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

Embark on a journey into the depths of vulnerability as Solomon Adams, a deeply talented musician, writer, and educator, unearths the intricate layers of his emotional landscape in this episode. From the front-facing optimism that radiates through his creative work to the complexities that lie beneath, Solomon delves into the power of emotions often concealed. Join us as he shares the real vulnerability that goes beyond the performative, offering an intimate exploration of the struggles, triumphs, and nuances that shape his authentic self.

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(0:00) Introduction

(9:00) Solomon's introduction and background

(11:00) The front of Solomon's mask: Positivity, Creativity, Optimism

(14:00) How Solomon stays optimistic

(18:40) The front of Ashanti’s mask: Excited, Passionate, Caring

(21:30) The power of somatics

(23:27) The back of Solomon's mask: anger, rage, irritability, and real vulnerability

(30:30) Navigating through real vulnerability versus performative vulnerability

(33:07) The back of Ashanti’s mask: My work is my value, proud not to be prideful

(37:42) Closing Reflections

(40:00) Solomon's Instagram and upcoming projects

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Connect with Solomon Adams:

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

Organization: https://www.instagram.com/mov3mentmakers

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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: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support

Join Wenceslao, the Ever Forward Club’s Youth Host, in an insightful conversation with filmmaker and educator Ryan Louie. Together, they explore the profound lessons learned from love, relationships, and the transformative impact of the Ever Forward Club. The discussion touches on fearlessness, self-knowledge, and the pursuit of authenticity, offering a unique perspective on personal growth and filmmaking.

(0:00)  Introduction

(5:30) Wenceslao’s front - funny, engaging, responsible. And his back - shy, soft.

(8:50) Ryan’s front - easy-going, agreeable, fun-loving. And his back - desire to impress, opinionated, friendship.

(10:30) Reflecting on Love, Relationships, and Big Brothers/Sisters

(13:05) Ryan and Wenceslao play Ever Forward’s Adventure Card Game.

(25:13) Contemplating Relationships and Divorce

(27:20) Ryan's Filmmaking Journey

(31:40) Personal Growth Through Filmmaking

(39:30) Aspirations for the Future and College Plans

(40:00) Lessons Learned from Podcasting

(43:35) A Poetic Conclusion - on The Soul's Hidden Path

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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: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/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

Are you a teacher? An educator? Administrator? We’re excited to launch a new series under the Taking Off The Mask podcast feed: Education Monthly - with Donofriend!

Donofriend, or Donovan Taylor Hall, joins Ashanti Branch to talk about what they are reflecting on as educators, what they’re seeing out in the schools, and what’s the latest news in education. You can learn more about Donovan, an experienced teacher and positive youth development expert,  in episode 152.

(0:00) Welcome!

(3:30) Donovan’s lesson for today.

(18:00) Ashanti’s lesson for today.

(23:30) Witnessing fear in the classroom.

(30:30) Testing out our first episode.

(34:35) Take this to your classroom.

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Connect with Donovon Taylor Hall:

Website: www.donovantaylorhall.com

Instagram, TikTok, Youtube: @donofriend

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: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/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

“When I was younger, being bold was mistaken for being arrogant or a know-it-all all. If I’m honest with myself, I think I was arrogant or a know-it-all all. But I’d like to hope that it was out of a desire to do good. To fix something. To help someone.” - Kevin Cho Tipton

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Kevin Cho Tipton. Kevin is a Major in the United States Air Force and a critical care nurse practitioner serving in South Florida’s public hospitals. 

Since 2010, he has served in the Florida National Guard and is currently assigned to the Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCATT) of the 125th Fighter Wing (Jacksonville, FL). In a civilian capacity, Tipton’s most humbling experiences have been his time caring for families impacted by Hurricane María in Puerto Rico, volunteering at street medicine clinics serving those facing homelessness, and uplifting the stories of his neighbors, patients, and peers through his advocacy work.

(0:00) Welcome!

(3:30) Kevin introduces himself.

(6:25) The front of Ashanti’s mask - happy, caring, hard-working.

(11:45) The front of Kevin’s mask - being bold, understanding, confidence.

(15:00) The back of Ashanti’s mask - heavy sadness, worry, fear - and his and Kevin’s experiences with grief.

(24:30) The back of Kevin’s mask - fear, disappointment, uncertainty - and Kevin’s reflections on boldness.

(32:30) Thoughts on Black History Month and dealings with a more privileged nonprofit.

