Suggestions for Protecting Your Mind While Doing Comedy

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.

Downloadable content

Download the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed).

NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes

Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You"

Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads

Review the show

Please consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options.

Apple Podcasts | Podchaser

It helps out! Thanks!

Support the show

• Like this episode or show and want more? Support us with a one-time tip: https://learn.improvupdate.com/products/support
• We love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! Contact to ask me anything, anytime. You can support the shows by signing up with Captivate here: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=yzjiytz
• We have our newsletters on Kit.com. We also have our tip form with them, and sell products on their platform. Easy, and they don't take a cut! Check Kit out and support the show using this: https://partners.kit.com/ijdkivtf8ndd
• Transcriptions by MacWhisper. I use and love the Pro version (subscription free!) - you can get it too using this link: https://gumroad.com/a/20303251/ivpqk
• Schedule posts? We use Metricool (reasonable for multiple accounts/brands/shows). Support us using our link: https://f.mtr.cool/VZBOZR
• Support the show and get creative templates and assets: https://share.uppbeat.io/p4od8inwhc2j

About

This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here.

This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com.

This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts.

Mentioned in this episode:

Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv

Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp