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

What if the secret to real learning has nothing to do with cognition, and everything to do with emotion?In this episode of unMASKing with Male Educators, Dr. Maurice J. Elias, Rutgers University professor, psychologist, and one of the nation’s leading voices in social-emotional and character development, joins host Ashanti Branch for a powerful conversation about the emotional foundations of learning, teaching, and school culture.Drawing from 45 years at Rutgers and decades of work in schools around the world, Dr. Elias reveals why classrooms must be places of belonging, purpose, inspiration, and shared humanity. Together, he and Ashanti unpack the masks educators wear: the pressure to be the expert, the expectation to appear confident, and the hidden insecurities and self-doubt beneath the surface. They explore how emotions shape motivation, why students crave mattering, and how educators can build the kind of climate where young people feel seen, valued, and capable of greatness.This episode dives into the heart of school culture, why it breaks, how it heals, and what happens when educators lead with compassion, curiosity, and purpose.The emotional mask of the educator: confidence on the outside, insecurity on the insideWhy emotional experiences, not cognition, are the true engine of learningThe crisis of mattering: why kids act out when they can’t matter in positive waysHow purpose, identity, and belonging fuel motivation and academic successWhy students must co-create classroom culture and normsThe power of names, stories, and authentic relationships in the classroomWhat happens when teachers feel called to serve, but systems push them outHow school climate either nurtures or destroys learningWhy male educators leave, and why networks of support are essential(0:00) Welcome & introduction (0:59) Dr. Elias on identity, humility & purpose (2:00) The educator’s mask: confidence vs. self-doubt(4:00) Ashanti on fear of failure and legacy(6:00) Why students choose negative ways to matter(8:10) Purpose, mattering, and motivation (10:20) Why teachers tie their identity to student success (12:00) Creating school climates people want to be in (13:00) What it takes to build emotionally intelligent classrooms (14:30) Co-constructing classroom norms with students(16:20) Humanizing students: names, stories & connection (17:50) Aspirations, index cards & seeing students’ inner worlds (19:00) Why students love meaningful conversations (26:00) The backstory behind greatness: work, purpose, discipline (28:00) Systems issues in education: what schools are getting wrong (29:30) SEL as preparation for democracy (31:30) The emotional labor of teaching (38:10) Why male educators leave the profession(40:00) Networks of support for male teachers(42:30) SEL4CA and a call to communityConnect with Dr. Maurice J. EliasSEL Research & Resources – Rutgers Social-Emotional and Character Development LabEmotionally Intelligent Parenting (multi-language editions)Reinvigorating Classroom Environments (new release)SEL4CA – Statewide SEL Network: SEL4CA.orgConnect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/⁠Facebook:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaks⁠Twitter:⁠ https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaks⁠LinkedIn:⁠ 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/support⁠Connect with Ever Forward Club:Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclub⁠Facebook:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclub⁠Twitter:⁠ https://twitter.com/everforwardclub⁠LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/⁠#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement #takingoffthemask #totm #doace #UNWME #diaryofaconfusededucator #SEL #emotionalintelligence #schoolculture #teacherwellbeing

We just wrapped our second Young Men’s Conference, and I’m still taking in the power, the stories, and the lessons this year brought.From 220 registered to nearly 100 young men showing up in person, this year felt bigger, bolder, and more aligned with the work we’ve been building: helping young men normalize vulnerability, step into their strengths, and see themselves in community with mentors who truly see them.This episode is a reflective solo cast on what went well, what surprised us, and how we’re preparing for a global expansion of the movement in 2026.The growth of the Young Men’s Conference from 50 to 100 participantsWhat young men actually said about their experienceWhy “normalizing vulnerability” remains a radical actWhat we learned from the 100+ youth who didn’t show up, and how to reach them next yearThe global partners activating this movement around the worldA call to action for parents, mentors, schools, and anyone who cares about young menTimestamps(0:00) Welcome & why this episode is a reflection on the conference(2:30) What worked: attendance, workshops, volunteers & community support(4:48) How we expanded to a bigger venue and deeper partnerships(7:14) Parent testimonials and powerful stories from young men(9:40) Why “normalizing vulnerability” is the theme—and why it matters(11:30) What we learned from 220 registrants but only 100 attendees(14:07) Alberto & Parth share behind-the-scenes insights(18:00) Why this work matters even more after recent tragedies(20:30) The “critical gap” and our responsibility to young men(22:15) A call to action as we prepare for 2026Join / Contribute to the Young Men’s ConferenceJoin/Contribute to our Young Men’s Conference 2026: https://everforwardclub.orgJoin our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345Submit Questions, Reflections, or Episode IdeasEmail us: totmpod100@gmail.comCreate your mask anonymously: https://millionmask.org/Connect with Ashanti BranchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/Support the Podcast & Ever Forward ClubHelp us continue creating spaces for young men to be seen, heard, and supported:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/supportConnect with Ever Forward ClubInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement #takingoffthemask #totm #doace #UNWME #diaryofaconfusededucator #youngmensconference #normalizevulnerability #everforwardclub

