When Your Brain Won’t Fit the World: Finding Your Creative Path with ADHD with Andy J. Pizza
The One You Feed
Early Career Wins and Setbacks
Andy recounts early illustration gigs, the Decemberists project misstep, and the 2008 lull that pushed him to pivot.
In this episode, Andy J. Pizza joins Eric Zimmer for When Your Brain Won’t Fit the World: Finding Your Creative Path with ADHD, a conversation about creativity, identity, and what happens when you stop treating yourself as a problem to fix. Andy shares how discovering ADHD helped him reframe years of self-doubt, better understand his parents, and build a creative life that actually fits the way his mind works. Together, they explore self-acceptance, the role of labels, and how art can become a powerful way to excavate who we really are.
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Exciting News!!!Coming in March 2026, my new book, How a Little Becomes a Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life is now available for pre-orders!
Key Takeaways
- ADHD as a form of neurodiversity rather than a personal deficit
- The connection between ADHD and creativity, imagination, and divergent thinking
- How self-compassion supports mental health and sustainable personal growth
- The role of diagnosis and language in understanding identity and behavior
- The influence of childhood and family dynamics on self-perception
- Moving from self-criticism to self-acceptance in creative and personal life
- Creativity as a tool for self-discovery, meaning, and emotional insight
- Designing habits and environments that support how your brain works
For full show notes, click here!
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If you enjoyed this conversation with Andy J. Pizza, check out these other episodes:
Creativity as a Cure with Jacob Nordby
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