Summary
Overview
Jake Johnson returns to Armchair Expert to discuss his evolving relationship with acting, the recent loss of his friend Jeff Baino to suicide, and his experiences working with Tom Cruise. The conversation explores themes of control, mental health, male friendship, and finding joy in work again after years of stepping back. Johnson shares insights about his podcast 'We're Here to Help,' his new projects including 'Dink' and working with Dakota Fanning, and reflects on how he's learning to let go of controlling every aspect of production to simply be present as an actor.
Jake's Return to Acting and Letting Go of Control
Jake discusses his renewed love for acting after taking several years away from being heavily involved in production. He describes working on multiple projects where he's just showing up to act rather than producing, writing, or directing, and finding liberation in that simplicity. He reflects on how his need to control everything stemmed from childhood issues and fear, but now he's practicing having no power struggles on set and just being of service to the project.
- Jake has been back on set for the first time in five and a half years, doing back-to-back acting jobs
- His morning meditation involves repeating 'today's goals are no power struggles' and being of service to the project and director
- Josh Greenbaum told him 'I just want actors to be present' which simplified Jake's entire approach
- Jake realized his need to control everything came from childhood fear and trying to stay ahead of darkness
" I was trying to control everything which goes back to childhood stuff. And now as I'm controlling less, I'm like, this is the job? Oh, yeah. "
" My whole job is to get it so that you can be present. And I'm like, that's my only job. "
High School Prostitution Ring and ADHD
The conversation takes an unexpected turn into Jake's high school experience where a classmate ran what Jake describes as a prostitution operation with three willing participants. This leads into a broader discussion about ADHD symptoms, with Jake acknowledging he seems to have many of the traits but has no intention of seeking treatment or medication, preferring to just accept himself as he is.
- A classmate in Jake's high school essentially ran a prostitution ring with three girls who were enthusiastic participants
- Jake admits he's starting to recognize he has many ADHD symptoms after hearing them described repeatedly
- He finds brushing his teeth agonizing and is shocked he still has teeth because he hates it so much
- Despite potentially having ADHD, Jake has no plans to take medication or make changes
" I'm a pimp. I had a classmate that was a pimp. I don't know how else to say it. "
" I keep hearing about the list of ADHD symptoms. I seem to have them all. But I don't mind the diagnosis. I'm not making changes. I'm not taking anything for medicine. I just go like, oh, that seems to describe me pretty well. Fine. Nothing's changing. "
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