Taking Off The Mask

Ashanti Branch
  • 4.9 (36)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Taking Off The Mask

Taking Off The Mask is an experience of getting real. Providing young men and men a space to have real conversations about life, challenges, joys, heartbreak, dreams, failures, and whatever is ready to be revealed. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support

  1. 212. WE’LL BE BACK on November 5th; and, what to do when someone says, “I hate myself”

    SEP 24

    212. WE’LL BE BACK on November 5th; and, what to do when someone says, “I hate myself”

    The new chapter of the podcast, TALKING TO TEACHERS, begins on November 5th, 2024. Meanwhile, we’ll be IN THE LAB creating it! Plus, learn more about our upcoming Young Men’s Conference, on November 16th, 2024. Topics include: getting in fights at school, self-talk, negative self-talk, our Young Men’s conference (0:00) Welcome (1:00) Getting in fights, and me being “the best (or worst) of the bad students” (4:40) Esparto High School - what happens when people laugh at someone saying “I hate myself.” (11:00) Learn about our Young Men’s Conference --- Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345  Attend our Young Men’s Conference: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdw6tfn3lZrkBxZRqSqHjTTeygRNIgwk0KKgHRcwlclaS1xag/viewform  Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/  Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com  --- Connect with Ashanti Branch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaks Twitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaks LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/ Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/ --- Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support  --- Connect with Ever Forward Club: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclub Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclub Twitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclub LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support

    17 min

  2. SEP 18

    211. Former Student, Future Educator - with Camren Stepter, Aspiring Educator from Kentucky State University

    *APOLOGIES FOR SOME OF THE AUDIO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES In this episode, Ashanti is joined by Camren Stepter, a college student from Kentucky State University with aspirations of becoming an educator and eventually a principal. Camren's journey is deeply rooted in community service, volunteering, and mentoring youth, driven by his passion for making a positive impact on future generations. Topics include: being the class clown, turning your life around, self-improvement, community service, mentoring, leadership, college campuses, aspiring to be an educator and principal, breaking out of cycles, getting unstuck (03:34) Front of Ashanti’s Mask (05:56) Front of Camren’s Mask (07:54) Ashanti, Camren, and Camren’s DAD’s origin story (09:19) Back of Ashanti’s Mask (11:25) Back of Camren’s Mask, and Camren’s upbringing (16:00) Tech Difficulties (22:00) Camren’s on campus community, Brothers Redefining the Odds --- Connect with Camren Stepter: Camren’s Instagram/full inspirational story: https://www.instagram.com/p/C_IyxAqxIrW/ --- Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345  Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/  Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com  --- Connect with Ashanti Branch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaks Twitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaks LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/ Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/ --- Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support

    26 min
  3. 210. What I Learned from 20 Years of Teaching About School Shootings

    SEP 11

    210. What I Learned from 20 Years of Teaching About School Shootings

    Expressing sadness over the events that took place at Apalachee High School last week. Topics include: Apalachee High School, school shootings, Colt Gray, Colin Gray, Ricky Pearsall, Union Square San Francisco, parents being charged for children’s actions during school shootings, bodycam footage of Colin Gray, school shooting data, the Second Amendment (0:00) Welcome (2:00) Honoring the victims of a senseless act, and two more shootings have occurred since (5:30) Making trauma-informed and student-centered decisions (8:20) Parker Palmer’s books, specifically The Courage to Teach (11:20) The US Surgeon General’s Advisory about parents (15:30) Bodycam footage of the police visiting Colt Gray a year before the shooting (24:50) Final thoughts --- Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345  Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/  Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com  --- Connect with Ashanti Branch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaks Twitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaks LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/ Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/ --- Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support  --- Connect with Ever Forward Club: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclub Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclub Twitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclub LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support

    29 min

  4. SEP 3

    209. A Gay Christian Trump Supporter Goes to Prison - with Matt Melvin, Author & Activist

    In this episode, Ashanti sits down with Matt Melvin, the author of "Bullied Behind Bars: A Gay Christian Trump Supporter Goes to Prison." In this book, Matt shares his unique and deeply personal journey and delves into how his identity as a gay Christian and his political beliefs shaped his experiences while incarcerated. (0:00) Welcome (8:55) Matt introduces himself (10:00) Front of Ashanti's mask (12:30) Front of Matt's mask (17:00) Back of Ashanti's mask (19:50) Back of Matt's mask Connect with Matt Melvin: Website, Book, and Social Media: https://www.bulliedbehindbars.com/connect  --- Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/  Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com  --- Connect with Ashanti Branch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaks Twitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaks LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/ Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/ --- Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support  --- Connect with Ever Forward Club: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclub Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclub Twitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclub LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support

