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 314 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Male Educators hosts unMASKing with Male Educators: Creating Emotionally Safe Classrooms & Schools for Male Students, a education show with 314 episodes published.

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  Episode #88

  #88 | Bad Lessons: What Schools Teach Black Boys Without Saying a Word w/ Matthew R. Morris

  Sep 23, 202646 minS2

  What happens when Black boys are taught that they have to choose between being authentically themselves and being seen as intelligent, successful, or worthy of belonging in school? In this episode of unMASKing with Male Educators , Ashanti sits down with educator, writer, professor, and author Matthew R. Morris to explore Black masculinity, identity, schooling, academic expectations, authenticity, equity, and the hidden lessons young people learn inside and outside the classroom. Together, they reflect on the masks Black men carry, the narrowing opportunities young people see around them, and why truly supporting Black boys requires educators to move beyond stereotypes, saviorism, lowered expectations, and performative conversations about equity. This conversation dives into: Matthew’s mask: appearing concrete and clear while feeling soft, afraid, and searching Why Black men often feel pressure to appear unbreakable Why young Black males may struggle to see clear paths to future success How education’s traditional promise of college, career, and stability has changed Why educators should avoid blaming students when engagement declines How care without high expectations can limit student growth Why culturally relevant teaching must include identity, rigor, and belief in students Matthew’s “Fresh Prince Syndrome” and the narrow boxes placed around Black masculinity Why Black boys should not have to choose between cultural authenticity and academic success How schools can send hidden messages about who is expected to be brilliant Why knowing the language of equity is different from doing the work How saviorism can undermine genuine support for students Why educators must examine their own biases and assumptions How showing up authentically can help students do the same Throughout the conversation, Ashanti and Matthew explore how narrow ideas about masculinity, intelligence, and success can limit Black boys. They challenge educators to maintain high expectations, understand cultural expression, and create spaces where students can be both academically brilliant and authentically themselves. If you care about Black male identity, culturally relevant teaching, student belonging, racial equity, academic expectations, or helping Black boys show up as their whole selves, this episode is for you. Connect with Matthew R. Morris Book: Black Boys Like Me: Confrontations with Race, Identity, and Belonging Website: https://www.matthewrmorris.com Email: mrmorrisroom@gmail.com Twitter/X: https://x.com/callmemrmorris?s=21&t=mQltOmL0H7gModQJHT7wBQ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@matthewr.morris?si=3fCn_kVztaocBUIi 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 #BlackBoysLikeMe #BlackMaleEducators #StudentBelonging #CulturallyResponsiveTeaching

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  Episode #87

  #87 | Stop Shaming Boys: A Better Way to Talk About Masculinity w/ Chris Hemmings

  Sep 15, 202653 minS2

  What happens when we stop shaming boys for the masks they wear—and start getting curious about why they learned to wear them in the first place? In this episode of unMASKing with Male Educators , Ashanti sits down with psychotherapist, former BBC journalist, men’s mental health advocate, and founder of Men’s Therapy Hub and M-Path Chris Hemmings to explore masculinity, empathy, grief, vulnerability, and what boys need from the adults trying to reach them. Chris shares how losing his father pushed him to confront his own relationship with masculinity and emotion—and how years of hiding his sensitive, empathic side shaped the man he became. Together, they reflect on the masks boys and men wear, the pressure to appear strong, and why real change requires compassion rather than shame. This conversation dives into: How losing his father changed Chris’s relationship with grief and masculinity Why Chris spent years hiding the sensitive and empathic parts of himself What happens when boys are repeatedly told to “stop being soft” The difference between masculinity and rigid ideas of masculinity Why boys need opportunities to reconnect with empathy How social media influencers are filling emotional gaps for young men Why harmful models of masculinity may be symptoms of a deeper problem Why shaming and blaming boys rarely leads to meaningful change How educators can “speak to what is happening in the room” without humiliating students What one student taught Chris about the power of challenging boys without shaming them Why vulnerability and confidence do not have to be opposites The importance of being able to say, “I hadn’t thought of it that way” Why adults working with boys must be willing to examine their own experiences first How educators may impact young people without ever knowing it Why boys need adults who can see beyond the behavior and recognize the person underneath the maskThroughout the conversation, Ashanti and Chris explore how boys can question rigid ideas of masculinity without shame. Chris reminds us that boys need curiosity, compassion, honesty, and emotional safety—not more judgment. If you care about boys’ mental health, masculinity, vulnerability, or creating healthier spaces for young men, this episode is for you. Connect with Chris Hemmings Websites: https://chrishemmings.co.uk https://menstherapyhub.com https://m-path.co.uk Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5QgINHeUZKorBCE4LBoBXF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/menstherapyhub/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MensTherapyHub LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/menstherapyhub/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@menstherapyhub/video/7599690461707767042 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 #MensMentalHealth #HealthyMasculinity #BoysMentalHealth #EmotionalSafety #MasculinityMatters #UnmaskingWithMaleEducators

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  Episode #86

  #86 | You Are Not Alone: Trust, Mentorship, and The Power of Showing up w/ Ray Seol

