Master your anxiety. Unleash your genius | Jesse Eisenberg for Big Think+

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Published 2024-02-21
Actor, author, and director Jesse Eisenberg demystifies the role of anxiety and self-doubt in leadership.

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In a candid exploration of the forces that drive creativity and success, Jesse Eisenberg delves into the paradoxes of the creative process and leadership.

With striking honesty, Eisenberg reveals how anxiety, self-doubt, and fear have been unlikely catalysts in his multifaceted career as an actor, writer, and director. Beyond the glare of Hollywood, he shares personal anecdotes that shed light on the complexities of navigating public perception, criticism, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

Eisenberg's journey is a testament to the transformative power of reframing vulnerability as a source of strength, offering profound insights into the art of leadership. Through a lens of empathy and humility, he challenges conventional notions of authority, showcasing how leading with a quiet confidence can inspire innovation and collaboration.

This dialogue invites a deeper understanding of how emotional intelligence and a willingness to embrace the unknown are pivotal in cultivating a culture of creativity and resilience in any field.

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About Jesse Eisenberg:

Jesse Eisenberg is an Academy Award nominated actor and an acclaimed playwright and author.

Eisenberg’s film credits include Roger Dodger, The Squid and the Whale, Adventureland, Zombieland, The Social Network, Now You See Me, The Double, Night Moves, The End of Tour, American Ultra, Louder Than Bombs, Batman v. Superman, Now You See Me 2, Café Society, Justice League, The Hummingbird Project, The Art of Self Defense, Zombieland: Double Tap, Resistance, Vivarium,Wild Indian, Manodrome, and Sasquatch Sunset which sees him play the urban legend Sasquatch.

On the small screen, Eisenberg was recently seen playing the titular character of ‘Toby Fleishman’ in the FX limited series Fleishman Is in Trouble based on Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s best-selling novel of the same name.

Eisenberg made his directorial debut with A24’s When You Finish Saving the World, which premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival to glowing reviews and screened as a part of Critics Week at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival. The film is based on the Audible Original of the same name, both of which were written by Eisenberg.

Eisenberg’s second directorial effort, A Real Pain, recently had its world premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. The film, which Eisenberg stars alongside Kieran Culkin, tells the story of two estranged cousins who travel to Poland after their grandmother dies to see where she came from and end up joining a Holocaust tour, won Eisenberg the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award for his screenplay The film was bought at the festival by Searchlight Pictures for a release later in the year.

Eisenberg has written four plays, including “The Spoils,” which had a box-office record-breaking run-on West End. He also wrote and starred alongside Vanessa Redgrave in his play “The Revisionist,” and “Asuncion.” His play, “Happy Talk” starring Susan Sarandon and Marin Ireland opened April 2019 at the Signature Theater in New York.

Born in New York, Eisenberg is a frequent contributor to The New Yorker, the author of the collection, Bream Gives Me Hiccups from Grove Press and the Audible Original When You Finish Saving the World, which won “Best Original Work” at the 2021 Audie Awards.

All Comments (21)
  • @Yes-bn6yy
    I can’t believe this guy is 40. He looks so young (in a good way)
  • @HollowVortex81
    I still think Mark Zuckerberg at first whenever I see him.
  • @havenbrouwn6290
    I literally searched "anxiety and confidence as an artist" and clicked this thinking it was uploaded years ago, come to find out it was a day ago. Its crazy how these things find you in your time of need.
  • @baringozi2214
    This guy and Michael Cera in a comedy buddy cop movie where they're both timid and reserved and over the course of the film work through their anxieties about the job is something I'd watch.
  • He’s the kind of guy people prejudge to their detriment. He’s not overly charismatic, laughing, joking… smiling. Therefore, he must be a stiff or a jerk. Nope. I’d love to know him, work for him, or be a friend. Listen to how he speaks about Kieran and Julianne. He’s so complimentary, supportive and is the type of guy who makes others shine. Oh yeah, he’s also incredibly talented. Love this personality and I’m a fan.
  • Anxiety is like fire. It can either ignite a flame of momentum to get you going in life, or it can burn you to the ground. You have to choose daily though, to not allow it to do the latter.
  • Psychedelics are just an exceptional mental health breakthrough. It's quite fascinating how effective they are against depression and anxiety. Saved my life.
  • @halfdeadfish
    “Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom” - Søren Kierkegaard
  • @aquanticryan4668
    "A leader that you like working for is probably a lot like you." So they are relatable
  • @jabari.n
    i was honored to have this man visit an audio & video production class i attend where we all got to show him our work. he truly is no different from what you see in this video. he was so supportive and kind and gave such wonderful feedback. his anxiety, weird as it may sound, was actually very comforting to me. knowing that someone with that big of a spotlight struggles with the same things as everyone else makes it a lot easier to attempt success.
  • @josevalero3543
    Anxiety living in a culture of millions of dollars is better than anxiety being a worker in a McDonalds
  • I'm a veteran, was actually addicted to alcohol and cigarettes. I suffered severe anxiety and mental disorder. Got diagnosed with cptsd. Not until my wife recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 8 years totally clean. Much respect to mother nature the great magic shrooms.
  • @HaiLeQuang
    It's ground breaking for me. "YOu are anxious because you care"
  • @trollman8888
    Showing how one can succeed with anxiety disorder, is amazing
  • @Dreevy420
    "Ah, sorry, shit, fuck." 😂😂😂😂 so in character for him
  • "I thought she would see me for the fraud i must be." Fuck, i needed that
  • He makes a good point about avoiding the things that cause you unnecessary anxiety and stress. We don’t always have to “confront the dragon” and take on more than we need or that is unproductive for us
  • Wish more celebrities opened up about their real fears and everyday struggles. Absolutely loved this talk - so many insights about leadership and life!!!
  • That guy's energy is awesome and he feels anxiety, sorrow, agony, misery, sadness, blissfulness and ecstasy. He looks brilliant but not only looks brilliant he is a brilliant actor.