E76. Coming of Age - with Preston Lee, Filmmaker & Senior at Marin Catholic High School

Taking Off The Mask

English - February 16, 2022 00:00 - 56 minutes - 129 MB
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Previous Episode: E75. The Spectrum of Aliveness - with Shems Heartwell, Life & Relationship Guide

Next Episode: E77. Emotional Sobriety - with Ceasar F. Barajas, Wellness Mentor, Performer, & Activist

“I’ve just gone through this process of realizing who I am, what I want to be interested in, and not having to really care about the inputs that other people have on things that I enjoy doing… I love to dress how the way I dress now - I don’t care if I get a look here or there. I love talking about the subject of mental health. I love being friends with people that genuinely care about me - and not just friends with them because they have status… In my past self, I was extremely self-conscious. I was the person that always tried to fit in.” - Preston Lee

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Preston Lee. As a Senior at Marin Catholic High School and a future NYU student, Preston has really been coming into his own of late. He’s been refining his artistic voice, releasing short films, and finding traction in local government while promoting mental health awareness. But Preston would be the first one to tell you - before he could progress to such impressive highs for a young man of his age, he had to be honest with his own mental health journey. Listen in as he and Ashanti explore that journey, and we hope you enjoy today’s episode!

(1:20) Ashanti's introduction.

(7:00) Preston introduces himself and how he combines his two passions - filmmaking and mental health awareness.

(11:00) Preston shares the front of his mask - optimistic, driven, courageous, introspective - and how mental health and emotions play a huge part in how he interacts at school and in the community.

(15:30) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - serious, funny, caring - and shares a mentoring relationship that is on the top of his mind. Then, Preston tells Ashanti about a family friend whom he found to be very inspirational.

(23:30) Preston shares the back of his mask - burnt out, self-conscious, self-doubt, fearful - how it relates to the front of his mask, and how he has developed and discovered himself over the past two years.

30:50 Ashanti shares the back of his mask - fear of failure, sadness, trust issues.

(36:15) Preston and Ashanti reflect on the similarities on their masks - how intricate differences often distract from the "common ground" at the most fundamental level.

(38:30) Preston had a moment of self-realization that pushed him to explore mental health topics. He reflects on the moments that lead to this realization and the ideas for his films.

(48:00) Preston gives a message to his peers and gives them something new to try.

(51:30) Preston shares how you can connect with him.

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Connect with Preston Lee:

Instagram: instagram.com/shotbyleeofficial

Youtube: youtu.be/wrhwFPKfURw

The Perspective Project: theperspectiveproject.co.uk/post/alone-preston-lee

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The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Or, text "NAMI" to 741-741

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Create your own mask anonymously at www.100kmasks.com