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

“Your children are not your children.

They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.

They come through you but not from you,

And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.”

- On Children by Kahlil Gibran

This TOTM Face to Face conversation is between Wenceslao and Mr. John Jimenez. Wenceslao is the Ever Forward Club’s Youth Host. You can get to know more about him in episode 123. John is one of Wenceslao’s teachers at City Arts and Leadership Academy. As they share their masks, play our Adventure Card Game, and discuss parenting, poetry, skateboarding, rebelliousness, and living in an immigrant household, it’s inspiring to see a teacher-student relationship take on a new dynamic…

(0:20) During Ashanti’s introduction, we celebrate Mohandas’s high school graduation.

(2:10) John introduces himself.

(2:50) John and Wenceslao make their masks together.

(3:15) John shares the front of his mask - funny, loud, outgoing, proud father. And he shares the back of his mask - anxiety, stressed.

(4:45) Wenceslao shares the front of his mask - learner, calm/quiet, fun, creative. Then he shares the back of his mask - shy, insecure, stressed.

(7:55) Wenceslao and John play the card game Everforward Club: The Adventure. Question 1: Name a relationship that needs to end.

(9:55) Question 2: How are you different when you are alone or with others?

(12:30) Question 3: Tell us about a time when you felt like you were good at something.

(14:40) Question 4: What is a hidden talent that you want to work on more?

(18:00) Question 5: Are you more afraid of success or failure?

(19:35) Question 6: What can you start in your life right now to become a better person?

(22:40) Wenceslao asks John some questions in order to gain some more perspective on social-emotional learning in the classroom. He also shares some poems with John. And, as a new parent, John shares some thoughts on parenting.

(45:35) John reflects on his immigrant upbringing and how he’ll apply the experience to raising his son. Then, he and Wenceslao discuss the relationship between passion and freedom.

(57:45) John and Wenceslao share some closing thoughts and reflections about the podcast.

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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 

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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 knew that if I wanted to control the outcome before someone was about to make fun of me, or judge, or criticize; it was better for me to be the first one to make a joke about myself.” - Diego Estrada

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Diego Estrada. Born and raised in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mėxico, Diego currently speaks at conferences and delivers workshops on authenticity. Diego lists his job title as an Alegrador de Vidas; the closest translation to English is a “Brightener of Lives”. He loves to connect with people and help them be themselves, and, in this conversation, he and Ashanti are allowed to do just so.

(0:45) Ashanti’s introduction.

(2:45) Diego introduces himself and his work; and he explains why he’s feeling impatient. Then, he and Ashanti find common ground around their work promoting emotional authenticity.

(12:45) Ashanti and Diego make their masks together. 

(16:10) Diego shares the front of his mask - courage, authentic, open. Then, he shares the back of his mask - doubt, constant comparison, physical stature.

(18:00) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - caring, serious, dedicated. 

(20:10) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - impatient, self-doubt, sadness.

(21:45) Ashanti and Diego discuss self-compassion.

(26:20) Ashanti breaks down an interaction he had with his godson in Mexico.

(29:00) Diego explains the difference between “fitting in” and “belonging.”

(36:30) Diego shares how you can get in touch with him and provides some final words for the audience.

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Connect with Diego Estrada:

Instagram/Tik Tok: instagram.com/tuvidaesincreible

Podcast: #TUVIDAESINCREÍBLE

Books Mentioned by Diego: Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff

Permission to Feel by Marc Brackett

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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

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Christopher Veal. As a former Marine officer, combat veteran, and Black man, Christopher leverages all this and his 25 years of experience in executive development as a global influencer and speaker on evolving masculinity, and as the author of The Whole Man. A huge part of Christopher’s life has been holding difficult conversations. And in this episode, Ashanti and Christopher explore the territory of difficult conversations, the mindsets required when approaching them, and why we should never shy away from them in order to build a more understanding world.

(2:40) Christopher introduces himself, his family background, and his work as a champion of healthy masculinity and vulnerability.

(6:10) Ashanti and Christopher make their masks.

(9:05) Christopher shares the front of his mask - humor, confidence, curiosity.

(11:45) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - serious, passionate, storyteller, caring - and explains why he “over smiles.”

(16:35) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - fear of failure/success, brother and nephew, doubt.

(24:15) Christopher shares the back of his mask - fear, disappointment, hurt.

(28:45) Christopher shares some techniques he’s been using when having difficult and contentious conversations, and Ashanti looks at an interaction he recently had through the lens of these techniques.

(40:35) Christopher shares some insights on his book, The Whole Man.

(44:45) Christopher shares some final words and how you can get in touch with him.

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Connect with Christopher Veal:

Website: wholemanjourney.com

Podcast: vulnerable-man.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christopherveal

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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 

“What keeps me hopeful is our students. Our students and our youth, they’re fearless; they’re committed; they’re open-minded. They have always been the anchor to the work that I do. When they realize that they’ve got adults that care for them and that believe in them, they give it right back. That’s something that I’m really grateful for.”

