Joe Barksdale shares his story about a life that was forged and assembled by an abusive and neglectful family in Detroit, tested on football fields, and released in recording studios and on stage. While feeling so much pain and internal self-loathing, he talks about how he tolerated the social discomfort and loneliness of autism. He goes on to describe how he has endured his own darkness to add art to the world and create community which generated the discussion for s2. E7. N17. of the Otherness Podcast. This week, Todd interviews Joe Barksdale who is a comedian, musician, and author who was recently diagnosed with autism while struggling with a lifetime of crushing depression. Joe describes how the lens of autism has worsened his depression and feelings of hopelessness while he strives to create community and support through his music and comedy. Struggles can come in multiple ways for many to form the people we become. Autism can provide a unique lens which can magnify these struggles into more painful feelings that lead to desolation. Joe Barksdale shares about how he has lived a brave life through his childhood defined by abuse and neglect and time spent playing professional football. Barksdale shares how he wanted to be the best in a focused and concrete way that can be enhanced by autism. Despite his perceived success, Joe explains in this interview how he struggled with gripping depression and consistent suicidal thoughts. Joe talks about how he was an A student in high school who wanted to design the interior of cars before he embarked on his football career which was driven by his desire to show others that he could be the best at what he did. Joe talks about how he succeeded in the game of football, but did not like to be the center of attention. In this episode, Joe shares how he feels most comfortable when performing comedy and expressing his true self to others on stage. Joe goes on to describe how he wants to build a community that supports the creative output and compassion of others, particularly those affected by things with which he has struggled as a black man with mental illness and autism. Joe wants to call the community Moonbeam, which is the name of the first song he wrote for which he felt truly proud. This vision of community may embody Joe’s living force which appears so rooted in darkness. The Otherness Podcast is exploring and engaging autism through experienced stories with Dr. Todd Peter Levine and is available on most places and sites where you like to listen to podcasts. ******* Opening Theme Song Music Credits “Otherness Podcast Intro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing/Nick Burling (ASCAP) Administered by Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP) ******* Closing Theme Song Music Credits “Otherness Podcast Outro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP) Administered by late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP) *******