Ani Kasparian  0:00  
Even though I love writing, I haven't written on paper in years because my brain goes like, so I just write out everything. And they just go cut, paste, cut, paste, cut, paste, and then I read it. I write before I talk and I've written for so long and I've been like, trained in like, top top top tier writing for so long that it's like, I know what is junk and I know what isn't. So I've written so much that when I talk I almost talk from my writing brain. Well, there's that training

Brooke Schnittman  0:35  
piece right? You became an expert in that area because...

Ani Kasparian  0:38  
I feel like I'm going off on a lot of tangents, write it all out first, and then put it in order and then don't be done. Read it in order that you start to train your brain on like what is the beginning was the middle of what's the end

Brooke Schnittman  0:54  
Welcome to successful with ADHD, I'm Brooke Shipman. And if you have ADHD and are feeling overwhelmed, chaotic, negative self beliefs, you're in the right place. The successful with ADHD podcast shares my guests journeys of overcoming challenges offering their tips and strategies for success to empower you to take control of your life and thrive with ADHD. Let's get started. Hello, hello. Welcome back to successful with ADHD where we put a spotlight on successful people with ADHD we really want to show the better side and the lighter side of ADHD and not go into all of the pain and struggles. So today we are going to be joined by Annie Kasparian, who is an international multilingual journalist. She's been featured on many different stations, I am thrilled to have her we're also going to be learning about how she became a journalist.

beautiful as ever!

Ani Kasparian  2:02  
You know the struggle, I was in the Bahamas the whole week. So I'm really excited for this opportunity to, you know, be a human.

Brooke Schnittman  2:09  
Yes, and you have some really interesting interviews today. But before we get into any of that, we'd love to know who you are, if you could share a little bit about your journey. So far, welcome.

Ani Kasparian  2:22  
My name is Ana Kasparian, otherwise known as "the dancing journalist". Why? Because I cannot stop dancing, even when I'm reporting. And you guys probably can relate to that we love to get our tutors out. So I started with journalism pretty late in life, because I had many other hyper focuses before that. I'm sure you guys can relate to that as well. I loved languages first and foremost. And I studied a lot of them. When I got to college, I had to pick three of my seven. So I picked Spanish, Arabic and French. When I did Arabic, I realized that Arabic comes with a dialect and modern standard. And I want you to get better at Modern Standard after studying the dialect, but the only place to do that is through the news. And of course you can read books, but I have reading issues. So I didn't want to do that I wanted to do something that was alive. So I picked the news. And oh my gosh, I fell in love with the news in the Arabic speaking world. I had so much fun. I interned in radio and TV stations. And it was just like a party every day. Like I want to do this. So I came back and I studied journalism for my masters at Georgetown, during the pandemic and I became a journalist after that I got hired by a CBS affiliate for a while and then before that I did a little bit with Arabic station, the only Arabic speaking American station in the US. After that I decided I wanted to leave corporate news and do my own thing because I felt like a lot of the stories that were really important to me were not being told. So I left that to focus on my own project called the new Lebanon TV, and I'm now in Lebanon. And we focus on mental health life wisdom and spreading awareness about lots of things including learning disabilities, here in Lebanon where that is not often talked about. It is a blast. So I was born and raised in the US. Totes McGoats American I have Armenian ancestry so blood Armenian passport, American, and then my dad was born in Lebanon. So I was able to get Lebanese citizenship through him. But he didn't speak Arabic to me growing up that way. He doesn't really remember a lot about his childhood. So it wasn't like I heard stories of Lebanon all the time growing up. I just knew dad born in Beirut, that's it, you know, and I did get a little bit of culture through the food, which I had thought was Armenian this whole time but really was like half a million and a half Lebanese. So we are Syrian I'm Lebanese Armenians from America. But essentially, my

Brooke Schnittman  5:04  
upbringing was very American. So a very American upbringing, moving across the world to Lebanon, talk to me, because you were talking a little bit about learning disabilities. What was it like having ADHD growing up?

