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

“For me, being more vulnerable made me more of a visionary. I really do believe that. It allowed me to move beyond the past and to see the future.” - Chip Conley

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Chip Conley. Chip is a man that has disrupted the hospitality industry twice in his lifetime - once as the founder of Joie de Vivre Hospitality, and again as a key strategic advisor during Airbnb’s rise. What does it take to build two industry-transforming businesses, all while being a New York Times Bestselling Author? While taking off his mask with Ashanti, Chip explores how he has found peace and balance by getting off the “hedonic treadmill.”

(0:55) Ashanti’s introduction

(5:42) Chip introduces himself, his background, and his career. Then, Ashanti shares some “emotional equations” he has learned from Chip, for example, despair = suffering - meaning.

(10:50) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - dedicated, serious, persistent - and he shares how this mask plays a role in his work.

(14:15) Chip shares the front of his mask - wise, curious, playful - and he explains how being a “curious white boy” led to harvesting wisdom through weekly journaling.

(17:35) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - fear, not enough, midlife “WTF” - and he looks back on how he searched for a father figure while growing up.

(21:10) Chip shares the back of his mask - intensely competitive, restless, horny monk - and he explores how his consciousness has evolved over time, and what it is like to get off the “hedonic treadmill”.

(29:50) Ashanti and Chip go deeper into the challenges of harnessing competitiveness and passion so that they remain at sustainable, healthy levels.

(36:20) Then, Chip and Ashanti discuss the pros and cons of distilling emotions down to equations. They also extend the metaphor and think about how emotions accumulate over time in a “vault”.

(42:40) Chip shares why it was important to “be the other”.

(47:00) Chip shares how you can get in touch with him.

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Connect with Chip Conley:

Website: chipconley.com

Website: modernelderacademy.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chipconleysf

Twitter: twitter.com/ChipConley

Instagram: instagram.com/chipconley

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Instagram: instagram.com/branchspeaks

Facebook: facebook.com/BranchSpeaks

Twitter: twitter.com/BranchSpeaks

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch

Website: branchspeaks.com

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“I come from a worldview, a belief, an assumption that all people are inherently whole and resourced to give all their gifts and greatest contributions to the world. So for some of us, our fires might be dormant for a variety of reasons, but it’s not that there’s no fire. Everyone has fire.”

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Didier Sylvain. As a life and leadership coach, Didier coaches individuals and groups, helping them become fuller versions of themselves. Both Didier and Ashanti’s work is motivated by a belief that a better future for humanity exists within each of its individuals; and, in this conversation, they imagine a future where more of us can be our “whole” selves. We hope you enjoy this episode!

(1:20) Ashanti’s introduction.

(5:20) Didier introduces himself, his background, his work, and his passions. Then, Ashanti shares how he has admired Didier’s work from afar, and the men discuss how hard it is to gain control over all the things our eyes and ears are taking in and presenting to us.

(14:40) Didier and Ashanti make their masks together.

(21:14) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - passionate, intense, caring.

(23:04) Didier shares the front of his mask - kindness, roundedness, playfulness - and explains why “vocal precision” is important to him.

(26:34) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - doubt, worry, comparison “not enough” - and he explores how the positives of success and excitement can, at times, summon more doubt, fear, and nerves.

(35:34) Didier shares the back of his mask - anger, vision, vulnerability - and how he is working to bring these thoughts and emotions to the front of his mask.

(41:04) Ashanti and Didier think back on the loss and tragedy they have both experienced in life. Didier considers what it would be like if vulnerability were a conscious muscle, not a reaction to external forces.

(50:19) Didier believes that human beings are inherently whole - Ashanti and Didier consider why we rarely present our “whole” selves. Then, Didier presents a question he frequently asks others: “What parts of yourself does your heart long to reunite with?”

(55:24) Didier shares how you can get in touch with him.