  Sep 8, 202647 minS2

  What happens when educators stop believing they need to have all the answers—and start recognizing trust, curiosity, and presence as some of the most powerful things they can offer students? In this episode of unMASKing with Male Educators , Ashanti sits down with jazz bassist, educator, artist, immigrant, and father Ray Seol to explore grief, identity, mentorship, anxiety, imposter syndrome, student trust, and the responsibility educators carry when young people are looking for someone to believe in them. Together, they reflect on the masks educators wear, the struggles they may carry privately, and why creating spaces where people feel safe enough to be honest can change lives. This conversation dives into: Ray’s unexpected path into music and education The pressure of feeling like you are never enough Losing his mother and learning to talk about grief Why vulnerability can be difficult across cultures How the pandemic helped Ray begin sharing his story Navigating identity as a Korean immigrant Why mentors helped Ray understand he was not alone Why trust is essential in the educator-student relationship The importance of telling students, “I trust you” Why educators should remain learners too How the pandemic changed music education Why human connection still matters in a digital world How curiosity can help educators see beyond student behavior What one struggling student taught Ray about judgment and potential Why sometimes showing up is the lesson Throughout the conversation, Ashanti and Ray explore how educators can become the people they once needed in their own lives. Ray reminds us that students do not always need someone to fix everything. Sometimes they need someone who will listen, stay curious, believe in them, and remind them that they are not alone. If you care about mentorship, emotional safety, educator vulnerability, student belonging, mental health, music education, immigrant identity, or building stronger relationships with young people, this episode is for you. Connect with Ray Seol LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rayseol/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@soulraymusicofficial 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 #Education #Mentorship #EmotionalSafety #StudentBelonging #EducatorWellbeing

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  Episode #85

  #85 | Hip-hop Lessons for Life and Learning w/ David Spellmon

  Sep 1, 202649 minS2

  What happens when educators stop seeing hip-hop as something to keep outside the classroom—and begin recognizing it as a tool for building confidence, self-awareness, connection, and possibility? In this episode of unMASKing with Male Educators , Ashanti sits down with hip-hop educator, author, curriculum creator, and community leader David Spellmon to explore social-emotional learning, Black male identity, mentorship, student engagement, emotional vulnerability, and the power of using culture to help young people recognize the greatness already inside of them. Together, they reflect on the confidence educators and community leaders often display publicly, the inadequacy and vulnerability they may carry privately, and why reaching young people sometimes requires educators to speak through the music, language, and culture students already understand. This conversation dives into: David’s path as an unconventional educator Why positivity and connection guide his work The vulnerability behind being the “strong friend” Why Black men may feel pressure to adjust how they show up How A Tribe Called Quest shaped David’s approach to education Why culturally relevant learning matters How David created Just Like Music during the pandemic Why knowledge of self is central to hip-hop How lyrics can build social-emotional skills Why greatness requires both belief and action How a “Game 7” mindset can reframe setbacks Why educators should challenge students with care How music builds identity, memory, and connection Why students can lose their joy for learning Why educators must honor students’ culture and experiences es students bring with them instead of asking them to become less of themselves Throughout the conversation, Ashanti and David explore how educators, mentors, music, and relationships can help young people recognize the greatness within themselves. David reminds us that hip-hop can be a powerful tool for creativity, connection, self-awareness, and growth. Even one lyric can help a young person reframe failure, reconnect with a goal, and turn belief into action. If you care about hip-hop education, social-emotional learning, culturally responsive teaching, mentorship, student engagement, or bringing more joy and relevance into learning, this episode is for you. Connect with David Spellmon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-spellmon/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjappi/ Website: https://positivearchersolutions.com/ 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 #HipHopEducation #SocialEmotionalLearning #BlackMaleEducators #StudentBelonging #KnowledgeOfSelf

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  Episode #84

  #84 | Your Words Can Build—or Burn w/ Maurice McDavid

  Aug 25, 202645 minS2

  What happens when educators recognize that their words can create warmth, build confidence, and strengthen belonging—or leave wounds students carry for years? In this episode of unMASKing with Male Educators, Ashanti sits down with educator, principal, pastor, author, and podcast host Maurice McDavid to explore student belonging, Black male identity, culturally responsive teaching, school leadership, representation, and the power of language. Together, they reflect on the strength educators display publicly, the fear and overwhelm they may carry privately, and why supporting young people requires both accountability and compassion. This conversation dives into: Maurice’s journey from aspiring politician to educator and school leader Why social justice and equity have shaped his career in education What it means to lead with optimism while carrying fear and uncertainty Why Black students benefit from seeing educators and leaders who look like them How accountability can come from care rather than punishment Why Black boys are often expected to grow up faster than their peers How schools can bring joy, creativity, and curiosity back into learning Why students need to see themselves as belonging in academic spaces How personal goals can help students connect their behavior to their future Why home language should be respected rather than treated as a sign of low intelligence How educators’ words can create belonging, bring warmth, or leave lasting burn marks Throughout the conversation, Ashanti and Maurice explore what it means to protect, challenge, and empower young people without stripping away their identity or childhood. They remind educators that language is never neutral—what adults say can shape how students see their intelligence, their culture, and their place in the classroom. If you care about culturally responsive teaching, Black male educators, student belonging, school leadership, restorative practices, language, representation, or creating more joyful and affirming learning environments, this episode is for you. Connect with Maurice McDavid Book : Your Words Are Fire: 10 Culturally Responsive Teaching Strategies to Speak the Language of Belonging and Help Students Learn, Express Ideas, and Solve Problems Podcast: https://www.blackbrownbilingue.com/podcast Email: revmcdavid@gmail.com Website: http://www.blackbrownbilingue.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@blackbrownbilingue6382 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#WordsCarryPower #BuildingBelonging #CulturallyResponsiveTeaching #StudentBelonging

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