“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

Happy Holidays! Today is a re-release of episode 133, with Pellegrino Riccardi. Enjoy!

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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-24425a9⁠His 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 

“Most youth say THE government. They don’t say OUR government. Or they say THE schools. They don’t say OUR school. Or they say THE house. They don’t feel connection. A lot of the autonomy from young people is being taken. The access is being suppressed. A lot of times youth are doing it without help and despite the system and despite the programs that be, because they had to do it on their own.” - Jamarria Hall

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Jamarria Hall. Jamarria is a Social Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, advocate, and activist for equitable education. He lead Detroit students in 2016, in a class action lawsuit against the state seeking a constitutional right to literacy, irrespective of zip code and based on the 14th Amendment. The lawsuit was a success. So what was it that prepared Jamarria to stand up for such a cause at such a young age? We’ll have to take off the mask to find out…

(1:00) Ashanti’s introduction.

(4:00) Jamarria introduces himself, his case against the state of Michigan, and his role as a youth advocate.

(7:45) Jamarria shares the front of his mask - happy, smart, unbothered.

(12:15) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - serious, passionate, caring - then, he and Jamarria reflect on their relationship with rest and self-care.

(20:25) Jamarria shares the back of his mask - lost, anxiety, worry.

(24:20) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - my brother, fear, self-doubt, worry.

(30:25) Jamarria describes what he is seeing with young people, the mindsets they have been adopting, and their relationships with elders.

(34:15) Jamarria looks back on his upbringing and relationship with basketball, and how it helped him step into leadership roles and create change.

(40:00) Jamarria shares how you can get in touch with him.

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Connect with Jamarria Hall:

Instagram: instagram.com/jamarriahall

Website: detroit-accesstoliteracy.org

Facebook: facebook.com/RighttoLiteracy

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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

This TOTM Face to Face conversation is between Wenceslao and Mr. Craig Galvin. Wenceslao is the Ever Forward Club’s Youth Host. You can get to know more about him in episode 123. Craig Galvin is an Algebra teacher at Wenceslao’s high school ➡️➡️➡️ Let’s just say this is a conversation between a teacher and a student that most people never get to experience. It’s so great seeing a student and a teacher connect on this level. As you listen, consider this - have you ever had a conversation like this with one of your teachers? Who was that teacher? And how much did you appreciate them?

(4:20) Craig, Wenceslao’s math teacher, introduces himself. Then, he and Wenceslao make their masks together.

(5:40) Wenceslao shares the front of his mask - funny, calm, quiet, a learner.

(6:15) Craig shares the front of his mask - confidence, organized, prepared, passionate, dog dad.

(8:00) Craig shares the back of his mask - split home, weakness, messiness, mental health.

(10:40) Wenceslao shares the back of his mask - stress, being with people calms me down, taking things seriously.

(12:20) Wenceslao and Craig play the Ever Forward Club: The Adventure card game.

(12:50) Question 1. When did not speak up, but you know you really should have?

(14:30) Question 2. What are you most afraid of?

(17:00) Question 3. Share with everyone a lesson that you are still learning.

(19:00) Question 4. Name a characteristic about yourself that you don’t talk about much.

(20:50) Question 5. If money was no issue, what is something you would start? 

(22:55) Question 6. What experience in your life has taught you the most?

(25:50) Wenceslao reads a passage about friendship, from The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran.

(31:05) Wenceslao shares why he sees Craig as more than a teacher - as a friend. Then, Craig compares his first year as a teacher to his second year.

(36:20) Craig shares how he applies the mask activity and the Ever Forward Club to his classroom and his teaching style.

(47:10) Wenceslao closes things out by reading one more poem from Kahlil Gibran, about pain.