Do you ever feel like you’re carrying the weight of your students’ futures on your shoulders?That tension, between hope and exhaustion, between responsibility and grace, is familiar territory for Dr. José Luis Vilson, Executive Director of EduColor and author of This Is Not A Test: A New Narrative on Race, Class, and Education.In this powerful episode of unMASKing with Male Educators, Dr. Vilson joins host Ashanti Branch to talk about the humanity behind teaching, the unseen emotions, the quiet anger, and the relentless faith that change is possible through education. Together, they unpack the “mask” educators wear to stay strong for their students, and what lies beneath: doubt, exhaustion, but also deep love and purpose.Dr. Vilson shares his journey from computer science to classroom teaching, his struggle with imposter syndrome, and how he channels empathy and community to sustain his work. This is a conversation about purpose, healing, and redefining what it means to teach with heart.The mask of the teacher: how educators balance strength with vulnerabilityImposter syndrome and self-forgiveness in the professionThe moral and spiritual dimensions of teachingWhy empathy and “actionable kindness” matter more than everThe legacy of teachers of color and building collective powerHow to listen deeply to students, and what they’re really sayingWhat AI, democracy, and education all have in commonPractical advice for teachers navigating burnout, self-doubt, and isolationTimestamps(0:00) Welcome & introduction(1:00) Dr. Vilson on identity and purpose(3:45) The mission behind becoming a teacher(7:20) Teaching as spiritual and moral work(10:45) The mask: what students see vs. what we hide(18:15) Fear, insecurity, and anger behind the classroom door(23:30) Carrying loss and responsibility as educators(30:00) Teaching as spiritual and legacy work(33:00) Listening to young people, and learning from them(42:00) Helping students see themselves in the future(49:00) AI, forgiveness, and the future of teaching(53:00) Finding community and collective strengthConnect with Dr. José Luis VilsonWebsite – www.thejosevilson.comEduColor – a collective for equity and justice in educationThis Is Not A Test: A New Narrative on Race, Class, and EducationConnect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/⁠Facebook:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaks⁠Twitter:⁠ https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaks⁠LinkedIn:⁠ 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/support⁠Connect with Ever Forward Club:Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclub⁠Facebook:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclub⁠Twitter:⁠ https://twitter.com/everforwardclub⁠LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/⁠#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement #takingoffthemask #totm #doace #UNWME #diaryofaconfusededucator

