I met today’s guest through the neurodivergent community on Twitter. Join us to learn more about his inspiring story.
Joseph Gitau is a writer, singer, and blogger who has been diagnosed with ADHD and Bipolar I. With his childhood and youth being spent between his native Kenya and the US, he has a unique perspective about how neurodivergence is treated differently in both countries. Joseph uses his talents to promote mental health throughout his creative outlets.
Show Highlights:
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Why Joseph is intensely passionate about mental health and the arts
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How Joseph’s personal brand of intensity includes music and twice-exceptionality
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How Joseph’s journey of discovery through school was difficult because he was an introvert
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How the Kenyan tradition of children being “not seen and not heard” was very difficult for Joseph as an ADHD music-lover who always wanted to sing and play music
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Joseph’s years in Kenya and the US, and how his ADHD and bipolar diagnosis came about
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How Joseph has to tone himself down–even today
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How Joseph’s intensity got out of control when he dropped out of university, and he didn’t know what to do next
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Why Joseph does the important work to break the taboo around ADHD and promote mental health awareness
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Why Joseph’s writing includes interracial characters
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How celebrities represent neurodiversity to the world
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Why society uses labels to put people in different boxes
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How Joseph came to accept his neurodivergence
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The mixed feelings around neurodivergence, superpowers, white privilege, and economic privilege
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How Joseph uses his fire for good through his blog where he talks about the educational system, neurodiversity, and how marginalized people are affected
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Joseph’s plans for the future
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How Joseph harnesses the power of his intensity through yoga and learning to balance structure and flexibility
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Joseph’s parting advice: “Don’t worry about tomorrow. Nothing is set in stone except what you did yesterday. Do what’s right by you, and people will respect you.”
Resources:
Find Joseph Gitau on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.