Ani Kasparian  5:21  
I honestly thought that everyone got tested. When I was younger, I was just like, you know, you either have ADHD or you don't, you know, but when I realized that people don't get diagnosed, even until adulthood, I just felt so bad because I was offered a lot of support with like, taking extra time on tests, or having a separate room. Like I really thank America for those disability laws, because I've lived in many countries, not just living on this one is actually my newest country. I've been here once before, and it was just a vacation. But I've lived in Jordan, Spain, France, Mexico, all over the US. And I just always remembered, in Jordan, when we were there, we learned about this thing called the Toji heat, which is kind of like an essay t test. And if you failed it, your life had a specific path that you would go to, and they don't give extra time on tests, you know, and I just remember thinking, wow, like, America really gave me the opportunity to shine and do what I meant to do. Because I had it in my brain, it just took extra time for me to do it. So I really grateful for a my mom advocating for me to take the test, be getting that help, and then getting that support. But life was definitely not all rainbows and unicorns, that was just like the beginning. So yes, fourth grade was when I found out. Okay,

Brooke Schnittman  6:45  
so it's interesting about the extended time too, because I was actually just writing something. And I did receive extended time as well, starting in eighth grade. And it was pretty much just because my mom was a teacher. And she knew that I would do better with extended time on the SATs. So she got me tested through special education. And I ended up having an accommodation plan called the 504. And it was it showing that there was discrepancy in my reading ability times and untimed. So at that time with a discrepancy, they would give you accommodations. And they said that I had a reading disability, I also got a time and a half on my LSAT. And when I was telling friends about that growing up, they're like, oh, that's like chicken, you know. So I do remember that if you apply to college, they'll put a little star next to your SATs score, if you had any accommodations, they stopped doing that. But I don't think all of that.

Ani Kasparian  7:42  
There's a great picture about equity versus equality. I don't know if you've seen it, where it's like the people are in one level, if they have, if they're on like a little box, and they're all on the same box, but they're all different heights, and they're looking over a fence to see the view, like they all have the same level box, it's not really fair, because the shorter one can't see over the fence. But if the shorter one gets more, and then the middle gets the middle and the taller gets the shortest, they all see the same view. That's what equity is. And like for me, if I didn't have that extra time, it wouldn't have shown what was in my brain that I could offer. I will never forget this. I excelled in foreign languages, we all have our specific skill with ad that we shine in. So mine was foreign languages. I will never forget this. We have one hour to write an essay in Spanish. And it was like a contest. It was a contract. And so I remember for like 45 minutes, I was just sitting there like, I have no idea. I don't know what to write, I don't know. And then all of a sudden it clicked. And then the last 15 minutes I wrote the entire thing. And I want that is add in a nutshell. Absolutely. After the working memory, I happen to be able to finish it in those 30 minutes. If I didn't, you know what I mean? That would not have gotten overwhelmed because I was the winner and think about it like the winner wouldn't have been able to finish you know. And of course that shows like when it's crunch time, we're really good. It's not about the time of extra time of writing more. It's about the processing time. So once that clicks were like some of the best y'all we have that superpower. What sucks is the world is majorly neurotypical. You know, it's

Brooke Schnittman  9:27  
interesting that you say that because I heard a recent study that 75% of people in the workplace are neurodiverse they just don't talk about it. So if you had 75%, three quarters of a workplace that are neurodiverse and they're not talking about it, then obviously there's something that needs to change. You know, there needs to be and I know that are moving towards that as a society. There's just so many people who might be afraid of speaking up or just don't know that they

Ani Kasparian  9:58  
have a neuro With his brain. So I've worked in like newsrooms before. And one of the newsrooms I worked in, I found out, almost like so many people had to add. They were all medicated. Yeah, that's the only one that wasn't medicated. And I was the one that was struggling, I would do the work like I would do it as well as them. I didn't have a problem with that. But like, I was the one that was like, more stressed and trying to get it done. It wasn't natural for them. They just kind of did it. And I realized they were all

