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

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 the mental health of our youth is the "crisis of our time." Male educators are uniquely positioned to address this - because real men teach.Join our community: "Advocates for Young Men" at Skool.com

unMASKing with Male Educators: Creating Emotionally Safe Classrooms & Schools for Male Students is a education podcast hosted by Male Educators, with 309 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Male Educators hosts unMASKing with Male Educators: Creating Emotionally Safe Classrooms & Schools for Male Students, a education show with 309 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #76

  #83 | Behind the High Performer: What We Hide Behind the Mask w/ Ron Rapatalo

  Aug 18, 202642 minS2

  What happens when someone appears confident, connected, and successful on the outside while privately navigating anxiety, avoidance, pressure, and self-doubt? In this episode of unMASKing with Male Educators, Ashanti sits down with educator, coach, connector, podcast host, and social impact leader Ron Rapatalo to explore identity, vulnerability, high performance, community, leadership, and the emotional weight people often carry behind their public image. Together, they reflect on the version of ourselves we share publicly, the struggles we protect privately, and why true self-awareness requires looking beyond achievement, visibility, and professional success. This conversation dives into: Ron’s journey as the child of Filipino immigrants and a product of New York City public schools Why education became an equalizer in his life How Filipino cultural values shaped his commitment to community and connection The difference between a public brand and the person behind it Why vulnerability is often shared only after it has been processed How high performers can hide anxiety, avoidance, and private struggles The emotional and physical cost of constantly needing to succeed Why educators should not have to sacrifice their health to serve others How ADHD, anxiety, deadlines, and performance can become deeply connected Why excellence does not have to look like suffering Throughout the conversation, Ashanti and Ron explore what it means to be visible without being fully known. They remind listeners that achievement does not erase struggle, vulnerability is not weakness, and the people who appear strongest may still be carrying experiences others cannot see. If you care about educator wellness, leadership, identity, high performance, emotional health, vulnerability, community, social impact, or creating more human-centered professional spaces, this episode is for you. Connect with Ron Rapatalo Email: rapatalo@gmail.com Podcast: https://ronderings.podcastsmatter.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rapatalo/?skipRedirect=true 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 #MaleEducators#BehindHighPerformance #WhatSuccessHides #HighPerformers #EducatorWellness #LeadershipAndVulnerability

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  Episode #82

  #82 | Behind the Confidence: Let Kids Learn To Live w/ Dr. Ray Boyd

  Aug 11, 202645 minS2

  What does it mean to lead with confidence while carrying vulnerability, caution, and responsibility behind the mask? In this episode of unMASKing with Male Educators , Ashanti sits down with Western Australian educator and school leader Dr. Ray Boyd to explore leadership, childhood, boundaries, technology, masculinity, and the lasting impact teachers have on young people. Together, they reflect on the pressure educators carry, the importance of consistency, and why students need both freedom and clear expectations in order to grow. This conversation dives into: The confidence school leaders often show publicly The vulnerability and sensitivity many men keep hidden Why dependable leadership builds trust How teachers constantly anticipate what could go wrong The pressure educators carry beyond the school day Why children need opportunities to take healthy risks How overprotection can increase anxiety and limit independence The impact of phones and social media on childhood Why clear boundaries must be followed by consistent action Throughout the conversation, Ashanti and Ray explore how strong leadership combines confidence with care, boundaries with support, and high expectations with humanity. They remind educators that students may not always express their appreciation, but the consistency and care they receive can shape their lives for years to come. If you care about school leadership, emotional safety, healthy masculinity, student independence, educator wellness, or creating consistent and supportive classrooms, this episode is for you. Connect with Dr. Ray Boyd Email: ray.boyd@education.wa.edu.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rayboyd007/ 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 #MaleEducators#EmotionalSafety #HealthyMasculinity #StudentSupport #CaringClassrooms #PositiveDiscipline #ConsistencyMatters #YouthDevelopment