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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

“I had a car crash where I was lucky to survive. My best friend was in the car, and we were very fortunate we didn’t die. It was a period where I was very off the rails and I was using alcohol to cope - a drunk driving incident where the whole car was crushed in half. It became the biggest news story in the country.” - Nick Bracks

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Nick Bracks. Growing up in one of the most famous political families in Australia, Nick was exposed to life in the public eye since he was 12 years old. Struggling to cope with depression and anxiety through substance abuse, Nick first gained notoriety in his early 20s through a publicly documented car crash that nearly killed himself and his best friend. The drunk driving incident became a catalyst for Nick to turn his life around, exposing his mental health issues and allowing him to get the help he desperately needed. Since then, Nick has developed a successful public speaking career dedicated to de-stigmatizing mental illness through storytelling.

(0:55) Ashanti’s introduction.

(8:50) Nick introduces himself, his childhood in the media, and how struggling in the public eye prepared him for the mental health work he does now.

(10:50) Nick and Ashanti make their masks together.

(14:30) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - funny, serious, passionate.

(17:35) Nick shares the front of his mask - vulnerability, empathy, passion.

(19:50) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - fear of…, self-doubt, what’s next - success or failure.

(22:40) Nick shares the back of his mask - failures, don’t always speak my mind/people pleasing, not enough, money - and he and Ashanti discuss how they both tend to people please more than they’d like.

(29:55) Nick looks back on his life and childhood in the spotlight, how it conditioned his behavior, and how he eventually reclaimed control of his narrative.

(37:10) Nick tells Ashanti about a life-saving speech he delivered.

(43:50) Nick shares a final message with the audience and how you can get in touch with him.

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Connect with Nick Bracks:

Website: nickbracks.com

Nick’s Newest Venture: moveyourmind.io

Instagram: instagram.com/nickbracks

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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 

“When I noticed that an educator had expectations for me or wanted me to succeed, or believed that I could succeed, I actually worked harder in those classes. For the educators and teachers who said, ‘I really care about you, I see your potential,’ those are the classes I actually worked hard in because I wanted to do it not just for me but for the educators themselves and those who believed in me.” - Justin Black

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Justin Black. Justin and his wife, Alexis, published an award-winning, bestselling book, Redefining Normal: How Two Foster Kids Beat The Odds and Discovered Healing, Happiness and Love. The book has impacted over 15,000 individuals and families, and, with Redefining Normal, they hope to continue the conversation on healthy relationships, mental health, and community growth and healing through speaking engagements, trainings, and book clubs.

(4:30) Justin introduces himself and his book, Redefining Normal, and how it helps youth find an identity beyond their trauma.

(11:55) Ashanti and Justin make their masks together.

(16:10) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - funny, serious, caring.

(18:30) Justin shares the back of his mask - fatherhood/family man, service, caring.

(24:25) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - worry, doubt, fear of failure - and he shares some worries he has about his brother and his brother’s health issues.

(29:00) Justin shares the back of his mask - let down, insecurity, doubt.

(34:10) Justin shares what he tells teachers about “warning signs” in students, and he talks about some of the general advice he gives to teachers.

(41:00) Justin shares how you can get in touch with him.

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Connect with Justin Black:

Website: re-definingnormal.com

Facebook: facebook.com/redefiningnormalmovement

Instagram: instagram.com/theblacksredefinenormal

TikTok: tiktok.com/@theblacksredefinenormal

“I’m really really anxious, like, off the charts anxious. In my head, it’s the Tasmanian Devil. It is spinning and spinning. If you’ve ever seen the cartoon, whenever he stops to say something it’s unintelligible. It’s just, ‘blah blah blah blah.’ And then he spins off. And that’s what it feels like in my head. But people don’t see that. They see this calm, confident, semi-put-together person on the outside.” - Zach Tucker

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Jeremy Grater and Zach Tucker. Jeremy and Zach host the podcast The Fit Mess. The Fit Mess is in direct alignment with how Jeremy and Zach identify, as two vulnerable guys who have made extraordinary efforts to improve their own lives and want to help others clear a path to better wellness. Jeremy and Zach believe that fitness is not just about outer appearances or physiological health, it’s about the mind and achieving inner peace. Though their journey to inner peace is ongoing, never complete, you can hear the strides they have made in their journey, as they communicate with Ashanti with joy, authenticity, and electric chemistry…

(1:20) Ashanti’s introduction.

