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

“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] 

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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

“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] 

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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

“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] 

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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 

“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]

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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

“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

Help is available. We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. Dial 988.

“There is nothing comfortable about powerlifting. I have an ability to embrace the discomfort. I have an ability to embrace the suck. Now I just have to also apply that to outside of the gym. There’s gonna be moments of discomfort, so I have to embrace those. And when I can embrace those moments of discomfort, I lean into it, and on the other side is a place of empowerment, and a place of pride and fulfillment and meaning.” - Ross Leppala

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Ross Leppala. Ross describes himself beautifully: “A soul, having a human experience.  A seeker.  A person who desires to elevate my own consciousness and support others in their journeys to level up.  It is my mission to impact growth and healing in this world in such a way that we radically reduce suicide rates.  I coach powerlifting, produce a self-development podcast (Project UnchainED), and guide people through a self-development course; I’m a public speaker, partner, and father to a wonderful 6-year-old girl.” We’re excited for you to hear Ross explore his consciousness and escape the victim mentality. Enjoy.

(2:00) Ashanti’s introduction.

(7:35) Ross introduces himself, his work as a powerlifter, passion as a public speaker, and how powerlifting saved his life.

(14:05) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - serious, passionate, caring - and reflects on managing his intensity.

(17:50) Ross shares the front of his mask - capable, reliable, conscientious - and how these things help him approach things intentionally.

(24:40) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - sadness, self-doubt, fear of… Then, Ross identifies with a lot of the young people that Ashanti is trying to help and serve.

(31:10) Ross shares the back of his mask - personally (take things), destructive, narcissistic internal reactions

(35:20) Ross describes his inner, hurt child. Then, he and Ashanti discuss how they structure their journaling.

(46:50) Ashanti and Ross conclude their conversation.

(50:10) Ross shares how you can connect with him.

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Connect with Ross Leppala:

Instagram: instagram.com/ross.leppala

Facebook: facebook.com/ross.leppala

Podcast: instagram.com/project_unchained

Email: [email protected]

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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]

---

Connect with Ashanti Branch:

Instagram: instagram.com/branchspeaks

Facebook: facebook.com/BranchSpeaks

Twitter: twitter.com/BranchSpeaks

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch

Website: branchspeaks.com

---

Send in a voice message:

anchor.fm/branch-speaks/message

Help is available. We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. Dial 988.

“The suicide rate among men is 3 to 4 times what it is among women. However, women tend to be diagnosed with depression - one of the primary risk factors for suicide - about twice as often as men are. Does that mean that men are never getting depressed? Or they’re never experiencing anxiety, or they’re never getting stressed out? No, it doesn’t mean that. What it means is that they’re not talking about it. They’re not talking about what they’re feeling, and they’re not getting help; they’re not getting diagnosed.” - Dr. Gregory Scott Brown

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Dr. Gregory Scott Brown. Dr. Brown, or Gregory, is a board-certified psychiatrist, mental health writer, and author. He believes we can work together to fight mental health stigma by having open and honest conversations about our mental health. Coupled with his background in medicine, Gregory believes in the therapeutic value of yoga, and he often writes and speaks about its benefits for mental health prevention and treatment - most recently in his new book, The Self-Healing Mind. We’re excited for you to learn about Gregory’s masks, and how he must consider them while participating in a profession that encounters masks constantly…

(1:15) Ashanti’s introduction.

(5:55) Dr. Gregory Brown introduces himself, his passion for mental health, and his work on “The Self-Healing Mind.”

(11:50) Ashanti and Gregory make their masks together.

(16:00) Gregory shares the front of his mask - hard-working, optimistic, compassionate. Then he shares the back - sensitive, anxious, hard-working - and explains why one word is on both sides.

(18:10) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - caring, hard-working, passionate. Then he shares the back - fear of failure, self-doubt, am I enough, family drama. Then, he and Gregory discuss how hard it can be to stay motivated and find validation in the social media era.