Brooke Schnittman  10:30  
just like me, but make I can't even tell you, we've had several clients who are journalist and have ADHD and are thriving right now. And it's also people who have reached out from big magazines and publishing. And they are also journalists. So you know, it's that creative space. Sounds like that's a profession that can attract individuals. And that's why I left there needs to be more acceptance and accommodations at work. Definitely, definitely. We're here because you've overcome a lot, you've figured out that you are going to help the Lebanese culture, you are going to empower you're going to make a difference. How do you feel? Well, I forgot to I want to say

Ani Kasparian  11:14  
now, in this interview, and in all of my interviews that I conduct, I never use the word overcame when it comes to mental health, because we are always fighting, I only thing I got over was learning new tasks or learning new tools, which really helped. But I did not get like I'm struggling just as much as y'all I just know when to struggle. And when it's time to Lights Camera Action. I think the best tool or secret to add is practice, like actual practice. So like, for my first 20 years of my life, I never worked on makeup. And then I really wanted to do but because of add because it was just like a big task. And because I had sensory issues. I was like, No, I said, I want a job that makes me wear makeup every day. And you're a TV presenter, five minutes to put on your makeup after a day you're sweating running around with cat, footman. And then you have to put on makeup in two seconds and get out there and like, smile, you learn. And now make. It's like I just put on two seconds. That is a really good way to get over anything. Like if you Oh, here this is this was exactly. Oh, now I can do it. Yeah, it's just like, you have to do it a million times. editing. Editing is also something that I dislike still kind of hate it. But at least like I won't, not to do it. 165 days straight of stories that I had to get on out on TV every day, and I had to edit every little tiny clip. So now editing is not as scary. Anything that's scary for you just try to get an external factor make you do it daily.

Brooke Schnittman  13:02  
Yeah, so it's that building momentum to get started. And then that overlap of accountability builds the habit. So it can happen negatively can happen positively. And you've chosen to do that for things that you want. So rather than letting fear get in your way, you were motivated enough to say, Okay, I'm ready. I want to learn makeup to be a journalist. And there's that external accountability. And now to zap it. So I'm going to play

Ani Kasparian  13:33  
I, I learned how to hack my brain. And it's hard because you have to, like go around things that most people would think are easy, but it's like, what's easy is your decision. Don't make anyone Don't let anyone like shame you into like thinking, Oh, this is easy. This is hard. It's like no, like, you know, getting up and brushing your teeth is so hard for me. But writing a news piece is not you know, like, that's okay. And there are so many people that I've found that also find it difficult to do those daily things too. Thank God because my whole life I was not exposed to that. So I was the weird one. It's like, what do you mean, you can't get out of bed? Like that's, it's so easy. Yeah, so

Brooke Schnittman  14:19  
it sounds like, you know, it's acceptance to and having that community where others can relate. So you don't feel like you're so different. You know that you're different than some neurotypicals who don't have ADHD, but there's a community of people who struggle with the same thing. And you're still hacking the things that are important to you. And you're you figured out that

Ani Kasparian  14:40  
and all success thing that happens to come to mind is like, there's two sides to this coin. There are people that are like, you know, don't let EZ define you do your thing, like you can get over it. And then there's people that are like, own it and show it. Do whatever one you want to do. Anyone shame you for do I, in this state in my life, love to wear a D on my sleeve and go, This is me. And this is why I'm not like you because it's really hard to explain what a DD is. How do you guys explain all that stuff that's going on in your mind, I use one word and I just go, here you go. And if you don't like it, research it, you know, and it's so much easier. But I find a lot of people say like, no, just describe your symptoms and their human symptoms, if that helps you do it that way. For me like to just say, this is the reason because it takes a long time for people to understand why, why is it? Why is this? It's like, well, this is what I have, and I have the diagnosis. So go learn about it.