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Connect with Didier Sylvain:

Website: didiersylvain.com

Instagram: instagram.com/__didiersylvain__

LinkedIn:linkedin.com/in/didiersylvain

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Create your own mask anonymously at www.100kmasks.com

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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"People are like, "You are a machine." And I’m like "yeah I am." And there’s a part of me that’s like, "oh yeah, I’m a machine. I’m a machine." And it’s so backwards how as men we can have our egos inflated when we’re compared to non-human things. Why do I want to be a machine? I don’t want to be a machine.

Machines don’t have empathy or compassion or sensitivity. Machines can’t enjoy sex. Machines don’t laugh. Why does that inflate my ego and make me puff out my chest? What am I comparing myself to? What is the basis for which we are judging, and the standard that we have set for each other?" - Justin Baldoni

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Justin Baldoni. As an actor, director, producer, and founder of Wayfarer Studios, you may recognize Justin from shows like “Jane the Virgin” or the film “Clouds”, on Disney+. On top of success on the screen, Justin is a compassionate author and changemaker, seeking to “undefine” masculinity and foster a more loving society. Justin’s debut book is now out: “Man Enough: Undefining My Masculinity”. We hope you enjoy the episode, as you listen and learn about what Justin has on the front and back of his mask.

(1:18) Ashanti’s introduction.

(7:35) Ashanti and Justin take off the mask of this very podcast production. Then, they discuss our urge to maintain control, and the difference between “human beings” and “human doings.”

(18:00) Ashanti and Justin continue to discuss how capitalism and the toxicity of “comparison mode” are pervasive in all aspects of our culture.

(20:05) Justin shares what his experience was like making a mask, and where he did and didn’t experience internal resistance to the mask-making process.

(23:30) Justin shares the front of his mask - hard-working, creative, loving, sensitive. He reflects on how traits on the front of the mask have deeper, sometimes darker, intentions.

(26:55) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - passionate, dedicated, caring - and he and Justin break down why our culture glorifies fatigue and busyness (through the lens of The Nap Ministry).

(32:25) Justin shares the back of his mask - anxiety, self-doubt, shame. He traces these feelings back to his upbringing, what Bell Hooks calls the “psychic act of self-mutilation.”

(39:25) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - worry, fear, doubt - and they discuss the pitfalls of when service and capitalism converge.

(41:05) Justin shares where you can find him and get in touch.

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Connect with Justin Baldoni:

Justin’s book, “Man Enough”: manenough.com/books

Podcast: manenough.com/podcast

Instagram: instagram.com/justinbaldoni

Linktree: linktr.ee/justinbaldoni

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Create your own mask anonymously at www.100kmasks.com

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

“The reason I speak with such passion and love when I’m creating is because I’m the one dealing with a lot of those the things that I’m telling you about...

Somebody is going through the exact same thing, it just has a different face on it. It has a different mask on it.” - Will Tidwell

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Will Tidwell of Speak Up Zee. Often referred to as the “Neighborhood Hero”, Will is a multi-talented poet, writer, speaker, entrepreneur, and organizer of community outreach. Among many things, Ashanti and Will discuss the dualities and contradictions of human beings and their masks, running organizations, and their shared Arkansas roots.

(7:45) Will introduces himself and his origins, passions, work, and platform. He and Ashanti discuss their roots in Little Rock, Arkansas.

(10:45) Will and Ashanti make their masks together.

(15:35) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - hard work, caring, funny. He shares how he applies the front of his mask to his work with youth.

(17:45) Will shares the front of his mask - vulnerability, the process, the happiness. He explores how the front of the mask feeds into the current social media frenzy, and how he wants to redirect this energy in more authentic ways.

(22:25) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - family history, worry, am I enough? He shares how the work of Ever Forward Club “is not always pretty.” Then, he reflects on his most recent trip to Little Rock to attend a family memorial service, which came after a family tragedy.

(26:35) Will shares the back of his mask - failures, the truth, depression, anxiety, fear. He explores how the back of his mask contradicts the front of his mask, how humans contradict themselves all the time, and how other people’s opinions and expectations cause these contradictions.

(32:10) Ashanti and Will discuss the faults of “comparison mode” and the process and merits of growing pains.