(29:55) Gregory shares some insights on what men are facing, from the standpoint of his profession. And Ashanti does the same from the standpoint of his profession.

(42:15) Gregory ruminates on how prevalent loneliness is with men in our current climate.

(44:20) Gregory and Ashanti discuss how to better communicate around suicide and mental health.

(51:00) Gregory shares some information about his book and how to get in touch with him.

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Connect with Dr. Gregory Scott Brown:

Buy his book: gregoryscottbrown.com

Instagram: instagram.com/gregorysbrownmd

Facebook: facebook.com/GregorySBrownMD

Twitter: twitter.com/GregorySBrownMD

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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

Website: branchspeaks.com

“I value my life based on how other people value my life. People see different sides of you, and they can only judge you by that side that they see. That’s how this stuff works.” - Mayank Sohani

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Sunny Bahuguna and Mayank Sohani. As the hosts of the Bottled Up Podcast, Sunny and Mayank provide a platform for people to share their journeys and mental health stories, in the hope of inspiring others to do the same. Notably, this is our first three-person episode, and we picked the perfect duo to do this first! Sunny and Mayank have been best friends for over five years - self-described “brothers from another mother.” Yet, despite this deep relationship, we found that the mask activity may still bring out things that have never been said before…

(6:40) Sunny Bahuguna and Mayank Sohani introduce themselves, their passion for mental health, and family backgrounds.

(11:50) Mayank shares the front of his mask - supportive, happy, hard-working.

(14:00) Sunny shares the front of his mask - composed/calm, hard-working, funny - and Mayank is there to verify it.

(18:40) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - dedicated, caring, hard-working - and his journey with the Ever Forward Club spark some questions from Sunny and Mayank.

(25:45) Ashanti explains the privilege of “seeking discomfort.”

(31:35) Sunny shares the back of his mask - family issues, uncertainty, feelings of inadequacy.

(37:00) Mayank shares the back of his mask - stressed, anxious, tired - and how the front of his mask and his value system is interlinked with the back.

(43:00) Ashanti recognizes the “giver” in Mayank and makes sure to remind him to value himself outside of how others value him.

(50:10) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - worry, doubt, fear of failure.

(51:50) Sunny and Mayank share some final words with the audience.

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Connect with Sunny & Mayank:

Instagram: instagram.com/bottledupaus

LinkTree: linktr.ee/bottledupaus

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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

“I just never wanted to be in that bucket with everyone else. I’ve always had this need to differentiate in a way that often has distanced me from people and from groups. I say all that and then there’s times where I’m like, ‘How come I never feel belonging?’ There’s some part of me that’s terrified of belonging, so I separate myself by being worse or better.” - Joe Bernstein

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Joe Bernstein. As a Coach and Facilitator, Joe is passionate about moving "Men's Work" from the intellectual realm to the embodied, natural and spiritual realms. He’s a loving ally, whose soul comes alive when he can give care and attention with an open heart; and he’s an expecting father. In this episode, we are so excited for you to experience Joe’s mindset and learn his story.

(1:40) Ashanti’s introduction.

(7:35) Joe introduces himself, some new developments in his personal life, his men’s work

(14:05) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - passionate, funny, nonstop - and traces his “hard-working” identity back to his childhood.

(18:35) Joe shares the front of his mask - grounded af!!!, wise, soulful - and explains how it came to be that this is how he wanted to be perceived.

(24:05) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - getting older, 24 hours, not feeling enough - and he and Joe reflect on how time and milestones have shifted throughout human history.

(35:40) Joe shares the back of his mask - unhinged (anxious, frazzled, angry, negative), confused, average/mainstream - and they explain why some have an “intense fear of belonging”.

(48:50) Joe breaks down his lifelong relationship with food, how it is always evolving, and how it has been intertwined with his relationships.

(59:25) Joe shares some last words, a passion project, and how you can get in touch with him.

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Connect with Joe Bernstein:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: www.instagram.com/dropthearmorjoe

Website: www.joebernsteincoaching.com

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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