What Changed? with Dwayne Smith

Dwayne Smith
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

What Changed? is about the things we experience, question, wrestle with, and sometimes carry without really understanding why. I sit down with people who can help me explore those questions more deeply, challenge the way we think, and look at familiar experiences from a different perspective. Sometimes one conversation is enough to make you see something differently. New episodes weekly.

  1. 5d ago

    Why Does Racism Still Exist? What We're Missing About Racism

    Why does racism still exist when we have more awareness, language and information than ever before? In this episode, I sit down with DEI advocate Paul Ladipo to explore why racism persists, how it can show up without obvious hatred, and why conversations about race can make people so defensive. We talk about bias, white privilege, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, intent versus impact, and whether good people can still cause racial harm. It's a thoughtful conversation about what keeps racism alive, why it can be difficult to recognize, and what it might take for us to move forward. 🎥 Prefer to watch the conversation? Full episodes are available on YouTube. Subscribe to What Changed? with Dwayne Smith:https://www.youtube.com/@whatchangedpod Paul Ladipo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ladipo  More episodes and reflections: https://linktr.ee/whatchangedpod

    Why Does Racism Still Exist? What We're Missing About Racism

  2. Sep 22

    Career Change at 40 or 50: Is It Too Late to Start Over?

    Is it too late to change careers at 40 or 50? And what if the years you've spent building your career weren't wasted, even if you're ready for something different? In this episode of What Changed?, I sit down with Carl Walsh, a former professional actor and director turned Disney corporate leader, business consultant and speaker. We explore the fear of starting over, the emotional impact of layoffs, ageism, AI, and whether choosing financial security over meaningful work is worth the trade-off. Carl also shares how one unexpected moment helped him make sense of decades of career changes and recognize something he'd been overlooking all along. If you've ever questioned your career, felt trapped by the years you've invested, or wondered whether it's too late to reinvent yourself, this conversation might change how you see your next chapter. Maybe you're not starting from zero. Maybe you're starting with everything you've learned. 🎥 Prefer to watch the conversation? Full episodes are available on YouTube. Subscribe to What Changed? with Dwayne Smith:https://www.youtube.com/@whatchangedpod Carl Walsh: https://thealphadoggroup.com/ More episodes and reflections: https://linktr.ee/whatchangedpod

    Career Change at 40 or 50: Is It Too Late to Start Over?

  3. Sep 15

    How to Know When to Quit or Keep Going | Shawn Leamon

    How do you know when to keep going, and when it's finally time to let something go? In this episode, I'm joined by entrepreneur Shawn Leamon for a conversation about persistence, fear, sacrifice, and what it really takes to stay committed when there's still very little proof that what you're building will work. Shawn spent years struggling before his first business took off. At 32, he was still living with his parents, couldn't afford a $1,500 apartment, and was being told by people who loved him that maybe he had already "paid his dues." What kept him going wasn't blind confidence. It was learning how to look for small signs of momentum, question the stories fear creates, and decide whether the path still made sense. We also get into the harder side of persistence: what ambition can cost, why every meaningful choice requires sacrifice, and how to know whether the price you're paying is one you're actually willing to live with. Shawn is candid about relationships, regret, success, and why achieving something doesn't necessarily mean you ever feel finished. If you're building something, changing direction, chasing a goal, or quietly wondering "Am I wasting my time?", this conversation is for you. In this episode: How to know whether to quit or keep going Why small signs of progress matter How to separate fear from actual risk Why the "safe" path isn't always safe What persistence can cost you How to decide what you're willing to sacrifice Why success doesn't always feel like arrival What Changed? with Dwayne Smith explores the hidden emotional and psychological work behind change, and what it takes to lead yourself through it. 🎥 Prefer to watch the conversation? Full episodes are available on YouTube. Subscribe to What Changed? with Dwayne Smith:https://www.youtube.com/@whatchangedpod Shawn Leamon: www.lagrandeglobal.com  More episodes and reflections: https://linktr.ee/whatchangedpod

  4. Aug 25

    Should You Stay Together for the Kids? Divorce, Clarity & Starting Over

    Divorce is often talked about as a legal process, but it changes far more than paperwork. It can change your family, your finances, your home, your identity, and how you see your future. In this conversation, I'm joined by Jackie Santin, Executive Divorce Coach and founder of Northlight Divorce Consulting, to talk about what people need to understand when divorce or separation becomes a real possibility. We explore the questions many people quietly carry: What do I do first? Should I stay together for the kids? Do I need a lawyer right away? How do I protect my children? How do I avoid making emotional decisions from fear, guilt, or pressure? Jackie brings a calm and practical perspective on divorce, separation, co-parenting, family impact, legal preparation, and rebuilding yourself after a major life change. This conversation is for anyone thinking about divorce, going through separation, supporting someone they love, or trying to understand how to lead themselves through one of life's hardest transitions. Because divorce is not just about ending a marriage. It is about how you move through everything that changes after. 🎥 Prefer to watch the conversation? Full episodes are available on YouTube. Subscribe to What Changed? with Dwayne Smith:https://www.youtube.com/@whatchangedpod Jackie Santin: www.northlightdivorce.com  More episodes and reflections: https://linktr.ee/whatchangedpod

