Have you ever been so sure about someone, only to realize you had them completely wrong?

We all make assumptions about people. We interpret their behaviour, question their intentions and create stories about who they are. But what happens when those stories aren't true?

In this solo episode, I share a personal realization about my ability to read people, how trusting my instincts sometimes worked against me, and the impact my assumptions may have had on my relationships.

We explore the connection between overthinking, judgement and emotions, and why learning to question our own perceptions can change how we connect with others.

Because sometimes the biggest obstacle in a relationship isn't the other person. It's the story we've created about them.

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If you dread going to work, how do you know whether you're dealing with a rough patch, bad management, or a workplace that's genuinely becoming unhealthy?

In this episode, I sit down with Carl Walsh to explore how toxic workplace culture actually shows up, what happens when staying starts changing your confidence and sense of self, and how to decide whether to adapt, speak up, or move on.

Carl also reflects on his own experience leaving a great workplace for a higher-paying job that became one of the worst environments he had worked in, and what it taught him about the true cost of staying too long.

If work is draining you and you're asking yourself whether it's time to leave, this conversation will help you think more clearly about what's really happening and what it may be costing you.

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Why do we feel such a strong need to control people, outcomes and what happens next?

In this episode, I sit down with Jordanna Eyre of Spiral Growth Systems to explore what may be underneath that need, including fear, safety, trust, conditioning and the difficulty of letting go.

We talk about how control can show up in relationships, leadership and everyday life, why people often push back when they feel controlled, and why mindset alone may not be enough to create lasting change.

If you've ever struggled with uncertainty, tried to force an outcome, or wondered why the same patterns keep showing up, this conversation may help you see control differently.

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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.

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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.

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Full episodes are available on YouTube.
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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.

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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.

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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

More episodes and reflections: https://linktr.ee/whatchangedpod