Experienced comedian Todd Glass talks about controlling his environment in comedy clubs and at home, his journey of coming out at 46, finding serenity through design, and navigating uncertainty and setbacks in comedy. He shares insights on aging in comedy, mental health, and self-discovery, reflecting on the importance of growth and evolution.
Behavioral labels are nuanced, moving beyond strict disorders like OCD or GAD.
Todd Glass navigates dyslexia struggles while pursuing a career in comedy.
Glass shares strategies for managing OCD and creating an orderly environment for performances.
Deep dives
Importance of Mental Health Labels
The podcast delved into the significance of lower-case and upper-case letters in labeling mental health conditions, questioning when behavior transitions from a mix of traits to defined disorders like OCD or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), emphasizing the complexity that goes beyond diagnostic acronyms.
Personal Journey with Dyslexia
Todd Glass shared his struggle with dyslexia, recounting his experiences of being in and out of special schools, struggling with academics, and reflecting on his journey of realizing his condition and managing it along with pursuing a career in stand-up comedy.
Navigating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Glass discussed his experience with OCD, highlighting his inclination towards orderliness stemming from his mother's earlier obsession with cleanliness, revealing personal anecdotes of managing his need for order, even amidst challenges like living with multiple dogs.
Coping Strategies and Boundaries
Glass outlined his coping mechanisms for managing OCD and maintaining order in his environment, showcasing how he sets up comedy venues with specific lighting, music, and atmosphere to create a conducive performing space.
Coming Out Journey and Stand-Up Show Plans
The podcast explored Glass's coming out journey at the age of 46, driven by a desire to provide visibility and support for those struggling with their identities. It also touched on his ambitious plans for a stand-up show, 'The Event of a Lifetime,' aiming to reinvent his performance style through a vibrant comedic experience.
Todd Glass has been in the comedy game for a long time, dating back to the eighties, so he’s had time to figure out how he wants his life and his work to go. Todd makes sure the right music is playing in the club as people come in, sees to it that no TVs are on in the bar, and generally tries to make his world tidy. Does this make him obsessive? Compulsive? Disordered? Well, Todd doesn’t really go for the OCD label because he thinks it’s more complicated and nuanced than that and because he’s a lot less fussy than he used to be. In this interview, Todd Glass talks about that as well as coming out of the closet at age 46.
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