Brooke Schnittman  15:48  
You are great at public speaking, obviously, private camera, that's what you do for a profession. And it appears on the outside at least that you have a lot of confidence. So what would you recommend to someone who doesn't have the confidence that you do? I

Ani Kasparian  16:02  
think there's two types. There's the confidence in the way your life is going, the confidence in your work, what you put forward. And then there's just the confidence in just your steps. And if you can identify those two types, and then analyze like and say, Wait a second, how am I doing each of them, and check in with yourself and maybe have worked with a psychologist or life coach or an ad coach to see how you can improve that. I think that's like the best thing you can do. Now that I learned as confident in one area, as I thought was like, Oh, heck no, I be confident, and like full of self love. But there's been a lot of programming from my past and from society. Kids can be mean, I was bullied for a long time. So like, that stays with you, not just the Oh yeah, he's like, I don't even think of the bullies. But it's just like, it blends into your mind as somebody said that you are not normal.

Brooke Schnittman  17:04  
It's that compounded trauma over and over again,

Ani Kasparian  17:08  
if you can access that really helps. And I really liked doing tapping. I don't know if you guys know about tapping, but it's like, emotionally the point. So radiance and Urbani to just like summarize this. But essentially, we can't access all the memories that we have, even though we can think clearly the only way to clear out those memories and bring in some new ones for just making your life better. Making your internal back of your mind better and have better memories is to clear that out and access it through tapping. So in our meridians, so there's tapping points here and here. And if you tap on those while just talking, you don't even have to talk if you don't want to. But I like saying I'm tired or like I'm like whatever you're really feeling in that moment. But both are something really either traumatic or something that just like made you feel those big emotions and then you start tapping that the helps I always end up cry like minute two. Alright. Let's go. I think that yes, but yes, I'm next for that. I'm learning that right now. I think that I'm confident in like some areas. But that's that old traumas still there that I'm still trying to work through.

Brooke Schnittman  18:26  
Thank you for being so real about it to EFT one of our coaches. Diaz specializes in that with her clients too. And I am bringing on ADHD coach from the UK Kate Mara Assaf, she specializes in emotional freedom technique as well. And yes, I know a lot of people speak so highly of it. One thing that has helped me and I've only had one session is EMDR. And to really help remove some of those painful memories from my subconscious and my dream,

Ani Kasparian  18:54  
that's the amygdala, just like diving back there. Me but then tapping happened and I was like, so like, just do you don't say oh, don't worry, we're out whatever work right everything else until you find your thing. And don't shame you into me. Like, why didn't that work for you? Like, no, just No, you are unique do your thing.

Brooke Schnittman  19:20  
So word of wisdom from ani is do your thing. Figure out what works for you don't think that you have to do things the way that everyone else does it own what works and what doesn't work, and just have literally tap into it. And if you want to move across the country or the world, both worlds

Ani Kasparian  19:42  
like America, as I always like people are like why did you leave like I always think about this like add an America and the world. Being a kid. I think I had pretty much the best set of cards Givens me, I was born in America, and until I graduated from public school, I had the add support I needed to thrive. Now with all that beautiful thriving on paper, I can go. Thanks, America. That doesn't totally apply it technically does because of the American Disabilities Act, but I didn't see it culturally in America yet. I caught up. So I said, Thank you. Next, I found a better life for myself outside of the US. So if there's something that you're feeling like, Oh, my God, like, I can't keep up with American corporate, but your house payment is too expensive. Leave this matrix like there are so many matrices in this world. What

Unknown Speaker  20:42  
about the Spain matrix? The France, the Lebanon, the like South America matrix, Eritrea, like yeah, go to another country that like nourishes your soul. There are so many countries with digital nomad visas right now, you do not have to torture yourself in capitalist America, because you are given a different brand. Also, in all fairness, there are many people who do thrive in America. So you don't have to leave the country. I think I'm used to saying like, if you want to leave, and you're an adult, you have that power to make your own decision. Very, to your point. I know a lot of individuals with ADHD who are digital nomads expats are very happy. So really just depends on what works for the person and getting over that fear of making that change. Sure. If you are seeing

Ani Kasparian  21:34  
this comment was made to the people that are struggling right now in America, if you are not struggling, yes, Queen? Yes. Like, do your thing like America is the most comfortable country you live in. But if you feel like you're struggling and you feel very stuck, America isn't the entire world you can arrive in another country.