(6:30) Jeremy and Zach introduce themselves, their journey in fitness, and how they found healing in vulnerable conversations.

(14:30) Zach shares the front of his mask - funny, calm, confident - and why he identifies with the Tasmanian Devil.

(17:50) Jeremy shares the front of his mask - friendly, helpful, people pleaser.

(19:00) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - serious, caring, passionate - and why he’s worried about his city, Oakland.

(26:15) Zach shares the back of his mask - sensitive, introvert, anxious.

(31:50) Jeremy shares the back of his mask - terrified, insecure, selfish, alone - and how comparison is the thief of joy.

(37:15) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - self-doubt, fear, family mental health.

(40:30) Zach shares the science behind the benefits of venting.

(43:10) Zach and Jeremy give their final messages to the audience and share how you can get in touch.

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Connect with Jeremy and Zach:

Twitter: twitter.com/FitMessGuys

Instagram: instagram.com/fitmessguys

Facebook: facebook.com/fitmessguys

YouTube: youtube.com/@fitmessguys

TikTok: tiktok.com/@fitmessguys

Website: thefitmess.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

“It’s hard to be the last strong pillar in a breaking-down house. It’s really challenging. Sometimes you just have to understand that the house is breaking down. And it’s always okay to rebuild.” - Theo Coker-Edwards

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Theo Coker-Edwards. Theo is a college athlete based in Albany, New York. And in Alameda, as a high schooler, he started and ran his own restorative justice program. IT NEEDS TO BE SAID, Theo is a college freshman who’s mature beyond his years; he is WISE. Please enjoy his thoughts on “the self”, conflict resolution, humility, and his mother - of course. What’s beautiful about Theo is that he understands both his vulnerabilities and his privileges. This came from a lot of self-reflection, and readings of spiritual texts like the Rastafari Bible. And as a result his honesty and self-awareness, his groundedness, is magnetic.

(6:00) Theo introduces himself, his hometown, and his work in restorative justice.

(8:30) Theo and Ashanti make their masks together.

(12:20) Theo shares the front of his mask - funny, college athlete, charismatic.

(13:40) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - serious, hard-working, caring - and they discuss the “fronts” society expects is to put on.

(19:10) Theo shares the back of his mask - mental health issues, insecurity, the desire to be wanted/needed - and how he never sees himself as enough.

(22:30) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - sadness, fear, worry - and the helplessness he feels when caring for his brother.

(27:00) Theo explains how some religious texts have helped him adjust his perspective and approach life with humility. Then, he shares some beautiful thoughts about his mother.

(36:00) Ashanti and Theo discuss conflict resolution, and picking your battles when you have a different perspective from someone.

(39:00) Theo holds a lot of wisdom and roundedness at a young age. He looks back on his childhood and the formation of his personality/EQ.

(42:00) Theo and Ashanti continue to discuss human behavior, triggers, and how we are all capable of different levels of good and bad - based on circumstances.

(49:20) Theo shares a final message for young people.

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Connect with Theo Coker-Edwards:

Instagram: instagram.com/theo__coker

Twitter: twitter.com/TheoCoker4

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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

This TOTM Face to Face conversation is between Wenceslao and Bilal. Wenceslao is the Ever Forward Club’s Youth Host. You can get to know more about him in episode 123. Bilal is a high school sophomore and has been a member of the Ever Forward Club for 3 years. As they share their masks; play our Adventure Card Game; and discuss life in high school, how they want to make the most of their lives, and some of their fondest Ever Forward Club memories, Bilal and Wenceslao find their bond growing even stronger...

(1:00) Ashanti's introduction.

(5:00) Wenceslao and Bilal introduce themselves.

(6:00) Wenceslao shares the front of his mask - athletic, passionate, quiet. Then Bilal shares his - happy, energy, fun, image.

(7:00) Wenceslao shares the back of his mask - guilt, shy, scarred. Then Bilal shares his - anger, tired, sad, guilt, hard work.

