Overcoming the Noise: Composer Christopher French on ADHD, Addiction, and Life Hacks
10/16/24 • 49 min
In this episode, I chat with Christopher French, an accomplished composer, musician, and fellow ADHD warrior. Christopher opens up about his journey from a rebellious high school dropout to finding solace and purpose through music. He shares his personal experiences with ADHD, addiction, and recovery, and how these challenges have shaped his creative path.
Throughout our conversation, Christopher shares how he's managed to develop a variety of life hacks and strategies to maintain balance, especially as a husband and father. From meditation to blue-tinted sunglasses, he reveals some unique methods he's embraced to regulate his sensory experiences and stay grounded. Join us as we unpack the highs and lows of living with ADHD, the power of self-awareness, and what it takes to thrive as a neurodivergent creative.
Christopher French is a multi-talented composer, artist, and 1:1 creative wellness coach based in Los Angeles. With a rich background in alternative rock and an impressive range of scoring credits, Christopher has worked on projects for HBO, Amazon Prime, and feature films. He lives with his wife, actress and singer Ashley Tisdale, and their two children, and continues to create from his private HD recording studio, Dreamhaus.
Episode Highlights:
[00:32] - Introduction to Christopher French, his artistic journey, and living with ADHD.
[1:41] - Christopher shares his early experiences with ADHD diagnosis and medication in the '90s.
[7:28] - Discussing the link between ADHD, substance abuse, and the pursuit of dopamine.
[13:36] - How major life changes, like marriage and parenthood, re-trigger ADHD symptoms.
[21:15] - The challenges of executive dysfunction and strategies for managing chaotic situations.
[26:26] - Embracing dual diagnoses in recovery programs for ADHD and substance abuse.
[30:51] - Using sensory strategies like blue-tinted sunglasses and white noise to ease sensory overload.
[35:50] - The power of self-compassion and accepting ADHD as a part of oneself.
[43:28] - Christopher describes his hyper-focus and how he leverages it in high-pressure situations.
[47:30] - Closing thoughts on the lifelong journey of understanding and managing ADHD.
Connect with Christopher French:
- Connect with Christopher French: cmfrench.com
- Follow Christopher on Instagram: @cmfrench
- Book mentioned: Blue Mind by Wallace J. Nichols
Thank you for tuning into "SuccessFULL with ADHD." If this episode has impacted you, remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us reach and help more individuals navigating their journeys with ADHD.
Want to be ‘SuccessFULL with ADHD’ by Activating Your ADHD Potential?
Order our 3x best-selling book/workbook for adults with ADHD ▶️ http://bit.ly/activateadhd
In this episode, I chat with Christopher French, an accomplished composer, musician, and fellow ADHD warrior. Christopher opens up about his journey from a rebellious high school dropout to finding solace and purpose through music. He shares his personal experiences with ADHD, addiction, and recovery, and how these challenges have shaped his creative path.
Throughout our conversation, Christopher shares how he's managed to develop a variety of life hacks and strategies to maintain balance, especially as a husband and father. From meditation to blue-tinted sunglasses, he reveals some unique methods he's embraced to regulate his sensory experiences and stay grounded. Join us as we unpack the highs and lows of living with ADHD, the power of self-awareness, and what it takes to thrive as a neurodivergent creative.
Christopher French is a multi-talented composer, artist, and 1:1 creative wellness coach based in Los Angeles. With a rich background in alternative rock and an impressive range of scoring credits, Christopher has worked on projects for HBO, Amazon Prime, and feature films. He lives with his wife, actress and singer Ashley Tisdale, and their two children, and continues to create from his private HD recording studio, Dreamhaus.
Episode Highlights:
[00:32] - Introduction to Christopher French, his artistic journey, and living with ADHD.
[1:41] - Christopher shares his early experiences with ADHD diagnosis and medication in the '90s.
[7:28] - Discussing the link between ADHD, substance abuse, and the pursuit of dopamine.
[13:36] - How major life changes, like marriage and parenthood, re-trigger ADHD symptoms.
[21:15] - The challenges of executive dysfunction and strategies for managing chaotic situations.
[26:26] - Embracing dual diagnoses in recovery programs for ADHD and substance abuse.
[30:51] - Using sensory strategies like blue-tinted sunglasses and white noise to ease sensory overload.
[35:50] - The power of self-compassion and accepting ADHD as a part of oneself.
[43:28] - Christopher describes his hyper-focus and how he leverages it in high-pressure situations.
[47:30] - Closing thoughts on the lifelong journey of understanding and managing ADHD.
Connect with Christopher French:
- Connect with Christopher French: cmfrench.com
- Follow Christopher on Instagram: @cmfrench
- Book mentioned: Blue Mind by Wallace J. Nichols
Thank you for tuning into "SuccessFULL with ADHD." If this episode has impacted you, remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us reach and help more individuals navigating their journeys with ADHD.
Want to be ‘SuccessFULL with ADHD’ by Activating Your ADHD Potential?
Order our 3x best-selling book/workbook for adults with ADHD ▶️ http://bit.ly/activateadhd
Previous Episode
EMDR and ADHD: How does this help ADHDers?
