The ADHD Artist Podcast

Dani Bagel: Playing Piano through Panic Attacks, Tapping into your Uniqueness, Art and Music as Healing, Creating External Structure, and Making Music through Generations         Dani Bagel Bio “I make music for myself”. With this statement, Cape-Town based artist Dani Bagel announces her debut solo project, “Magic in Her Hair”. The musician has created an EP that is unapologetically made on her own terms and produced under her own label. These songs are less distinct artistic approaches, than a reflection of different parts of the same person. “They are all just me”, Dani says, “it's not like I'm acting like somebody else”. Audiences were first introduced to her sound four years ago, with her features on several singles. First, came the release of Keagan John Moore's “Lay it on Tonight” under the alias Gabrielle, with the Cartel. In 2017, however, she released the first single as Dani Bagel, ‘Where Did We Go Wrong'. The deeply honest and atmospheric dancefloor sizzler, co- written with Caleb Williams, introduced the strength of her pen. Since then, her collaborations include Lebo Lukewarm (Swimming Practice), Omar Morto (Cruise Control) and Gina Jeans (Smoke and Mirrors, co-written with Jimmy Nevis). With Magic In Her Hair, however, Dani is stepping directly into the spotlight and into a new era of her career – one completely driven by a commitment to making the music she wants to create, embracing both individuality and collaboration. The classically-trained musician took on co-executive producer role for the project alongside engineer, Eldon Quirk (Sunset Studios) and Kooldrink – the young producer who has worked with the likes of Sho Madjozi, Diplo, DJ Maphorisa and Youngsta CPT. Magic in Her Hair draws together 6 producers between 5 eclectic songs, while paying homage to all of her coming-of-age 1990s R&B albums. This EP is her version of seeking to create this kind of work for a new generation. What draws the different songs together is Dani's musical DNA as a musician, and clear creative vision. She describes this project as both an offering to audiences, and a dare directed at herself, rooted in genuine passion and joy. With her collaborators, she explains that “there was so much space given to just trying any idea” kind of idea. The result is an eclectic, yet connected EP that makes space for experimentation, play and the different moods and moments that reflect the diversity of what it means to exist and experience life. The strength of her songwriting, commitment to honest lyrics, exploration of deep feeling, playful extravagance and classical training are the album's defining elements. Azul is an interlude that Dani describes as a ‘whirlpool of thoughts' written during a panic attack, where she met her piano as a centering force. Okay (Co-written with Caleb Williams) is a sentimental, emotion-filled conversation, that she explains that could be a way of ‘singing to yourself or someone else', as the chorus constantly returns to the repetition of “I'm ok”. Rooted in deep vulnerability the song finds the artist asking for permission to be herself. Sturvy turns an insult into an anthem. Dani explains that her social anxiety and naturally inward nature often led to her being labelled and assumed to be “sturvy” by those who don't know her. The song is about dealing with and subverting these perceptions, and while she starts out singing, by the end of it she blasts into bars. The anthemic Testing repeats the refrain “testing the water”. As the song that builds and grows from its initial impulses, it could be the motto of the entire project – which is unafraid to experiment and enter new musical territories. The album's inspiration, too, draws from an eclectic set of artists - from Doja Cat's exciting experimental approach to Ariana Grande's layered choral-esque vocal harmonies and HER and Snoh Aalegra's modern take on R&B. What connects these influences is their creation of “women-led music”, as Dani gravitates towards artists who directly express their grit and effortlessly move between genres and styles. Magic In Her Hair is an EP that aims to intrigue. On her hopes for the project, Dani says, “A person who listens to me for the first time will kind of be, I hope, intrigued by the kind of artist that I can be”. She later definitively adds, “The kind of artist I am”. For more information and interview requests, please contact admin@danibagel.co.za Her Latest single “Testing” can be streamed https://lnkfi.re/Danibagel-Testing Testing is a shout-out to loud long lekker nights full of debauchery and bubble. The Naughty Nineties repurposed and packaged for our modern ears. The anthem for ‘Remember that party'. But the music and the vibe is not the only groove you will witness. Jimmy Nevis makes his directorial debut in this music video which combines the drama of drag, the energy of extravagance and somehow makes kitsch cool. The story line begins with trans Drag Queen and make-up artist Maxine Wild getting ready for a night on stage after we find Dani Bagel alone in an empty club. She is powerfully alluring and as the energy builds in the song we see this reflected in her sense of confidence as it expounds into a playful and entertaining opportunity to tantalize our ears and eyes with a fun-loving, lively, exuberant and down right frisky display of a good time. The finale celebrates diversity and here we are left wanting more while cheering for a nostalgic soul-train dance tunnel you wished you could be a part of.

