#52 | Why Not Today? (Dr. Steve Perry’s Wake-Up Call for Educators)

This episode didn’t go the way we planned, in the best way.Instead of a traditional interview, Dr. Steve Perry steps in with the kind of mentoring questions that don’t let you hide behind “next month,” “next season,” or “when I’m ready.” It becomes a real-time reflection on fear, purpose, leadership, and what it costs, personally and professionally, when we hold back what we’re here to give.Dr. Perry reminds us: our students are living right now. And we don’t get to “take a day off” from the responsibility of showing up with our full presence, because we don’t know what moment might change a child’s life.In this episode, we cover:Why “tomorrow” can be a socially acceptable form of fearThe difference between the people you care about and the people you’re trying to impressHow bullying and old wounds show up as hesitation, second-guessing, and “playing small” in adulthoodWhat it means to live the advice you give young people(0:00) Dr. Perry’s opening reminder: “Get home safely.” Why educators can’t “take a period off.”(0:32) Ashanti sets the tone: this is a different kind of episode—more reflection, more mentoring(5:12) “Are you sure you’re going to be here in 2026?” Mortality, urgency, and getting present(8:21) Who are you worried about… and why do they have so much power?(15:44) Show intro: the loneliness of being a male educator & why this space exists(16:22) Dr. Perry’s mission: education, power, and fighting for Black and Latin students(22:24) The fear behind staying quiet—and what it’s costing(31:22) “If a kid came to you with a phone full of songs…” Living your own advice(42:06) Internal bullies, exaggerated fears, and the stories we let run our lives(46:24) “Why not now? Why not today?” The challenge to stop hiding behind phases(48:18) Dr. Perry: kids are living now—your presence might be the moment that changes everything(50:51) “Release the first video. Tomorrow, the next.” Fear, discomfort, and jumping anyway(53:08) Where to see Dr. Perry’s work: “Come to our schools.”Reflection questions to sit withWho do you care about—really?Who are you worried about—and why?What would change if you stopped letting unnamed people dictate your behavior?Resources & Ways to EngageThe Million Mask Movement – Create a mask anonymously: https://millionmask.orgEducator Portal – Bring mask-making and emotional data into your schoolGlobal Young Men’s Conference – Youth voice, belonging, and healing spacesEver Forward Club – Brotherhood, connection, and mentorshipConnect with Ashanti BranchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/Support the Podcast & Ever Forward Clubhttps://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support#UnmaskingWithMaleEducators #MillionMaskMovement #MaleEducators #EmotionalSafety #SchoolCulture #Mentorship #StudentWellbeing #EducationLeadership #DrStevePerry #EverForwardClub