The Diary of a CEOTrevor Noah: What ADHD-driven depression taught him
The comedian on apartheid, his mother's shooting, and discovering ADHD-driven depression; why he walked away from The Daily Show at his peak.
Episode Details
EPISODE INFO
- Released
- October 17, 2024
- Duration
- 2h 38m
- Channel
- The Diary of a CEO
- Watch on YouTube
- ▶ Open ↗
EPISODE DESCRIPTION
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
SPEAKERS
Trevor Noah
guestNarrator
otherSteven Bartlett
host
EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of The Diary of a CEO, featuring Trevor Noah and Narrator, Trevor Noah: What ADHD-driven depression taught him explores trevor Noah Reveals ADHD-Driven Depression, Trauma, Purpose And Letting Go Trevor Noah discusses how growing up mixed‑race under apartheid, with domestic violence and his mother’s near-fatal shooting, shaped his worldview, relationships, and hyper‑vigilant empathy. He explains discovering in adulthood that much of his periodic despair was actually ADHD-related depression, and how getting a proper diagnosis reframed his mental health. The conversation dives into men’s loneliness, friendship, workaholism, fame, and why he ultimately left The Daily Show to reclaim connection and time with loved ones. Throughout, he challenges cultural narratives about trauma, forgiveness, and purpose, arguing we’re not self-made, that healing is ongoing, and that community is the real marker of success.
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