aaronpaxtonarnold - Tumblr blog

[aaronpaxtonarnold]

I Am A Gotdamn Comedy Writer (Teaser)

[aaronpaxtonarnold]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Aaron Paxton Arnold (@aaronpaxtonarnold)

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.  

This post is about recognizing God’s plan for you…it takes courage to follow because it’s greater than anything you can imagine. Well God, thank you for allowing me to NOT fall short of my potential. And to my wife: tks for telling me that I could do this from the start. Those words remain so powerful, especially when it comes from my best friend-you.

[aaronpaxtonarnold]

Best (five minute) speech you'll see and hear.

[aaronpaxtonarnold]

Aaron Paxton Arnold speaks to the International IBTMWired Conference ...

[aaronpaxtonarnold]

Aaron Paxton Arnold | Season 2 | Watch God Work with Lawrence E. Adjah

[aaronpaxtonarnold]

NoFormula22 Pilot Episode: MichelleT & AaronPaxton discuss love, loss, life

[aaronpaxtonarnold]

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

#mentalhealthawareness #alphakappaalpha #sistercircle #famu #rashanali #aaronpaxtonarnold #motherhood#Boredscared #covid19

[aaronpaxtonarnold]

Celebrity MakeUp Artist, Merrell Hollis, talks w/ Aaron Paxton Arnold in...

[aaronpaxtonarnold]

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

Please pardon some of the language. 

[aaronpaxtonarnold]

My Truth > My Panic Attack

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.

With an Open Heart...yours truly, Aaron Paxton Arnold

[aaronpaxtonarnold]

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.

My drive, purpose stems from my refusal to be miserable and my emphatic need to be happy, positive and help others. ----------------------------------------------- Harvard University, American University, GA Tech, UGA, Clark-Atlanta University, Florida A&M University, Northwestern University, Columbia (Chicago), University of Southern California, Claflin University, Georgia State, University of Houston, Howard Law School, University of Florida, Fort Valley State University, Bowie State, Syracuse University, Morehouse, Emory University

[aaronpaxtonarnold]

I saw someone post something saying "don't believe everything you see on social media. A lot of people are faking." That's true and because my job is to inspire, educate and entertain...here's the truth: 💪🏿I've led a blessed and maybe highly favored life. I've busted my ass to sustain it and be more than just good. I've given up all that was good just to start over in hopes of achieving an ounce of greatness. ‎ 💯I've missed weddings. I've missed funerals. I've lost myself chasing what others thought was best for me, only to find myself listening to God, trusting my instincts and following my heart. Misery is FREE and requires no effort. No sacrifice 💪🏿Happiness cost and requires the greatest resolve and at times sacrifice. So understand that for those who are truly successful and happy, they have at one point been down, been hurt only to rise above it all. #entrepreneurship #hustle #aaronpaxtonarnold #sacrifice #results  #happiness  #truth #success #godsplan https://www.instagram.com/p/B3bxeASh0IQ/?igshid=97pemkp5aq9g

[aaronpaxtonarnold]

Aaron Vs. Money (Ash Cash Edition)

This is the 7th episode of "Aaron Vs.__" is about MONEY -- Aaron Vs. Money. Ash Cash Exantus, wealth expert (Forbes, Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Black Enterprise) sat down with me to discuss everything from his unorthodox journey from the streets of Harlem to his ascension as one of the country's top wealth building experts. After eight books in, he's disrupting the wealth building space with his bold approach. He stands over 6feet, and weighs in at 300 pounds and he's not a professional athlete. The father of two sat down down with me fresh off his Ted Talkin Harlem, NY. We went back to class and met at College Park Elementary in College Park, GA.   We tackled everything from Jay-Z/NFL to the best investment apps to humorous topics -- are Strippers are Assets or Liabilities? aaronpaxtonarnold.com

[aaronpaxtonarnold]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf6dM8NLmoo)

[aaronpaxtonarnold]

New Interview

[aaronpaxtonarnold]

Aaron Vs. BlackFathers is so important to me because In 2015, I wrote an article for CNN.com, “Dispelling the myths about black fathers”and in 2017, I wrote an Essence.com (Magazine) piece "Reflections On Raising A Young Black Woman" which was an ode to my daughter. In 2019 this video is an ode and celebration to all the young Black Men/Fathers I know (including myself). Fortunately, I know so many, Black Fathers, that I couldn't include everyone in this 2:24 piece.

In America, the perception is that we as black fathers don't exist. Negative stereotypes of black men persist in our community and outside. ACTIVE black fathers are all around us. 

I hope this video is simply another step in dispelling the myths and negative statements that are often expressed in and out of our community, like "there are no good black men," "black men don't take care of their kids," or "black men abandon their families."

Thanks to all the Dads who participated in this video (See my IG @mrmusicismybusiness for the list of names)

Salute to my Dad and all the Dads…especially, Black Dads…I salute you! Whether you’re married or fighting every day to be a part of your child’s life…I salute you! Keep pushing, keep fighting, I appreciate you.  

-Aaron Paxton Arnold