181. Minding the Gap (Boldness vs. Fear) - with Kevin Cho Tipton, Healthcare Reform Advocate & Military Medical Officer

“When I was younger, being bold was mistaken for being arrogant or a know-it-all all. If I’m honest with myself, I think I was arrogant or a know-it-all all. But I’d like to hope that it was out of a desire to do good. To fix something. To help someone.” - Kevin Cho Tipton Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Kevin Cho Tipton. Kevin is a Major in the United States Air Force and a critical care nurse practitioner serving in South Florida’s public hospitals.  Since 2010, he has served in the Florida National Guard and is currently assigned to the Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCATT) of the 125th Fighter Wing (Jacksonville, FL). In a civilian capacity, Tipton’s most humbling experiences have been his time caring for families impacted by Hurricane María in Puerto Rico, volunteering at street medicine clinics serving those facing homelessness, and uplifting the stories of his neighbors, patients, and peers through his advocacy work. (0:00) Welcome! (3:30) Kevin introduces himself. (6:25) The front of Ashanti’s mask - happy, caring, hard-working. (11:45) The front of Kevin’s mask - being bold, understanding, confidence. (15:00) The back of Ashanti’s mask - heavy sadness, worry, fear - and his and Kevin’s experiences with grief. (24:30) The back of Kevin’s mask - fear, disappointment, uncertainty - and Kevin’s reflections on boldness. (32:30) Thoughts on Black History Month and dealings with a more privileged nonprofit. (36:20) On the Tuskegee Airmen. (40:00) On Parker Palmer’s Critical Gap. (42:20) Kevin’s final thoughts and why he stresses finding community amongst the loneliness. --- Connect with Kevin Cho Tipton:www.HealthcareAgainstHate.com Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/KevinChoFL --- Create your own mask anonymously at millionmask.org Email us questions and comments at [email protected]  --- Connect with Ashanti Branch: Instagram: instagram.com/branchspeaks Facebook: facebook.com/BranchSpeaks Twitter: twitter.com/BranchSpeaks LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch Website: branchspeaks.com ---Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support