E17. A Moment of Transparency - with Mike Veny, Keynote Speaker and Author

This week Ashanti Branch is joined by Mike Veny. Mike is a keynote speaker, who usually speaks on mental health topics, and is an author of multiple books, including Transforming Stigma: How to Become a Mental Wellness Superhero. (1:37) Ashanti’s introduction. (3:33) Mike shares his background with Ashanti, including his speaking experience, his own struggles with mental health, and the mission of his company. Ashanti then relates to Mike’s story with his experiences as a Vice Principal and with the Million Mask Movement. (12:30) Ashanti and Mike make their masks together. (16:37) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - funny, serious, hard-working. He reflects on being the man of the house at age 7, and what it was like to not have a consistent male figure at home as a child. (19:50) Mike shares the front of his mask - joy, confidence, calm. They both relate to the fact that they do not unplug from work well, and they discuss the struggle of having “their own brands” in the social media era. (27:24) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - fear of failure, sadness about death, loneliness, childhood trauma. He shares how talking about his mask more publicly, as opposed to doing the mask activity anonymously, is new and provides even more healing. (29:14) Mike shares the back of his mask - fear, insecurity, feeling worthless. He reflects on how he has recently been talking about and acknowledging his fear much more, and how he has been working with being present with himself more - without being dependent on the dopamine rush of social media likes. (33:18) Mike and Ashanti discuss the natural human urge to be tribal, and how this gives us all the fear of being “excommunicated” from the group. They also ponder how this translates to the “Zoom Era” of communication. (37:10) Mike takes us behind the curtain of his Youtube set up. And the men discuss how “comparison is the thief of all happiness.” (42:29) Mike Veny shares his last message for the listeners, how taking off the mask is not a form of surrender, but rather an embrace of authentic human messiness. (45:00) Mike shares his website, and what is next for him, which includes a third book and education content being posted on his website. We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals: suicidepreventionlifeline.org; 1-800-273-8255 --- Connect with Mike Veny: Website: mikeveny.com Twitter: twitter.com/mikeveny LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mikeveny --- Create your own mask anonymously at www.100kmasks.com If you are interested in being on the Face to Face podcast, email us at [email protected] --- Connect with Ashanti Branch: Instagram:    www.instagram.com/branchspeaks Facebook:  www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaks Twitter:   twitter.com/BranchSpeaks LinkedIn:    www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch --- Send in a voice message: anchor.fm/branch-speaks/message