The Positivity Hour

Darshaun Smith

Welcome to The Positivity Hour, hosted by Darshaun Smith. New episodes drop every Sunday at 12:00 PM Central Time. Each week, I share conversations about positivity, personal growth, current events, mindset, money, and my journey building my creative business, Darshaun Smith Productions. My goal is to provide practical insights that help you grow, think differently, and keep moving forward. Guest episodes may be recorded from time to time, and as i woul say, anything said during a recording will be used in the final edited episode. Thanks for tuning in and have a great day my friend.

  1. Sep 6

    HOW TO BEAT ANALYSIS PARALYSIS | EP. 245

    In Episode 245 of The Positivity Hour, I talk about analysis paralysis—that feeling when you have so many things to think about, research, plan, and consider that you end up doing everything except the thing that actually moves you forward. The key to breaking out of it? Mental clarity. Before you start working, you need to understand what your dream outcome actually looks like. Once you know where you're trying to go, you can start identifying the actions that will genuinely move you closer to that goal instead of filling your time with busy work that doesn't really matter. I use a personal experience from building Darshaun Smith Productions as a real-world example. I've been working on business systems that would allow a future team to edit photos and videos in a way that's consistent with my creative style. The problem? I don't currently have a team of employees. So why was I spending so much time building systems for people who aren't even there yet? That realization forced me to step back and ask myself what actually needs to happen right now versus what can wait until the business reaches the next stage. That's the heart of this episode: clarity helps you separate what's important from what's simply keeping you busy. If you're constantly planning but struggling to execute, have a million ideas but don't know where to start, or find yourself preparing for a future that hasn't arrived yet, this episode is for you. Get clear on the outcome. Identify what actually matters. Then go do the work. And as always, I want to remind you of something before you go: You're amazing. You are capable of achieving your dreams. But you've got to focus up, get to work, and keep moving forward. TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 INTRO 0:26 MAIN TOPIC QUICK (PERSONAL BACK STORY) 1:49 MAIN TOPIC (3 ACTION STEPS TO BEAT ANALYSIS PARALYSIS) 9:49 OUTRO (THANKS FOR WATCHING, YOU ARE LOVED!) WANT CONTENT LIKE THIS: VISIT MY WEBSITE AND BOOK A SHOOT https://www.dsmithproductions.com/ VIEW ALL MY SOCIAL LINKS:⁠https://linktr.ee/The_positivity_god⁠ Now do yourself a favor and like, subscribe, dislike, unsubscribe, hate comment, share, or report, I don't care what you do, as long as you are staying positive at the end of the day, that's all that really matters. I love and appreciate you all my #PositivitiyGang members, stay safe and most of all stay positive. #Peace✌🖖🤟 #115550 #pg-ent #thepositivitygod #the_positivity_god #StayPositive #PositivityGangEnterprise #Positivity #Darshaunsmith WANT CONTENT LIKE THIS: VISIT MY WEBSITE AND BOOK A SHOOT https://www.dsmithproductions.com/ VIEW ALL MY SOCIAL LINKS: https://linktr.ee/The_positivity_god

