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Exploring Identity and Mental Health Through Comics, Anime, and Culture with Quincy M. Simmons

August 20, 2025

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“The Masks We Wear” is a series about the facades we build to protect ourselves. Stories about our personal experiences, identity, and mental health all while exploring comic book culture, anime, and fiction generally.

I hope listeners will be able to heal or find solace in whatever they are going through. To know that they are not alone in “wearing the masks”. To help listeners unveil the “facade”, “front” or mask they wear to help them attain their true identity and authentic selves.

Being that my podcast looks at different pieces of comics, manga, and fiction, “The Masks We Wear” helps audiences look and think critically about the media they consume as a “modern mythology” to look to.”

—Quincy M. Simmons

Quincy M. Simmons, a rising senior at SUNY New Paltz in Journalism, Film, Video, and Black Studies, shares what motivated him to use his love for comic books, manga, and anime to address social justice issues through his podcast, “The Masks We Wear“. He talks about mental health, neurodiversity, and toxic masculinity, and how exploring comics as modern mythology can offer powerful reflections on today’s social and political climate. Quincy also talks about his journey with journalism, how he uses storytelling to inspire and educate, his guiding influences, and the impact he hopes to make with his work.

Meet Quincy

Quincy Simmons is a rising senior at the State University of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz. Majoring in Journalism with minors in Film & Video and Black Studies, Quincy is an aspiring storyteller looking for the next opportunities for development and leadership.

With a passion for compelling narratives, multimedia production, and impactful storytelling, Quincy seeks to apply his skills and expertise to engage audiences and bring meaningful stories to life.

Some of his hobbies are reading comics, writing poetry, traveling, and exercising. Quincy also finds enjoyment in mentoring youth and giving back to the community, as they help him on his road to success.

More from Quincy

“The Masks We Wear” is fairly new, but I hope that this podcast will serve as a way to promote healthy and real conversations around the issues addressed in my podcast. “The Masks We Wear” is for everyone, no matter what walk of life they’re from, there’s sure to be something everyone can relate to.”

Name Drops, References, and Resources from Quincy

Quincy credits his mother for reminding him that everyone has a story worth telling. He also names his professor and award-winning journalist Noor Tagouri, and his peers, some of whom have been guests on his podcast.

Comics: Black by Kwanza Osajyefo, Daredevil Born Again, Mr. Miracle by Tom King, X-Men comics – E is for Extinction and Days of Future Past.