    55 min

  5. AUG 27

    208. MAJOR CHANGES, Project 2025, Department of Education, Dr. Seuss, Should Schools Take Away Phones?, and more

    On our 4-year anniversary, we make some big announcements on where the podcast is headed. We’re taking off the mask of education! Topics include: Project 2025, Department of Education, Dr. Seuss, smartphones, phone addiction, educator-focused podcasts, healthy masculinity in schools, finding our podcast niche, AI, artificial intelligence, dial-up internet, and more (0:00) Welcome (2:40) Focusing more on education, while still discussing men’s health (2:45) Project 2025 and the Department of Education (9:00) Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss; read aloud (16:50) Phone addiction and schools (23:20) Final thoughts Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/  Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com  --- Connect with Ashanti Branch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaks Twitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaks LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/ Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/ --- Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support  --- Connect with Ever Forward Club: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclub Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclub Twitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclub LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support

    27 min

  6. AUG 20

    207. Prioritizing Resonance in Schools - with Roni Habib, Speaker & Founder of EQ Schools (re-release)

    This episode originally aired on February 1st, 2022. “It turns out the fastest way to experience resonance is through laughter… One of the things that I show in my workshops with teachers is let’s invest in moments of resonance, invest in moments of play… These games put us in a mindful state right away, in a state where we’re aware of the other person. And so right away it’s an entry point into joy, positive emotions, and awareness - and attunement with other people.” - Roni Habib Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Roni Habib. As the founder of EQ Schools, Roni is an expert in helping leaders, educators, and parents become happier, more resilient, and more playful. This expertise was jumpstarted after, early in his career, Roni struggled with the high stresses and demands of teaching, and he then discovered the power of integrating mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and positive psychology into his own life as well as in his classroom. We’re excited for you to learn about Roni’s mask, how he works with schools, and how he continues to work on himself. (1:30) Ashanti's introduction. (8:30) Roni introduces himself. He shares how he and his company seek to bring mindfulness to schools around the world. Then, he tells the story of a tragedy that took place at the high school he taught at. (16:10) Ashanti and Roni reflect on the importance of adults and teachers that are truly aware - that truly build relationships with students. Then, Roni shares his RAMP model. (24:40) Then, they discuss what can be done to transition out of the global pandemic, and they discuss the evolution of the student experience. (32:40) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - funny, serious, passion - and how it shows up as an educator and as an operator in the world of education. (36:40) Roni shares the front of his mask - my ability to give and receive love, my playful side, my fun side. (40:40) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - worry, doubt, aging - and goes into why he wrote “aging” for the first time. (43:20) Roni shares the back of his mask - financial worry, fear of being alone, my physical limitations - and, among many things, an epiphany he had during the Santa Cruz fires. (49:55) Ashanti relates to Roni's story by reflecting on what he was going through when the whole world shut down in March. (55:40) Ashanti and Roni share closing thoughts, and Roni shares how you can get in touch with him. --- Connect with Roni Habib: Roni's new book: LINK Twitter: ⁠twitter.com/Roni_Habib⁠ Website: ⁠eqschools.com⁠ Facebook: ⁠facebook.com/eqschools⁠ Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/roni_habib81⁠ Watch ⁠The Edge of Success⁠ --- The ⁠National Suicide Prevention Lifeline⁠: 800-273-8255 --- Create your own mask anonymously at ⁠www.100kmasks.com⁠ If you are interested in being on the Face to Face podcast, email us at ⁠everforwardclub@gmail.com⁠ --- Connect with Ashanti Branch: Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/branchspeaks⁠ Facebook: ⁠facebook.com/BranchSpeaks⁠ Twitter: ⁠twitter.com/BranchSpeaks⁠ Website: ⁠branchspeaks.com⁠ --- Send in a voice message: ⁠anchor.fm/branch-speaks/message --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support

