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Shifting The Power Balance

Shifting The Power Balance

Von: Dwayne Smith
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Shifting the Power Balance is a workplace law and HR strategy podcast hosted by Dwayne Smith, a leading legal authority and experienced workplace attorney focused on navigating workplace conflict, reducing risk, and strengthening employee-employer relationships.

Created for business owners, C-suite executives, entrepreneurs, HR directors, and organizational thought leaders, this podcast addresses workplace harassment, HR violations, power dynamics, employee handbooks, and the real-world decisions that trigger legal exposure.

Each episode delivers practical guidance on:

  • Navigating workplace investigations and harassment claims
  • Managing employee relations before they escalate
  • Creating legally sound employee handbooks
  • Understanding power imbalances that lead to conflict
  • Reducing liability, insurance claims, and compliance risk
  • Creating productive and successful organizations by making each employee feel valuable

Clear insight. Real examples. Actionable leadership strategies for modern workplaces.

© 2026 Shifting The Power Balance Management & Leadership Ökonomie
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  • Advocating For Dads - David Pisarra

    Advocating For Dads - David Pisarra
    Aug 9 2026
    The following episode description has been created with the assistance of AI. Episode OverviewWhat happens when a father walks into family court feeling invisible, outmatched, and terrified of losing his children? In this episode of Shifting the Power Balance, host Dwayne Smith sits down with David Pisarra — family law attorney, fathers' rights advocate, and founder of Dad's Law School — for a candid conversation about the power dynamics inside the family court system.This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. Part 2 will drop in a couple of weeks. About the GuestDavid Pisarra — Family Law Attorney & Founder, Dad's Law SchoolDavid Pisarra is a family law attorney based in Santa Monica, California, with over 25 years of experience representing fathers in divorce, child custody, and parental alienation cases. In 2021, David founded Dad's Law School — an online education platform and coaching community that equips fathers with the legal knowledge, courtroom skills, and emotional tools to fight for their children, with or without an attorney. TimestampsIntroduction0:20 — Show Introduction & Guest Bio Dwayne introduces David Pisarra and frames the episode's central question: Why do so many fathers enter the family court system powerless — and what does it take to change that? David's Background & Origin Story2:00 — Growing Up in Northern California David grew up in Orinda, CA (East Bay, outside Oakland/San Francisco).2:15 — St. John's College — The Great Books Education Why David chose a small liberal arts school in Annapolis, Maryland. 3:12 — Landing in Los Angeles & Law School A summer working in his brother's law office turned into three years — then law school at the University of West Los Angeles.4:02 — Becoming a Family Law Attorney — Not by Choice David's partner pushed for family law while David wanted business law. Word spread fast at networking events and his calendar filled with family law cases. 5:00 — Narrowing the Practice to Men After going "crazy" doing general family law, David realized he liked certain clients and not others. Boys on the right, girls on the left — and Men's Family Law was born.5:10 — The Shift That Led to Dad's Law School About 10 years ago, David noticed men getting "chewed up by the mission creep of domestic violence law" Dad's Law School launched in 2021. Representing Dads — While Fighting for Kids6:41 — Holding Both Realities: The Client & The Child Dwayne asks how David advocates for dad without losing sight of the child's best interest.7:08 — Dad's Role vs. Dad's Time It's not so much dad's time — it's your role as a parent. What 25+ Years in Family Court Has Taught Him8:27 — The View from the Courtroom David's frank assessment of what he sees: a lot of carnage — and a lot of people fighting for their ego instead of their children.9:04 — How Family Court Cases Break Down 15% of court cases account for virtually all the damage.10:31 — The Good He's Seen "Men generally step up. They generally want to provide for their families and their kids." 11:09 — The Uphill Battle The majority of engaged fathers are fighting a court system that is, in David's words, "definitely not skewed in their favor. Is This a California Problem — or a Global One?11:33 — Dwayne Asks About Geography: Is the alleged bias David sees specific to California's legal culture?11:53 — David's Answer: The Laws Are Mostly the Same The nuance or interpretation differs coast to coast, but the statutory framework is largely similar. 12:32 — A Global Crisis David reports hearing from lawyers and litigants in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, the Czech Republic, Canada, the UK, and Brazil — all experiencing the same systemic failure to support fathers in family court. Does Money — or Lawyer Quality — Determine Outcomes?13:21 — Dwayne's Question: Does a Better Lawyer = Better Outcome for Dad? Drawing a parallel to medicine: does who you hire determine how you do?14:04 — David's Counterintuitive Answer "Not so much." A mediocre lawyer walking in with a mother who can cry on cue will more easily beat an experienced attorney representing a father. Helping Dads Tell Their Story in Court14:48 — The Storytelling Problem Dwayne asks what it actually means to help a dad tell his story effectively.15:00 — Why Dads Don't Know What to Say When a dad walks in and says 'I'm a great dad, give me 50% custody,' that won't cut it against a mother with an encyclopedia of documentation.15:18 — The Kid Inventory The centerpiece of David's book: 123 questions about what a father knows about his child .16...
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    25 Min.
  • More Than A Coach Part II - Vonn Webb

    More Than A Coach Part II - Vonn Webb
    Jul 26 2026
    This Episode Description was completed with the support of AI. EPISODE 13More Than a Coach — Part IIHost: Dwayne Smith | Co-Host: Rudy Davis | Guest: Vonn WebbRuntime: 34:10EPISODE OVERVIEW Part II of the conversation with Coach Vonn Webb goes to the places Part I only hinted at. Dwayne Smith and Rudy Davis pick up with Vonn's memories of playing alongside Michael Jordan, then turn the conversation to NIL, player branding, and the real economics of college athletics — before arriving at the moment that changed Vonn's life forever. On May 10, 2022, Vonn received a call from the Clark County Coroner's Office in Las Vegas. His son Taelin — a record-breaking athlete with NFL aspirations — had died from accidental fentanyl poisoning. In this episode, Vonn shares Taelin's story in full: the basketball-to-football transition, the injuries, the pain medication, the one bad pill. And out of that grief, the founding of the Stay Shaded Foundation — whose mission is to make sure no parent has to get that call. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 — Show Intro & Theme "Power and control is a lifelong struggle for each of us."0:33 — Welcome Back — Recap of Part I Dwayne recaps Vonn's credentials and invites listeners who missed Episode 12 to go back.1:35 — The Michael Jordan Story Vonn was in an All-Star game with MJ. What do you say sitting next to Michael Jordan in the training room? Vonn figured it out — and Jordan never let him forget it.3:29 — "Set Screens." — On Jordan's Competitiveness Game time, Jordan pulls Vonn aside: "All I want you to do is set screens." Rudy: "Vonn, you were the same way at Fifth Street Park."5:29 — Setting the Stage: NIL & the Supreme Court Ruling Dwayne frames the NIL landscape — the 2021 Supreme Court decision, endorsement deals, social media income, Texas Tech's billionaire booster, and the critics who call it pay-to-play recruiting.6:42 — Is NIL Really Empowering Athletes? Vonn: "I think it's a little of both." Athletes earn billions for the NCAA — they deserve to get paid. But right now it's the Wild Wild West, with no real regulation and the power sitting with agents and handlers.8:41 — "If You Don't Have the Money, You Don't Have the Honey" Vonn on the haves and have-nots in college sports: players chase schools with the money. Most of them aren't going pro — they're trying to get financially secure.9:03 — The Uncomfortable Truth: College Football & Revenue Dwayne raises the controversy: 90% of college athletic revenue comes from football. What does it mean that football — largely played by poor and minority kids — subsidizes every other program on campus?10:22 — Vonn Responds: Earn It or Accept It "If you're not earning it, I don't know how you can have issues with how much is being paid out." The programs generating the money have earned the right to drive the bus.12:00 — How NIL Changes Player Development Vonn: "You have them for a year if they're pretty good." The transfer portal means development isn't what it used to be. Kids will leave if they can get paid more elsewhere.12:50 — Deion Sanders Understood It First Everybody has a brand. Deion taught his kids that. What should an 18-year-old athlete with real NIL potential know that nobody is telling them?13:27 — "It's About We, Not Me" — But Not Anymore Vonn's answer: today's system teaches kids, parents, and agents to maximize individual value. He doesn't like it — but he understands it. He draws the line at branding that pulls focus away from performance.15:00 — When Sports Meet Business Rudy connects NIL to the corporate world — you've had a personal brand your whole career, athletes just didn't get paid for it. Vonn shares his work with Athletes to Business, training players to interview and land Fortune 500 jobs.16:04 — The Call No Parent Ever Wants Rudy gently transitions: Vonn got a call not long ago that no parent wants to get. It was about his son Taelin. Rudy gives Vonn all the space he needs.17:06 — Taelin Webb: The Athlete, the Son, the Dream Vonn coached Taelin his senior year of high school after Taelin begged him to take the job. 6'10"-6'11" high jumper. 23-24 foot long jumper. 45" vertical. Set an unofficial world record in kneeling box jumps. Always trying to outdo his dad.19:43 — Basketball to Football: The Victor Cruz Effect Taelin watched an ESPN special on Victor Cruz and called Vonn: "Pops, I think I want to do something different." Vonn called three college football contacts. Southern Utah responded first. Taelin made all-conference as a cornerback.21:45 — Injuries, Pain Medication & the Slide Nobody Saw Injuries on the field led to prescription pain medication. After football, still training for Canada (the NFL wanted more film), Taelin began self-medicating. Coaches had no idea. Family had no idea.22:43 — May 10th, 9:48 AM The call ...
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    34 Min.
  • More Than A Coach Part I - Vonn Webb

    More Than A Coach Part I - Vonn Webb
    Jul 12 2026
    EPISODE OVERVIEWThis is the first of a two-part episode. Dwayne Smith and co-host Rudy Davis sit down with Rudy's friend — Vonn Webb, a 1981 Junction City High School graduate who went on to become one of the most decorated high school basketball coaches in the state of California: two CIF state championships, an 85% winning percentage, and a hand in developing NBA players like Chris Jeffries and Deshaun Stevenson. Vonn also served as an assistant coach in Division I programs, including Wyoming, UC Riverside, and Fresno State, and co-directed Jalen Green's elite AAU program. Part I traces Vonn's journey from the wrestling mats and basketball courts of Junction City, through injury and perseverance in college, to building a dynasty at Washington Union High School. The conversation delves into NIL, the transfer portal, the motivations of today's athletes, and the mentors who shaped all three men. Part II — coming next — delves deeper into Vonn's most personal chapter: the loss of his son, Taelin, and the founding of the Stay Shaded Foundation. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 — Show Intro & Theme "Power and control is a lifelong struggle for each of us."0:33 — Welcome & Episode Introduction Dwayne and Rudy set the stage 1:02 — Why This Episode Is Personal Dwayne reveals the Junction City connection between Rudy and Vonn.1:30 — Introducing Vonn Webb Rudy walks through Vonn's credentials: 2 CIF titles, 85% win percentage, NBA player development, Division I coaching, and Jalen Green's AAU program.2:22 — Growing Up in Junction City Vonn shares stories about his uncle Rico Webb, childhood friendships, and the coaches who first shaped him.3:13 — From Wrestler to Baller Vonn was a state-level wrestler — but his friends played basketball. He switched sports freshman year, and Coach Gibson wasn't happy about it.4:55 — The Coach Who Made Him Fall in Love With the Game Mike Copemeyer — junior high teacher and coach — worked with Vonn the way trainers do today, long before training was a thing.6:40 — Larry Dixon & Upward Bound: The Mentor Who Changed Everything Larry Dixon opened the gym, enrolled Vonn in Upward Bound at Kansas State, and gave him direction when he needed it most. Vonn's grandmother told him that if he was going to college, he'd need a scholarship.7:47 — Junction City as a Life Advantage Rudy asks whether growing up in a military town — with its diversity and transience — gave them a unique edge. Vonn: "A hundred percent."8:59 — The Winding Road to College Broken ankle the night before the season opener. Recruitment dried up. Neosho County, then a walk-on at Kansas State. Then a back injury that sidelined him for nearly three years.13:14 — Western New Mexico & the Football Detour A coach spots Vonn in a men's pickup game and offers him a scholarship. Vonn winds up as an all-conference football player at a school he discovered by accident.14:42 — From Player to Coach: The Transition Vonn turned down pro opportunities in Canada (football) and Australia (basketball) to start teaching and coaching in Fresno. He was always a captain — student council, JROTC, Komo Mantas president — so leadership was never a leap.17:22 — Building Champions at Washington Union High School Vonn opens the gym on weekends, brings in NBA players (including Rod Higgins), and builds a culture from scratch. First year: 31–1, state championship. Two titles in four years. Never lost a league game.23:27 — More Than Wins: The Kids Who Mattered Most Vonn reflects on the student-athletes who never made the NBA — Keith Skanya, Maurice Moore — who became great fathers, businesspeople, and coaches. Former players reach out every Father's Day and birthday. His wife calls it a blessing and a curse.26:50 — Are Kids Different Today? The Frank Martin Quote Dwayne raises Frank Martin's famous quote: "Kids haven't changed. It's the adults who changed." Vonn responds directly — and talks about parents who stopped holding kids accountable.29:10 — Power in Sports Today: NIL, Money & the Transfer Portal Vonn breaks down who has power in college sports now. The Power Four schools are back in control. Mid-majors used to compete by developing overlooked talent — that edge is gone. The best players follow the money.31:10 — How Do You Motivate an Athlete Who's Already Getting Paid? Vonn Dwayne and Rudy unpack the coaching challenge of NIL — when you can't bench a paid player without hurting your own team, accountability gets complicated. "That's part of the reason coaches have gotten out of the game."34:16 — Preview of Part II & Closing Dwayne closes Part I ...
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    36 Min.
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