From Feeling Seen to Believing in Myself

The Moment I Felt Seen

“When I learned Austin City Limits wanted me to cover Weekend Two because it included World Mental Health Day, I felt seen.”

I have worked to make mental health part of everything I do through A Wild Ride Called Life and AWRCL Media. Being invited to cover that particular weekend felt like recognition of that mission. I was honored, excited, and grateful for the opportunity to make mental health part of every artist conversation.

What made it even more meaningful was hearing appreciation from artists and their managers for the questions I asked. I wanted conversations that went beyond the usual music interview, and those responses helped me feel that this approach mattered.

The Conversation That Stayed With Me

Every interview meant something to me. Hearing artists explain why they make their music and what they hope listeners take away was an honor. But DJ Cassandra is one of the first people who comes to mind when I reflect on the emotional moments.

We had met for an interview two years earlier, and this time she spoke with remarkable openness about her struggles. People see the performances and the public-facing successes; they do not always see what a person is carrying behind the scenes.

What stayed with me was her humanity. Her honesty meant that someone watching or reading—not just someone in the music industry—might recognize their own feelings and understand they are not alone.

The Part Nobody Sees: When the Audio Goes Wrong

During the interviews, I kept hoping the audio would turn out perfectly. But it was windy and loud, and the recordings did not always capture the conversations the way I had anticipated.

I care about doing professional work and about being taken seriously. It is hard when something outside my control threatens the quality I want to deliver. I have to keep thinking of a Plan B and a Plan C. I can prepare, troubleshoot, and learn, but I cannot fix everything.

That reality was stressful. The interviews deserved the best presentation I could give them, and I struggled with the difference between the work I envisioned and the recordings I brought home.

I Was Not Going to Give Up on the Stories

After ACL, I sat down with the footage and realized how much editing and audio repair was ahead of me. I felt overwhelmed. There were moments when I wanted to give up on a recording—but I was not willing to give up on the interview.

I started asking myself what else the stories could become. Could I salvage portions of the audio? Could I use the material to write a strong article, so the artist’s perspective could still reach people even if the final video was not ready?

I do much of this work myself. I am learning software, production, editing, and publishing as I go. With each interview I learn something new. I kept going because I believed in these stories and felt privileged that the artists had trusted me with them. I was not going to take that opportunity for granted.

From Feeling Like a Failure to Feeling Proud

When I compare the woman who began A Wild Ride Called Life in 2016 with the woman who walked into ACL 2026 representing her own media company, the biggest change is learning to believe in myself.

After leaving another media outlet roughly a year and a half earlier, I did not know what came next. I felt like a failure. Starting AWRCL Media meant continuing to pitch myself, proving my work through integrity and credibility, and building something of my own.

This was my second year returning to ACL representing AWRCL Media. I sometimes still question whether I belong in certain spaces, but every opportunity teaches me something. Music has been part of my life since I was 13. To be working around artists and the music industry now feels full circle.

I feel proud that I did this. I can do hard things. I can do it. And I did do it. I will always be grateful to the team at Austin City Limits for the opportunity.

Do What Sets Your Soul on Fire

If readers take one thing away from my experience, I hope it is this: do what sets your soul on fire.

It is scary to build something from the ground up. You may not know where it will lead or how long you will continue doing it. But if it brings purpose and joy, give yourself permission to try. Just start.

I created A Wild Ride Called Life to offer a space where people can feel seen and heard, especially when navigating mental health struggles. AWRCL Media is an extension of that community and that commitment. I want people to recognize themselves in these stories and to know they do not have to figure everything out alone.

Keep your dreams alive. Reach out when you need support. Create the space you wish existed. And remember that your story matters.