This is just a quick and fun bonus episode with a couple of "fan questions" that we didn't have time to put into the regular episode. My fiancé is a HUGE fan of Jamie's work, so I let him give me specific questions to ask :) Enjoy!

Jamie McKelvie is a writer, artist, designer and director best known for his frequent collaborations with Kieron Gillen on projects such as Young Avengers and the critically acclaimed 9 volume epic, The Wicked and The Divine. He has designed several characters for Marvel Comics that have since been translated to screen, including Captain Marvel, Ms Marvel, Loki and America Chavez. Outside of comics, Jamie has worked with several bands including Tegan and Sara and Art Brut, and regularly collaborates with Chvrches, including directing the video for their song Bury It. He lives in Scotland with his girlfriend and their cat. 

Check out episode 13 with Kelli, where we discuss opera, gaming, Terry Pratchett, letting yourself be ridiculous, and lots more! Kelli Butler (known online as The Opera Geek) is a professional opera singer, aria slinging mercenary, and Actual Bard. * She is an award-winning (actually, not just from my mom) opera soprano whose roles include Queen of the Night, Hanna Glawari, Musetta, Violetta, and more. When not performing - say, during a pandemic - she can be found playing games on her twitch channel or appearing in a multitude of other TTRPG/D&D shows, including the new campaign "Let's get Wildemount!", set in the Critical role universe.  Kelli is the co-author of the best-selling College of the Opera bard subclass for bards, which can be found on the DMsGuild. She lives in NY with her husband Justin and their two very irrational pets, Bones and Scotty.

Join us as Susie Sahim and I chat about the artistic process, art RPGs, working as a Google Doodler, and lots more!   Susie Sahim is an entrepreneur, illustrator, animator, and web developer based in San Jose, CA. She worked for Google for 13 years, during which she delighted people by created more than 100 doodles as a Google Doodler, and later going on to become a tech lead for a code library, leading and mentoring a team of web developers. In 2019, she left the corporate world to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams. Her mission is to motivate artists with art role playing games on PaperDemon.com, an art and writing community. She's passionate about the importance of communities to help neurodivergent creators feel accepted, build confidence, and overcome art block.     PaperDemon Art and Writing community https://www.paperdemon.com   My personal blog (includes more social links) https://www.bogusred.com   Youtube channel - videos that talk about art and motivation http://youtube.com/paperdemon   Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bogusred   Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bogusred

Check out episode 11 with Juliet, where we discuss playing piano, occupational therapy, learning how to learn, and much more!   Juliet Morse Aucreman is a piano teacher, composer, writer, artist, and occupational therapist living in San Clemente, California. Juliet was a piano performance major at Eastman School of Music, holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Rochester and an MS in Occupational Therapy from Boston University. She has pursued advanced coach training through ADDCA (the ADD Coaching Academy). Juliet is a SIPT-Certified pediatric occupational therapist. She has published over 80 humorous and thoughtful pieces in national and local print publications including Attention Magazine. In 2019, Juliet released her book and music album Fireflies of the Mind: A Journey into Mindfulness and Inner Strength. Fireflies of the Mind is a literary, musical, artistic, and philosophical journey for multiple age groups. Through playful thoughtfulness and whimsical imagery, readers and listeners come to embrace parts of themselves they may have rejected, and discover new ways to see strengths in their individual differences. Fireflies of the Mind, inspired by the wonderful coursework from the ADD coaching academy, celebrates individuality and unique brain wiring and helps participants actively see new ways of being, growing, and joining the world around them. Juliet is currently at work on her second book/music album, The Crimson Heartstone: A Journey towards Courage and Heart. ADD characteristics can easily be spotted in the main characters of both books.    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliet.multi.media/ Fireflies of the Mind: https://www.firefliesofthemind.com/ 

