I first saw Ashanti and learned about the work he does in the documentary, 'The Mask You Live In'. It hit my deep, it moved me and it inspired me. More recently I participated in a workshop he facilitated titled, Taking Off The Mask.   So, what are these masks? In this episode we talk about what it means to take off the mask. We talk about what masks are – what's on the front of our mask and what's on the back of it. Ashanti shares a few examples of these too from people he's worked with, from teenagers through to adults in their fifties. What's hidden behind these masks are feelings we all share at some stage in our lives.  One of the things I love about Ashanti is that he lives what he teaches, he walks the talk and goes first when it comes to being real, being vulnerable and in doing so he provides a safe place for others to be seen and heard. I think you'll feel that too when you listen to this conversation. Amongst other things we talk about: What are the masks we wearWhat is wrong with our education system and how we can address itWhat can parents do to support kids at school and during this time of incessant uncertainty, fear and homeschoolingThe power of truly seeing another and what it means to be seenHow we might address the crisis of masculinity that results in 90% of incarcerated people in the US being menWe merely scratch the surface of these and other important topics but I think you'll find this is an incredibly affirming conversation about how we can all connect more with the truth of who we truly are, so that we may connect more with each other. Links mentioned in this episode: Ever Forward Club Website Ever Forward on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter Join the 100K Masks Challenge and draw yours here for free Ashanti Branch on Instagram If you like this podcast you're going to love our newsletter. Come and join this growing community – it's full of inspiration, resources and good vibes for you at the end of the week. Get your weekly good news here.