How'd You Get THAT Job?!

A translator of Japanese manga reflects on ADHD and his love for comics

How'd You Get THAT Job?!

Show Notes

From the first moment Paul Starr saw the Japanese anime series “Robotech” (aka “Macross”), he was hooked. But did it have something to do with his ADHD? He’d never been motivated about anything before, but now he threw himself into learning Japanese so he could read comics.

One thing led to another, and eventually Paul started to work as a translator for Japanese manga and novels. But it took an embarrassing event at work — falling asleep at his desk — to make him realize that to follow his career dream, he needed to come to terms with ADHD.

Hear from Paul about the pros and cons of working as a translator and having an all-consuming passion. And get Paul’s recommendations for comics and manga with story lines that showcase neurodiversity.

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.

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Understood is a nonprofit and social impact organization dedicated to shaping a world where the 1 in 5 people who learn and think differently can thrive. Learn more about “How’d You Get THAT Job?!” and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2022 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved.

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