AARON PAXTON ARNOLD

This post is as much about me pushing through Imposter Syndrome and the importance of Community as much as it is about celebrating the accomplishments of myself and my team - I Executive Produced, Wrote and even acted in my first, now festival nominated, short comedy film @iamagotdamncomedywriterThis is about my cool ass Wife and Son @kadenpaxtonarnold becoming the inspiration behind this project.

This post is about my mentee @_groovyscorsese  becoming my mentor and Director/Producer of this film and giving me master classes throughout this process. This is about my fellow FAMU Rattlers like my big sister/mentor @rashanalitelling me to “Drop That Imposter Syndrome Mentality, everyone is on set b/c of your vision” or  my brother @iamtaylorreed telling me “F*ck being humble, you know how talented you are, don’t diminish your talent and accomplishments,” to my wife reminding me, “I’ve been telling you what they both said since 2020” Lol. 

This post is b/c my mentor/friend/award-winning writer @jameygiddens l told me all the good and/or great writers “write what they know,” so I did. 

This post is about my co-star @bognerbill telling me “we’re not going to cut corners,” and whatever money is needed he and I will put up and/or raise. I put up half of the budget, William dropped a bag too and then I raised the rest. That’s community right there! 

This is about my friend, grammy nominated producer @yaboychizzy scoring this film and my C/O 1995 @famu_1887 brother and seasoned actor @rogerpayno who, 30 days out from me filming,  poured into me so much that I rewrote a whole scene based off his insight. 

To the rest of the team (i.e., investors, other EPs @thoroartists) DP @nadirbaaset.film and Producer/AD @carriemaychina…you both, by far, outperformed your fee. Next time the budget will be even bigger.  

Aaron Paxton Arnold is BoredScared w/ National TV Host RaShan Ali

It's Mental Health Awareness Month and My #BoredScared interview w/ national media maven Rashan Ali was lit! The first 60 seconds she admitted that she'd just cried + took a shot of tequila & told me why I need to no longer date women in sororities, lol. The remainder of the interview we spoke about: 1) Her journey to better her Mental Health, journey with her therapist 2)How her relationship w/ her mom hindered and grew her 3) Being a Daddy's Girl, Wife and Mother 4) Cancelling of her show, Sister Circle 5) Pivoting through and after Covid-19. https://youtu.be/kdIPv9GfIik

Aaron interviews Hollywood A-Lister, Lamorne Morris, for the first episode of “Bored Scared”. 

My panic attack, my truth: The day I truly opened my heart to God (hence the "open" sign behind me) was the day I had a panic attack; it could've killed me. It was 09-21- 2015. I've talked about this in many of the speeches I've made at colleges/universities and other platforms. However, I realize many of you were not in those audiences. I promise there's a lesson at the end of this long post and I pray it helps someone.

I've been apprehensive, not because I am afraid to share my pain, failure or vulnerability but did not want to disrespect those that battle depression daily and other mental-illnesses. However, I learned one doesn't have to suffer from depression in order to be suffering from a broken spirit.

But on the aforementioned date at 5am in the morning, I found myself having a panic attack while sitting in the car; I didn't realize the garage door was down. I became consumed with carbon-monoxide fumes. By the grace of God, I had enough where-with-all to press the panic button on the car remote.

What I remember next, my daughter standing over me screaming for help. Next thing I knew, I was in an ambulance being rushed to the hospital. I always tell her she saved my life (and I washed her dishes for a year because of it, lol). I had been experiencing so much toxicity without an outlet to balance. Everything else in my life was dope but my spirit had been broken.

Leading up to that moment, I had way too much pride to tell anyone that my spirit was broken and I needed help. I felt weak, I felt ashamed. I wasn't suffering from depression but the health of my mental had been compromised. I am a organically a positive person, so I convinced myself that I would be ok .

The doctor at the hospital asked if I tried to kill myself. I explained to him, "I love my life ( ala Kanye, lol) and self way too much but sh*t got the best of me." I was telling the truth but also knew I wasn't close to being healed.

I convinced the doctor to discharge me. I walked out the hospital and felt myself having another attack. I realized, that if I didn't call someone, I was going to end back up right in the hospital; this time they were going to keep me.

I sat on the curb and called one of my best friends, Tommy, who was in Ireland on tour. Tommy explained he hadn't been able to receive phone calls or get service all that week but my call came through (nothing but God). I sat on that curb for an hour talking to him - laughing, crying, reflecting, gaining perspective - that was my therapy that day.

From that moment on...I've done "spirit checks" on all my friends and persons I valued. I learned, via those spirit checks, that many people I knew were, at times, broken too; many of them were in therapy. I learned there was nothing wrong with me and that I was human. I learned to protect my spirit at all cost. And most importantly, for the first time, I truly opened my heart to God. I prayed differently. I learned to make that call when feeling overwhelmed. I learned that while it's great to give your all to others ...make sure you give just as much (more even) back to yourself.

Thank you to Chris Wade, Toni Dickerson, Rashan Ali, Archie L. Green TY Walker Bozoma Saint John for inspiring me to share my truth.

Aaron Paxton Arnold: Faith in God, A Black Man's Perspective

Thank you  Brigham Young University BYU | David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies ! This was my 21st University I've spoken at in 11 years (full list below). I spent three days: speaking, guest-lecturing, engaging and learning with a variety of students/faculty (black, white, international etc etc) on Race, Purpose, Mental-Wellness Equality, Faith, Social-economics, Gender-Equality, Fatherhoood etc.

My experience has been the most spiritual uplifting time spent at aUniversity. When I tell you God has an impactful plan if you walk in your purpose and remain faithful to what's in your heart...I know it to be true. In my mind, I am still a kid from the south side of Chicago that just never wanted to feel less than or average.

Aaron Vs. Money (Ash Cash Edition)