(36:20) On the Tuskegee Airmen.

(40:00) On Parker Palmer’s Critical Gap.

(42:20) Kevin’s final thoughts and why he stresses finding community amongst the loneliness.

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Connect with Kevin Cho Tipton:
www.HealthcareAgainstHate.com

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

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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: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support

“Ultimately I’m just trying to simplify this human journey into, ‘We either operate out of love or we operate out of fear.’ … Love is a verb. It’s an active choice. And instead of reacting, let’s respond.” - Ruben Rojas

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Ruben Rojas. Ruben traded in his suit for a paintbrush. He began transforming blank walls into unique, empowering messages.  Today, the messages provided by these murals are uplifting communities and challenging the public to create new dialogues. As an artist, muralist, and designer, Ruben's mission is to inspire others to live through love.

Ruben's murals can be seen in cities across the country and worldwide from Paris to New York and Florida to Mississippi. His portfolio of work extends beyond murals. He is also a TED speaker, helping spread the message of art creating impact, a designer, and a corporate consultant. Ruben works with companies to help businesses give back, enhance workspaces, and raise awareness on important issues. Past campaigns include clients such as BMW, American Express, Google & the NFL.

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(0:00) Welcome!

(4:45) Ruben introduces himself and they discuss love and art.

(8:45) Ashanti and Ruben makes their masks.

(12:20) The front of Ashanti’s mask - funny, serious/hard-work, caring.

(16:20) The front of Ruben’s mask - showing up daily no matter what, confidence, leading with love, integrity, work in progress.

(17:20) The back of Ashanti’s mask - grief, health worries, get more efficient.

(22:00) The back of Ruben’s mask - emotional rollercoaster, am I doing enough, what am I being perceived as, chasing perfection, the healing process.

(24:45) Being the older sibling.

(29:30) Love is everywhere.

(35:30) Ruben’s message to the youth.

(38:00) How to connect with Ruben.

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Connect with Ruben Rojas:

Website: http://rubenrojas.com

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

Social, Podcast, and More!: https://linktr.ee/rubenrojas

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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: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support

"Everyone’s dream is having the “American Dream” right? Own property, own big cars, have a big family. But for me, that dream is fading away a bit. Hopefully, I’ll get part of that dream… having a good, relaxing life."

This TOTM Face to Face conversation is between Wenceslao and Eloy Castro. Wenceslao is the Ever Forward Club’s Youth Host. You can get to know more about him in episode 123. Eloy is a personal stylist and interior designer, who also supports the Ever Forward Club’s training programs. ➡️➡️➡️ Because they are both involved in the Ever Forward Club, Eloy and Wenceslao have developed a level of trust and friendship. As someone older than Wenceslao, Eloy has also become a mentor. As you listen, consider this - have you ever had a conversation like this with someone younger/older than you? Who was that person? And how much did you appreciate them?

(0:00) Welcome!

(4:20) Eloy introduces himself.

(6:40) Wenceslao and Eloy make masks.

(7:30) The front of Eloy’s mask - confident, put together, trustworthy, loyal, kind, supportive.

(8:05) The front of Wenceslao’s mask - growing, learning, adapting.

(9:10) The back of Eloy’s mask - anxious, nervous, stressed, insecure, unsure, struggle alone.

(10:10) The back of Wenceslao’s mask - scared, vivid, not satisfied with myself.

(11:55) Some rapid fire questions from The Adventure card game.

(20:10) Poetry reading from Wenceslao.

(22:50) Wenceslao interviews Eloy about the Ever Forward Club.

(26:55) Poetry reading from Wenceslao.

(32:15) Final thoughts from Eloy and Wenceslao.

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: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/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

“Teachers will generally give longer wait time for kids that they think know the answer, than kids that they think don’t know the answer.” - Dr. Ray Swann

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Dr. Ray Swann. Ray knows a thing or two about acting and emotions. Pair that with a deep knowledge of teaching and learning, and you have an excellent educator. 

Ray is currently the Executive Director of the Foundation for Positive Masculinity, an NGO based in Melbourne Australia. He hosts The Understanding Boys podcast and wrote “The Seven Stories: Planting Seeds for Positive Masculinities” - a book full of mindfulness stories for boys. 

(0:00) Welcome!

(5:15) Ray introduces himself.

(9:15) The front of Ray’s mask - calm, hard-working, engaged.

(14:35) The front of Ashanti’s mask - hard-working, passionate, emotions.

(15:35) What does “calm” really mean?