    1 hr

  7. AUG 13

    206. Psychology and the Gender Evolution - with Dr. Matt Englar-Carlson, Professor, Scholar, Speaker (re-release)

    This episode originally aired on November 28, 2023. “As much as people think I’m in my dad’s shadow, in many ways I live my life to NOT be like him. And even though my dad was a psychologist, I always felt like he wasn’t terribly emotional.” - Matt Englar-Carlson Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Dr. Matt Englar-Carlson. Matt is a professor of counseling and the director of the Center for Boys and Men at California State University, Fullerton. His work focuses on healthy/prosocial forms of masculinities, social justice, diversity issues in psychological training and practice, and theories of psychotherapy. In many ways, Matt is an originator in the psychology space when it comes to encouraging healthy and positive masculinity in school settings, and Matt also is the lead men’s health clinical researcher for the first men’s mental health app, Mental. Please enjoy this conversation! Like Matt, it’s equal parts informative, entertaining, and emotional :) --- (5:30) Matt introduces himself, his passions, and how he helps boys and men seek help more effectively. (10:00) Matt shares the front of his mask - engaged, carefree, together - and how his words have changed from age 30 to age 50. (11:30) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - serious, caring, passionate - and provides some thoughts on Senator Markwayne Mullin and Teamsters President Sean O'Brien. (17:10) Matt shares the back of his mask - the weight of responsibility, grief, shame. (19:30) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - the weight of responsibility, worry, self-doubt. (22:15) Matt looks back on his childhood and how he had a proclivity for psychology and gender studies. (30:40) Matt shares what he has noticed in his college students and “how men have been changing.” (37:30) Ashanti and Matt reflect on how students emote and ask for help differently. (42:00) Ashanti and Matt take time to consider the alarming rates of death by suicide amongst men. Then, Matt shares how he is involved with the app, Mental. (48:30) Matt shares some final thoughts and how you can get in touch with him. --- Connect with Matt Englar-Carlson: Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/drmattec⁠ The Mental App: ⁠instagram.com/thementalapp⁠ Website: ⁠hhd.fullerton.edu/counsel/faculty/MattEnglarCarlson.php⁠ --- Create your own mask anonymously at ⁠millionmask.org⁠ Email us questions and comments at ⁠totmpod100@gmail.com⁠  --- Connect with Ashanti Branch: Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/branchspeaks⁠ Facebook: ⁠facebook.com/BranchSpeaks⁠ Twitter: ⁠twitter.com/BranchSpeaks⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch⁠ Website: ⁠branchspeaks.com⁠ --- Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support⁠  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support

    52 min
  8. 205. Education Monthly #5: New Theories on Teen Mental Health, Self-Determination, and Lessons from Miyazaki Films (Re-Release)

    AUG 6

    205. Education Monthly #5: New Theories on Teen Mental Health, Self-Determination, and Lessons from Miyazaki Films (Re-Release)

    This episode originally aired on June 25, 2024. Donofriend, or Donovan Taylor Hall, joins Ashanti Branch, a master educator with 20+ years of experience in schools, to talk about what they are reflecting on as educators and what they’re seeing in the halls of modern-day schools. Donovan is an experienced teacher and positive youth development expert who travels around the country speaking at schools and pushing into classrooms. Learn more about him in ⁠episode 152⁠. Topics include: an ⁠Edutopia video⁠ reaction, self-determination theory, participation trophies, teen mental health, building a sense of independence and resilience in students and teens, self-reliance, autonomy, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Miyazaki, Halloween, grit, stick-to-itiveness, Do Hard Things by Steve Magness, helicopter parents, and stranger danger --- (0:00) Welcome and Edutopia video (4:00) Donovan and Ashanti introduce themselves. (6:00) Self-determination theory, helicopter parents, losing ability to build community, and Halloween (15:00) The participation trophy origin story, and valuing “productive struggle” (19:30) Miyazaki and Avatar, and what we can learn about youth wellness/mentorship from these films (25:00) Mentoring with curiosity instead of mentoring to “fix and solve” immediately (26:00) Allowing students to sit with silence and discomfort (29:00) Offering children advice instead of telling them what to do (32:30) Emotional language and articulating feelings/needs clearly - for both young people and adults (45:30) Final thoughts on providing room to explore and being transparent, vulnerable, and curious as an educator/parent/mentor Connect with Donovon Taylor Hall: Website: ⁠www.donovantaylorhall.com⁠ Instagram, TikTok, Youtube: @donofriend Join our 5k Challenge: ⁠https://charity.pledgeit.org/20thAnnualEF5KChallenge⁠  Create your own mask anonymously at ⁠https://millionmask.org/⁠  Email us questions and comments at ⁠totmpod100@gmail.com⁠  --- Connect with Ashanti Branch: Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaks⁠ Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaks⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/⁠ Website: ⁠https://www.branchspeaks.com/⁠ --- Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support⁠  --- Connect with Ever Forward Club: Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclub⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclub⁠ Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/everforwardclub⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support

    51 min
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Trailer

4.9
out of 5
36 Ratings

About

Taking Off The Mask is an experience of getting real. Providing young men and men a space to have real conversations about life, challenges, joys, heartbreak, dreams, failures, and whatever is ready to be revealed. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support

Information

  • Creator
    Ashanti Branch
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2024
  • Episodes
    216
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ashanti Branch
  • Show Website
    Taking Off The Mask

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