Insanely Talented Podcast with Zak Sandler

What does it take to find your real voice after years of trying to fit in? This episode features Benjamin Lerner, a rapper, pianist, composer, and recovery advocate who is on the autism spectrum and has experienced addiction and recovery firsthand. In this conversation, Benjamin explores the connection between neurodivergence and creativity, how his struggle to fit in shaped his identity, and how getting sober transformed both his life and his music into something more honest, grounded, and deeply personal. This episode is about what happens when everything falls apart and how you begin to rebuild from truth instead of illusion. It’s a reflection on identity, addiction, and neurodivergence, and what it really takes to find your real voice. This conversation is honest, insightful, and deeply moving, offering a powerful look at how recovery, self-acceptance, and creativity can work together to help us become more fully ourselves. If you believe in this show and want to support it, consider becoming a paid subscriber. Click the Patreon link below to subscribe. Your support helps cover editing, design, recording tools, and the work that goes into bringing these conversations to life. If supporting financially isn’t possible right now, you can still make a huge difference by sharing the show with your friends and family. This show runs on real stories and real listeners like you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode The connection between autism and creative expression How addiction can become a way to cope with not feeling understood What it really means to “find your voice” Why honesty creates deeper, more meaningful art How sobriety can transform not just your life, but your identity What You’ll Hear in This Episode: (00:00) Benjamin shares his journey with autism, creativity, and the search for identity (09:30) The realities of addiction, hitting rock bottom, and choosing recovery (17:00) How the pressure to fit in shaped his sense of self and artistic voice (23:20) Discovering music as a tool for expression, healing, and connection (35:00) Final reflections on fatherhood, presence, recovery, and living authentically Follow Benjamin Lerner Benjamin’s Website: https://benjaminlerner.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benjamin.lerner/   Follow Zak Sandler for tools, resources, and support on your journey: Zak's Website: https://zaksandler.com/ Patreon Page: https://patreon.com/zaksandler Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bipolar_broadway/

In this opening episode of Insanely Talented, Zak shares the deeply personal story behind his bipolar diagnosis, his experiences with mania and hospitalization, and how those moments ultimately led him to create this podcast. From growing up as a high-achieving student and actor/musician, to writing manifestos during manic episodes and later transforming those experiences into musicals and a TEDx Talk, this is an inspiring and uplifting episode about how good can come from the toughest of challenges. Zak also talks about the stigma surrounding bipolar, the fear of being misunderstood, and how learning to accept his diagnosis changed both his life and his art. Most importantly, he shares the mission behind Insanely Talented: creating a space where artists, creatives, and neurodivergent people can speak openly about their experiences and the strengths that can emerge from them. If you believe in this show and want to support it, consider becoming a paid subscriber. Click the Patreon link below to subscribe. Your support helps cover editing, design, recording tools, and the work that goes into bringing these conversations to life. If supporting financially isn’t possible right now, you can still make a huge difference by sharing the show with your friends and family. This show runs on real stories and real listeners like you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode The difference between neurodivergence and mental health conditions What mania and bipolar can actually feel like The creativity that can come during mania The emotional impact of hospitalization and diagnosis Why accepting a bipolar diagnosis can change someone’s life How music and storytelling became tools for healing The inspiration and vision behind creating Insanely Talented What You’ll Hear in This Episode: (00:00) Zak introduces Insanely Talented and explores the relationship between neurodivergence, mental health, and creativity (02:02) Growing up as a high-achieving student before experiencing his first depressive and manic episodes in college (04:15) Being hospitalized, receiving a bipolar diagnosis, and struggling to accept what it meant for his future (06:54) A second major manic episode years later that ultimately led to acceptance, healing, and creative transformation (08:31) Turning his bipolar experiences into musicals and discovering the power of storytelling through art (09:49) The origins of Insanely Talented and Zak’s vision for reducing stigma through open conversations about mental health and creativity Follow Zak Sandler and Insanely Talented for tools, resources, and support on your journey: Zak's Website: https://zaksandler.com/ Patreon Page: https://patreon.com/zaksandler Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bipolar_broadway/

