October 14
When art became a refuge, it became a revolution.
This episode is about embracing neurodivergence and challenging beauty standards. Yolanda Liu, a Taiwan-born artist based in London, is renowned for her work across photography, film, collage, illustration, and tattoo art. Featured in outlets like BBC, Vogue, and i-D, her story reflects resilience as she navigates life with ADHD and a recent autism diagnosis. From her early days nurtured by a creative mother to the launch of her second book, Thank You For Playing With Me, Yolanda's journey is one of self-discovery and empowerment. Through her art, she challenges societal beauty standards and promotes authenticity.
Initially misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder, Yolanda found relief in an accurate ADHD diagnosis, which allowed her to better understand herself. Embracing her neurodivergent strengths, she explores how creativity has served as a sanctuary and a means to empower others. Her projects—spanning tattoo artistry and collaborative photography—emphasize representation, connection, and breaking down societal norms.
Yolanda shares insights on managing empathy, self-care, and productivity, emphasizing the strength of embracing one’s uniqueness. Her journey is a testament to the resilience within neurodivergence, offering fresh perspectives on mental well-being, creativity, and self-expression.
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"Once you learn how to work with your brain, it’s such a wonderful thing. You can thrive and find excitement in life."
- Yolanda Y. Liou
"I want people to know they are as beautiful as they are. It’s not about how you look—it’s about accepting who you truly are and being happy with it."
- Yolanda Y. Liou
"We’re not just living in a neurotypical world. Some of us need extra support and time, and there’s no shame in that."
- Yolanda Y. Liou
"For me, art is a way to express myself, to decompress. It’s about finding joy in creation, even if it comes from chaos."
- Yolanda Y. Liou
"I think the biggest lesson I learned from the whole process is to start accepting that I don’t need to be good at everything. It’s okay to ask for help, and that’s freeing."
- Yolanda Y. Liou
- Yolanda Y. Liou, a Taiwanese-born multidisciplinary artist based in London, was diagnosed with ADHD at age 30 and autism at 32.
- Her ADHD diagnosis came after researching the condition to help a friend, leading her to recognize symptoms in herself.
- Initially misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder, Yolanda struggled with accepting her ADHD diagnosis but eventually found it empowering.
[20:00 - 40:00] Art as a Tool for Healing and Self-Expression
- Yolanda discusses using art and creativity as tools for healing, particularly in challenging beauty standards and promoting self-acceptance.
- She shares her journey of creating the book "Thank You For Playing With Me," which celebrates diverse body types and authenticity.
- Yolanda emphasizes the importance of finding joy in art and using ADHD traits like intense focus and compassion as strengths in her work.
[40:00 - 01:15:11] Managing ADHD and Finding Success as an Artist
- Yolanda shares strategies for managing rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) and overthinking, turning these traits into strengths.
- She discusses the importance of limiting social media use and finding a balance between creativity and self-care.
- Yolanda emphasizes the value of understanding and accepting one's ADHD brain, viewing it as a source of unique abilities rather than limitations.
- self-employment and flexible work hours.
