We’re looking forward to introducing you to John David Berdahl. Check out our conversation below.
John David, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
Well, that’s a thoughtful question! I think one common misunderstanding about my work is that people might see it as ONLY about art, or ONLY about autism. Really, it’s about connection, using art as a bridge to understanding and celebrating the beautiful diversity of human minds. It’s about creating spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued, regardless of how their brains work. The art is the vehicle, and neurodiversity is the landscape that we’re exploring together.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello dear readers! I’m John David Berdahl, and I’m delighted to connect with you through! I wear a few different hats in the Fargo-Moorhead community, like artist, educator, and advocate. You might have caught some of my art segments on “North Dakota Today” on Valley News Live, seen my work in exhibitions and online, heard me on the radio, or even participated in one of my art workshops through Moorhead Community Education and more. My journey, deeply shaped by my experience with Asperger’s syndrome, fuels my passion for fostering understanding and celebrating the beautiful spectrum of neurodiversity. I look forward to sharing more of my story with you!
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Well from my experience, what often breaks the bonds between people is a lack of understanding and empathy. When we fail to see the world from another’s perspective, especially those who may experience life differently, like individuals on the autism spectrum, it creates division. Stereotypes, assumptions, and the inability to communicate openly and honestly can also erode those connections.
But what restores those bonds? Ah, that’s where the beauty lies. It’s through education, acceptance, and celebrating our differences. Creating spaces where people can share their stories, like the “Anything But Typical” event I organized at the Plains Art Museum, allows us to see each other’s humanity. Vulnerability, too, plays a crucial role. When we dare to be open about our struggles and imperfections, it invites others to do the same, fostering genuine connection. Ultimately, restoring bonds comes down to compassion and a willingness to embrace neurodiversity and mental health with understanding and support.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
You know, success is wonderful, it brings validation and opens doors. But suffering? Suffering peels back the layers of who you think you are and reveals the core.
For me, being diagnosed with Asperger’s later in life was a challenge, a form of suffering in its own way. It forced me to confront my differences, the things that made me feel like an outsider. But through that, I learned empathy on a much deeper level. I began to truly understand the struggles of others who felt marginalized or misunderstood.
Success never taught me that. Success can sometimes blind you to the needs of others, make you think you’ve got it all figured out. But suffering cracks you open, lets the light in, and allows you to connect with people on a soul level. It’s given me a passion for advocacy, a desire to create spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued for their unique contributions. It’s not about erasing our differences, but celebrating them. Suffering taught me that our vulnerabilities are actually our greatest strengths, and that true connection comes from embracing them, both in ourselves and in others. So, while I appreciate the opportunities success has brought, it’s the lessons learned from navigating challenges that have truly shaped me into the person I am today.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Well, I suppose the short answer is yes, the public version of me IS the real me, but perhaps a more focused version. My Asperger’s diagnosis has really shaped how I interact with the world, and I’ve learned to channel that into my art and advocacy. When I’m leading a workshop, or organizing an event like “Anything But Typical,” or even just sharing my story, I’m drawing from a very real place, a place of wanting to connect, to understand, and to help others understand.
The documentary “I’ll Start From Here” really gets at the heart of that journey, you know? It’s my life, warts and all. So, while there might be some aspects I don’t always broadcast, what you see is genuinely me trying to make a positive impact, fueled by my own experiences and a deep belief in celebrating neurodiversity. I try to live authentically, hoping it encourages others to do the same.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
That is something that I’ve pondered quite a bit, especially given my journey. For a long time, I think I was trying to fit into a mold, doing what I thought was expected. But then, after my Asperger’s diagnosis in 2014, things started to shift. It was like I finally understood why I saw the world a little differently.
Now, I’m driven by a need to create, to connect, and to advocate for neurodiversity. Whether it’s through leading art workshops, organizing events like “Anything But Typical,” or sharing my story in “I’ll Start From Here,” I feel like I’m finally doing what I was born to do. It’s not just about making art, it’s about fostering understanding and acceptance. It’s about making space for everyone to be their authentic selves. So, I’d say I’m on the right path, and it’s a path paved with passion and purpose.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reallyjohndavid
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-david-berdahl-10386013b
- Twitter: https://x.com/reallyjohndavid
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reallyjohndavid
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@reallyjohndavid
- Other: https://spinitron.com/KRFF/pl/20862265/Listen-Down
https://archive.org/details/davey-bees-hit-song-vault