(36:00) Will shares his message for young people.

(41:35) Will shares how you can get in touch with him.

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Connect with Will Tidwell:

Website: speakupzee.com

Instagram: instagram.com/willzeetidwell

Facebook: facebook.com/zee.tidwell

Twitter: twitter.com/willzeetidwell

Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@neighborhoodhero96

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Create your own mask anonymously at www.100kmasks.com

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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Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Antonio Chavez. Recently, Antonio was harassed by a man in Pacific Heights. He recorded a video of the situation, and it went viral. More important than the incident itself, Antonio considers what it means with respect to fatherhood, education, trust, masculinity, and his community. As the founder of Lost Soul Courier Collective, Antonio delivers Narcan, a medicine essential in fighting the opioid epidemic and saving lives. He also organizes community bike rides, which function as his form of community "harm reduction". Enjoy the show!

1:50 Ashanti’s introduction.

5:20 Antonio introduces himself, his work, his love of cycling, and the collective he founded. He breaks down the concept of “harm reduction”

8:20 In June, Antonio was harassed by a man in Pacific Heights. We play some of the video at this point in the podcast.

11:10 Ashanti shares the front of his mask - hard-working, serious, caring. He shares how, even though "caring" is on the front of his mask, it is hard for others to see it.

14:20 Antonio shares the front of his mask - generous, thoughtful/compassionate, determined, focused on making a lasting change - and he explores how others perceive him affects his mask. This leads to a discussion of police brutality, viral videos, and “doom scrolling.”

28:00 Ashanti shares the back of his mask - fear of ____, sadness about death, worry.

29:40 Antonio shares the back of his mask - struggles with substance abuse, felon, womanizer, depression/anxiety, self-harm (inward and outward).

30:50 Then, he and Ashanti discuss "legacy" and intergenerational trauma. Antonio shares how the incident with the man in Pacific Heights makes him think of his son and where he is as a father.

38:20 Next, Ashanti and Antonio discuss how changing the way men trust and support each other can change things for future generations. Antonio explains how bicycling is his medium for change.

45:50 Ashanti and Antonio continue discussing restorative justice, the power of vulnerability for youth and men, toxic masculinity, and Antonio’s son.

57:40 Antonio shares more about his work and how you can get in touch with him.

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Connect with Antonio Chavez:

Instagram: instagram.com/lostsoulcouriercollective

Website: LostSoulCourierCollective.org

Campaign: gofund.me/b4cfc934

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Create your own mask anonymously at www.100kmasks.com

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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Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Ryan Louie. Ryan is the producer behind this very podcast, so it felt very fitting to have him as the guest in this one-year anniversary episode. Ashanti and Ryan follow the same format that makes this podcast what it is; they share the front and back of their respective masks and let the conversation go where it needs to be. Along the way they discuss legacy, setting boundaries, standing up for something, and what a year’s worth of podcasting has taught them.

4:40 Ashanti’s introduction.

10:30 Ashanti and Ryan begin the one-year anniversary episode.

12:00 Ashanti shares the front of his mask - ambitious, determined, smart. Then, as two men with backgrounds in teaching, they discuss conventional opinions of intelligence and why educators feel outside of that cultural sphere.

23:00 Ryan shares the front of his mask - inclusive, countercultural, collected. He explores how his socioeconomic and ethnic identity, shaped by his schooling and the surrounding power structures, affects the front of his mask. They are also men who resort to smiling in order to make people happy, and they discuss what causes this shared habit.

37:10 Ashanti shares the back of his mask - wanting kids, legacy, am I good enough? Ashanti recently got back in touch with the “Branch” side of his family, and he shares how this experience conjured up some new perspectives on life.

48:00 Ryan shares the back of his mask - opinionated, regretful, embarrassment. They discuss times they have been taken advantage of, the problem with holding in negative emotions, the stories we tell ourselves, and leveraging self-awareness.

1:03:21 Ashanti and Ryan ruminate on the question, “what do you stand for?”

1:18:24 Ryan shares how you can get in touch with him.

