The Stranger Who Saw Andrew Mitch
From PhD dropout to country storyteller in Nashville
Andrew Mitch was on track for a PhD and a life that checked all the right boxes. But walking away from academia, coming out in a conservative family, and chasing music in Nashville wasn’t easy. Everything shifted when a stranger told him the world needed his songs.
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When Andrew left behind a safe path to follow music, he still carried doubts. Then came that restaurant table moment where a stranger, like an angel, reflected his truth back to him. That spark set his music career in motion. His story reminds us what can happen when we stop seeking approval and start trusting ourselves.
Three things to think about
Validation from a stranger can sometimes land deeper than from those closest to us.
Walking away from the “right path” is often the first step toward the real one.
The world needs your story as it is, not as you think it should be.
Two things to ask yourself
What expectations am I still carrying that no longer belong to me?
Where in my life am I waiting for permission instead of giving it to myself?
One thing to try this week
Share one piece of work, art, or writing you’ve been holding back. Post it, send it, or play it for someone.
Andrew’s shift is proof that authenticity has ripple effects we can’t predict. I’d love to know if his story sparks something in you. Reply and tell me, or listen and share it with someone who needs to hear it.
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PS: I created a short-form podcast, “It’s Okay If…” Each episode is under three minutes long and provides a permission slip to be human. I’d be honored if you subscribed to the show. New episodes are released every Wednesday at noon ET.