    HOW TO BEAT ANALYSIS PARALYSIS | EP. 245
  2. Aug 30

    BUSINESS UPDATE & HOW I FOUND MYSELF AGAIN IN 2026 | EP. 244

    IN THIS PODCAST, I DARSHAUN SMITH TALK ABOUT SOME UPDATES ABOUT THE BUSINESS AND THE WEBSITE. THEN WE SPEND A HOT MINUTE ON HOW I FOUND MYSELF AGAIN, THE PEOPLE AND VIDEOS THAT HELP SHINE LIGHT INTO MY DARKNESS AND WHAT'S NEXT FOR ME, THE PODCAST, AND THE BUSINESS, AND MY LIFE AS A WHOLE. 2026 HAS BEEN A GREAT YEAR! NOTHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT, THIS HAS BEEN THE BEST YEAR OF MY LIFE BY FAR!! VIDEOS MENTIONED: NOT IN ORDER LOL... - https://youtu.be/ZgD-5ZEWeXs?si=rY1Td41bG-hJQjTc - https://youtu.be/awwAXvcwCg4?si=qYlcBAvF71MPTvyo - https://youtu.be/KhHUETkzaJk?si=iCEJJwnJePj4TlHH - https://youtu.be/BRUUC0am6zQ?si=0Nf_uPNtgJL9fxf_ - https://youtu.be/2qXwvxR1iAs?si=I-6glBP5odBo0d3S - https://youtu.be/SDHKQbKC7gA?si=G-YXV0ZvmgwrQz3U - https://youtube.com/shorts/ydNmwD_soK8?si=qRqgDCy7sKHFERI6 - https://youtube.com/shorts/bHPKDdzpPpw?si=ZzlCY4mqNGEXaVMd - https://youtu.be/dAxVMaZCiyg?si=1EBLH503EV9vvzGS - https://youtu.be/rPAtWCbuZTI?si=3qleoU_YoL_y3VE- TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 INTRO 0:29 MAIN TOPIC QUICK 2:02 BUSINESS UPDATE (MY WEBSITE AND SUCH) 45:35 HOW I FOUND MYSELF AGAIN (TOOK 7 YEARS, BUT WE GOT THERE) 1:35:16 OUTRO!! (NEW SONG PREVIEW) WANT CONTENT LIKE THIS: VISIT MY WEBSITE AND BOOK A SHOOT https://www.dsmithproductions.com/ VIEW ALL MY SOCIAL LINKS: https://linktr.ee/The_positivity_god Now do yourself a favor and like, subscribe, dislike, unsubscribe, hate comment, share, or report, I don't care what you do, as long as you are staying positive at the end of the day, that's all that really matters. I love and appreciate you all my #PositivitiyGang members, stay safe and most of all stay positive. #Peace✌🖖🤟 #115550 #pg-ent #thepositivitygod #the_positivity_god #StayPositive #PositivityGangEnterprise #Positivity #Darshaunsmith WANT CONTENT LIKE THIS: VISIT MY WEBSITE AND BOOK A SHOOT https://www.dsmithproductions.com/ VIEW ALL MY SOCIAL LINKS: https://linktr.ee/The_positivity_god

    BUSINESS UPDATE & HOW I FOUND MYSELF AGAIN IN 2026 | EP. 244
  3. Aug 16

    3 Reasons Your Business Needs Better Packaging | EP. 242

    In Episode 242 of The Positivity Hour, I take a step back from the usual personal development conversations and talk about something every business owner needs to think about: how you package what you sell. Having a great product or service is only part of building a successful business. If people don't understand what you do, who it's for, what they're getting, or why it's worth the price, getting them to buy becomes much harder. I break down three reasons why business packaging matters: 1. Packaging tells people what you actually do. Your customers shouldn't have to figure out your business on their own. Your offers should clearly communicate what you provide and who you help. 2. Packaging makes buying easier. Customers don't always know exactly what they need. A well-built package gives them direction and makes the decision-making process much simpler. 3. Packaging communicates your value. You're not just selling a product or a service. You're selling the experience, expertise, process, deliverables, and results that come with it. Good packaging helps customers understand what they're actually paying for. I also use Darshaun Smith Productions as a real-world case study, including the lessons I've learned while developing DSP's photography, videography, and graphic design offerings. From clearly communicating starting prices to breaking down coverage, deliverables, delivery, and who each package is best for, I've learned that the way you present your services can be just as important as the services themselves. To finish the main topic, I give you one action step you can take today: pick one service you offer and answer five simple questions: What is it? Who is it for? What problem does it solve? What does the customer receive? And what does it start at? If you can answer those questions clearly, you're already on your way to creating an offer that's easier to understand, easier to sell, and easier for the right customer to say yes to. Whether you're building a creative business, starting your first company, or trying to improve an existing business, this episode is all about making your value easier to see. Don't make people work to understand your business. Make it easy to understand, easy to compare, and easy to buy. VIDEO MENTIONED: - https://youtu.be/jBtwzVFPc4M?si=3-OPDGtXbebfIN_0 TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 INTRO (MAIN TOPIC IS LESS THAN 3 MINUTES) 2:45 TIME CAPSULE (LAST WEEK'S PODCAST, AND NFL BROWNS GAME) 6:58 MAIN TOPIC / LET'S GET PERSONAL 12:18 REASON #1 (BETTER PACKAGING TELLS PEOPLE WHAT YOU ACTUALLY DO) 15:08 REASON #2 (THE RIGHT PACKAGING MAKES BUYING EASIER) 17:38 REASON #3 (PACKAGING COMMUNICATES YOUR VALUE) 23:33 ACTION STEP TO FIX YOUR PACKAGING TODAY! (5 QUESTIONS TO ASK AND IMPLEMENT) 31:33 WISDOM FROM AND OG (LAMBORGHINI CASE STUDY) 36:56 OUTRO, THANKS FOR WATCHING! VISIT MY WEBSITE TODAY: And book a shoot!! https://www.dsmithproductions.com/ VIEW ALL MY SOCIAL LINKS: https://linktr.ee/The_positivity_god Now do yourself a favor and like, subscribe, dislike, unsubscribe, hate comment, share, or report, I don't care what you do, as long as you are staying positive at the end of the day, that's all that really matters. I love and appreciate you all my #PositivitiyGang members, stay safe and most of all stay positive. #Peace✌🖖🤟 #115550 #pg-ent #thepositivitygod #the_positivity_god #StayPositive #PositivityGangEnterprise #Positivity #Darshaunsmith VISIT MY WEBSITE TODAY: https://www.dsmithproductions.com/ VIEW ALL MY SOCIAL LINKS: https://linktr.ee/The_positivity_god

    3 Reasons Your Business Needs Better Packaging | EP. 242
  4. Aug 10

    You Are the Culture: Be the Change You Want to See | EP. 241

    What exactly is culture? Who creates it? And what role do we play in shaping the culture of the places we call home? In Episode 241 of The Positivity Hour, I take a deep dive into the concept of culture and what it actually means in 2026. We often talk about culture like it's something that simply exists around us, but the reality is that we are the people creating it every single day. I look at how culture develops locally in cities like Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and Chicago, and why so many people can feel like there's "nothing to do" in their communities. Instead of always waiting for someone else to create something, what if we became the people who create the experiences, events, businesses, art, conversations, and communities we wish existed? That leads to the biggest message of this episode: You have to be the change you want to see in the world. I also open the episode with a Time Capsule discussion about some of the cultural conversations happening in the United States and the WNBA surrounding transgender women in women's sports. I share my perspective on the distinction between biological sex and gender and why I believe these complicated conversations deserve to be discussed honestly and respectfully. The Time Capsule section also includes something positive: I look at Europe's progress toward its renewable energy goals and highlight how large-scale change is possible when people commit to a long-term vision. Finally, I share two amazing quotes I heard this past week and give an update on Darshaun Smith Productions. I've been making significant progress behind the scenes, and I'm getting closer to the point where I can shift my focus back toward the money-making actions that will continue moving the business forward. This episode is ultimately about participation. You don't have to wait for your city, your community, your industry, or the world to become what you want it to be. Start creating it. Because culture isn't just something you consume. Culture is something you make. CONTENT MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST: - https://youtu.be/s7ASoHd_zE4?si=Q4xpLFY57TZthtqN - https://youtu.be/ZgD-5ZEWeXs?si=Xd_omY2imO6ZzB6Q - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTV_PgeOIMA - https://youtu.be/3tZgwYfo_ok?si=t340UnV-YOamqodV&t=192 - https://www.unesco.org/en/query-list/c/culture - https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culture - https://people.tamu.edu/~i-choudhury/culture.html - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_culture - https://simplicable.com/culture/local-culture - https://www.quora.com/What-do-people-mean-when-they-say-there-is-nothing-to-do-in-their-city - https://www.excelsior.edu/article/strong-organizational-culture/ - https://www.newbocitymarket.org/ - https://www.matthew-25.org/cultivate-hope-corner-store/ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 INTRO / MAIN TOPIC IN 87 SECONDS 1:27 TIME CAPSULE (WNBA TRANSGENDER DEBATE / RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRESS) 15:58 MAIN TOPIC CONTEXT (THERE'S NOTHING TO DO IN MY CITY, WHY IS THAT?) 18:20 MAIN TOPIC (HOW IS LOCAL CULTURE CREATED, AND HOW CAN YOU HELP CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR LOCAL SCENE) 57:18 LET'S GET PERSONAL (ALMOST DONE WITH MY WEBSITE, GOING HARD IN THE GYM, HMB SEASON ALMOST BACK) 1:11:10 WISDOM FROM AN OG (QUOTES FROM RYAN BURTON AND JAMES PUMPHERY) 1:19:44 OUTRO! THANKS FOR WATCHING AND I'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK! VISIT MY WEBSITE TODAY: And book a shoot!! https://www.dsmithproductions.com/ VIEW ALL MY SOCIAL LINKS: https://linktr.ee/The_positivity_god Now do yourself a favor and like, subscribe, dislike, unsubscribe, hate comment, share, or report, I don't care what you do, as long as you are staying positive at the end of the day, that's all that really matters. I love and appreciate you all my #PositivitiyGang members, stay safe and most of all stay positive. #Peace✌🖖🤟 #115550 #pg-ent #thepositivitygod #the_positivity_god #StayPositive #PositivityGangEnterprise #Positivity #Darshaunsmith

    You Are the Culture: Be the Change You Want to See | EP. 241
  5. Aug 2

    YOU'RE WATCHING EVERYONE LIVE LIFE BUT YOURSELF! | EP. 240

    In this episode of The Positivity Hour, I talk about a habit that's holding so many people back: spending more time watching other people live their dreams than working on our own. Whether it's social media, YouTube, television, or constantly comparing ourselves to everyone else, it's easy to spend hours consuming someone else's life while neglecting our own. Before we know it, another day has passed, and we've made little progress toward the goals that matter most to us. This episode is just as much a reminder for me as it is for you. I've been challenging myself to be more intentional with my time, to focus on what I can control, and to use every hour of the day to move one step closer to the life I'm trying to build. Every minute spent learning, creating, improving, or serving others is an investment in my future. To wrap up the episode, I share practical advice you can apply immediately, and it all comes down to one simple idea: Do the math. We all have the same 24 hours in a day. We can't create more time, but we can choose how we spend the time we've been given. The habits you build, the priorities you set, and the decisions you make today will shape the life you have tomorrow. The difference isn't that some people are given more hours than others. The difference is often how those hours are invested. If you've been waiting for the perfect moment to start, this is your sign to begin. Stop measuring your life against someone else's highlight reel. Put your head down, focus on your own journey, and start building a life you're proud of—one hour, one decision, and one day at a time. Your dreams won't build themselves. Get to work, stay consistent, and make today count. VIDEOS MENTIONED: - https://youtu.be/Eo9HJUorNsU?si=dlLwbnV8eTk7X_gB&t=136 - https://youtu.be/8-tpfXNfi4w?si=o0L_Rs6vuESU79Cw - https://youtu.be/VaemntLsxoQ?si=Ryq5xXfp8Qin_C86 TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 INTRO 2:34 MAIN TOPIC / WE ALL HAVE THE SAME 24 HOURS A DAY 16:02 MAIN TAKE AWAYS OF THE PODCAST 19:17 WISDOM FROM AN OG / OUTRO VISIT MY WEBSITE TODAY: And book a shoot!! https://www.dsmithproductions.com/ VIEW ALL MY SOCIAL LINKS:⁠https://linktr.ee/The_positivity_god⁠ Now do yourself a favor and like, subscribe, dislike, unsubscribe, hate comment, share, or report, I don't care what you do, as long as you are staying positive at the end of the day, that's all that really matters. I love and appreciate you all my #PositivitiyGang members, stay safe and most of all stay positive. #Peace✌🖖🤟 #115550 #pg-ent #thepositivitygod #the_positivity_god #StayPositive #PositivityGangEnterprise #Positivity #Darshaunsmith VISIT MY WEBSITE TODAY: https://www.dsmithproductions.com/ VIEW ALL MY SOCIAL LINKS: https://linktr.ee/The_positivity_god

    YOU'RE WATCHING EVERYONE LIVE LIFE BUT YOURSELF! | EP. 240
  6. Jul 26

    4 MANTRAS THAT WILL CHANGE HOW YOU VIEW PERSONAL GROWTH IN 2026 | EP. 239

    In this episode of The Positivity Hour, I share four mantras that have completely changed the way I approach personal growth in 2026. If you're serious about becoming a better version of yourself, these principles can help you stay focused when the journey gets difficult. The four mantras are: 1. Listen to people closest to your goals, not closest to your current self. 2. Don't let someone else's perception of you become your reality. 3. People will call you "cringe" while you're climbing the ladder—but it's only cringe until you make it. 4. Some people struggle to accept when someone they know rises above the expectations they had for them—and even for themselves. Throughout the episode, I break down what each of these ideas means and how they've shaped my own mindset as I've continued to grow both personally and professionally. I also give an update on my own journey in 2026 and the work that's happening behind the scenes at Darshaun Smith Productions. From studying sales psychology and improving my communication skills to updating my business website and becoming more disciplined in the gym, I'm committed to getting just a little better every day. None of these goals happen overnight, but every small improvement compounds over time. The biggest lesson from this episode is simple: focus on yourself, focus on your goals, and don't let outside opinions determine the direction of your life. Growth isn't always comfortable, and not everyone will understand your vision. That's okay. Your job isn't to convince everyone else—it's to keep showing up and doing the work. If you stay consistent, remain coachable, and refuse to give up, you might surprise yourself with what's possible. Keep working. Keep growing. And remember—your future is built by the choices you make today. VIDEOS MENTIONED: - https://youtu.be/BM6xaAHRRYE?si=F4H27QSRCWRKWpOa - https://youtu.be/z_YsI8vd-DA?si=rtFHpVwhMxN11Kq8 - https://youtu.be/8-tpfXNfi4w?si=PJXxB0zD8kklJrtl - https://youtu.be/rTefie-IHSk?si=LwJXcLnCOypy9eYX - https://youtu.be/5SK7LBYcjYs?si=Yx2d4IRhVYgYMy1N - https://youtube.com/shorts/ydNmwD_soK8?si=ZZd4VKpLfwlXMHeD - https://youtube.com/shorts/bHPKDdzpPpw?si=UZkuFhGAf38vEhPp TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 INTRO MAIN TOPIC RAPID FIRE! 1:48 MAIN TOPIC CONTEXT 5:42 WHAT IS A MANTRA? 8:11 MANTRA #1 EXPLAINED 10:29 MANTRA #2 EXPLAINED 13:10 MANTRA #3 EXPLAINED 19:20 MANTRA #4 EXPLAINED 25:01 LET'S GET PERSONAL ABOUT TRYING TO LEVEL UP YOUR SOCIAL CLASS 30:17 OUTRO!! THANKS FOR WATCHING VISIT MY WEBSITE TODAY: And book a shoot!! https://www.dsmithproductions.com/ VIEW ALL MY SOCIAL LINKS: https://linktr.ee/The_positivity_god Now do yourself a favor and like, subscribe, dislike, unsubscribe, hate comment, share, or report, I don't care what you do, as long as you are staying positive at the end of the day, that's all that really matters. I love and appreciate you all my #PositivitiyGang members, stay safe and most of all stay positive. #Peace✌🖖🤟 #115550 #pg-ent #thepositivitygod #the_positivity_god #StayPositive #PositivityGangEnterprise #Positivity #Darshaunsmith VISIT MY WEBSITE TODAY: https://www.dsmithproductions.com/ VIEW ALL MY SOCIAL LINKS: https://linktr.ee/The_positivity_god

    4 MANTRAS THAT WILL CHANGE HOW YOU VIEW PERSONAL GROWTH IN 2026 | EP. 239

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Positivity Hour, hosted by Darshaun Smith. New episodes drop every Sunday at 12:00 PM Central Time. Each week, I share conversations about positivity, personal growth, current events, mindset, money, and my journey building my creative business, Darshaun Smith Productions. My goal is to provide practical insights that help you grow, think differently, and keep moving forward. Guest episodes may be recorded from time to time, and as i woul say, anything said during a recording will be used in the final edited episode. Thanks for tuning in and have a great day my friend.