Every industry has its myths—stories insiders repeat until they sound like truth. But behind the slogans and the spin are unspoken (and sometimes unnoticed) realities – we asked some of the wisest folks we know to share what lies they’ve noticed in their industries.
Emily Foster
One of the biggest lies I see in the creative and wedding industry is that your brand just needs to look “pretty” to succeed. The truth is, beautiful design without strategy won’t carry your business very far. Another lie is that everyone else has it all figured out, when in reality, even the most established pros are still learning, refining, and evolving behind the scenes. Read More>>
Sharmon Lebby
There are two lies I think we tell ourselves in the nonprofit world, and both of them come back to collaboration. Lie number one is that nonprofits are always doing great work. That’s just not true. Sometimes it’s less about the mission and more about the ego of the founder or executive leaders. Read More>>
Omobolaji Ajibare
One of the biggest lies in the social media and content creation space is that consistency alone will make you successful. People say it all the time, just post regularly and everything will work out. But that’s not true. There are people showing up daily and still not growing, not converting, and not making any money from their content. Read More>>
Sarah Joy
One of the biggest lies in the short-term rental and Airbnb space is that it’s “easy money.” People see the highlight reels — the beautifully staged homes, the bookings rolling in — and think you just throw some furniture in a property, list it, and watch the cash flow. That’s not reality. Read More>>
Jineen R. Huff
The biggest lie healthcare — and honestly, much of corporate culture — tells itself is that burnout is normal and self-neglect is the price of success. We glorify overwork and wear exhaustion like a badge of honor, but the truth is: it’s costing lives, families, and talent. Right now, over 60% of nurses report symptoms of burnout. Read More>>
Anne McAuley Lopez
Content creators are increasingly telling themselves that AI is taking over their industries. The reality is that while AI is helpful, the world still needs the human touch. When AI was becoming more popular for content creation, I admit I was nervous. I feared it would write articles and books without the help of professional writers like me. Read More>>
Taylor Harris
After having my daughter in 2024, my daily rhythm changed completely! Before, I could work whenever inspiration struck, but now every day is carefully planned around her schedule (and childcare!) so I can keep life and work balanced. Read More>>
Dr. Rosia Parrish
One of the biggest lies in fertility medicine is that “unexplained infertility” has no underlying cause. Unexplained doesn’t mean without cause—it simply means no one has looked deeply enough yet. Another lie is that IVF is the only path forward, and that once you use fertility technology, you’ll always need it. In truth, most people who come to me do so because IVF hasn’t worked. Read More>>
Sherinata Pollock
The biggest lie this industry tells itself to consumers is that “if it’s sold, it must be safe.” The truth is, wireless tech is a multi-billion-dollar business, and safety standards haven’t been meaningfully updated since 1996, when they were tested on a 220-lb military dummy, not women, kids, or real-life use. Read More>>
Dr Zylia Knowlin
I think that one of the biggest lies the creator industry tells you is that you have to a lot of money to be successful. Or that you have to a certain amount of followers to be famous. That’s not true! Read More>>
Adrian Ramos
Caring for my dog Mochi. I never thought a pet could change my life the way he has. Read More>>
Duchess Simone D.
I think others are struggling with how bad they feel because they’re holding it in. You’d be surprised at the amount of people who give themselves stomach cramps by not wanting to pass gas in a room full of people. It’s a bodily function, everybody does it… Is saying excuse me frowned upon? Read More>>
Jennifer Ann Warner
What do I think others are secretly struggling with… but never say?
I think many professional drivers are silently carrying the weight of being expected to operate like machines—always on, always tough, always fine. Behind the wheel, there’s this unspoken pressure to keep going no matter what: long hours, dangerous roads, isolation, and the constant stress of providing for families Read More>>
Tony Hoffer
That sameness equals success. One of the biggest things that plagues wedding photographers is trying to create the same things as everybody else. Chasing trends and chasing clients is always a battle that strips away the joy and originality of what we create. I wish more people in our industry would focus on what makes them unique rather than what makes them more like others. Read More>>
Taylor Miranda
I don’t know if this is an industry lie necessarily, but I have been realizing that people that are doing well in their music careers are often a lot more generous than you would expect. I reached out to many songwriters and music educators in light of my book being released. Read More>>
Freddie Cocker
That therapy is always the answer and that everyone should do it. My life was transformed by therapy, but equally I know it will not work for everyone, especially men. Read More>>