Gregory Robinson Jr. is an author, educator, and mentor currently incarcerated at the Samson Correctional Institution in North Carolina. From behind prison walls, Gregory has built a movement of healing, accountability, and creativity,  guiding other men to confront their pain, share their stories, and take off their masks.Through his Wisdom of Creation series and the Million Mask Movement, Gregory has turned confinement into community. He’s teaching lessons on patience, mental health, and the power of choice, all from a place most people would never imagine transformation could begin.In this episode, Ashanti and Gregory explore how healing can happen anywhere, even behind bars, when men are given permission to be honest about what’s really going on inside.Together, they dive into:How the Million Mask Movement reached inside a North Carolina prisonWhy Gregory gathered “eight brothers, gang leaders, ex-gang leaders, and religious leaders” to take off their masksWhat happens when men are finally allowed to cry, to feel, and to healThe story behind Gregory’s children’s book The Turtle and what it teaches about patience and progressHow creative expression became his form of restorative justiceThe daily realities of incarceration and how he uses storytelling to reclaim his narrativeHis message to young men about slowing down, listening to elders, and choosing a different pathThe truth about control, freedom, and finding peace in your own mindGregory challenges us to rethink a core truth:“Even when you have no control, when you can’t eat what you want, or call home when you want, the one thing you do have control over is your mind and your narrative.”This conversation is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the belief that every man, no matter where he is, can become a catalyst for change.Timestamps:(0:00) Welcome and introduction with Ashanti (1:24) Gregory on growing up, miseducation, and missing guidance (3:43) Discovering the Million Mask Movement from inside prison (4:06) Bringing the mask to prison: “I sat down eight brothers…” (5:07) Creating mental health spaces behind the walls (6:40) The story of The Turtle: lessons on pacing, patience, and acceptance (8:16) “The turtle doesn’t run from danger, it regroups and moves forward” (10:32) Writing books from prison: creativity as survival (12:39) Gregory’s message to youth: “Be patient with life. You don’t have to rush.” (13:50) On control, mindset, and freedom (16:08) How to follow and support Gregory’s work (18:28) Closing reflections: healing from behind the wallsResources mentioned:Instagram: wisdomofcreation2Facebook Page: Wisdom of Creation 2Books: The Turtle and A Conscious Journey of My Unfolding available on AmazonGoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-wisdom-of-creations-mission support Gregory Robinson Jr. publishing and youth outreach workConnect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/⁠Facebook:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaks⁠Twitter:⁠ https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaks⁠LinkedIn:⁠ 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/support⁠Connect with Ever Forward Club:Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclub⁠Facebook:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclub⁠Twitter:⁠ https://twitter.com/everforwardclub⁠LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/⁠#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement #takingoffthemask #mentalhealthmatters #healingbehindwalls #educationjustice #restorativejustice #masculinity #emotionalwellness #everforwardclub #schoolculture #brotherhood #teacherwellbeing

Nicholas Bradford is the founder and Executive Director of the National Center for Restorative Justice, where he and his team help schools across the country transform discipline systems into spaces for healing, accountability, and connection.A former teacher in Vermont and Washington and a 24-year Coast Guard veteran, Nicholas brings a grounded, compassionate, and deeply practical approach to what it means to build emotionally safe schools. His work challenges educators to replace punishment with purpose and to see conflict as an opportunity for growth rather than control.In this episode, Ashanti and Nicholas unpack what it truly means to create restorative systems that work for kids, for teachers, and for entire school communities.Together, they dive into:The difference between punishment and consequences and why most schools confuse the twoHow restorative justice actually builds accountability and belongingWhy “slowing down” conflict helps kids (and adults) process and growWhat it takes to shift school culture from compliance to connectionThe masks educators wear: confidence, productivity, and quiet doubtHow identity, harm, and vulnerability show up for both students and teachersWhy apology and repair are essential leadership skillsHow Nicholas’s own journey from teaching to restorative work reshaped his view of justice, empathy, and educationNicholas challenges us to rethink a core question:Are we trying to get even, or are we trying to get better?And what might happen if every classroom became a space where accountability was human, not punitive?Timestamps:(0:00) Welcome & introduction(0:22) Nicholas on his path from teaching to restorative justice work(3:44) Why suspensions don’t change behavior, “Kids just get better at not getting caught”(6:40) Punishment vs. consequences: Nicholas breaks down the difference(14:06) The masks Nicholas wears: capable, caring, productive, and the doubts underneath(19:17) How restorative circles help students take off their masks(25:23) What restorative justice really looks like in schools(29:56) Building connection as prevention: belonging, relationships, and safety(34:12) Personal work before systems work: why adult regulation matters(38:55) “An unregulated mind can’t regulate another unregulated mind”(43:19) Accountability as an off-ramp from punishment(46:18) Restorative justice in action: student stories of harm and repair(48:07) Resources, books, and mindset shifts for educators(50:31) Closing reflections: conflict as opportunity for learningConnect with Nicholas BradfordWebsite: National Center for Restorative JusticeLinkedIn: Nicholas BradfordBook: A Real World Guide to Restorative Justice in SchoolsEmail us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.comCreate your own mask anonymously at⁠ https://millionmask.org/Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/⁠Facebook:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaks⁠Twitter:⁠ https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaks⁠LinkedIn:⁠ 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/support⁠Connect with Ever Forward Club:Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclub⁠Facebook:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclub⁠Twitter:⁠ https://twitter.com/everforwardclub⁠LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/⁠#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement #takingoffthemask #restorativejustice #educationjustice #socialemotionallearning #everforwardclub #schoolculture #healingineducation #emotionalintelligence #teacherwellbeing

