This episode provides general suggestions to comedians, especially neurodivergent ones like us autistic and ADHD actors in comedy and improv, to protect our minds while engaging in comedy and with others in the community.

Find the video for this episode (has my face, not just captions): YouTube video (you can leave your input here!)

Find the written article for this episode here: NeurodiversityImprov.com article (you can also leave your input here!)

Checking in on yourself, in whatever spaces you’re participating in, is pretty good for mental health. These ten suggestions should be relevant beyond comedy communities, and will apply to people who aren't neurodivergent too. So even if you aren't autistic, for example, these should be relevant and hopefully somewhat useful.

Some important notes about these suggestions for protecting your mind in comedy spaces:

1. Some of these suggestions might contradict themselves. Or they might leave out some important points. This is confusing stuff, highly personal/unique, and in this case of course limited to one person’s experience and brain wiring! I heartily welcome you to add your own observations in the comments (anonymously from a throwaway account is fine, too!)
2. Some of these suggestions might sound like I’m suggesting to “run away” from issues — but I am NOT advocating this and NOT suggesting we avoid addressing problems in comedy. Quite the opposite. These suggestions involve sticking within your community, but empowering yourself whilst doing so by forming new projects, outlets, or similar (as an option, or while addressing problematic stuff if it’s applicable). And as always: any suggestions are not universal!
3. All ten sections below are SUGGESTIONS (from an autistic brain) even though many are not worded as such. These are worded like demands, because it’s what I ask of myself, what I use to check in. But they aren’t demands for YOU. Take a suggestion if you think it's helpful and applies to you. Ignore it if it doesn't apply to you.
4. And as always, don’t replace this article or site for working with a professional. Also don’t use these resources for diagnosis of yourself or others. I’m not a mental health professional.

You deserve compassion and respect no matter where you are with either your mental health or whether you are autistic, ADHD, or another neurotype!

Ten Suggestions (as chapters!)

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

01:00 About the podcast and episode

02:22 Episode and topic overview - why I/we need these suggestions

07:16 Suggestion One: Be Yourself and don't compromise on it.

10:43 Suggestion Two: Take care of yourself first, for others

13:53 Suggestion Three: Find your source of joy, but be open to pivoting

16:17 Suggestion Four: Find the humans who value YOU

19:33 Suggestion Five: Ignore the gatekeepers, and find your confidence

22:31 Suggestion Six: Protect your value

23:34 Suggestion Seven: Communicate openly and in good faith

28:36 Suggestion Eight: Ask for or seek accommodations

31:02 Suggestion Nine: Analyze where value comes from, especially if depressed

33:33 Suggestion Ten: Value your mental health

35:50 Conclusion and links

42:42 Link to podcast (NeurodivergentComedy.com)

Comedy is wildly strange, and a beast of its own (despite giving retro-silicon-valley vibes). At least the tiny corner I've witnessed and participated in. Let’s keep our neurodivergent minds safer here.

Your Voice - Neurodiversity Survey

Let me know what you have experienced as a neurodivergent in comedy! Answer three questions here!

Do you have a suggestion for protecting your mind in comedy and improv spaces? Send your input to the show on our show's contact form here or leave a comment on YouTube or Neurodiversity in Improv site - links above.

Previous surveys are available here - do any of them at any time!

Where to go to find stuff

• This podcast episode has a video and article for it. You can find them linked near the beginning of these show notes.
• For bonus resources related to comedy and neurodiversity (especially autism and ADHD), you can become a supporter of NeurodiversityImprov.com. Or you can also support the work with one time tip here.
• For FREE podcast and show updates for this and other comedy and audio drama epsiodes, go to StereoForest.com. This is significantly delayed because of the personal crisis mentioned earlier in this article. But I’ll start releasing what I’ve made soon - I just want to do it properly and not rush things.
• For updates about improv you can find online, join the newsletter at ImprovUpdate.com

About

This podcast and website was created by Jen deHaan — an autistic + ADHD improviser and performer.

This episode was and produced by StereoForest.com. Join the FREE StereoForest newsletter for all podcast and show updates at members.stereoforest.com.

This podcast is released on Tuesdays, usually twice per month, at NeurodivergentComedy.com and wherever you find podcasts. Bonus content to support this podcast is available via NeurodiversityImprov.com.

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