#65 | Alexander Kopelman on Authenticity, Creativity, and Helping Children Stay Real

In this conversation, Ashanti sits down with Alexander Kopelman, founding president and CEO of the Children’s Arts Guild, to explore authenticity, identity, creativity, and what it means to help children thrive as whole human beings. Together, they reflect on the masks adults wear, the stories we carry from childhood, and how our own fears, wounds, and expectations can shape the way we show up for young people. Alexander shares his journey as a refugee from the Soviet Union, the origins of the Children’s Arts Guild, and the heart behind his book, For Real: Helping Children Remain Their Authentic Selves in a Limiting World.How identity gets shaped by what others assume about usWhy creativity can open doors to honesty, vulnerability, and emotional safetyHow the Children’s Arts Guild began through work with boys and creative expressionA powerful moment from a kickball game that opened a conversation about crying and griefWhy adults in a child’s ecosystem matter just as much as the child-focused program itselfWhy children need to be allowed to fully be the age they areHow post-pandemic expectations may still be out of step with where children really are00:02 Welcome to UnMASKing with Male Educators00:35 Meet Alexander Kopelman01:41 Alexander introduces the Children’s Arts Guild and For Real02:09 Coming to the U.S. as a refugee and rebuilding identity03:13 Assumptions, religion, and being seen from the outside05:25 Choice, identity, and the masks we wear14:39 Creative mortification and the fear of drawing17:34 How Alexander’s work with boys and adults began21:25 Kickball, crying, and the moment things shifted23:15 Why working with adults became essential25:09 Authenticity as a framework for educators and parents27:12 What games can reveal about fairness, emotion, and behavior29:17 Why adults need inner work and practice too31:45 Men’s work, circles, and learning to trust the process35:31 Realizing there were no men in his life37:04 New Warrior training and recognizing inner voices40:20 Parenting, anxiety, and reacting from fear41:35 What For Real offers adults43:34 Letting children be the age they are44:19 Post-pandemic development and shifting expectations46:41 A final reminder for parents and educators47:28 How to connect with Alexander48:34 Closing invitationResources & Links MentionedChildren’s Arts GuildFor Real: Helping Children Remain Their Authentic Selves in a Limiting WorldAuthenticity Works — Alexander’s websitemillionmask.org — share your mask anonymouslyMankind ProjectGirls Inc.Connect with Alexander KopelmanWebsite: authenticityworks.orgBook website: forrealbook.orgJoin/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 #AlexanderKopelman #Authenticity #CreativeExpression #EmotionalSafety #WholeChild #MaleEducators #Parenting #ChildDevelopment #Healing