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Trevor Noah: My Depression Was Linked To ADHD! Why I Left The Daily Show!
43 segments available
Trevor Noah is a comedian and former host of the satirical news programme, ‘The Daily Show’. He is also host of the podcast ‘What Now? with Trevor Noah’ and author of the best-selling book, ‘Born A Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood’. 00:00 Intro 02:15 Trevor's Childhood 05:19 What Do People Need To Know To Understand Trevor 07:36 What Was Apartheid Like For Trevor? 11:29 I Was Born Ilegal 16:34 Trevor's Mother's Troubled Relationship With New Partner 23:50 Trevor's Mum's Shooting 26:33 Being Hyper-Empathetic 31:22 What Happened On The Day Of The Shooting 34:44 The Miracle That Saved My Mother 36:40 Why Didn't Your Stepdad Go To Prison? 38:57 Is Trevor Still Angry? 42:59 Have You Forgiven Him? 43:45 How Does Past Trauma Affect Trevor Today? 45:41 Men's Mental Health & Loneliness Epidemic 51:05 Why Are Men Struggling 59:38 How Can We Men Be Helped? 01:03:30 Belonging 01:09:11 How Do You Spot A Bad Friend? 01:12:19 Trevor's Work Ethic 01:16:00 Does Money And Fame Guide Your Decisions? 01:20:18 We're All Human & Need The Same Thing 01:25:07 Death Threats When Starting The Daily Show 01:29:39 The Worst Day On The Daily Show 01:35:21 Trevor's Struggle With Depression 01:41:14 Why Did Trevor Leave The Daily Show 01:47:17 You Don't Know What You've Got Until It's Gone 01:51:17 Trevor's Therapy Journey 01:59:56 Trevor's ADHD Diagnosis 02:02:59 The Link Between ADHD And Depression 02:09:44 Did You Ever Feel Hopeless? 02:14:12 Trevor Reuniting With His Father 02:16:21 What Lesson Did You Learn From Your Father? 02:19:00 Your Mum 02:19:07 What Would Trevor Say In His Last Phone Call To His Mother 02:22:18 Trevor's Thoughts On Fatherhood 02:23:59 Trevor's Romantic Relationships 02:26:42 The Lowest Point Of Your Life 02:30:40 Would Trevor Erase What Happened To His Mother? Follow Trevor: Instagram - https://g2ul0.app.link/h7Y99Ai0GNb Twitter - https://g2ul0.app.link/OGcQnqk0GNb You can purchase Trevor’s book, ‘Into the Uncut Grass’, here: https://amzn.to/484dwdJ 🌟 Get access to exclusive Diary of a CEO content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGq-a57w-aPwyi3pW7XLiHw/join Get your hands on the brand new Diary Of A CEO Conversation Cards here: https://appurl.io/iUUJeYn25v Follow me: https://g2ul0.app.link/gnGqL4IsKKb Sponsors: Linkedin Ads - https://www.linkedin.com/doac24
Segments Timeline
Understanding My Depression
Trevor Noah shares his personal struggle with depression, revealing that it was linked to untreated ADHD. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing the underlying issues that contribute to mental health challenges and encourages others to ask themselves critical questions about their own experiences.
"it felt like life was meaningless I would think to myself I hate this this sucks I don't know what I want to do with life anymore and that's sometimes where the depression would kick in but I didn't r..."
The Ingredients of My Identity
Trevor reflects on the key elements that shaped his identity, including his family background and upbringing in South Africa. He discusses how humor, cultural influences, and personal experiences have contributed to who he is today, likening his identity to a recipe with various ingredients.
"things that I need to understand about your earliest years to understand the man that sits in front of me today well that's that's a tough one because I I feel like my perception of what the most impo..."
Growing Up in Apartheid
Trevor recounts his childhood experiences in apartheid South Africa, highlighting the complexities of being born to a black mother and a white father during a time when their relationship was illegal. He discusses the societal implications of race and identity in his formative years.
"all over the place over the last 10 years of my life but I had no idea of your early context I had no idea and it's funny because sometimes you kind of see I don't know Domino 35 in the all these domi..."
