Episode 21: Alex Wait

Welcome to episode #21 - Joining us today is the incredible Alex Wait! With ADHD as a part of his journey, he's dedicated himself to making a difference in the world through social justice work. Through his company, Epics Productions, Alex helps people share their powerful stories to create change. As the host of The Epics Podcast, he amplifies the voices of marginalized communities, ensuring everyone's story is heard. Empowering and humanizing individuals who are often overlooked, let's give a warm welcome to Alex! Hey Alex May the 4th be with you!QuestionsJN: Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity? When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical? What challenges did you face? What is it like now?Not diagnosed until 20 (relatively late in life)Went to college but not knowing what to doSpanishWith difficulty came disengagement with contentSyllabus Math?Wasn’t doing great in schoolThe turning point was when he missed the exam entirelyRealised it was a form of hyper fixationFeeling terrible shameAny advice for people in a similar situation to overcome the shame to get help?Took a lot of workBuilding up a stronger opinion of oneselfHis wife is a great ally. They help each other outThey hold each other accountableEveryone has to try a few things and see what tactics /strategy works for themAccept that it might take some trial and errorAccept that no tool is going to be the silver bulletAccept that it won’t work foreverParents offered to pay for therapyTherapist diagnosed with ADHDHelped connect a lot of dotsGave a more sensible lens to understand Created space for successLean into the positive sides of ADHDJC: What "work" projects are you concentrating on? Business:Podcast Epic Podcasts (weekly on Fridays)Social justice focus: bring on diverse guests to encourage shared dialogueUniquely placed because people accept podcasts can still be long formEpic Productions: Helping not-for-profits/causes to produce podcastsRestaurant work (selling margheritas) to pay the bills:Fast-paced?JN: How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?Listening to podcasts while bikingLoves Colorado, conducive to outdoor activitiesHanging with kidsThrowing rocks into the waterBuilding LegoStar Wars setsJC: What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?Challenges:Tricky with restaurants over the weekend/TV - late nightsDesire to spend more time with kids means not much freedom in the morningWhat worksDon’t buy a second car: take kids to school on an e-bike - builds exercise into the morningPrefer biking over runningGet on the floor with kids: wrestle with them, go to the playgroundPlay with dogCOMMERCIAL BREAKJN: What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?AccountabilityExperiment with different options (Won’t work forever)Using AIChatGPTWriting intros/outros for podcastsUsing lists and spreadsheetsFor everythingOn Google SheetsHaving status barsBecause decentralized, anyone can see it baked into accountabilityMotion: time-blocking softwareToDoistJC: What is one habit you'd like to remove from your life (either a bad habit or one that takes up too much time)?Writing bedtime stories for kids using ChatGPT with moral messages (“Don’t throw rocks at your brother”)Star Wars content creation wormholeTool creep - spending too much time setting up new apps/setting up new listsJN: How do you switch off at night?Wearing blue light glasses at night (trying it out)Not consistentUses some medicationListen to an audiobook (good segue into the next)Mainly fiction, things that are familiarHarry PotterLOTRJC: Listening to Audiobooks going to sleep: What resources (books, philosophies, apps, sensory toys) do you find most helpful for productivity and habit formation?Shelf help: books on habit formationPodcasts work better - auditory information consumptionSports-related (escape)Armchair expertJN: Where can people connect with you or find your work?@epicspod epicspodcast.comJC: Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?Do your best to have grace for yourselfYou’re not going to be great at it initially but you’ll get betterTrust is something you have to practiceWe don’t trust ourselvesFind communityE.g. Facebook groups for Dads with ADHD/Adult Men with ADHDFollow neuro-distinct influencers