Diagnosis, Labels, and Self-Compassion

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

Eric Tivers on ADHD in Adults

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