In 2015, my girlfriend at the time came to me and said, “I have an idea for a YouTube channel.” I listened, and said, “We should have a producer dinner. I can help you break this down on paper.”

Thousands of hours of work and tens of millions of views later, we created something pretty special. In 2017, thanks to the help of Patreon, we both quit our day jobs and focused on the channel full time. Although How to ADHD now carries some bittersweet memories (Jessica and I separated in 2019, and she took over running the channel alone ), I’m very proud of the work I did, and the millions of people we helped. I still get recommendations for her channel from people who don’t know my history with it, and that’s a kind of compliment, in its own way.

FAQ

Were you really part of How to ADHD?

Yep. Jessica and I met in a screenwriting group somewhere around 2013 (?). We were friends at first, and then started dating late in 2014ish. Around 2015, she came to me with an idea for an ADHD-related YouTube channel. I had already been creating YouTube content for the Game Theorists for awhile, and I thought the idea was great. It occurred to me that it could be made more effective / easy-to-produce with some structuring, and that’s when I suggested we do a “producer’s dinner” – a meeting not as two people in a couple, but as one producer to another.

I won’t share her original idea for the structure / angle of the show (that’s her story to tell), but at that dinner, I outlined a simpler, more straightforward structure: an informational series shot directly to camera, in short segments covering specific topics.

I remember pulling out a notebook and writing this as a rough outline for each episode:

1. Identify the problem
2. Explain the problem
3. Identify the solution
4. Explain the solution

If you look, nearly every episode from 2016-2019 (and beyond?) follows that formula.

What did you do on the show?

At the start, I did a lot of producing / design work. I helped structure and design the flow of the show, I designed the first logo and the color palette, etc etc.

As an editor: I edited basically every episode of the show from 2016-2018. I also did all the animations and whatnot.

As a producer: I set up shoots, rented gear, coordinated and directed other talent, and generally acted as a second set of eyes/ears with the scripts to make sure they made sense, etc.

(I also added a lot of the jokes 😄)

Jessica researched, wrote, and performed every episode. Most of the earlier ones (2016 to early 2017) she directed herself. Later, I would start directing, especially when the episodes got complicated.

I co-wrote our TEDX talk (along with Jessica and a mutual friend).

What are some of your favorite videos / best parts of working on How to ADHD?

I’ve linked to some of them throughout as examples.

I remember cutting one of the early episodes (long before I got diagnosed), and I commented to Jessica, “Hey, this isn’t just good advice for ADHD’ers – this is good advice for anyone.“

“You don’t sayyyy,” she said.

(Later, I’d find out she was writing some of the episodes specifically for me and the things I was struggling with.)

(I was diagnosed with ADHD within the year, and everything started making a lot more sense)

What is Jessica like in real life?

I can only speak in past tense, as we don’t talk, but she was the same as she is in her videos. Funny, kind, busy, distracted. 🙂

What did you shoot / edit on?

We used a variety of Canon DSLRs.

I did post production on increasing versions of Adobe Creative Suite (Premiere, Photoshop, After Effects, etc)

What is Jessica’s process for …

That is her story to tell, sorry. 🙂

Jessica and I separated for personal reasons in 2019, and it only made sense for her to keep the channel and keep working on it.

Professionally speaking: I was burnt out.

YouTube is a very challenging schedule to keep up with, and I had been making YouTube videos professionally for five years at that point. It was getting harder and harder for me to stay focused and maintain our release schedule.

So, I stepped away.

Why did you and Jessica separate?

No dramatic story, just ordinary relationship stuff.

Why aren’t you in many of the early videos?

Jessica and I both agreed early on that I would be near-invisible to the audience in the beginning.

For my part, I didn’t want anyone to think Jessica was “just talent.” Jessica was working like crazy to write and research these episodes. She deserved to get the credit for it.

Later, as her brand solidified, and it felt more comfortable to do so, I would pop up in a couple videos. 😄

Are you trying to “take credit” for Jessica’s success?

Nobody has ever asked me this, but I think I’m scared they are thinking it, so I just want to address it anyway: I am not trying to take credit for Jessica’s success.

In terms of ideas, humor, style, and structure, I think I added a lot to the show. I don’t think it would have become as successful without my contribution.

But –

– my contribution would have meant literally nothing if Jessica wasn’t exceptionally hard-working, funny, talented, and passionate about ADHD education. For whatever I contributed – and I know I contributed a lot – she definitely steered the ship, and I tried to be the best collaborator I knew how to be.

I need to reach Jessica about X / I have a question about X you didn’t answer / could I contact you?

No, sorry.

Whatever I answered here is as much as I’m comfortable answering: the rest is either personal, or not mine to tell. I don’t pass messages to Jessica either, because I suspect if I started, the line would stretch around the door. 😄