Julie Legg chats with Stephon Brown (Los Angeles, USA), an author and self-described "modern-day muse," to discuss his journey with ADHD. While school posed significant challenges, he discovered his love for improv, which became a powerful outlet for his creativity and quick-thinking mind.
Together they explore concepts like mental cartography and performative communication, The Barstool Theories, and the importance of recognizing and nurturing the strengths of ADHD individuals rather than forcing them into rigid systems.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Early ADHD Diagnosis: In the 1980s ADD was poorly understood, often leading to medication without holistic support. Rigid education systems can suppress joy and creativity in neurodivergent children. Teachers and mentors who see beyond standardized learning can make a profound difference in ADHD individuals' success.
- Careers & Brick Walls: Traditional career paths often aren’t designed for neurodivergent thinkers. Despite being intelligent and creative, rigid work environments that don’t accommodate ADHDers way of thinking can lead to forcing oneself into a mould that doesn’t fit. Stephon’s journey is a reminder that success doesn’t always follow a straight line, and sometimes, breaking through the wall means finding a door that was never on the blueprint.
- Shame & Guilt in ADHD: Growing up in a time when ADHD was poorly understood, Stephon recalls how early treatment focused on "Ritalin and shame", making him feel broken rather than supported. Over time, he realized that this shame wasn’t his burden to carry; it was the result of a system that didn’t know how to nurture different thinkers. By reframing his ADHD as a strength rather than a deficit, he was able to let go of guilt and embrace his uniqueness.
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