Often, those who tread off the beaten path are misunderstood or mischaracterized and so we asked folks from the community to reflect and tell us about the times they’ve been misunderstood or mischaracterized.

Jake Hauser

Absolutely. I started off with the dream of wanting to be a Nashville Songwriter. Basically, where I get paid to write songs for other people. First off I did it was a way to try and escape a job I was trapped working at that an extremely hostile work environment. My boss at the time would have fired me on the spot if he found out I wanted to be an actual artist that had to go perform and make my mind think elsewhere other than work 24/7. I did that for about a year with only one successful song pitch. Having that small and minute success created sort of an identity crisis within myself. The artist in me wanted to write the sort of music that “I” wanted to listen to, but the music I like and the music that the mainstream industry want don’t always go together. The short year of my songwriting career was very radio-friendly “dirt road, beer, and truck” type country music. I just don’t connect to that music. So one day, I pitched one of my personal songs to a publisher. Turns out they really liked it, and that it reminded them of Yellowstone or Sons of Anarchy, but it wasn’t the type of music they were shopping for. Read more>>

David Bruce Lee

What we do as architects and how long it takes to design and build a home are widely misunderstood by the general public. Most people think the value the architect offers is mostly on the technical side of construction and building permitting when in reality, those are only one part of what we do. Many also think that we are responsible for the engineering of the home when that is not the case (that is done by the structural engineer). When I first started my office, I had numerous clients reach out to us and ask, “Are you an architect or a designer?” This question completely confused me because all architects are trained to not only understand the technical aspects of building but, first and foremost, how to design a building’s exteriors and interiors. In the past 10-15 years it has become more common for architecture and interiors to be divided – for architects to design the exterior only and interior designers to design the interiors only. This approach often results in homes that feel clunky. Read more>>

Krystal Anaís Amaya Navarro

Yes, I’m very familiar with mischaracterization. I know her very well. Jokes aside, back in 2020, I made a short film called “Home, Again”; an experimental movement piece that follows a young girl who wakes up in the desert and is forced to find her way back home. Throughout the journey, she takes off pieces of her wardrobe to cool off from the intense heat. Ultimately, she ends up dancing blissfully in the desert as she inadvertently reconnects with Earth, and her Heart – wearing only her lingerie…. The film represents a spiritual awakening, and it was created right before the global quarantine which, in my opinion, induced a global awakening. I sent the film around but I feel it was greatly misunderstood and admittedly difficult to categorize. The process of making the film did help me build my artistic faculties in profound ways. Read more>>

Moly Gomez

Being misunderstood is a feeling we all experience from time to time. It can happen in everyday conversations, when others fail to grasp your idea or perspective. For artists, this sense of being misunderstood is almost a defining trait. I’m not suggesting that artists possess some mystical power but we do see the world through a different lens. We notice details others might overlook and are deeply attuned to how things make us feel. It’s in these moments, when our ideas are mischaracterized, that we can find an unexpected advantage. Being misunderstood, in fact, can be a beautiful gift. Read more>>

Small Time Napoleon

Most of us in the band have studied jazz in college. As a consequence, we can have a fairly jazz-heavy sound. However, we have a lot of strong non-jazz influences. People like Elvis Costello, Paul Simon, and Tom Waits to name a few. Sometimes, when we are hired to play a gig, people will expect a traditional “jazz” band and find themselves disappointed and/or surprised that we aren’t playing swing tunes all night. Other times, the opposite will happen and people will expect a group of singer-songwriters and find that we are more swing than they bargained for. We like to say that we are “too jazz” for the rock clubs and “too rock” for the jazz clubs. Read more>>

Mandy Montana

I’ve been a hairstylist for a decade, and the relationship with my clients can be very close. We’re there for their wins and losses, seeing their families and careers evolve, and supporting them through difficult times like divorce or the loss of a loved one. A salon appointment often feels therapeutic, with a sense of confidentiality about what is shared. About two years ago, I began incorporating energy work, specifically reiki, into my services. I see it as enhancing the therapeutic experience. I’m naturally intuitive and have a good sense of people’s needs. While I understand that not everyone is open to reiki, I was surprised by how many were unsure or resistant due to religious beliefs or misconceptions about it being witchcraft. I can assure you that reiki, a Japanese healing technique involving placing hands on or near the body, is about promoting relaxation and healing. It translates to “universal energy” and has no negative effects, often fostering feelings of peace and warmth. I know that “woo woo” services aren’t for everyone, but reiki has helped me through challenging times, and I feel honored to share it with others. Read more>>

Stephanie Nery

When I started with makeup, it wasn’t a career choice that was respected by many, and a lot of people close to me doubted my decision. They thought it would be more like a hobby and didn’t believe I would make it. As I invested more time in creating content and expanding my knowledge in creative makeup, many people made fun of me. They told me I would never make it, and called me crazy for pursuing a path that seemed so unconventional at the time. There were so many moments when I felt misunderstood and mischaracterized, especially by those who couldn’t see the potential in combining art with a beauty career. Read more>>

Lilly

I’ve experienced profound moments of rejection when developing my gifts. My spiritual awakening was filled with intuitive nudges, signs, and symbols from spirit, urging me to explore my abilities further. As a super empath, I could deeply feel others’ emotions and thoughts, which left me overwhelmed, anxious, and unsure of how to navigate this sensitivity. This led to periods of depression and isolation as I struggled to find my footing. I eventually opened up to someone I thought would understand, revealing my truth as a natural psychic medium. Sadly, their response was one of rejection, and it was the last time we spoke. The pain of being dismissed for who I truly am was a harsh reminder that not everyone is ready to accept or understand spiritual gifts. It changed how I approached sharing my truth and led me to hide my abilities, deepening my sense of isolation. Read more>>