(21:45) The back of Ray’s mask - sensitive, characters/voices, sad/melancholic.

(24:30) William Shakespeare's "As You Like It".

(31:30) How to make students feel safe to participate in class.

(35:15) The back of Ashanti’s mask - fear of failure, sadness, worry.

(42:45) “The Wasteland” by T.S. Eliot.

(46:15) How acting and performing informs how Ray interacts with his students.

(54:45) Final thoughts and how to get in touch with Ray.

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Connect with Ray Swann:

Website: http://www.positivemasculinity.org.au

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

Theater Company: www.identitytheatre.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-swann-6673531b/?originalSubdomain=au

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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: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support

“If I continue to make myself small to fit their expectations, who am I truly letting down?” - Trevor Taylor

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Trevor Taylor. As a seasoned yoga instructor, Trevor brings over nine years of dedicated practice to the mat, seamlessly blending strength and grace in his dynamic Vinyasa flows. Beyond yoga, Trevor is a content creator, sharing mindfulness techniques, motivation, and glimpses into his personal yoga journey with a global community. Like anyone on this journey called life, it took Trevor some time and some struggle to get to the place he is at now. In this episode, Trevor looks back on those struggles and existential reflections. So please enjoy this conversation, as Trevor provides some valuable lessons on growth and purpose…

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(0:00) Welcome!

(0:50) Ashanti’s introduction.

(3:00) Trevor introduces himself and why he is a teacher at heart - whether it’s yoga, religion, philosophy, or K-12 education.

(5:10) The front of Ashanti’s mask - passion, caring, driven - and how he spent MLK Jr. Day.

(9:20) The front of Trevor’s mask - joy, discipline, articulate.

(12:55) The back of Ashanti’s mask - worry, fear, grief - and his grandmother’s passing.

(19:50) The back of Trevor’s mask - lack of confidence, low self-esteem, fear of failure.

(24:30) Why Ashanti went into teaching vs. why Trevor went into teaching.

(34:00) The difference between your “growth zone” vs. your “overwhelmed zone.”

(39:20) The catalyst that led Trevor to make a career change, and how plants are a great analogy for growth.

(46:30) Wrap up and final words from Trevor.

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Connect with Trevor Taylor:

Website: https://pillar.io/justliketrevor

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

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: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support

“If we put ourselves on our deathbed, and we look back on THIS moment, are we going to be proud of ourselves?” - Jason Kyle Budahazy

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Jason Kyle Budahazy. Jason Kyle’s journey has taken many twists and turns, and ups and downs - from stand-up comedy, to the Peace Corps in Albania, to Hollywood and “Two and a Half Men” and “The Big Bang Theory”, to today, being the Founding Creative and voice for the first men’s mental health app: Mental. Jason Kyle considers his current work to be his most meaningful because he gets to do what his younger self needed the most. He gets to help men move past their societal conditioning and nurture a healthy soul. We're excited for you to get to know Jason Kyle, his mask, and his past, present, and future.

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(1:20) Ashanti’s introduction

(4:20) Jason Kyle introduces himself and the ups and downs of his life. Then he and Ashanti share some of the culture shocks they experienced as young adults.

(15:00) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - passion, purpose, caring. He and Jason discuss the nuances of teaching.

(22:20) Jason Kyle shares the front of his mask - charismatic, creative, hilarious.

(30:30) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - my work is my value, proud to not be prideful, shame.

(39:55) Jason Kyle shares the back of his mask - insecurity, chaos, self-portraits.

(47:00) Jason Kyle shares how he started working with The Mental App, the men’s mental health app.

(58:00) Ashanti and Jason Kyle wrap up their conversation.

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Connect with Jason Kyle Budahazy:

Special Mental 25% Off Discount: http://getmental.com/totm 

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

The Mental App: https://www.instagram.com/thementalapp/ 

Website: https://www.getmejasonkyle.com/

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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: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support

In this solo episode, Ashanti Branch tells the story of his encounter with the most popular girl in school… A story about emotions, class, wealth, status, bullying, family structures, and what we need to provide for our young people as educators. Then, he looks ahead at what’s in store for the Ever Forward Club in 2024.

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(0:00) Ashanti introduces the episode and his story about the most popular girl in school.

(13:10) Ashanti reflects on the story and applies it to the work he and the Ever Forward Club do in schools, advocating for more social-emotional learning.

(25:20) Ashanti provides some updates on the Ever Forward Club.

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: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/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