Check out this interview with Brandon Tessers, where I pick his brain about executive functioning, creativity, getting an ADHD diagnosis, and lots more!   Brandon's bio: Brandon Tessers (he/him) is a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC), a trained professional actor, an amateur singer/songwriter, a former schoolteacher and tutor, and an enthusiastic if sometimes ill-prepared husband and father. He's been helping children and adults with their executive functioning for over a decade, and has been doing so as a licensed therapist since 2016. He's always been focused on working with people who exist outside the norm in one way or another and is particularly focused on helping people who consider themselves neurodivergent and/or creative. Among other things, Brandon is a playwright and the DM for his longtime D&D group.  He's also a national presenter and has conducted professional development for therapists and teachers.  He is passionate about his work–so much so that his friends and family sometimes wish he would stop talking about how everyone's brain works. He couldn't stop thinking about how to help people gain self-awareness and make changes in their lives if he tried.

Cody Vrosh is an artist and illustrator based in California. He works in a graphic watercolor style, fusing science fiction elements with bold female characters and playful creatures to create unique speculative illustrations. He is the creator of Coffee Creatures, Teeth Creatures, and Little Satellites, and the co-founder of Binary Winter Press, an independent book and screen printing press.  Check out his work at binarywinter.com and follow him on social media: @cody-vrosh on IG, Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook

Check out episode 8 with Stacey Machelle, the creator and star of the new Youtube show "ADHD Is The New Black"! We talk about her show, her past career of newscasting, writing, laughter, representation, shame, and lots more.   A  graduate  of  The  Second  City,  Stacey  Machelle  is  a  sketch writer/performer,  producer  and  comedian  and  was  a  finalist  in  the Disney/ABC  Writing  Program.   In  her  past  professional  life  she  worked  as  a  professional journalist  for Scripps  Howard  News  Service  and  as  an  on-air  news anchor for  CBS and  later  on  air  talent  and  writer  for  TMZ. Stacey  currently  works  as  an  audience  warmup  comic  on  various  talk and  game shows in  Los Angeles. She is currently the warm up comic for A Little Late with Lilly Singh. Her  video “pitch”  for  The Halftime Show placed  among the top  three finalists  in  the  People's  Choice  Awards “Spinoff  Contest.”  The  top  three  finalists  were  chosen  by  the creative  board  of  the  New  York  Television  Festival  and  the  internet voting community.

Anna is a young and talented ceramics artist who just graduated from art school (DURING A PANDEMIC!). In this episode, we discuss Anna's experiences with ADHD and the side effects of medication (the choice between one's physical health and the ability to focus). We chat about managing social anxiety, what it feels like to work with clay, and many other fun things! Check it out!   Bio: Anna Wagner was born in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and has lived most of her life in Wichita, Kansas. In 2014, she moved to Arkansas to receive her Associates of General Studies at Arkansas State University - Beebe. From 2015 - 2020, she attended UCA and graduated with a BFA in emphasis in Ceramics. In undergrad, Anna received Internship Scholarships for artist Jason Briggs (2020) and the Clay Art Center (2019). Other scholarships include a one-week class scholarship for Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts (2019), UCA Performance Scholarship (2018-2019), Wingate Foundation Scholarship (2018-2019), and Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship (2015-2019). The artist was awarded The Student of the Year (Spring 2020), Senior Show Exhibition Honors (Fall 2019), and Honorable Mention for the Annual Student Competitive (Spring 2019). She was interviewed for UCA Artist Spotlight on ESPN (2019) and was interviewed for the UCA Vortex Podcast (2019). Throughout academia, Anna was an active member of four of UCA's fine art clubs: Vice President in Clay Club (2018-2020); Sculpture Club (2017-2018); and BFA Critique Club (2018-2019). She and her peers brought multiple arts and professional development opportunities at UCA, such as: reaching out to artists and bringing community events like fundraisers, field trips, ceramic sales, pop-up shows, and public outreach. Anna volunteered and demoed for art events around Conway such as the Empathy Project (2019), Eco Arts Fest (2018), and Female Foundry iron pour (2018). She assisted and taught clay building and pottery throwing for her internship at the Clay Art Center in NY (2019), Downtown Conway (2019), Clay Club's Potluck (2018), and has taught a basic figurative drawing session for her Study Abroad group in Spain (2018). She has also assisted artists, such as interning Jason Briggs (2020), Adam Chau at the Clay Art Center gallery (2019), visiting artist Peter Pincus (2018), and visiting artist Ben Butler (2017). Artist Statement: My body of work stems from the perspective of someone dealing with ADHD and draws attention to the effects of taking Adderall mentally, socially, and physically. Since I began discussing my experiences a few years ago, I have gathered inspiration from those who have dealt with similar disabilities and medication side effects. With that I began illustrating these narratives through portraiture and some text. The functional ceramic shapes signify my personal struggles with medications that restrained my appetite. The looseness of the forms juxtaposes against the detailed renderings of the portraits; a constant battle between who I truly am verses who I wish to be. The individuals in my work are drained of color yet see and experience world of gaiety and distractions. Since childhood I have enjoyed the loud and vivid cartoons from comic books and television shows. These vibrant hues find their way to the vessel forms. The translation results in bright, colorful objects that seem to vibrate and hum with potential energy. Aiding in this perceived movement, I created forms from pieced together shapes sometimes making no sense as separate parts but finding their place as supports, feet, lids, or additions. This discombobulation can be said as well for anyone with invisible mental disabilities, finding their place and support in a community recognizing the struggles of those dealing with it. If the vessels are used in a utilitarian sense, the imagery or discussion with these portraits would be disrupted. Therefore, the function of these vessels is not the primary reason they are vessels, but rather used as an esthetic, similar to the repeated “?!” speech bubble referencing confusion. All to discuss the absence of a desire for food while taking Adderall. Some of the portraits chosen are of those who have dealt with learning disabilities and felt ‘othered' and outcasted in some way. The work is physically structured and presented as portraits of those who need a voice, filling the empty forms with stories, each one echoing my own.