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Jerome Hunter. Jerome is the co-founder and Chief Academic Officer at Seattle School for Boys. A proponent of healthy masculinity and its importance in an equitable society, Jerome is passionate about supporting young people to dismantle systems of oppression in education and build equitable futures. This conversation is about how we achieve these goals; specifically, it’s about the things we may take for granted when trying to achieve them. A teacher may believe in this mission, but do they know themselves well enough to carry it out and lead a classroom effectively? That’s where the mask comes in…

(3:55) Jerome introduces himself and his work in schools and with boys.

(5:45) Jerome shares the front of his mask - driven, funny, kind.

(8:05) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - dedicated, serious, funny.

(12:25) Ashanti finds the through-line in all of the masks he’s made over the years. Then, he and Jerome discuss what behaviors they are seeing in young boys in 2023.

(23:50) Jerome shares the back of his mask - imposter syndrome, anxious, sad.

(31:45) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - sadness, worry, self-doubt - and he remembers his grandmother.

(37:05) Then, Jerome and Ashanti discuss how teachers, students, and administrators can bring their full selves to school and coexist in a supportive, loving manner.

(51:45) Jerome shares why he got into the field of education and how you can get in touch with him.

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Connect with Jerome Hunter:

Website: seattleschoolforboys.org

Website: jeromeleehunter.com

Instagram: instagram.com/seattleschoolforboys

Instagram: instagram.com/hunterj33

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 

“It’s just this cycle I’ve been on for so long. What would it be like to not distract yourself with the work thing, but also not go to the numbing out thing - and just be present in all the stuff? That’s the life I want. I want to feel more.”

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Jeremy Mohler. As a therapist, writer, and meditation teacher, Jeremy offers therapy and life coaching to people struggling with anxiety, depression, and burnout; men navigating modern masculinity; and white people unpacking internalized white racial superiority. But this wasn’t always Jeremy, a former Fortune 500 marketing professional. Why the transformation? We’re excited for you to listen to this conversation and learn how Jeremy tries to lead life with curiosity.

(1:25) Ashanti’s introduction.

(3:25) Jeremy introduces himself, as well as his work as a therapist and men’s work leader.

(8:00) Ashanti and Jeremy discuss “the old recordings” that stay with us and affect how we behave as men. Then, they talk a little NFL football.

(20:10) Jeremy shares the front of his mask - stoic, nice, knowledgeable/sure.

(28:40) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - purpose-driven, dedicated, caring - and Jeremy shares how he values these qualities as well.

(36:50) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - grief, pain, not enough - and both men share how keeping themselves busy with work or other numbing agents distracts them from heartbreak.

(48:15) Jeremy shares the back of his mask - curious, joy, depressed.

(51:10) Jeremy shares how you can get in touch with him.

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Connect with Jeremy Mohler:

Website: jeremymohler.blog

Substack: No Man Is an Island

Instagram: instagram.com/therapist.for.the.99.percent

Twitter: twitter.com/FutureDebris

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

“In the end, I want you to trust me. There are some students - they don’t always like me, but they know I got their back. And sometimes you can’t have both at the same time, and I think growing as a teacher is constant communication, constant trust - how do you move forward even when somebody’s gonna have a challenge?” - Bryan Hill, Spanish Teacher, City Arts and Leadership

This TOTM Face to Face conversation is between Wenceslao and Bryan Hill. Wenceslao is the Ever Forward Club’s Youth Host. You can get to know more about him in episode 123. Bryan, or Mr. Hill, teaches Spanish at City Arts and Leadership Academy; Wenceslao is one of his students. As they share their masks, play our Adventure Card Game, and discuss trust, insecurity, and career journeys, it’s inspiring to see a teacher-student relationship take on a new dynamic…

(1:50) Ashanti’s introduction.

(5:15) Bryan introduces himself, his family, and his Michigan roots.

(6:40) Wenceslao shares the front of his mask - engaging, fast learner, passionate.

(7:20) Bryan shares the front of his mask - positive, curious, caring, under control, bridge builder.

(8:30) Wenceslao shares the back of his mask - shy, not trusting, can’t decide.

(9:50) Bryan shares the back of his mask - fears, negative thoughts, insecurity.

(12:00) Wenceslao and Bryan play Ever Forward Club: The Adventure card game. Question 1: If money was no issue, what is something you would start?

(13:20) Question 2: Share a project that you’ve recently ended?

(14:45) Question 3: Name a relationship that recently ended.

(16:00) Question 4: If you were to die today, what would you most regret?

(17:05) Question 5: What is a hidden talent that you want to work on more?

(18:35) Question 6: Are you more afraid of success or failure?

(20:00) Bryan shares how he decided to become a teacher and some of the insecurities he worked through as a young teacher.

(28:00) Wenceslao and Bryan discuss what it takes to build trust between teacher and student.

(39:20) Bryan asks Wenceslao about how he’s grown with the Ever Forward Club and its social-emotional learning tools.

(43:30) Bryan shares some final thoughts with the listeners.

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

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] 

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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