We police ourselves too much. And by "we" I'm referring to the progressive movement.Those on the other side have built a large coalition by putting the conservative agenda above all, ignoring the warts and the ugly within the organization.This approach has made me think about what's also limiting us when it comes to recruiting male mentors: We need to embrace our warts instead of being ashamed by them. Mistakes make us better mentors.Topics include:The weaknesses of the progressive movement and why they lose the messaging battleWhat MAGA and people like Andrew Tate have figured outMale mentors and their insecuritiesTimestamps:(0:00) Welcome and recapping a retreat I attended in New Mexico(3:00) One quote about our current political environment that has really stuck with me(9:45) My solution and some problems we’re facing with it: The Young Men’s Conference(17:30) Reintroducing rites of passage to our current society---Join/Contribute to our Young Men’s Conference: https://everforwardclub.org/global-young-mens-conference-2025 Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 —Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: 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/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/---#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement  #takingoffthemask #totm #doace #UNWME #diaryofaconfusededucator

Alex Campbell is a high school social studies teacher at Elizabethton High School in East Tennessee, where he’s spent more than two decades reimagining what learning can look like. His classroom became known nationally after his students helped investigate and solve Tennessee cold cases, turning lessons in history and sociology into powerful acts of justice.As the author of 10 Lessons That Will Get You Fired (But You Must Teach Immediately) and a featured voice on the podcast Murder 101, Alex challenges the limits of traditional education. He believes teachers aren’t just keepers of knowledge, they’re creators of learning experiences who can help students make a tangible impact on the world around them.Together, Ashanti and Alex dive deep into:The masks teachers wear: confidence, control, and hidden doubtWhy project-based learning transforms classrooms, and livesThe story of Alex’s students helping free a woman wrongfully imprisoned for murderHow vulnerability, trust, and risk-taking open doors to real learningWhat it means to teach with courage in a system built for complianceHow purpose-driven teaching builds hope, belonging, and self-worthAlex’s reflections challenge us to ask:Are we teaching content… or changing lives?And what happens when we finally trust students to lead their own learning?Timestamps:(0:00) Welcome & introduction(1:22) Alex on teaching in East Tennessee and finding purpose through connection(4:10) The mask Alex wears: confident on the outside, uncertain within(8:35) “10 Lessons That Will Get You Fired”, why he wrote the book(14:55) The power of project-based learning in real classrooms(23:10) Students investigating cold cases and seeking justice(30:25) When learning becomes life-changing, the story of freeing an innocent woman(38:20) How Alex redefines the teacher’s role as a “creator of learning experiences”(45:05) Vulnerability and risk-taking in front of students(50:15) “Trust your students”, Alex’s message to every educator(58:00) Closing reflections: what courage looks like in education today---Connect with Alex Campbell:Book: 10 Lessons That Will Get You Fired (But You Must Teach Immediately)Podcast: Murder 101 Feature: Knox News – Teacher Alex Campbell and His Students Help Solve Tennessee Cold Cases—Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.comCreate your own mask anonymously at⁠ https://millionmask.org/⁠Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/⁠Facebook:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaks⁠Twitter:⁠ https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaks⁠LinkedIn:⁠ 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/support⁠Connect with Ever Forward Club:Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclub⁠Facebook:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclub⁠Twitter:⁠ https://twitter.com/everforwardclub⁠LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/⁠#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement #takingoffthemask #educationjustice #socialemotionallearning #maskmaking #projectbasedlearning #teachersofinstagram #everforwardclub