Check out this interview with Dominic Velando, where we chat about his ADHD drawings, navigating a late ADHD diagnosis, how to chill the f*** out, his goals and dreams, and much more! More about Dominic: "Hyperfocus Dopamine":  webcomics/cartoons depicting a hulking man child with ADHD. This is the kind of thing Tampa FL artist Dominic Velando is doing with his life. He is also directing an ADHD beginner series produced by ADDA(add.org) and scheduled for release in late 2020. Follow him on Instagram: @hyperfocusdopamine

Join me in a short BONUS solo episode where I discuss some things that have come up in conversation since I launched this podcast. This includes my advice on where to start if you think you have ADHD, thoughts on self-discovery and awareness (regardless of whether or not you have ADHD or are an artist), and also some awesome resources.  https://howtoadhd.com/ https://www.additudemag.com/ https://chadd.org/ https://www.instagram.com/theadhdgoodlife/

Join us as Graham and I chat about being a dad, childhood trauma, painting vs acting, what it's like being on set, connecting with other ADHD artists, and more! Graham Sibley is an Emmy-nominated actor, writer, and painter born to a ballerina and an architect. He has premiered multiple films at The Sundance Film Festival as a writer and actor, most recently Blush directed by Debra Eisenstadt. He has also worked with Oscar-winning directors Clint Eastwood and Bill Guttentag and guest starred on many television series including Showtime's On Being a God in Central Florida and USA's Dirty John: Betty. Sibley is a co-founder of IAMA Theater Company for which he sits on the Board of Directors. His artwork has been shown in galleries in Los Angeles, including a solo show at the Soho House in West Hollywood. Sibley lives in Los Angeles with his wife, screenwriter Marilyn Fu, and their twin boys, Lyon and K.P.   Check out his website here: https://www.grahamsibley.com/

Roxanne Jarrett is a multilingual singer and coach who helps motivated creatives finish their passion projects.   She also facilitates workshops to unleash creative expression and deepen social connections.  Roxanne is living proof of the healing power of creativity: she practiced multiple art disciplines to recover from PTSD and no longer meets the criteria for diagnosis.   Her gutsy street performance of “It's A Man's World” became a rallying cry after the 2016 election, and she served as Arts Organizer for the Women's March on Washington. Websites: www.roxannejarrett.com www.swellhead.com Singer reel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoLlHquZg3c Facebook: www.facebook.com/RoxanneOnTheRox Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OpenMicOnTheRox/ Instagram: @Roxanne Jarrett Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxannejarrett/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/roxannejarrett

Join us as we hang out with Charlie and discuss spatial awareness, her love of theatre, "naps" under the teacher's desk, fitting in as a kid, medications, and more! Info on Charlie: Charlie Irving is an actor and writer in Chicago. She is a company member of New American Folk Theatre and has appeared in many of their shows including HOT PINK and The Summer of Daisy Fay for which she received a Jeff nomination. She has also worked with theatres like the Factory Theater, Artemesia and Metropolis. She was trained at the Gately/Poole Conservatory. In January Charlie was featured in a reading of her first play CRUSH with The New Colony's Writer's Room that explored the relationship women have to porn. She is continuing to work on her writing during these crazy pandemic times and is excited for the return of theatre... whenever that may be!

In this episode, we get real about some of the stresses that come with taking ADHD medications as an artist. We also talk about Dru's love of Hip Hop, getting misdiagnosed as having anger issues as a pre-teen, and keeping a sense of play and wild abandon even as an adult.  Here is some information on Dru: Dru Smith's artistic mission is to continually create art that aims to lessen the gap between those who are marginalized and those in power. He's a director/writer/actor/musician who lives and works in Chicago. He co-wrote and co-directed Concerning Foster, a play about the desegregation of District 65 schools in Evanston, IL. He also co-created the play, I.D., which was a vignette-style production that asked hard questions about racial and cultural identity. I.D. received a remount due to its unprecedented success. While working as an actor, Dru has been seen on stage at The Gift, Urban Street Theatre Company, and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre - where he understudied the production of Othello: The Remix. He was also an ensemble member of the former company, Chicago Slam Works. There, he was on a team of artists who created slam-poetry-forward theater around different social justice themes, and he was also lucky enough to direct their final show before closing, Carrier. Dru received his BFA in Acting from SUNY Purchase before moving to Chicago, and is a proud graduate of The School at Steppenwolf. He serves as the Education Director for Mudlark Theater Company. You can find some of his music on Bandcamp: Sir Andrew The Bard: The Prologue

Welcome to the first episode! In this episode, we'll chat with talented theatre director Georgette Verdin about tons of things: being an artistic director, managing ADHD at home, communication in relationships, working through shame, structure vs spontaneity, etc. Check it out!   Georgette is a Chicago-based director, theater and speech educator and arts integration specialist. She is also the proud Managing Artistic Director of Interrobang Theatre Project, a critically-acclaimed storefront theater known for its gutsy productions, tackling socially-relevant topics. In 2019, Interrobang was honored with the prestigious Broadway in Chicago Emerging Theatre Award. Georgette has taught kindergarten through college in her hometown of New Orleans, as well as Chicago where she has resided since 2009. She was the founding theater teacher at Polaris Charter Academy - an Expeditionary Learning School in Chicago's West Humboldt Park neighborhood - where she taught full-time for eight years. Select directing credits include TRIBES (Nina Raine), Jeff Awards recommended productions of OUT OF LOVE (U.S. Premiere, Elinor Cook), GRACE, RECENT TRAGIC EVENTS (Craig Wright) and TIME STANDS STILL (Donald Margulies), as well as the 2013 & 2016 Yale Drama Series winners, STILL (Jen Silverman) and UTILITY (Emily Schwend). Georgette has also worked with Goodman Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre, Facility, and Chicago Dramatists among others. Upcoming projects include associate directing Mat Smart's world premiere, EDEN PRAIRIE, 1971 (Raven Theatre) and directing the world premiere of SEXBOT (Interrobang Theatre Project). Georgette holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Performance from McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA and a Master in Directing from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. She is an associate member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.   Check out Interrobang Theatre Project at www.interrobangtheatreproject.com     Original music for this trailer was composed by Christopher Aaron Knarr. You can find more of his work at www.ChristopherAaronKnarr.com. Podcast Artwork design by Joseph Ramski. For inquiries, please contact him directly at jramski3@gmail.com  

Coming soon! Mark your calendars for JUNE 1st!  Original music for this trailer was composed by Christopher Aaron Knarr. You can find more of his work at www.ChristopherAaronKnarr.com. Podcast Artwork design by Joseph Ramski. For inquiries, please contact him directly at jramski3@gmail.com Enjoy!