The Impact of Apartheid on My Life
Trevor elaborates on how apartheid shaped his early life, discussing the restrictions placed on him and his family due to their racial backgrounds. He reflects on the emotional landscape of growing up in a divided society and how it influenced his worldview.
"up today aren't aware of what the apartheid is no no no I've had to research as an adult to make sure I know what it is I was born in '92 so for anyone that doesn't know what it's like to be a child t..."
My Mother's Struggles
Trevor shares the challenges his mother faced, including her troubled relationship with his stepfather. He discusses the complexities of their family dynamics and how these experiences impacted his understanding of love and relationships.
"allowed to be seen in public with your mother no no no no not at all and you weren't allowed to be seen in public with your father no no my mom so when I when I go out in public with my mom she would ..."
The Day My Mother Was Shot
In a poignant recounting, Trevor describes the traumatic day when his mother was shot by his stepfather. He reflects on the profound changes this event brought to his life and the lasting effects of trauma on his family.
"that's that's my stepfather your stepfather yeah I read about the relationship your mother had with him and it was uh it seemed to be very complicated at times violent relationship yeah yeah it really..."
Hyper-Empathy and Its Effects
Trevor discusses his hyper-empathy, a trait that has shaped his interactions and understanding of others. He explores how this sensitivity has influenced his life and career, particularly in comedy and storytelling.
"again really really horrific and you got a phone call one day that your mother had been shot by this man yeah and he she'd been been shot point blank in the head by this man yeah how old were you then..."
The Day of the Shooting
Trevor recounts the events of the day his mother was shot, detailing the chaos and fear that ensued. He reflects on how this traumatic experience has shaped his perspective on life and relationships.
"you described that spidey sense it almost sounds like a gift and the interesting thing to some degree it can be a gift I think every gift is a curse and I think every curse is a gift and what is the c..."
The Miracle That Saved My Mother
Trevor shares the miraculous circumstances that led to his mother's survival after being shot. He reflects on the resilience of his mother and the impact of this event on his life.
"you you presumably rushed to the hospital yeah um you arrived there you speak to doctors I imagine yeah did you speak to him did you did you tell the police about him did you call yeah yeah yeah yeah ..."
Justice and Forgiveness
Trevor discusses the complexities of justice and forgiveness in the aftermath of his mother's shooting. He reflects on the societal implications of violence and the personal journey of healing.
"it was a bit of a miracle I was reading because you're right yeah no it was in movies you hear someone get shots in shot in the head you never hear that they survive a bullet to their head yeah wherea..."
Living with Anger
Trevor opens up about his feelings of anger towards his stepfather and how he has navigated these emotions over the years. He discusses the importance of addressing anger in the context of healing.
"didn't H how how does how does that so in South Africa um I don't think it's Unique to South Africa as well you know I've when I've traveled to other African countries I've I've learned this is unfort..."
The Journey of Forgiveness
Trevor reflects on the process of forgiveness, particularly regarding his stepfather. He discusses the challenges and complexities of forgiving someone who has caused deep pain.
"what about anger towards him towards Abel oh geez that yeah that's that's been a tough one for me because I I because I experienced every emotion you know I I talk about it in my book like I I've expe..."
The Impact of Past Trauma
Trevor explores how past trauma continues to affect him today. He discusses the long-term effects of his childhood experiences on his mental health and relationships.
"in moments yes I think I I have I think the the the levels of my forgiveness won't reach my mom's because she was in love with him you know to me this was still a person who came into my life you know..."
Men's Mental Health Crisis
Trevor addresses the epidemic of loneliness and mental health struggles among men. He emphasizes the importance of connection and the need for open conversations about mental health.
"something about young men struggling which is um came to mind as you're talking about you being that young man who seemed to be quite confused with a a variety of emotions and um less experience about..."
Understanding Men's Struggles
Trevor delves into the reasons behind men's struggles with mental health and connection. He discusses societal expectations and the impact of isolation on men's well-being.
"point of this you were talking was is because more women now are graduating with college degrees and because of the equality movement that's that men and women now are both in the workforce at high le..."
Finding Help for Men
Trevor offers insights on how men can seek help and support for their mental health challenges. He emphasizes the importance of vulnerability and reaching out for connection.
"struggling they they'll probably be hearing you and thinking that you're so far away from them in terms of that ability to be emotionally expressive and just to check in for a lot of them it's uncomfo..."