In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant and insightful Noelle Lynn, a therapist who specializes in using EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to help those with ADHD. Noelle brings a unique perspective on how trauma, whether big or small, impacts neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with ADHD. We unpack the nuances of how traditional therapeutic methods can sometimes fall short when working with ADHD clients, and how EMDR can fill in those gaps.
Noelle shares her passion for working with clients to stop shaming themselves for the way their brains work. We also discuss the challenges of misdiagnosis, particularly in women, and how ADHD and autism can often be confused with borderline personality disorder. If you've ever wondered about the connection between trauma, ADHD, and therapy, or are curious about EMDR as a potential path for healing, this episode is packed with eye-opening insights and actionable takeaways.
ADHD and Trauma Therapist, Noelle Lynn is a licensed clinical social worker and EMDRIA certified EMDR therapist. Noelle is pioneering the use of EMDR with clients who have ADHD. With over 4,000 EMDR sessions completed with clients who have ADHD, Noelle is excited to expand treatment options available to those who live with ADHD and trauma.
Episode Highlights:
[1:01] – How traditional therapies sometimes fail ADHD clients and why EMDR works better for trauma.
[5:00] – Misdiagnosis in women: Why ADHD and autism are often confused with borderline personality disorder.
[8:49] – Understanding EMDR: How it works and why it’s so effective for those with ADHD.
[12:43] – The trauma all ADHD individuals experience, even if not always recognized as such.
[16:34] – Coaching vs. EMDR: What works best for whom and why.
[19:15] – How to tailor EMDR for ADHD brains—visualization techniques, fidgeting, and re-imagining parts of the brain.
[25:58] – Internal Family Systems (IFS) and using imagination to process trauma in ADHD clients.
[29:22] – Noelle’s final thoughts on where to start after an ADHD diagnosis and how to find the right resources.
Connect with Noelle Lynn, LMSW, ADHD-CCSP:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noelle-lynn-lmsw-adhd-ccsp-1287913b
Resources Mentioned:
Thank you for tuning into "SuccessFULL with ADHD." If this episode has impacted you, remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us reach and help more individuals navigating their journeys with ADHD.
Want to be ‘SuccessFULL with ADHD’ by Activating Your ADHD Potential?
Order our 3x best-selling book/workbook for adults with ADHD ▶️ http://bit.ly/activateadhd
Next Episode
Rescue Your Relationship: Unlocking the Power of Communication in ADHD and Beyond
In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Mika Ross, therapist, relationship coach, and all-around relatable expert on navigating the messiness of relationships, especially when ADHD dynamics come into play. Mika shares her journey from aspiring child therapist to becoming a relationship expert, all while unpacking her own family experiences. We unravel the nuances of communication, understanding, and empathy, especially in relationships affected by ADHD and rejection sensitivity. Mika offers unique tools like her trusty "scales" for gauging feelings, strategies for paraphrasing to enhance active listening, and tips for avoiding the dreaded resentment that can creep into any relationship. Mika’s wisdom will inspire you to embrace those "big feelings," communicate effectively, and find those win-win solutions that make relationships thrive.
Episode Highlights:
[1:29] - Meet Mika Ross, the relatable therapist who’s real about the ups and downs of relationship dynamics.
[2:42] - Mika shares her journey from child therapy to relationship coaching, driven by personal experiences and a late-in-life ADHD connection.
[5:33] - The "ADHD detector" moments: how Mika notices the signs and patterns of ADHD within couples.
[12:08] - Unpacking non-verbal communication and why assumptions often lead to misinterpretations.
[15:44] - Mika’s go-to strategy: using "scales" to bring clarity and eliminate guesswork in emotional exchanges.
[20:21] - Tools for the highly sensitive: using scales and structured communication to reduce misunderstandings.
[25:19] - The power of paraphrasing: How Mika learned to listen actively and avoid surface-level conversations.
[34:31] - Postpone persuasion! Mika’s "five P’s" strategy for truly understanding your partner before jumping to conclusions.
[35:38] - Win-win solutions vs. compromise: finding what feels good for both sides without resentment.
Connect with Mika:
- Connect with Mika on Instagram: @mikaross.therapist
- Visit Mika’s website for free relationship resources and trainings: mikaross.com
- Listen to Mika’s podcast: How to Talk About It
Thank you for tuning into "SuccessFULL with ADHD." If this episode has impacted you, remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us reach and help more individuals navigating their journeys with ADHD.
Want to be ‘SuccessFULL with ADHD’ by Activating Your ADHD Potential?
Order our 3x best-selling book/workbook for adults with ADHD ▶️ http://bit.ly/activateadhd
SuccessFULL With ADHD - Overcoming the Noise: Composer Christopher French on ADHD, Addiction, and Life Hacks
Transcript
Yeah, I got really deep into drugs and alcohol, and you know, my life sort of
Christopher Frenchveered off track for a number of years, like through the rest of my teenage years, and I dropped out of high school. Friends are like, Why do you wake up so early, man? Like, you really need to meditate that much. I'm like, dude, yes, because if I don't do that before I interact with anyone, most li
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