#64 | Jason Biehl on White Discomfort, Belonging, and the Work of Healing

In this thoughtful and timely conversation, Ashanti sits down with educator, facilitator, and author Jason Biehl to explore masculinity, whiteness, emotional honesty, and what it means to nurture healthy belonging for boys and men. Together, they reflect on the fears, grief, and uncertainty many young people are carrying right now, and why adults must be willing to face discomfort, tell the truth, and model courage in order to create more emotionally safe communities.Jason also shares about his upcoming four-part graphic memoir series, Unicorns: A Memoir for Young White Men, beginning with On White Discomfort, and explains why this work matters so deeply in this moment.In This Episode, We Talk About:What Ashanti and Jason are carrying on the front and back of their masksWhy hope, honesty, and vulnerability are essential in hard timesThe fears young people are holding about safety, identity, and the futureHow masculinity, whiteness, and patriarchy shape belonging and disconnectionWhy discomfort can be a necessary part of learning, growth, and healingThe importance of creating spaces where boys and young men can tell the truthJason’s new graphic memoir series, Unicorns, for young white menWhy adults and educators must stop waiting for crisis before doing proactive workTimestamps:00:00 Discomfort, healing, and growth00:34 Episode preview01:25 Welcome to UnMASKing with Male Educators02:02 Meet Jason Beale04:26 Working with white men, boys, and belonging06:52 Ashanti shares his mask09:41 Jason shares his mask12:24 “Hope is a discipline”14:35 Fear, silence, and speaking up16:28 Why more men need skin in the game17:03 Bullying, fear, and self-silencing19:08 Social media vs real courage21:09 What young people are carrying right now23:33 What gives Jason hope26:00 The need for healthier role models28:25 Why white discomfort matters30:49 Othering, privilege, and race33:15 Tulsa, erased history, and truth38:09 Algorithms and echo chambers40:30 Why schools wait for crisis42:54 Boys, patriarchy, and accountability45:16 Jason’s Unicorns book series46:19 Closing invitationResources & Links MentionedChange the Narrative — Jason’s websiteUnicorns: A Memoir for Young White MenNurturing Healthy Belonging series for young men and boysmillionmask.org — share your mask anonymouslyTalk to Your Boys by Christopher Pepper and Joanna SchroederConnect with Jason Biehl Website: changethenarrative.meJoin/Contribute to our Young Men’s Conference: https://everforwardclub.orgJoin our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345Submit Questions, Reflections, or Episode Ideas, Email us: [email protected] your mask anonymously: https://millionmask.org/Connect with Ashanti BranchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksX: https://x.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/Support the Podcast & Ever Forward ClubHelp us continue creating spaces for young men to be seen, heard, and supported:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/supportConnect with Ever Forward ClubInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubX: https://x.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/#UnMASKingWithMaleEducators #JasonBeale #MaleEducators #HealthyMasculinity #Belonging #EmotionalSafety #AntiRacism #SocialJusticeEducation #YoungMen #VulnerabilityIsStrength