What keeps educators going when the system feels overwhelming? How do we balance creativity, critique, and care in classrooms where students face everything from initiative fatigue to gun violence?In this episode, Ashanti sits down with sam seidel, educator, author, and Director of Strategy & Research at the Stanford d.school. sam has spent more than 20 years designing schools, launching youth programs, and writing about the intersections of education, identity, creativity, and justice. His most recent book, From White Folks Who Teach in the Hood (with Dr. Christopher Emdin), explores how white educators can engage in classrooms with honesty, humility, and impact.Together, Ashanti and sam dive deep into:The masks educators wear: curiosity, critique, and hidden vulnerabilitiesSchool safety and Sam’s eye-opening experience shadowing a student during an active shooter drillThe toll of initiative fatigue on teachers and studentsWhat Sam’s father (also an educator) taught him about anger as fuel for changeWhy belonging, empathy, and critical reflection matter just as much as curriculumHow the Stanford d.school’s School Safety Net is helping schools strengthen community connectionSam’s reflections push us to ask: What’s our learning edge as educators? And how do we keep interrogating the parts of ourselves we often keep hidden?Timestamps(0:00) Welcome & Introduction(1:12) Sam on trust, connection, and why safe conversations matter(3:25) Sam introduces himself and his work at the Stanford d.school(8:31) Sam’s mask: curious, critical, creative(12:18) Vulnerability: cynicism, Jewish identity, and what he hides(19:17) Challenges in education today: repression, book bans, and teacher fatigue(23:44) AI, initiative overload, and why teachers feel burned out(25:14) Sam’s experience with active shooter drills and school safety(33:08) Why student connection isn’t “extra”, it’s life-saving(44:30) Lessons from his father: anger as fuel for teaching(47:15) Sam shares his books & resourcesConnect with sam seidelWebsite: samseidel.isBooks: From White Folks Who Teach in the Hood, Hip Hop Genius 2.0, Creative Hustle, and moreJoin/Contribute to our Young Men’s Conference: https://everforwardclub.org/global-young-mens-conference-2025Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345—Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.comCreate your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/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/supportConnect 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/#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement #takingoffthemask #totm #educationjustice #socialemotionallearning #maskmaking

I shed 30 pounds, and I’m feeling the best I’ve felt in a while. But it was 30 difficult days - of cravings, headaches, mood swings, brain fog, fatigue, you name it… But it was necessary, and it made me think, “What would that look like for our schools? Our school districts? Our educators and their classrooms?”Our schools and our young people are struggling. Are we willing to go through the necessary growing pains?(0:00) Class in session(8:15) My 30-day plant-based detox, and shedding 30 pounds of waste(15:30) Taking in the school board superintendent resignations and the budget shortages at school districts in the Bay Area(19:55) Speaking at a church and telling the congregation some upsetting statistics about boys and young men, and about our upcoming Young Men’s Conference(26:00) An invitation to contribute to your community in a way that is best for youJoin/Contribute to our Young Men’s Conference: https://everforwardclub.org/global-young-mens-conference-2025 Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 —Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: 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/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/---#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement  #takingoffthemask #totm #doace #UNWME #diaryofaconfusededucator

Do you ever wonder if you are doing enough? If you are truly making an impact as an educator, mentor, or leader? For Dr. Edson Andrade, those questions have been a constant companion, shaped by his journey as an undocumented immigrant, his experience with imposter syndrome, and his work training the next generation of counselors.Dr. Andrade is a professor of counseling at California State University, Fullerton. He trains bilingual and bicultural counselors who are dedicated to serving Latinx communities across Southern California. His story is one of resilience, empathy, and creating spaces of belonging for students navigating complex challenges.Today, we discuss:The masks we wear: imposter syndrome, fear, and self-doubtGrowing up undocumented for 25 years and finding belongingThe role of empathy and relationships in higher educationSupporting immigrant and undocumented students in classroomsWhy connection matters more than content in learningAdvice for young men questioning their worth and place in the worldTimestamps (0:00) Welcome & Introduction (0:29) Dr. Andrade introduces himself (3:25) Ashanti and Edson share their teacher personas/masks (5:35) Edson opens up about imposter syndrome and self-doubt (11:16) Timeline reflections and changes in higher ed (19:17) Helping students unmask in safe and supportive ways (23:18) Edson shares his undocumented journey (23:18) Social-emotional intelligence in today’s graduate students (27:45) How Edson is navigating imposter syndrome as a professor (32:37) A reminder for teachers: pause and see the whole student (33:07) Edson’s message to his younger self and today’s youthConnect with Dr. Edson Andrade:California State University, Fullerton – Counseling Program: https://ed.fullerton.eduJoin/Contribute to our Young Men’s Conference: https://everforwardclub.org/global-young-mens-conference-2025Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345—Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.comCreate your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/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/supportConnect 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/#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement #takingoffthemask #totm #doace #UNWME #diaryofaconfusededucator

I bet there are more ways you can create productive struggle in your classroom, and you haven’t thought of them. And I bet taking in what Jerome has to say about smartphones, dopamine, and struggle will help unlock something in you as an educator.Jerome is an educational strategist based in Seattle, Washington, who stands at the intersection of education, policy, community engagement, and young men & boys. A TED and NPR-featured educator and community leader, this is Jerome’s third time on the show!How Jerome works with architects and the community to design schools that promote flexibility and creativityWhy analog tools are making a comeback in schools, and digital tools are being pulled backHow digital technology erases productive struggle and interpersonal skills developmentSome new research on how smartphones affect students, and a new article by Jonathan Haidt(2:30) Jerome introduces himself(6:45) Designing school spaces for 21st-century students, and advocating for more analog learning tools(16:00) The disappearance of productive struggle and desired difficulty(21:30) Ashanti and Jerome share their masks/teacher personas, and some thoughts on inclusive masculinity and bravery(34:30) Jerome’s thoughts on how to start the school year(38:30) Jonathan Haidt and student preferences(40:00) Student microcognitions and how educators can tackle them(45:15) Jerome’s words of advice for male educatorsWebsite: https://www.jeromeleehunter.com/---Join/Contribute to our Young Men’s Conference: https://everforwardclub.org/global-young-mens-conference-2025 Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 —Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: 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/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/---#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement  #takingoffthemask #totm #doace #UNWME #diaryofaconfusededucator

We've been recruiting male educators to take part in our upcoming Young Men's Conference (details below), and the successes and difficulties in doing so have forced us to confront some important questions:Where are all the trustworthy male educators?What does it even mean to be a male? To be masculine?We hope you take this exercise and exploration as a rallying cry to support your young male students. To empower them with the right choices, role models, and opportunities to create their own narrative. To build their own definition of "masculinity" in a healthy, prosocial way. Enjoy the show :)(0:00) Class in session(7:00) What we've learned from canvassing the community and building momentum for the Young Men's Conference(9:30) What happens if your school campus does not have any trustworthy adult male educators?(14:25) What is my definition of masculinity?---Join/Contribute to our Young Men’s Conference: https://everforwardclub.org/global-young-mens-conference-2025 Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 —Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: 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/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/---#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement  #takingoffthemask #totm #doace #UNWME #diaryofaconfusededucator

I travel around the world talking to young people and educators. To start the school year, I noticed a lot of young people were leaving their work blank during my workshops. What’s behind this? Something cultural? Pedagogical? Personal? Specific to each particular school? I’m going to share what I learned for future workshops, and how you can apply the lessons of these experiences to your classroom.(0:00) Class in session(0:40) Background on the different schools I’ve visited to start the school year and the workshops I hold(11:30) Activity 1 that was left blank: Dear Me(15:30) Why are students leaning on the excuse, “I don’t know what to do.”(19:45) Activity 2 that was left blank: The Mask(23:40) Are students “less trusting” than ever?(25:20) Closing notes and information on the Ever Forward ClubJoin/Contribute to our Young Men’s Conference: https://everforwardclub.org/global-young-mens-conference-2025 Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 —Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: 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/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/---#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement  #takingoffthemask #totm #doace #UNWME #diaryofaconfusededucator

Did you have a Black male teacher growing up? In high school? Middle school? Elementary school? The numbers go down as the grades get lower. But thankfully we have people like Jason.Jason is an elementary school teacher based in San Francisco, California. He’s been teaching in some capacity for 13 plus years, and his passion for teaching is rooted in his passion for mentorship and commitment to ensuring young people have what they need for self-actualization.Today, we discuss:How to guide boys and cultivate a healthy relationship with angerHow Jason has achieved longevity in the teaching profession and made it sustainableHow adopting a broad definition of mentorship can be liberating and lead to impact in your classroomSome encouraging things for male elementary school teachers at the start of this school year(0:00) Class Session(2:35) Jason introduces himself(5:30) Ashanti and Jason share their teacher personas/masks(14:00) The challenge of giving boys the space to express themselves, especially anger(18:30) Achieving longevity in the teaching profession(22:40) Infusing more mentoring in our communities, and embracing a broader definition of “mentor”(32:40) Seeing former students in a mentorship role(36:00) The role of Black male educators in elementary schools(43:40) Jason’s message for all educators---Connect with Jason Muse:https://linktr.ee/BlackMuzeJoin/Contribute to our Young Men’s Conference: https://everforwardclub.org/global-young-mens-conference-2025 Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 —Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: 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/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/---#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement  #takingoffthemask #totm #doace #UNWME #diaryofaconfusededucator

