Insanely Talented Podcast with Zak Sandler

In this episode of Insanely Talented, Zak sits down with poet, public speaker, and mental health advocate Sarah Elizabeth Crimmins to explore bipolar disorder, mixed mania, trauma, faith, and the healing power of writing. Sarah shares how many of the poems in her book The Other Side of Normal emerged during manic and mixed manic episodes, and explains what it feels like to experience the energy of...

In this episode of Insanely Talented, Zak sits down with award-winning producer, composer, film scorer, songwriter, and music director Kevin Lynch to explore how ADHD, OCD, and anxiety intersect with a life in music. Kevin traces his journey from discovering the piano as a child to working at Juilliard, music directing theater productions, studying at Berklee College of Music, and building a creat...

In this episode of Insanely Talented, Zak sits down with poet and writer Lenna Jawdat to explore the relationship between ADHD, depression, trauma, and creativity. Lenna shares the story behind her book length hybrid project combining memoir, documentary poetics, history, and visual elements, which began as a response to learning about the loss of Palestinian books and private libraries after 1948...

In this episode of Insanely Talented, Zak sits down with writer, director, composer, and author Paul Dalio to explore the profound relationship between bipolar disorder, psychosis, and creativity. Best known for writing, directing, and scoring the acclaimed film Touched with Fire, Paul shares the deeply personal experiences that inspired his work and how living with bipolar I disorder transformed...

In this episode of Insanely Talented, Zak sits down with actor, singer, musician, and coach Elise Arsenault to explore how anxiety, ADHD traits, and creativity have shaped her personal and professional journey. From performing at a young age to building a career in acting, Elise shares how she's learned to navigate self-doubt, embrace her strengths, and create sustainable systems that support both...

In this episode of Insanely Talented, Zak sits down with recording artist, author, music executive, and disability inclusion advocate Lachi to explore the relationship between blindness, ADHD, OCD, maladaptive daydreaming, and creativity. Lachi reflects on growing up as the legally blind daughter of Nigerian immigrants, struggling to ask for help, and finding a place of belonging and self-expressi...

In this episode of Insanely Talented, Zak sits down with award-winning actor, acting coach, improviser, and filmmaker Wyatt Unger to explore the connection between anxiety, dyslexia, creativity, and performance. As a founding member of Shrug Productions and a mentor to young performers, Wyatt shares how neurodivergence has shaped both his artistic career and the way he helps others discover confid...

In this episode of Insanely Talented, Zak sits down with composer, pianist, performer, and multimedia artist Joe Cahill to explore the relationship between ADHD, creativity, anxiety, and depression. Joe shares the story behind Neurodivergent, a jazz-inspired piano piece he wrote shortly after being diagnosed with ADHD, depression, and anxiety in his mid-twenties. By intentionally changing time sig...

What does it take to find your real voice after years of trying to fit in? This episode features Benjamin Lerner, a rapper, pianist, composer, and recovery advocate who is on the autism spectrum and has experienced addiction and recovery firsthand. In this conversation, Benjamin explores the connection between neurodivergence and creativity, how his struggle to fit in shaped his identity, and how...

In this opening episode of Insanely Talented, Zak shares the deeply personal story behind his bipolar diagnosis, his experiences with mania and hospitalization, and how those moments ultimately led him to create this podcast. From growing up as a high-achieving student and actor/musician, to writing manifestos during manic episodes and later transforming those experiences into musicals and a TEDx...

In this episode, Zak sits down with songwriter and frontman Aaron Maloney to explore the relationship between neurodivergence, ADHD, depression, and creativity. Aaron shares the deeply personal story behind Internal Pictures, an ambitious musical project born during one of the darkest periods of his life. Following a series of life-altering events, including the pandemic, serious medical challenge...

What happens when there are too many balls bouncing in your brain at once? Do you focus on one? Or do you find a way to keep all of them going? In this episode, Zak sits down with the incredibly creative musical duo Andrew Barkan and Polly Hall to explore the deep connection between neurodivergence and artistic expression. Together, they talk about ADHD, autism, hyperfocus, and parenting neurodive...