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  Episode #81

  #81 | Leading With Compassion w/ Joshua Stamper

  Aug 4, 202655 minS2

  What happens when an educator chooses to look beyond behavior and uncover the story, need, or struggle beneath it? In this episode of unMASKing with Male Educators , Ashanti sits down with educator, author, speaker, and podcast host Joshua Stamper to explore relationships, leadership, student behavior, educator wellness, and the power of discovering purpose. Together, they reflect on the confidence educators show publicly, the self-doubt they may carry privately, and why meaningful change begins when students and staff feel seen, valued, and understood. This conversation dives into: Joshua’s journey from graphic designer to teacher and school leader How mentors can recognize leadership potential before we see it ourselves Why purpose can transform motivation and performance The importance of building relationships before expecting academic growth Why knowledge of the brain must first pass through the heart How educators can misinterpret students when pieces of their stories are missing Why behavior should be viewed as a form of communication The role respect and trust play in student engagement The confidence leaders display while privately carrying self-doubt If you care about educator wellness, student behavior, school leadership, emotional intelligence, relationship-centered education, or creating healthier school communities, this episode is for you. Connect with Joshua Stamper Email: Joshua@joshstamper.com Website: https://joshstamper.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-stamper/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joshuastamper Explore Joshua’s books and podcasts, including Aspire to Lead , The Language of Behavior , and the VibeEDU Podcast. 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 #MaleEducators#AspireToLead #TheLanguageOfBehavior #VibeEDU #EducationalLeadership #SchoolLeadership #EducatorWellness #TeacherBurnout #StudentBehavior #RelationshipCenteredEducation #EmotionalIntelligence

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  Episode #80

  #80 | Beyond The Mask: What Education Owes The World w/ Professor Richard Weissbourd

  Jul 29, 202637 minS2

  What does it truly mean to raise caring, moral, and engaged young people? In this episode of unMASKing with Male Educators , Ashanti sits down with Harvard educator and Making Caring Common founder Professor Richard Weissbourd to discuss empathy, morality, purpose, civic responsibility, and the pressures shaping educators and students today. They explore why schools must look beyond academic achievement, how listening builds empathy, why young people need help finding truth in a divided media landscape, and why we cannot afford to become indifferent. This conversation is for educators, parents, and anyone committed to helping young people become thoughtful, compassionate, and engaged human beings. Connect with Professor Richard Weissbourd Email: richard_weissbourd@gse.harvard.edu LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/making-caring-common-at-hgse 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 #MaleEducators#SocialEmotionalLearning #EmotionalSafety #MoralDevelopment #CivicEngagement #StudentWellbeing #PurposeAndMeaning

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  Episode #79

  #79 | Behind the Mask: The Masks We Wear, the History We Carry w/ Dr. Frederick Gooding Jr.

  Jul 22, 202650 minS2

  What happens when a historian, educator, and cultural critic invites us to think more deeply about the masks we wear, the stories we inherit, and the truths we often avoid? In this powerful episode of unMASKing with Male Educators, Ashanti sits down with historian, professor, author, and public scholar Dr. Frederick Gooding Jr. Known for his work exploring African American history, race, culture, and representation, Dr. Gooding brings both intellectual depth and personal reflection to a conversation about identity, education, and emotional truth. Ashanti and Dr. Gooding unpack the realities many Black men navigate every day, the tension between who they are and who the world expects them to be, the exhaustion of code-switching, and the emotional weight carried beneath carefully constructed masks. This conversation dives into: The concept of front-stage and backstage behavior W.E.B. Du Bois' idea of double consciousness Why many young men hide vulnerability behind humor and performance The emotional safety students need before authentic connection can happen Hip-hop as an overlooked educational and cultural teaching tool How schools often overlook the strengths students bring from home The relationship between empathy, history, and education The hidden pain that can exist behind passion and advocacy Why teaching honest history is essential to understanding the present The challenges and opportunities of being a Black male educator today Throughout the conversation, Ashanti and Dr. Gooding explore what it means to lead with authenticity while navigating systems that often demand performance. Together, they challenge listeners to think differently about masculinity, education, empathy, and the power of human connection. If you care about education, history, emotional wellness, racial equity, authentic leadership, or helping young people feel seen and understood, this episode is for you. Connect with Dr. Frederick Gooding Jr. LinkedIn: Dr. Frederick Gooding Jr. Email: f.gooding@tcu.edu Upcoming Books: A book exploring Black statues and monuments in Washington, D.C., and what they reveal about visibility, memory, and representation in America. A Disturbance in the Force: Making Space for Race in the Star Wars Space, examining race, identity, and representation throughout the Star Wars universe. 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 #MaleEducators #AuthenticMasculinity #BlackMaleEducators #EmotionalSafety #TeachingHonestHistory #EducationalEquity

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