What happens when there are too many balls bouncing in your brain at once? Do you focus on one? Or do you find a way to keep all of them going? In this episode, Zak sits down with the incredibly creative musical duo Andrew Barkan and Polly Hall to explore the deep connection between neurodivergence and artistic expression. Together, they talk about ADHD, autism, hyperfocus, and parenting neurodivergent children, as well as how creative work can become both a coping mechanism and a manifestation of neurodivergent superpower. Andrew and Polly share honest reflections about discovering their own neurodiversity later in life while simultaneously navigating diagnoses and support for their children. They also dive into the realities of the creative process, from needing structure and deadlines to balance multiple projects at once, and how their brains help them create emotionally rich music, podcasts, and stories. This conversation is thoughtful, funny, deeply human, and full of insight into how neurodivergent minds experience the world differently.  If you believe in this show and want to support it, consider becoming a paid subscriber. Click the Patreon link below to subscribe. Your support helps cover editing, design, recording tools, and the work that goes into bringing these conversations to life. If supporting financially isn’t possible right now, you can still make a huge difference by sharing the show with your friends and family. This show runs on real stories and real listeners like you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How ADHD and neurodivergence can fuel creativity and hyperfocus Why collaboration creates unexpected and powerful art The role structure, deadlines, and urgency play in the creative process How neurodivergent families navigate diagnosis, support, and communication Why movement, emotion, and physical sensation are central to songwriting The connection between identity, creativity, and feeling understood How parenting neurodivergent children can reshape self-understanding What You’ll Hear in This Episode: (01:19) Andrew and Polly share how navigating a beautifully neurodiverse family has shaped their lives, relationships, and creative work (06:27) The power of collaboration, songwriting, and why the best creative ideas often emerge from unexpected connections (12:39) Discovering ADHD, anxiety, and autism later in life, and how diagnosis can lead to greater understanding, community, and self-acceptance (20:34) How neurodivergence influences creativity, including hyperfocus, structure, productivity, and the unique strengths of the ADHD brain (30:19) A look inside their creative projects, including Ear Snacks, Disability Happy Hour, and their mission to create joyful, inclusive content for children and families Follow Andrew & Polly Website: http://andrewandpolly.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewandpolly/ Follow Zak Sandler for tools, resources, and support on your journey: Zak's Website: https://zaksandler.com/ Patreon Page: https://patreon.com/zaksandler Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bipolar_broadway/

In this episode, Zak sits down with songwriter and frontman Aaron Maloney to explore the relationship between neurodivergence, ADHD, depression, and creativity. Aaron shares the deeply personal story behind Internal Pictures, an ambitious musical project born during one of the darkest periods of his life. Following a series of life-altering events, including the pandemic, serious medical challenges, the birth of his daughter, and a profound mental health crisis, Aaron retreated to a tiny home for seven days and created an album that ultimately became a lifeline. This is a heartfelt episode with a very open, vulnerable guest, who talks about how he gets through depression and onstage panic attacks, as well as the fascinating ways this musical genius sees and perceives music.  If you believe in this show and want to support it, consider becoming a paid subscriber. Click the Patreon link below to subscribe. Your support helps cover editing, design, recording tools, and the work that goes into bringing these conversations to life. If supporting financially isn’t possible right now, you can still make a huge difference by sharing the show with your friends and family. This show runs on real stories and real listeners like you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How Aaron's ADHD influences his creativity and songwriting The story behind Internal Pictures and its life-saving impact Why music can serve as a powerful form of emotional release How depression, anxiety, and chronic illness affected Aaron's life and career The connection between creativity, hyperfocus, and neurodivergence Practical strategies Aaron uses to manage depression and anxiety Why connection, gratitude, and presence are essential for mental health What You’ll Hear in This Episode: (00:49) Aaron shares the inspiration behind Internal Pictures and how a profound mental health crisis led to the creation of the album (10:44) Growing up with ADHD, navigating medication, and discovering the creative strengths that shaped his musical identity (18:35) Aaron opens up about depression, anxiety, chronic health challenges, and reaching a breaking point during one of the darkest periods of his life (24:34) The realities of performing while struggling with mental health, and how music, connection, and community became part of his healing process (29:12) Practical tools for managing depression and anxiety, finding perspective, and staying present both on and off the stage Follow Aaron Maloney Website: https://www.itsallgoodmusic.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsallgoodmusic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ItsAllGoodMusic Album: Internal Pictures Follow Zak Sandler for tools, resources, and support on your journey: Zak's Website: https://zaksandler.com/ Patreon Page: https://patreon.com/zaksandler Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bipolar_broadway/