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

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

Ashanti Branch - Taking Off The Mask
Education
Million Mask Movement
Oakland, United States
Young Men's Conference
Masculinity
Mentorship
Black Male Educators
Leadership
Male Educators
Techmyschool
Real Men Teach
Mental Health
Authenticity
Culturally Relevant Pedagogy
Art Of Living Foundation
Ever Forward Club
Emotionally Intelligent Learning
Young Menriends Conference
Restorative Justice
Project-Based Learning

Only 23% of K-12 educators in America are male, a gender gap that has serious ramifications for male students - who often face DISPROPORTIONATE disciplinary action. This podcast is for male educators who want to embody a necessary change in schools, via healthy social-emotional outcomes. Come away with actionable lesson plans, relatable stories, and a renewed purpose. The US Surgeon General says t... more

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

Latest Episodes

What happens when your earliest memories teach you lessons about race, identity, and belonging before you even understand what those words mean?

In this conversation, Ashanti Branch sits down with educator, author, and education leader Brian Rashad ... more

What happens when one person sees your potential before you can see it yourself?

Ashanti Branch sits down with Hasan Davis, educator, youth advocate, storyteller, and self-described "Hope Dealer," to explore the experiences that shaped his life and ... more

YouTube

Content notes: This episode contains discussions of trauma, addiction, mental health, and psychedelic-assisted healing. Steve shares his personal experiences and perspectives. This conversation is not intended as medical, psychological, or profession... more

YouTube

What happens when the people everyone relies on for hope, encouragement, and positivity are struggling to carry everyone else's burdens?

In this powerful conversation, Ashanti Branch sits down with educator, author, and speaker Chase Mielke to explo... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Chase Mielke
Educator, author, emotional health advocate
Episode: #72: What Happens When the Hope-Giver Needs Hope? w/ Chase Mielke
Fernando De Veras
Educator, father, community organizer, and advocate for healing-centered work with young people and families
LatinX Parenting (via collaborations)
Episode: #71 | Helping Kids Feel Safe Enough to Connect w/ Fernando Deveras
Nigel Williams
Founder of Future Rich; educator and mentor focusing on financial literacy and generational wealth
Future Rich
Episode: #70 | If You Didn’t Start Yesterday, Start Today — w/ Nigel Williams
Jay Wamsted
20-year middle and high school math teacher, author, educator
Independent educator/author
Episode: #69 | Are You In or Are You Out? — w/ Jay Wamsted
Baruti Kafele
Veteran educator, former principal, author, instructional leader
Independent educator and author
Episode: #68 | Does Your Teaching Match Who’s in the Room? — w/ Principal Baruti Kafele
Clyde Cole
Brooklyn-born educator, principal, and school leader with over 35 years in education
Cristo Rey Brooklyn
Episode: #E67 | Clyde Cole on Emotional Safety, Authentic Leadership, and Helping Students Take the Risk to Trust
Bishop Kevin Foreman
Pastor, educator, founder of Harvest Church and Harvest Bible College
Harvest Church / Harvest Bible College
Episode: #E66 | Bishop Foreman on Transformational Teaching, Leadership, and Teaching for Real Impact
Alexander Kopelman
Founder/CEO of the Children's Arts Guild
Children's Arts Guild
Episode: #65 | Alexander Kopelman on Authenticity, Creativity, and Helping Children Stay Real
Jason Biehl
Social justice history teacher and anti-racist facilitator
Unicorns (graphic memoir series)
Episode: #64 | Jason Biehl on White Discomfort, Belonging, and the Work of Healing

Host

Ashanti Branch
Host of the show

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 59 ratings
  • Ashanti: a brilliant leader for a vital project!

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jusowells
    United States4 months ago
  • Changing the world! Ashanti is world class

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BCGoldcoast
    United States5 months ago
  • Essential Listening: Progressive, Practical, and Inspiring Conversations

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Modern Masculinity
    United States2 years ago
  • A breath of fresh air for anyone looking to explore what it means to be a man today.

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JRoseland
    United States2 years ago
  • Imagining what could be…

    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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PAtoAZtoALB
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests bring diverse perspectives and expertise, contributing to in-depth, meaningful discussions.
Listeners value practical, actionable strategies that can be applied in classrooms or schools.
Audiences praise the host for creating a safe space for vulnerable conversations about masculinity and education.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#88
Israel/Education/How To

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#41 | The Hidden Struggles of Educators & Students - w/ Dr. Edson Andrade - CSUF Counseling Professor
Q: Thank you. For those who are either in schools or have different types of schools, what does the role of a mental health counselor do?
Edson explains that mental health counselors are similar to licensed therapists, often with a focus on school-based contexts, and that their role includes supporting student well-being, mental health, and bridging gaps between students and resources, rather than simply scheduling. He emphasizes the value of having counselors who can address multiple students' needs and the importance of specific training for bilingual/bicultural contexts.
#36 | The Intersection of Video Games, Neurodivergence, and Good Teaching - w/ Russell Nadel, Music and Movement Educator, Composer
Q: What teaching method or pedagogy do you use, specifically in Orff Schulwerk, and how does it translate to other subjects?
He explains Orff Schulwerk as an approach that emphasizes hands-on learning, play, imitation, exploration, and improvisation within a Musicianship Laboratory framework, with careful scaffolding and level-up progressions that can be applied across subjects beyond music.
#43 | Curiosity, Critique & Courage in Education – w/ sam seidel (Stanford d.school)
Q: What keeps educators motivated to persist in such a tough environment?
A combination of passion for teaching, personal relationships with students and families, and a sense of responsibility to create meaningful, safe learning environments. Family history and mentors can fuel a sense of purpose, even amid frustration and systemic barriers.
#43 | Curiosity, Critique & Courage in Education – w/ sam seidel (Stanford d.school)
Q: What are the major challenges you see facing schools today, and how should educators respond?
Key challenges include persistent safety concerns and gun violence, political and policy pressures around race and equity, AI and technology adoption, and leadership turnover. Educators should engage in honest dialogue, connect with colleagues and communities, and anchor their practice in student-centered, equity-focused approaches.
#43 | Curiosity, Critique & Courage in Education – w/ sam seidel (Stanford d.school)
Q: Can you describe what the MASK activity reveals about educators' self-awareness and growth?
The MASK exercise helps educators surface hidden patterns in their professional identities, revealing how they present themselves, what they hide, and where they need to interrogate their own assumptions. It becomes a prompt for reflection and growth rather than a one-off activity.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program centers on creating emotionally safe classrooms for male students and supporting male educators through mentorship, leadership, and social-emotional strategies. Across episodes, conversations span culturally responsive teaching, authentic leadership, trauma-informed approaches, breathwork and mindfulness, and practical tools for mentorship and wellbeing. The show stands out for blending personal storytelling with action-oriented guidance, featuring educators, principals, researchers, and practitioners who champion healthier dynamics in schools and communities. It's likely to appeal to male educators seeking community and tangible tactics, as well as sponsors and partners focused on education equity, mental health, and youth dev... more

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1. This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von

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this podcast launched 6 years ago and published 302 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Chase Mielke
2. Fernando De Veras
3. Nigel Williams
4. Jay Wamsted
5. Baruti Kafele
6. Clyde Cole
7. Bishop Kevin Foreman
8. Alexander Kopelman

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