Insanely Talented Podcast with Zak Sandler

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...