Matt Brown started his barbershop in a tin shed in his backyard in New Zealand, but he always wanted it to be more than just a place where you go to get a haircut. Having grown up in a violent household, he knew firsthand how important it was for men to have a place where they could be heard, a place where they could be truly seen. In this raw, emotional and unflinching talk, Matt shares what he learned from more than 25,000 hours of talking to men—and letting them be their true selves. Watch all the way to the end for a powerful tribute from some of the people whose lives he's touched. Matt Brown is an internationally acclaimed barber and hair artist, author, husband, and father of three known for ‘giving great cuts’ and ‘inspiring great men.’ He is a survivor of family and childhood sexual abuse and shares his story with the men who frequent his busy Christchurch-based shop, My Fathers Barbers, as a way to foster vulnerability, healing, and connection.

Matt started his business with a simple set up in a garden shed; as his talent and client list steadily grew, he gained a large following on social media, which he now uses to share messages of inspiration and overcoming.

In 2018, Matt partnered with the Ministry of Social Development for their ‘It’s not OK campaign’ to increase awareness about the role of barbers in creating safe spaces that allow men to talk. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx