwone’s childhood

(31:05) Back of Antwone’s Mask - perfectionism, survivor’s guilt, grieving stages, self-discovery

(37:03) Antwone’s collaboration with the Village Method

(40:08) Why college tours for underserved young people are important

(41:38) The public school system has failed

(45:18) Closing thoughts from Antwone and how to get in touch

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Connect with Antwone Johnson:

Website: https://thevillagemethod.org/ 

Website: www.growingwithdiirt.com 

Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/diirtdadreamsaver/

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Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ 

Email us questions and comments at [email protected] 

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Connect with Ashanti Branch:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaks

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/

Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/

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Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support 

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Connect with Ever Forward Club:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclub

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclub

Twitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclub

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

In this episode of "Face to Face," Wenceslao, a high school sophomore, welcomes Lucian, a 7th grader who has been part of the Ever Forward Club since the 4th grade. Lucian shares his experiences and personal growth through the club, emphasizing the importance of expressing feelings and building trust within the group.

“When you don't speak or speak up, the thought is like a bird in a cage; you have it in there, but you’re just not willing to let it fly. Let it out.”

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(0:00) Welcome

(14:00) Lucian introduces himself

(15:26) Lucian’s Mask

(15:40) Wenceslao’s Mask

(17:07) Playing the Adventure Card Game

(20:26) A poem from the Prophet

(23:06) QnA about Lucian's experience with the Black Boys Circle

(30:54) Closing

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Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ 

Email us questions and comments at [email protected] 

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Connect with Ashanti Branch:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaks

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/

Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/

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Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support 

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Connect with Ever Forward Club:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclub

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclub

Twitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclub

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

We just celebrated our 20th Anniversary! At the anniversary, Bilal, who you can get to know better in episode 161, went around and asked guests a series of rapid-fire questions. Listen to the questions in quick succession. And as they get deeper, the answers lengthen.

Before Bilal’s section, please enjoy host Ashanti Branch’s thoughts on teacher burnout, social-emotional learning in schools, Mental Health Awareness Month, and what his experience as a private school educator made him see in his former public school.

Topics include: favorite teacher, getting things off your chest, little-known facts, brotherhood, challenges of being a man, teacher burnout, school culture and climate, teacher morale, classroom budgets, Skyline High School shooting

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(0:00) Welcome!

(0:10) Ashanti’s introduction. Getting things off his chest when it comes to education.

(17:40) Getting deep with Bilal

(26:00) Going even deeper - what challenges are you facing as a man?

(37:00) Closing

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Join our 5k Challenge: https://charity.pledgeit.org/20thAnnualEF5KChallenge 

Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ 

Email us questions and comments at [email protected] 

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Connect with Ashanti Branch:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaks

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/

Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/

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Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support 

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Connect with Ever Forward Club:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclub

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclub

Twitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclub

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