Brooke Schnittman  21:56  
Yes. Do your points again. It's in America, though. I used to live in New York, I moved to Florida five years ago, I was scared to do it. But I was excited at the same time wanted that change wasn't feeling fulfilled in New York after growing up there for so long. I was an outdoor person moved here never looked back. And, you know, I get to go outside to sunlight almost every day, and have created a life for myself that I don't know, I could have been asked for you York just environmentally. So yes, there's plenty of options out there. And I remember growing up one of my camp friends says 14, maybe or 13, one of my camp friends fathers had a cutting board. And he had a bunch of broccoli. And he cut the broccoli, the whole head of broccoli. And he showed about this much broccoli, he's like, This is Long Island right here. This is the rest of New York or wherever you go to college. So just remember that what you're experiencing right now is only this big. But when you get out there. And so the real world you have all this broadly. So whatever you're struggling with, whatever you're dealing with, just know it's in a vortex and there's hope outside.

Ani Kasparian  23:11  
You brought that leave your state to it doesn't have to be another country. And I think that New York to Florida is like the perfect move, because we need a lot of good Vitamin D has add years Vermintide without moving to Florida, it's like free vitamin D.

Brooke Schnittman  23:30  
So we have an extra

Ani Kasparian  23:33  
question on my lunch. And so it says, Don't me says how do you deal with explaining stories and articles in a structured manner? Queen. That is what Microsoft Word is for I love even though I love writing, I haven't written on paper in years because my brain goes down like so I just write out everything. And then I read it. I write before I talk and I've written for so long. And I've been like trained in like top tier writing for so long that it's like, I know what is junk? And I know what isn't. So I've written so much that when I talk I almost talk from my writing. Well, there's that training piece, right? You became an expert in that area, they feel like you're going off on a lot of tangents. Write it all out first, and then put it in order and then don't be done. Read it in order, then you'll start to train your brain on like, what is the beginning? What's the middle? What's the end?

Brooke Schnittman  24:33  
That's for communication to and you have an important conversation, something that you know, gets you emotional. Like really just dump before you have that conversation so you can get out all your stories and emotions and then try to stick to the facts when you're trying to make a point.

