Making Peace with ADHD: Hollywood Writer Jordan Roberts Shares About Self-Acceptance

The Bonnies welcome Jordan Roberts, a writer and director with a long career in television and film, who has also built a coaching practice focused on creative blocks, addiction, ADHD, and shadow work.Jordan describes his background in a show-business family, his struggles as a young person with drugs, alcohol, anxiety, and not feeling good enough, and how early therapy opened a different way of thinking. He talks about pursuing validation through creative work, even after major professional success, and how that left the deeper issue of self-worth unresolved.They discuss the shift that came for Jordan from shadow work and from recognizing inner parts that had been hidden or rejected. Jordan explains how he began to allow rather than judge vulnerable, ashamed, or fearful parts of himself, including a late diagnosis of ADHD, and how medication and practical tools now support him.They also talk about anxiety, shame, and the “second arrow” of self-criticism. Jordan describes how meeting his own parts with attention rather than fixing them changed his experience, how this affects his writing now, and how he sees creativity, risk-taking, and emotional honesty as connected to this ongoing work.HIGHLIGHTS:4:01 Jordan’s Background6:45 A Powerful Commencement Speech7:55 Showbiz and Self-Doubt13:52 Validation Never Filled It17:03 Meeting the Shadow20:35 Parts Work and Anxiety23:18 Allowing the Feeling25:44 Late ADHD Diagnosis33:08 The Anxiety Gap35:50 Feelings Are Not Bad37:25 Reparenting Through Shadow Work39:21 Men and Emotional Shame42:17 Shadow Work Fuels Creativity44:11 It’s Never Too Latementioned in episodeJordan's Commencement Speech: https://www.youtube.com/live/sxC8gYAOKe4?si=142nL-SPqAvoGTGh&t=1913Permission to Feel: https://a.co/d/0hksoWy5Stick Up For Yourself: https://a.co/d/0j2lScInThe Artist's Way: https://a.co/d/07ZzanXeDriven to Distraction: https://a.co/d/08odLBuECONNECT WITH THE BONNIE ZUCKERS:Bonnie Zucker Ph.D.(west)website: https://www.bonniezuckerphd.comNewsletter sign-up: https://bonnie-zucker-ph-d.kit.com/d44b57fcdfBooks by Bonnie West: https://a.co/d/04aNJFDZBonnie Zucker Psy.D. (east)website: https://www.bonniezuckerandassociates.comBooks by Bonnie East: https://shorturl.at/MxvRZThe content of Anxiety Matters Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute mental health or medical advice, nor is it a substitute for professional mental health or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call emergency services or a local crisis line.