S2-E12 | James Embraced His Neurodiversity And used his Pain to Create Music

The Crucible:Conversations for the Curious

Highlight
"If I'm not feeling okay, I find out right away. And instead of sitting with the emotion, I try to make friends with it so I can say, right, I can walk with this... Recovery is a journey. It's not an end destination... it's that getting up in the morning and taking those steps. It's okay to have a bit of a down day once in a while as long as we don't sit with it for too long."

Summary

In this episode, I speak with James Brodie, a storyteller, songwriter, and producer, who shares his remarkable journey of navigating life on the autism spectrum, overcoming mental health challenges, and finding hope through creativity. James discusses the importance of support systems, the power of writing and music as tools for healing, and the significance of asking for help. He emphasises the ongoing journey of recovery, the role of faith, and the impact of his music on listeners, ultimately highlighting the resilience and growth that come from embracing life's challenges.

About James Brodie

Takeaways

• Support from friends and family is crucial during tough times.
• Asking for help is a vital step in the recovery process.
• Recovery is an ongoing journey, not a destination.
• Understanding emotions and triggers is key to managing mental health.
• Daily routines help maintain stability and awareness.
• Faith can provide a foundation for resilience and hope.
• The process of songwriting is deeply personal and transformative.

Sound Bites

• "Anyone can write 10 songs and put them out as a collection. What makes an album good is the story that gels it together."
• "I use the vocals as a guide for the storytelling and the music to inform how the story is told."
• "In order to be found and to get to this good place, you first have to be lost."
• "I basically started using those instruments as a way to talk."
• "If it's stuck in my head too long, it's not good. It's better to sit with it and externalise it."
• "The best ones I've written have never started out as songs - they are notes, guides, bits of advice."
• "Recovery is a journey, not an end destination. Even thirteen years on, I'm still adjusting things."
• "I write to keep it out of my head and to help other people in some way."
• "Breathing in and breathing out."
• "This is day one of getting better."
• "You cannot force people to get help."

Chapters

00:00 -Introduction to James Brodie's Journey

02:08 - Navigating Life on the Autism Spectrum

05:39 -Tools for Managing Mental Health

09:11 - The Role of Writing and Creativity

13:02 - Support Systems and Friendships

16:18 - The Importance of Asking for Help

19:43 - The Journey of Recovery

23:26 - Understanding Emotions and Triggers

27:11 - Finding Balance and Self-Awareness

30:44 - The Impact of Music on Healing

34:24 - The Process of Songwriting

37:36 - Feedback and Connection Through Music

41:29 - The Story Behind 'Lost and Found' Album

44:57 - The Superpower of Resilience