#121 – J. Edwards Holt: Seven Branches#121 – J. Edwards Holt: Seven Branches
Recovery Survey
Brett Morris talks with fantasy author and mental health advocate J. Edwards Holt about his experiences with Tourette’s, OCD, anxiety and depression, and how he still chose to follow his dream of writing. Their conversation touches on practical tools, spiritual themes and the importance of community in both mental health and recovery.
22:57•20 Jul 2022
Fantasy Worlds, Real Struggles: J. Edwards Holt on Mental Health and Following Your Dreams
Episode Overview
- Holt shares his long-term experience with Tourette’s, ADHD, OCD, anxiety and depression, and how these conditions affected his life from childhood into adulthood.
- Writing fantasy fiction and building the Seven Branches universe became a way for him to share life lessons, highlight family and friendship, and weave in subtle spiritual messages.
- Medication, ongoing therapy, staying active and paying attention to diet are described as key tools that have helped him manage his mental health.
- He urges people, especially younger ones, to ask for help early, not to bottle things up, and to remember they are not alone in their struggles.
- Both Holt and Morris stress that treatment and recovery often involve trial and error, and that it’s vital not to give up when the first approach doesn’t work.
“I generally tell people, you know, if I can follow my dreams, you can too, because, you know, I've been through so much and, you know, I still struggle with a lot.”
Curious about how others manage their mental health while chasing big dreams? This conversation with fantasy author and mental health advocate J. Edwards Holt offers a mix of geeky fun, raw honesty, and grounded hope. The host, Brett Morris, chats with Holt about his journey from a kid who loved writing in elementary school, to a teacher, and then to a bestselling fantasy author and ordained minister.
Holt shares how he “caught the bug” for writing after publishing his first book in 2017 and went on to build the interconnected “Seven Branches” saga, a medieval-style universe with dwarves, elves, goblins and subtle spiritual themes. His stories are designed to teach “invaluable life lessons,” highlighting family, friendship and self-acceptance. Alongside the creative talk, the episode leans into mental health in a very down-to-earth way.
Holt opens up about growing up with Tourette’s syndrome, ADHD, severe OCD, anxiety and depression, and how those struggles shaped him. He explains what’s actually helped: medication, long-term therapy, staying active, paying attention to diet, and years of learning to cope in healthier ways.
His biggest message is simple and reassuring: “If I can follow my dreams, you can too,” and “never be ashamed to go out and ask for help.” He stresses that people are never as alone as they feel, and that community — whether around disability, mental health, or addiction recovery — can be life-changing. There’s also a realistic reminder that treatment might not work the first or second time, and that it’s worth trying different approaches until something fits.
If you’re juggling recovery or mental health challenges while trying to build a life you’re proud of, this chat might leave you asking: what’s one small step toward your own dream that you could take today?
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