Russell is a middle school music and movement educator, now entering his 20th year in the profession! And with so many years of experience in the field, he has a wealth of experience with teaching frameworks, student motivation, neurodivergent thinking, and mindfulness. I really hope that you can integrate what he says today into how you approach the start of the 25/26 school year.Today, we discuss:How Russell implements mindfulness practices to help himself and his students transition between school periodsWhat it’s like to be a teacher with ADHD, Inattentive Type, and how being transparent about this with his students creates a warm and productive classroom communityHow Russell uses the Orff Schulwerk framework to teach music, and how it can be applied to all different school subjectsHow “leveling up” in video games can be applied in baby steps, especially in schoolRussell’s words of encouragement for male teachers starting the upcoming school yearThe importance of having someone in the building, at your school site, to share with vulnerably(0:00) Class in session(2:40) Russell introduces himself(6:30) Russell and Ashanti share their teacher personas/masksConnect with Russell Nadel:Website: http://www.russellnadel.com ---Join/Contribute to our Young Men’s Conference: https://everforwardclub.org/global-young-mens-conference-2025 Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 —Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: 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/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/---#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement  #takingoffthemask #totm #doace #UNWME #diaryofaconfusededucator

I guarantee this episode will make you a better teacher. Practical advice, explicit tools, a clear perspective, and a way to move throughout your school site with intention - our conversation with Nicholas was exactly why we started this series.Nicholas Ward is a middle school history teacher and Athletic Director in East Oakland, where he’s been teaching for the past seven years. He focuses on making U.S. and world history meaningful and relevant, especially for students from underserved communities; and he’s also passionate about mentorship, student leadership, and using sports and community-building as tools for growth, both in and outside the classroom. We discuss:How becoming a father has impacted Nicholas’s work as a teacherHow Nicholas is intentional and consistent with his 1 on 1 check-ins with students outside of the classroomThe mentorship program that Nicholas piloted in his school to empower students across grade levelsHow he instills the idea that “rigor is love” with his students and parents at the beginning of the yearHow Nicholas teaches history, media literacy, and primary sources in the era of “fake news”, AI, and smartphone devicesThe principles and practices that Nicholas implements to start every school year(2:45) Nicholas introduces himself.(4:30) Nicholas and Ashanti share their “teacher personas”(13:00) Being both a father and a male educator(18:30) Building relationships at the beginning of the school year(19:00) The perfect notebook for educators(24:50) The special mentorship program Nicholas piloted at his school(26:20) Communicating to students and parents how “rigor is love”; pushing students to demonstrate what they’ve learned in multiple modalities(31:55) Teaching history in the era of disinformation(36:10) Tying civic engagement to history(40:45) How mentorship breaks down walls - student to student, teacher to teacher, and student to teacher(45:00) How to start the school year according to an expert---Connect with Nicholas Ward:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/captovader/ ---Join/Contribute to our Young Men’s Conference: https://everforwardclub.org/global-young-mens-conference-2025 Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 —Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: 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/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/---#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement  #takingoffthemask #totm #doace #UNWME #diaryofaconfusededucator

This is essential listening to start the 2025-26 school year. And as an educator, you should be able to finish the title of this episode. If you can’t, you’re not doing an essential part of the work - listening and relationship building. Well… you came to the right place to LISTEN. Listen to AJ and Angel, two young male high schoolers that are here to lift the curtain on what makes modern day students tick. They are both members of our Young Men’s Health Group and members of the council that is setting up our Global Young Men’s Conference, and today, we discuss:What exactly is on students’ minds as they navigate the beginning of the school yearWhat are your male students feeling but not telling you aboutThe ways you can gain and lose students’ trustAs a teacher, it’s not about OFFERING support. It’s about HOW you offer support.How students are actually embarrassed to be perceived as smartAJ and Angel do some teacher student role playing(2:50) AJ and Angel introduce themselves(6:40) Ashanti, AJ, and Angel share their masks.(11:40) What teachers need to know to better serve their students(24:40) Are young men afraid to show how smart they are?(37:10) How to approach a disengaged student/a student facing peer pressure - an epic student-teacher role play(43:10) Maintaining student relationships by being approachable before, during, and after class(49:40) AJ and Angel describe their favorite teachers and the things they do that are exceptional(52:40) Final thoughts from AJ and Angel---Join/Contribute to our Young Men’s Conference: https://everforwardclub.org/global-young-mens-conference-2025 Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 ---Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: 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/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/---#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement  #takingoffthemask #totm #doace #UNWME #diaryofaconfusededucator

Congratulations on another school year! As you enjoy the summertime, we have somewhat of a gift for you in anticipation of what's to come... A few things that will transform your classroom and your school in the Fall.Enjoy your time off (if you're taking it), but keep these three things on the back of your mind.The Young Men’s Conference is going global (1:00)The First Week of School - Brought to you by the Million Mask Movement (5:45)The new season of the podcast launches in the Fall, and there's an archival podcast this Summer (8:30)---Contribute to our Dance-a-thon fundraiser: https://charity.pledgeit.org/EFC-DanceAThon Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: 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/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/---#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement  #takingoffthemask #totm #doace #UNWME #diaryofaconfusededucator

It seems to be that more often in life, we find our selves in that vicious cycle of burning out, then numbing out, only to burnout and numb out even more. It's safe to say this especially applies to teachers.Even the PhDs of the world, like today's guest, Brendan, find themselves in that cycle. Brendan is a sociologist who specializes in the social-emotional development and well-being of boys and men, and how that intersects with the well-being of others. Brendan has a PhD in Education from the University of Edinburgh, and was formerly a highschool teacher in Vancouver, Canada. Today, we discuss:How each of us has dealt with (or not dealt with) burnout as we navigate the field of educationThe challenge of trigger warnings, and how they undermine the courageous and dangerous conversations required to do great teachingHow students and teachers alike fall prey to smartphone soothing, and how it affects your classroom(0:00) Class in session(2:11) Brendan introduces himself(5:40) Brendan and Ashanti share their masks, i.e., their teaching personas(18:00) The guilt we develop from teaching in a wealthy school district(24:00) Differences between college students and high school students(27:00) Trigger warnings remove discomfort from good education opportunities(33:00) Teachers will traumatize students, but it’s more important to know how to repair(36:45) Smartphone soothing and numbing is dangerous(44:00) How to find Brendan---Connect with Brendan Kwiatkowski-HartmanWebsite/Newsletter: https://remasculine.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/re.masculine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@remasculine ---Contribute to our Dance-a-thon fundraiser: https://charity.pledgeit.org/EFC-DanceAThon Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: 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/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/---#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement  #takingoffthemask #totm #doace #UNWME #diaryofaconfusededucator

“If we give our children sound self-love, they will be able to deal with whatever life puts before them.”- bell hooksHarry Jamerson teaches 5th grade in San Francisco Unified School District, and he shared this quote with us before our conversation. After talking to him, I could tell he truly lives by bell hooks’ words. When it comes to self-love and emotional intellgence, Harry is keen on when to intervene, when to step back, and the PRESENCE required to make the right decision as an educator.Today, we discuss:The unique levels of fatigue that Black male educators endureHow young students are “overexposed and underexplained” to this one major societal issue, and how it affects their behaviorThe importance of WAITING to intervene, so that young students learn how to process their emotions and big feelings(0:00) Class in session(2:16) Harry introduces himself and how he became a teacher(7:00) How Harry and Ashanti let their students and fellow educators see them, and what they don’t let them see(14:00) Empathy fatigue and how it affects educators, and especially Black men(23:00) Overexposed and underexplained: how technology is affecting young students(33:20) Students who need the most love ask for it in the most unloving ways(37:50) Twenty-year conversations: technology, interventions, and overwhelming systemic issues in education(40:45) Letting a student “crash out” at a kickball game(44:30) Avoid intervening too quickly and allow students to process their emotions---Connect with Harry Jamerson:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-jamerson-72b1672b7/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellacoolfotos/ ---Contribute to our Dance-a-thon fundraiser: https://charity.pledgeit.org/EFC-DanceAThon Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: 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/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement #takingoffthemask #totm #doace #UNWME #diaryofaconfusededucator