E51. Bicycles and "Harm Reduction" - with Antonio Chavez, Courier & Founder of Lost Soul Courier Collective

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Antonio Chavez. Recently, Antonio was harassed by a man in Pacific Heights. He recorded a video of the situation, and it went viral. More important than the incident itself, Antonio considers what it means with respect to fatherhood, education, trust, masculinity, and his community. As the founder of Lost Soul Courier Collective, Antonio delivers Narcan, a medicine essential in fighting the opioid epidemic and saving lives. He also organizes community bike rides, which function as his form of community "harm reduction". Enjoy the show! 1:50 Ashanti’s introduction. 5:20 Antonio introduces himself, his work, his love of cycling, and the collective he founded. He breaks down the concept of “harm reduction” 8:20 In June, Antonio was harassed by a man in Pacific Heights. We play some of the video at this point in the podcast. 11:10 Ashanti shares the front of his mask - hard-working, serious, caring. He shares how, even though "caring" is on the front of his mask, it is hard for others to see it. 14:20 Antonio shares the front of his mask - generous, thoughtful/compassionate, determined, focused on making a lasting change - and he explores how others perceive him affects his mask. This leads to a discussion of police brutality, viral videos, and “doom scrolling.” 28:00 Ashanti shares the back of his mask - fear of ____, sadness about death, worry. 29:40 Antonio shares the back of his mask - struggles with substance abuse, felon, womanizer, depression/anxiety, self-harm (inward and outward). 30:50 Then, he and Ashanti discuss "legacy" and intergenerational trauma. Antonio shares how the incident with the man in Pacific Heights makes him think of his son and where he is as a father. 38:20 Next, Ashanti and Antonio discuss how changing the way men trust and support each other can change things for future generations. Antonio explains how bicycling is his medium for change. 45:50 Ashanti and Antonio continue discussing restorative justice, the power of vulnerability for youth and men, toxic masculinity, and Antonio’s son. 57:40 Antonio shares more about his work and how you can get in touch with him. --- Connect with Antonio Chavez: Instagram: instagram.com/lostsoulcouriercollective Website: LostSoulCourierCollective.org Campaign: gofund.me/b4cfc934 --- 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: instagram.com/branchspeaks Facebook: facebook.com/BranchSpeaks Twitter: twitter.com/BranchSpeaks LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch Website: branchspeaks.com --- Send in a voice message: anchor.fm/branch-speaks/message