Ani Kasparian  24:51  
Here's another question. I love this question says how do you manage your ADHD as a reporter? Do you ever feel insecure? or be little by others I do at work, oh girl or guy, I don't know who you are daily, these are all. And I am in my head we literally my own self more than anything. We're very sensitive people so I get really affected. So let's go in order here how do you manage your ADHD as a hoarder? I don't, I just focus until I finish it that could be writing a little eating chocolate taking a lot coming back here. But all I know is that it will be done. I don't care what happens in between, that's my process between me and me. But, you know, just do your process and get it done. Because it doesn't matter. As long as it's done. I think that's to me, the most important thing is like, I knew the scanning mom has ADD, but a different type of ADD, and we grew up and she has a lot of trouble making decisions. Now I realize now that I do too, but it's the little things like what do I wear? For her? It would be like the bigger things like, what granite? Are we getting in our countertop, things like that and not get done for years. And so I would be in like unfinished houses for years or like I would, and I hated that, like I would like go to my friend's house. It's like, well, your house is like, and so now as an adult, I'm like, everything. So I think that kind of translated into like, reverse trauma, I have to or else like it's more painful for me to not finish it than it is to get distracted and all that. So what I do is I just say, I don't care how I get it done, and maybe I need to work on I will eat while I'm doing it, you know, stimming while eating, making sure it's pretty healthy. And then like, you know, doing my thing, but I will finish it. And then I reflect on my process. And I'm like, Okay, how could not have been better? Oh, you know what, this time I ate too much chocolate. You know, I think next time I'm going to do accountability buddies by going to a cafe. And when it's done right, happy with yourself that it got done. And you won't get into like a depressive state because it got done. But then you can also be like, Okay, next time, how can I improve and you'll get like better and then the momentum thing, you'll get into the swing of it. So don't mean rewarding. When you get it done fast. If you work like at a cafe or something that you're gonna want to go back to that cafe. That's the first question. Yeah, when she says, Do you ever feel insecure, be a little insecure, I think I feel insecure here in Lebanon, because this is my fifth language. So I'm never going to be perfect. You know, like the native speakers. So that kind of weighs on me a lot. And people are very vocal if you're wrong here. And it stems from their insecurities. Because there's so many dialects of Arabic, even within a country, there are multiple dialects that everyone likes to Just jab you. So once you start, like realizing you kind of like, but you don't realize it because it's just happening to you. So I definitely feel like insecure. Now, in terms of like with other reporters in language sphere. I feel proud most of the time that I did my own thing. And like 90% of the time, I feel like, Yeah, this is what am I, what I forget. And then I see that reporter in their neurodivergent world in their gleaming, glistening, you know, think of your favorite news outlet. That's amazing. And International. I got Wow. Like, that'd be so nice. And I get sad. It's such an I can't do that. Because I didn't have the support. Maybe Maybe if I tried multiple other stations I could or have out you're not doing it right now. Doesn't mean you can't do it. So it's not happening now and want to do it, you can do it. I do choose to do this, because I remember, um, you know, it looks nice. On the outside. You feel like oh my God, I wish I could be that I remember. Oh, all the crap that used to go on? Yeah, I don't want it. I don't want to do not No, no, no. And I choose me every time in the end. So that's kind of how you can look at yourself versus others. If you're just like, totally look up to the neuro divergence at work and like you can just sit and edit something and be done. And then I'm just like, wait a second, do I want their life doing what their brain? Do? I want their skills. I'm like, No, I am cooler. I like me more. So yes, of course everyone will seal those little pings of insecurity or like feel that someone's above you. But then you have to go back and be like, Wait, would you trade your life for theirs?

Brooke Schnittman  29:30  
Probably wouldn't. Yeah. And also when that comes up for you, it's the story that you're telling yourself it's an ego that is based on that insecurity from the past. Right so I'm so excited for you that you're able to turn that ego on its head in question it

Unknown Speaker  29:50  
this is the biggest blessing I was given. A thought is just a thought. You don't have to believe that thought. It's not real meaning it doesn't like tangible in this and It could be false. If you say those four things to yourself and challenge your thoughts. Oh, your life will be so different. And I did it for like two weeks I thought would just come in like paying off. It was like ingrained momentum. For anyone who wants to get in touch with you, the dancing journalist is your Instagram. And feel free to comment. We're gonna put this story on coaching with Brooke skied. And if you want to post on yours to Ana, you can and feel free to put your questions in the chat and we're happy to answer.

Brooke Schnittman  30:32  
I'm gonna say thank you so much for coming on. Clearly what you're sharing is gold. And a lot of people have interest in what you're saying. And it will be

Ani Kasparian  30:42  
for having me thank you all for watching. I hope that what we discussed was beneficial to you guys, and just know that you're amazing. Don't quit fighting because it is a difficult world to live in neuro non neuro diverse worlds. And you are part of the shining stars. So just find your niche and you will thrive. So the best is yet to come. That's all I gotta say.

Brooke Schnittman  31:09  
Yes, if you're in that vortex you can get out and you might not know what your niche is, but you won't know unless you try. Right? You just have to keep on trying and dealing with that rejection, unfortunately to get that yes and to get that understanding. So thank you. Thanks.

Thanks for listening to this episode of successful with ADHD. I hope it helps you on your journey. And if you need any additional support for you or a loved one with ADHD, feel free to reach out to us at coaching with brooke.com and all social media platforms at coaching with Brooke and remember, it's Brooke with any Thanks again for listening. See you next time.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai