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

It’s one thing—and an important thing—to be a brilliant and dedicated male educator. It’s another thing entirely to take up the mantle of helping men join and thrive in this profession. Challenging as that is, no one could be better for this job than Ashanti. His podcast is provocative, wide-ranging, helpful, entertaining, and couldn’t be more important.

This man kicked off a journey for me 10 years ago that has led to thousands of transformations for boys and men within my non profit and professional work. His legacy extends through the lives of millions at this point.

The Unmasking podcast is one of my favorite education podcasts out there! The topics are consistently progressive, reflective, and incredibly practical for today’s educators. Ashanti does a fantastic job creating meaningful conversations with a diverse lineup of guests who offer real, applicable strategies that I can bring into my own practice. It’s an invaluable resource for anyone looking to grow personally and professionally in the field of education.

Ashanti fosters a safe space for men to have real conversations about the things that matter: challenges, heartbreak, dreams, and everything in between. Through insightful interviews, the podcast dives deep into topics like modern masculinity, vulnerability, self-love, and developing a strong mindset. It's a must-listen for any guy looking to go beyond the mask and live a more authentic life.

One of your lady listeners chiming in here! Thank you for bringing authentic conversations among men and giving them space to be true and real. Thank you for giving the world a glimpse of what CAN be if we all took off our masks more often. I’m imagining the power of community. I’m imagining the love of connections. I’m imagining the eradication of fear and therefore oppression! Can you see it? I believe it’s possible and the work of Taking Off The Mask is bringing it to the surface. Deepest Gr... more

Great host, great guests (LOVED the one w/ Jason Kyle but hey I’m biased), AND, important conversations that propel us forward and make our world a better place. Thank you Ashanti for all that you do!

Love putting on this show! Gives us a beautiful slice of humanity in such an engaging format!

Looking at identifying what is in front and behind our masks- and being forced to name it and why it exists is such an eye opening exercise. I’m enjoying these conversations!

Was so impressed with Ashanti’s February appearance on We Are Man Enough had to make this show one of my must follows! Energetic, thoughtful and a true #changeagent!

The format of this “not an interview” show lends itself to surprising directions and insights!

I had the pleasure to be invited as a guest on Taking Off The Mask Episode 133. I have done quite a few podcasts in my time and have to say that this one with Ashanti was definitely one of the most FUN episodes. Ashanti radiates an amazing energy that is easy to talk openly and honestly to. So, even though we were talking about some quite heavy topics, it felt “light” and fun. I hope the listener feels the same. Carry on the great work, Ashanti!

This is a podcast that’s long overdue. The conversations allow people to be seen and valued without the need for a performance. Society needs these conversations to show people that you have permission to be your whole self and nothing has to be left on the cutting floor just to fit in. A breathe of fresh air in a world that’s often times more concerned with what you do instead of who you are.

This podcast feels so special, because the people that go on it are sharing their vulnerabilities and their perspectives that you can really relate too and it makes you think about the world we live in and the experiences of others. Everyone has something that they're working through or have worked through and listening to others talk about what they hide from the world and what they see the world as is such a unique experience that people should be listening closely too.

Ashanti is getting an important conversation started. Most young men spend all their time with friends talking about superficial topics. Meanwhile, these same men are left to work through the big questions alone. We as a society need to move past the small talk and this podcast is getting this movement started.

Mr.Ashanti may bring up a few questions but this questions really needs a whole lot from you in order to answer. Its always comforting to hear others response and someone relatable to you. These moments is where we can take off these figurative mask and express ourselves.