The Need for Belonging
Trevor discusses the fundamental human need for belonging and connection. He reflects on how this need shapes our relationships and mental health.
"if you bottle things yeah yeah it does it never really stays inside the bottle it's like the bottle's got a hole in it or something yeah exactly you said something I really related to which is you sai..."
Identifying Toxic Friendships
Trevor shares his thoughts on how to spot a bad friend. He discusses the importance of surrounding oneself with positive influences and the impact of toxic relationships.
"friend like how do you know how do you spot one I don't think you spot them I think you feel it you know and I think it's a lot easier for us to spot than we think it is one of the easiest ones is can..."
My Work Ethic
Trevor reflects on his strong work ethic and the dedication it took to become the host of The Daily Show. He discusses the sacrifices made along the way.
"friendship sacrifice the moment when you come to the United States um you are very hardworking to say the least in fact when we sat down you know you've flown from Portugal to where was it Seattle Sea..."
Money, Fame, and Decision Making
Trevor explores the influence of money and fame on decision-making. He reflects on how success can complicate personal values and relationships.
"part of that cuz Fame is often associate with a form of like validation no no no that's the curse of what I do I often say to people I you know I I'm unlucky that a part of my job comes with Fame I do..."
The Human Experience
Trevor emphasizes the shared human experience and the universal needs we all have. He discusses the importance of empathy and understanding in connecting with others.
"in there that you what they don't know is that you're human and that you're going through life in all the same ways as everyone else yeah well no not in the same ways but in different ways and I think..."
Facing Death Threats
Trevor recounts the death threats he received when starting The Daily Show. He reflects on the challenges of navigating fame and the fear that comes with it.
"mentioned the word death threats on The Daily Show yeah when you did get on to the Daily Show which was a real first for a show like that um it didn't go so well at first oh yeah it was terrible I did..."
The Worst Day on The Daily Show
Trevor shares the story of the worst day he experienced while hosting The Daily Show. He reflects on the pressures of live television and the lessons learned.
"the wall in the worst day in the trenches is there a day that Springs to mind a day where you make maybe considered reconsidered your decision a day where you you didn't want to get out of bed I was r..."
Struggling with Depression
Trevor opens up about his ongoing struggle with depression, discussing the factors that contribute to his mental health challenges and the importance of seeking help.
"those days and you're alone in your apartment or at home in your house and you're not around the guy that wants the lunch and the the colleagues at work what is that like I read that you're someone th..."
Why I Left The Daily Show
Trevor explains the reasons behind his decision to leave The Daily Show. He reflects on the personal and professional factors that influenced this significant choice.
"why did you leave The Daily Show because the moment you left the Daily Show you'd won these huge Awards the show was had caus this sort of digital Revolution which we hadn't seen before where the The ..."
Appreciating What You Have
Trevor discusses the realization that you often don't know what you've got until it's gone. He reflects on the importance of gratitude and appreciation in life.
"feeling that because yeah I'm trying to understand the feeling or the emotion that tells you that so I I guess it goes to the Now sort of cliche but still I think very apt phrase You Don't Know What Y..."
My Therapy Journey
Trevor shares insights from his therapy journey, discussing the importance of mental health support and the lessons learned along the way.
"was the first time you went to therapy first time I went to therapy was uh 2015 2014 somewhere there yeah why did you go to therapy I I asked this because um for a set of reasons really but um men in ..."
ADHD Diagnosis
Trevor discusses his ADHD diagnosis and how it has impacted his life. He reflects on the challenges and insights gained from understanding this aspect of himself.
"therapy helped you to identify this link between ADHD and depression when did you find out you had ADHD I got diagnosed two years ago my friend got diagnosed first told me about it changed his whole l..."
ADHD and Depression Connection
Trevor explores the link between ADHD and depression, discussing how untreated ADHD can contribute to mental health struggles. He emphasizes the importance of awareness and treatment.
"this link between ADHD and depression I've you're the first person I've interviewed I've heard about this before but you're the first person that I've spoken to who has said that their Depression was ..."
Feeling Hopeless
Trevor reflects on moments of hopelessness in his life, discussing the emotional toll of mental health challenges and the importance of seeking help.
"spiraled into this sort of rumination was there ever a moment through this journey of understanding your depression that you felt hopeless I didn't I didn't I this is this is going to sound really wei..."
Reuniting with My Father
Trevor shares the emotional experience of reuniting with his father. He reflects on the complexities of their relationship and the impact of their reunion.
"old 25 years old when you reunited with him I believe yeah 20 something somewhere there what's that like is that is that com licated or is that oh definitely definitely and why did you why did you reu..."
Lessons from My Father
Trevor discusses the lessons he learned from his father, reflecting on their relationship and the values instilled in him.
"around all the time did you learn lessons from him when you met him when you started to sort of rekindle your relationship with him I think I did but not lessons that were taught lessons that were wit..."
Thoughts on My Mother
Trevor shares his thoughts on his mother, reflecting on her influence in his life and the lessons she imparted.
"show this picture either but I found this beautiful photo of you which reminded me a little bit of oh that one you can because I've posted it online there you go one of the things I've"
Final Words to My Mother
Trevor contemplates what he would say in his last phone call to his mother, reflecting on their relationship and the impact of her love.
"struggled with is with the disconnect between me and my parents is I've I've struggled with the thought that there's going to be words unsaid oh and I I asked some of my guest gu this about this becau..."
Thoughts on Fatherhood
Trevor shares his thoughts on fatherhood, discussing the lessons he hopes to impart to his future children based on his own experiences.
"thinking about fatherhood well I I go back and forth on it because on on the one hand sometimes I think you see it's like the zooming the lens sometimes I think about like the planet and the world I'm..."
Navigating Romantic Relationships
Trevor reflects on his romantic relationships, discussing the challenges and lessons learned from his experiences in love.
"this for you because you're well you were you know during those Daily Show days working every hour of the day yeah you were fighting in every sense of the word to make this show a success you're livin..."
The Lowest Point of My Life
Trevor shares the story of the lowest point in his life, reflecting on the challenges he faced and the resilience it took to overcome them.
"prevalent theme throughout this the Journey of connection of love and all of those things and I'm going to link that below so everyone needs to to read that book it's so beautiful read it for yourself..."
The Eraser Test: A Philosophical Dilemma
Trevor discusses the concept of the 'Eraser Test,' which asks if one would erase painful experiences if given the chance. He argues against the notion that suffering is inherently valuable, asserting that many people are broken by their experiences and should not feel pressured to find meaning in their pain.
"that that like that Absol every time I see those like it actually makes me emotional when I look at each one and I think about the story sort of of the person that each vessel contains my last questio..."
Erasing the Past
Trevor contemplates whether he would erase the traumatic experiences related to his mother's shooting if given the chance, reflecting on the complexities of trauma and healing.
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Choosing Your Story
In a thought-provoking twist, Trevor proposes replacing the 'Eraser Test' with a 'Pencil Test,' where individuals can choose the narrative they want to write about their experiences. He emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the pain without feeling obligated to celebrate it as part of one's identity.
"fundamental philosophical argument that I have with people this is purely like philosophy and it's the way I see the world and I think the way some people see the world I understand that many of the t..."
The Burden of Resilience
Trevor critiques the societal expectation to be grateful for trauma, arguing that survival does not necessitate celebrating the hardships endured. He believes that people should focus on healing rather than glorifying their struggles.
"get this kid who was abused by their parents or someone in their family and you're like it happened to you for a reason it made you the person you are today you know or somebody who suffered a horribl..."
Finding Community Beyond Negativity
Trevor highlights the importance of finding positive communities rather than bonding over shared negativity. He stresses that true belonging comes from shared passions and interests, which can enhance personal relationships and overall well-being.
"anybody saying that they will keep it because it's made them who they are just because you've survived a storm doesn't mean that you should want to keep that storm you know and and so and that's why I..."
The Magic of Strong Friendships
Trevor shares insights from studies showing that strong friendships can improve romantic relationships by distributing emotional burdens. He encourages listeners to cultivate friendships that enrich their lives and support their romantic endeavors.
"with something else but if I could I I I would press that button because I yeah I I don't think we need to celebrate it I think we need to work on it and you know we need to strive to heal ourselves b..."