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Connect with Ryan Louie:

Website: ryanlouieportfolio.wordpress.com

Instagram: instagram.com/rynlouie

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Create your own mask anonymously at www.100kmasks.com

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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This TOTM Face to Face conversation is between Angel and Wenceslao (Wen), two interns at the Ever Forward Club’s Social Emotional Leadership Academy. Through the mask-making process and the card game "Ever Forward Club: The Adventure", Angel and Wen discover they have more in common than what they initially believed. At age 14 and 13, respectively, Angel and Wen are also the youngest individuals to ever host the Taking Off The Mask podcast; they demonstrate how a teenager can even be more brave and courageous than an adult. In addition, Ashanti Branch makes appearances, guiding them through the process.

(1:51) Ashanti’s introduction.

(7:50) Wen and Angel introduce themselves.

(8:35) Angel shares the front of his mask - fun to be with, happy-go-lucky, humorous. Then, Wen shares the front of his mask - athletic, jokester, happy.

(9:40) Angel shares the back of his mask - anxiety, overthinking, scared. Then, Wen shares the back of his mask - hopeless, unconfident, struggle.

(11:05) Ashanti returns to the podcast, and Angel reflects on how this experience is different from sharing anonymously. He shares why he wants to see a therapist.

(15:35) Wen shares why he enjoyed the one-on-one setting with Angel.

(18:10) Wen and Angel begin answering questions from the card game “Ever Forward Club: The Adventure”.

Question 1: Share a project that you recently ended.

Wen describes a video project he just finished editing. Angel shares why he enjoys drawing.

(23:16) Question 2: What actions do you need to start doing to feel most alive?

Angel talks about the difference between a hobby and what makes him “feel alive.” Then, Wen shares his love of cooking, athletics, and music.

(25:03) What is something you say about yourself that you would never say to someone you love?

Angel shares how he often puts himself down, but he would never do the same to someone he loves.

Wen explores what he says to himself when he begins to overthink things.

(33:50) Angel and Wen close out the show, before being rejoined by Ashanti.

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Create your own mask anonymously at www.100kmasks.com

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:

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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 TOTM Face to Face conversation is between Sam and Ben, two interns at the Ever Forward Club’s Social-Emotional Leadership Academy. Through the mask-making process and the card game "Ever Forward Club: The Adventure", Sam and Ben explore what it is like to not know what to do with the rest of their lives with “adulthood” being right around the corner. They both find comfort in knowing that they are not alone in this sentiment. Ashanti Branch and Justin Martinez make guest appearances, holding space for the two young men.

(1:18) Ashanti’s introduction.

(5:55) Ben and Sam introduce themselves.

(7:10) Ben shares the front of his mask and why he chose the words intelligent, hard-working, and amiable.

(8:20) Sam shares the front of his mask, and what it says about how he approaches new experiences - confident, courageous, creative.

(10:00) Ben shares the back of his mask - anxious, exhausted, restless.

(12:25) Sam shares the back of his mask - uncertainty, tired. They both relate to the feeling of not knowing what to do in life while being on the precipice of adulthood.

(16:15) With the help of Ashanti, Sam and Ben play the card game “Ever Forward Club: The Adventure”.

(19:00) Question: What is a question that you are afraid will be asked?

Ben explains why he’s nervous to be asked, “what do you want to do with your life?” Sam shares how similar questions are also nerve-racking for him, and they discuss how they navigate this question with their parents.

(25:25) Question: What was the hardest day of your life? 

Sam shares the long road to recovery he endured after being hit by a car. Then, Ben answers the question with a story of when he passed out from exhaustion, in the middle of San Francisco.

(32:00) Question: Tell us about a time when you realized you were becoming an adult. 

Ben tells Sam about the first time he came home after curfew. Then, Sam questions the idea that the age 18 automatically makes someone an adult.

(36:40) Ben shares how he believes his growing awareness of politics, empathy, and mistreatment are signs of becoming an adult. Then, he opens up about the changes he wants to see so that his generation can thrive.

