The Bonnies welcome Jordan Roberts, a writer and director with a long career in television and film, who has also built a coaching practice focused on creative blocks, addiction, ADHD, and shadow work.

Jordan describes his background in a show-business family, his struggles as a young person with drugs, alcohol, anxiety, and not feeling good enough, and how early therapy opened a different way of thinking. He talks about pursuing validation through creative work, even after major professional success, and how that left the deeper issue of self-worth unresolved.

They discuss the shift that came for Jordan from shadow work and from recognizing inner parts that had been hidden or rejected. Jordan explains how he began to allow rather than judge vulnerable, ashamed, or fearful parts of himself, including a late diagnosis of ADHD, and how medication and practical tools now support him.

They also talk about anxiety, shame, and the “second arrow” of self-criticism. Jordan describes how meeting his own parts with attention rather than fixing them changed his experience, how this affects his writing now, and how he sees creativity, risk-taking, and emotional honesty as connected to this ongoing work.

HIGHLIGHTS:

4:01 Jordan’s Background

6:45 A Powerful Commencement Speech

7:55 Showbiz and Self-Doubt

13:52 Validation Never Filled It

17:03 Meeting the Shadow

20:35 Parts Work and Anxiety

23:18 Allowing the Feeling

25:44 Late ADHD Diagnosis

33:08 The Anxiety Gap

35:50 Feelings Are Not Bad

37:25 Reparenting Through Shadow Work

39:21 Men and Emotional Shame

42:17 Shadow Work Fuels Creativity

44:11 It’s Never Too Late

mentioned in episode

Jordan's Commencement Speech: https://www.youtube.com/live/sxC8gYAOKe4?si=142nL-SPqAvoGTGh&t=1913

Permission to Feel: https://a.co/d/0hksoWy5

Stick Up For Yourself: https://a.co/d/0j2lScIn

The Artist's Way: https://a.co/d/07ZzanXe

Driven to Distraction: https://a.co/d/08odLBuE

CONNECT WITH THE BONNIE ZUCKERS:

Bonnie Zucker Ph.D.(west)

website: https://www.bonniezuckerphd.com

Newsletter sign-up: https://bonnie-zucker-ph-d.kit.com/d44b57fcdf

Books by Bonnie West: https://a.co/d/04aNJFDZ

Bonnie Zucker Psy.D. (east)

website: https://www.bonniezuckerandassociates.com

Books by Bonnie East: https://shorturl.at/MxvRZ

The content of Anxiety Matters Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute mental health or medical advice, nor is it a substitute for professional mental health or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call emergency services or a local crisis line.