Taking Off The Mask

In this episode, Ashanti Branch shares what he’s been witnessing in schools and in the broader social climate surrounding ICE, Alex Pretti, and how it shows up in students’ bodies, behavior, and sense of safety. He opens with a lunch conversation with a group of young men who name the pressures they feel: expectations, relationships, emotions, and not always having someone they trust when they’re struggling. From there, Ashanti expands into a bigger message for educators and communities: when young people (and adults) don’t have a safe way to release what they’re carrying, they can end up walking around like “emotional landmines”, until one moment sets everything off. Don’t wait for a crisis to make emotional well-being a priority. Ask students how they’re doing, build spaces for honest conversation, and use mask-making as a practical tool for connection and healing. A lunch conversation with young men: pressure, relationships, emotions, and trust“Emotional landmines” and what happens when people store it all upMasculinity, power, and what violence can look like when manhood feels threatenedStories that show the impact of fear and rhetoric on young peopleWhy silence (and “staying in our lane”) isn’t a protection planA direct invitation to educators: be proactive, not reactiveHow mask-making can open honest conversations in your school/community(0:00) Welcome + why Ashanti is speaking directly in this solo reflection (2:18) Lunch with young men: emotions, expectations, trust, and vulnerability (4:10) Naming “emotional landmines” and feeling the pressure personally (5:51) Early life reflections + how we learn to see the world clearly (7:54) A quote that frames masculinity, power, and the threat of equality (12:08) A young person’s testimony: “How can I focus on school when I’m worried about my family?” (16:06) “What are we willing to do to protect what we say we believe?” (18:57) A story about a 10-year-old boy and the ripple effects of fear and threats (21:41) Why people “store it up” until one moment becomes an explosion (22:02) Protests, speaking out, and finding your lane for action (26:59) A direct ask for educators: don’t wait for crisis—create emotional support now (29:21) Invitation: make a mask, invite others, and build connection before the “boom” Join/Contribute to our Young Men’s Conference: https://everforwardclub.org Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 Submit Questions, Reflections, or Episode Ideas Email us: totmpod100@gmail.com Create your mask anonymously: https://millionmask.org/ Connect with Ashanti Branch Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaks X: https://x.com/BranchSpeaks LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/ Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/ Support the Podcast & Ever Forward Club Help us continue creating spaces for young men to be seen, heard, and supported: 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 X: https://x.com/everforwardclub LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/ #unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement #takingoffthemask #totm #doace #diaryofaconfusededucator #emotionalsafety #emotionallandmines #maskmaking #everforwardclub