  5. Aug 18

    Why Men and Women Feel More Disconnected Than Ever

    Why does modern love feel so hard? In this episode of What Changed?, I sit down with architect and holistic guide Edyta Lesiewicz to explore why relationships can feel increasingly out of balance, even when two people genuinely care about each other. We talk about the patterns we inherit from our families, the expectations we carry into love, and how those influences can shape who we choose and how we show up in relationships. Edyta also shares her perspective on masculine and feminine energy, why people can lose connection when they stop being curious about each other, and what her own marriage and divorce taught her about growth. We also explore the difference between listening and fixing, why unspoken feelings can create distance, and what it means to keep choosing your partner as both people continue to change. This conversation is about looking beyond the idea of simply finding the "right person" and asking a deeper question: who are you becoming inside the relationship? If love has ever felt confusing, exhausting or harder than you expected, this episode may give you a different way to look at what is happening underneath the surface. 🎥 Prefer to watch the conversation? Full episodes are available on YouTube. Subscribe to What Changed? with Dwayne Smith:https://www.youtube.com/@whatchangedpod Edyta Lesiewicz: https://www.youtube.com/@queenawaken  More episodes and reflections: https://linktr.ee/whatchangedpod

    Why Men and Women Feel More Disconnected Than Ever

  6. Aug 11

    The Hidden Reason You Keep Avoiding What Matters | Jennie Hays

    You know what you need to do, so why can't you make yourself do it? In this episode, I speak with Jennie Hays, an Execution Block Specialist, about the hidden patterns behind procrastination, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and feeling stuck. Jennie helped me understand why capable people can still struggle to take action, even when they have the knowledge, tools, and experience to move forward. This conversation may help you see your own patterns with more compassion. You may not be lazy, incapable, or broken. You may simply be blocked. 🎥 Prefer to watch the conversation? Full episodes are available on YouTube. Subscribe to What Changed? with Dwayne Smith:https://www.youtube.com/@whatchangedpod Jennie Hays: www.jenniehays.com  More episodes and reflections: https://linktr.ee/whatchangedpod

    The Hidden Reason You Keep Avoiding What Matters | Jennie Hays

  7. Aug 4

    AI Is Rising, But Emotional Intelligence Is Falling | Michael Neuendorff

    AI is changing how we work, communicate, and lead. But as artificial intelligence becomes faster and easier to rely on, what happens to human connection? In this episode of What Changed?, I sit down with Michael Neuendorff, an executive coach and team trainer, to explore why emotional intelligence may matter more than ever in an AI-driven workplace. We talk about the tension between AI and human connection, why leaders may be tempted to use AI to script difficult conversations, and how that can weaken the very skills that help people build trust, handle conflict, and lead with empathy. Michael also shares why emotional intelligence is not just a "soft skill," but a leadership advantage connected to employee engagement, recognition, feedback, and the way people feel at work. This conversation is for anyone thinking about the future of work, leadership, communication, and what it means to stay human as technology keeps moving faster. Because AI can help us move quicker. But it cannot replace the human work of connection. 🎥 Prefer to watch the conversation? Full episodes are available on YouTube. Subscribe to What Changed? with Dwayne Smith:https://www.youtube.com/@whatchangedpod Michael Neuendorff: https://www.bayareaexecutivecoach.com/ More episodes and reflections: https://linktr.ee/whatchangedpod

    AI Is Rising, But Emotional Intelligence Is Falling | Michael Neuendorff

  8. Jul 28

    What It Really Takes to Become an Entrepreneur | Andrew Wildman

    A lot of people want to become entrepreneurs because they know there's more for them, but fear, comfort and the security of a job keep them from starting. Andrew Wildman knows what it means to choose a different path. He dropped out of high school, built his entrepreneurial instincts through music and several business ventures, and eventually created Bank Vodka, a Canadian luxury brand. In this conversation, we talk about what aspiring entrepreneurs need to understand before they start, including risk, resilience, money, failure, crowded markets and the reality of building something without a perfect roadmap. Andrew also shares the corporate experience that changed how he viewed security, why he believes there's still room for new businesses in saturated industries, and how every failed attempt helped prepare him for the brand he's building today. This episode is for anyone thinking about starting a business, leaving a path they've outgrown or finally acting on the idea they keep putting off. 🎥 Prefer to watch the conversation? Full episodes are available on YouTube. Subscribe to What Changed? with Dwayne Smith:https://www.youtube.com/@whatchangedpod Andrew Wildman: www.bankvodka.com  More episodes and reflections: https://linktr.ee/whatchangedpod

    What It Really Takes to Become an Entrepreneur | Andrew Wildman
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About

What Changed? is about the things we experience, question, wrestle with, and sometimes carry without really understanding why. I sit down with people who can help me explore those questions more deeply, challenge the way we think, and look at familiar experiences from a different perspective. Sometimes one conversation is enough to make you see something differently. New episodes weekly.

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