(9:30) Wenceslao and Bilal play the Ever Forward Club: Adventure card game. Question 1. What stands between you and what you want?

(10:30) Question 2. Share a project that you’ve recently ended.

(11:00) Question 3. Describe a time when you’ve been in a difficult situation with your friend.

(12:30) Question 4. If you knew you’d die in 30 days, what would you do for those days?

(15:20) Question 5. Name something you can do to improve your life. What’s stopping you?

(16:50) Question 6. Name a relationship that has recently ended.

(18:00) Wenceslao interviews Bilal and reads some poetry, and they share some memories from the Ever Forward Club.

(32:20) Wenceslao and Bilal wrap up and look to the future.

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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 was working so hard in service to my community; I hit burnout, had a massive breakdown. And I looked at myself in the mirror, and I was like, ‘Even though I’m aspiring so hard to be a positive role model and innovate and create change in my communities, I wouldn’t want anyone to be like me right now.’” - Jamin Heppell

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Jamin Heppell. Jamin is a founding director and leadership coach of his company Mountains and Marathons; a transformational leadership development organization that delivers life-changing coaching programs for entrepreneurs, executives, and leaders. Jamin really turns this podcast ON ITS HEAD when he brings his experience with Internal Family Systems, better known as IFS or Parts Work, to the forefront. He introduces the concept, models it, and then guides Ashanti through this spiritual, metaphysical process… LIVE ON THE AIR.

(2:00) Ashanti’s introduction.

(13:30) Jamin introduces himself, his background, and his work as a leadership coach.

(16:00) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - passionate, dedicated, caring, hard-working - and how his intense level of care can be a burden. They address the question: Is it possible to care so much and not carry a burden?

(28:05) Jamin shares the front of his mask - warmth, groundedness, inspiration.

(31:30) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - worry, self-doubt - and he reflects on dealing with some disruptive students at a recent workshop.

(45:00) Jamin shares the back of his mask - inner-critic, little boy, shame, unworthiness - and explores the vulnerability of inviting others to things and receiving “no’s” and no responses.

(51:30) Jamin shares the process he undergoes in order to have conversations with himself - his many parts - and ultimately heal. This is called Internal Family Systems (IFS) or parts work.

(57:30) Jamin guides Ashanti through the IFS process.

(1:13:00) Jamin and Ashanti recap the IFS process and share closing remarks.

(1:16:30) Jamin shares how you can get in touch with him.

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Connect with Jamin Heppell:

Instagram: instagram.com/jaminheppell

Business: instagram.com/mountainsandmarathons

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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 

“There’s times where it feels like I’m in my own bubble. And, as soon as I leave that bubble, I realize I’m still this very lost, immature kid in a lot of ways.” - Gael Aitor

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Gael Aitor. Gael is the creator and a host of the “Teenager Therapy” podcast - the largest teen mental health podcast, with over 1,000,000 followers. In this conversation, Gael and Ashanti discuss their inner-child and what it means to them, their masks, what it means to be your own best friend, and what’s next for Gael. In this conversation, it’s clear why Gael has such a beloved podcast; it’s not just Gael’s speaking ability, it’s his ability to deeply listen to his counterpart and generate true chemistry and connection.

(1:15) Ashanti’s introduction and a big announcement about receiving the Surgeon General’s medallion.

(10:05) Gael introduces himself, his podcast, and his new venture, Astro Studios.

(12:30) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - serious, passionate, caring - and they both find solace in the fact that growth is not linear.

(16:55) Gael shares the front of his mask - maturity, composure, confidence - and they both yearn for more moments in life to get back in touch with their inner-child.

(29:30) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - fear of failure, sadness, worry/self-doubt - and how he needs to make himself his best friend.

(34:45) Gael shares the back of his mask - vulnerability, anger, love.

(47:15) Gael and Ashanti wrap up their conversation, and Gael shares a message for today’s teens.

(49:45) Gael shares how you can get in touch with him.

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Connect with Gael Aitor: 

Instagram: instagram.com/gaelaitor

Podcast: instagram.com/teenagertherapy

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