We caught up with the brilliant and insightful James Eade a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

James, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I have two projects in mind. The first was writing “Chess for Dummies.” I got into official chess competitions in 1972 because of Bobby Fischer. It has been the one constant in my life. Getting the contract was a case of knowing someone who knew someone, my reputation in the chess world, and my previous chess books had already been published.
It is one of the top two-selling chess books of all time. The other is “Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess.” I am in rare company.

The other is my account of my descent into addiction and my subsequent recovery, detailed in the book “Freedom: Your Path to Recovery.” It is also the subject of my current work as a podcaster, hosting shows on AIRU.TV.

James, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

The chess world is already familiar with my work, but the addiction and recovery work is less well-known. Addiction affects many if not most, families in one way or the other. Yet, it remains a taboo topic in many of them. I am working to make it less shameful. It can happen to anyone.
My latest book, “No Blame, No Shame” emphasizes the need to hold your head high and look people in the eye.
My writing and my videos are aimed at helping people realize that there aremany programs available to help them. Despite the temptation, it is less likely to be successful if you go it alone. Finding a community of peers provides you with the support that everyone needs and helps you guard against the scourge of relapse.
My current video series “Calm Down with James Eade” is finishing up its second season.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect for me is to make manifest what begins only in my mind. Whether it is holding a book in my hand, or seeing a picture of a chess academy in Uganda that I helped establish, it is more than gratifying to see tangible evidence that I have created something that did not previously exist.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson I had to unlearn was that I was different and therefore unworthy. I was not like everyone else and it made me struggle with alienation and estrangement. Now, I am comfortable in my own skin. I realize now that my path is mine to walk, with my head held high, while looking people in the eye.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://airu.tv
• Instagram: jimeade
• Facebook: Jim Eade
• Linkedin: James Eade
• Youtube: AIRU