(40:50) Next, Justin Martinez joins the podcast. He addresses some of the feelings that Ben and Sam expressed throughout their conversation.

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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

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Create your own mask anonymously at www.100kmasks.com

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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Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by José Quintero. José is a Mexican American man, working as a radio host for CALI 93.9, a Spanish reggaeton station in Los Ángeles. Ashanti and José share their excitement over the changing landscape in men’s vulnerability, the many ways to define success, and the similar ground they walk as survivors. Enjoy the episode!

(1:55) Ashanti’s introduction.

(4:55) José introduces himself and how he found his passion - hosting a podcast and hosting Spanish radio in Los Angeles. Then, they spend time appreciating those who are leading the way for more men to get in touch with their vulnerability.

(11:32) Ashanti and José make their masks together.

(15:57) José breaks down his drawing, then shares the front of his mask - confidence, optimism, communication.

(18:47) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - serious, hard-working, dedicated.

(22:47) Separating his traits into the categories of “good” and “bad”, José shares the back of his mask - generosity, reliability, impatience, shyness.

(29:35) Ashanti shares the back of his mask as it relates to his work with the Ever Forward Club - fear of…, sadness, not enough.  Then, they discuss other ways to view success outside of monetary value and investment.

(39:17) José shares the important roles his mother and aunts played in his upbringing. He discusses how this is directly connected to the mission of his podcast.

(45:32) José breaks down how he un-learned the stigma of therapy and started seeing a therapist.

(47:47) José opens up about surviving sexual assault, and how “normalcy comes from transparency.”

(51:47) Ashanti and Jose wrap up their conversation. They discuss Lucha libre, and José shares how you can get in touch with him.

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Connect with José Quintero

Instagram: instagram.com/josequinterotv

Podcast: instagram.com/saludpodcast

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Create your own mask anonymously at www.100kmasks.com

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:

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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

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Spencer Atkinson. Spencer is a Career Coach and Experiential Educator, helping students at UC Davis navigate university life and find fulfilling careers. In this conversation, Ashanti and Spencer find a connection looking back on their careers as veteran educators. They even overlapped as collaborators at Stanford University. We hope you enjoy hearing Spencer’s dedication to the well-being of our youth come through your speakers.

(1:30) Ashanti’s introduction.

(8:10) Spencer introduces himself, his career in education over the years, how he and Ashanti overlapped at Stanford University through men’s work, and why career services feel more meaningful to him than teaching high school English.

(17:10) Spencer suggests a new format to the mask-sharing structure before he and Ashanti share their masks. Ashanti’s front - funny, hard-working, serious. Spencer’s front - smart, prepared, clever. Ashanti’s back - stress, fear of failure/quitting, am I good enough? Spencer’s back - lonely, aspiring parent, [?]. They then analyze and share ideas about how the front and back of the mask are related.

(29:20) Spencer reflects on what’s on the front of his mask. He shares how each item on the front of his mask has a “shadow side.” Then, Ashanti shares what it means to have “hard-working” on the front of his mask, and how upholding this trait and reputation puts a lot of pressure on himself.

(34:10) Then, Ashanti also shares why “hard-working” is on the front of his mask almost every time. He explores how “hard-working” explains why “am I good enough?” is on the back of his mask.

(43:50) Spencer reflects on his teaching days and the structures that get in the way of teachers having “human moments” with students. Ashanti chimes in with memories from his own career.

(55:10) Spencer breaks down the difference between dopamine and oxytocin, between screen interactions and in-person connection. They also discuss how it is possible to be an extrovert while, at the same time, lack intimate connections.

(1:01:50) When sharing some final thoughts about the back of his mask, Spencer shares how the Johari Window reveals the things he does not know about himself, and how these things scare him.

(1:10:40) Spencer makes a final plug, trumpeting the importance of career services.

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Connect with Spencer Atkinson:

Podcast: careeriosity.wixsite.com/podcast

Instagram: instagram.com/careeriositypodcast

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/spenceratkinson

Career Services: icc.ucdavis.edu

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Create your own mask anonymously at www.100kmasks.com

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