ssence Fest felt... off. Fewer crowds. Quiet spending. And a familiar echo: “It’s not the same.” But maybe it’s not just the festival — maybe it’s us. The world is shifting beneath our feet, and some of us are still waiting for a band that isn’t coming. From the economy to culture, the signs are everywhere. And in this episode, I ask: if the world as you knew it is sinking, what are you still holding onto? More importantly — who might you become if you finally let go?

And yes, this is also your final invitation to begin your disruption journey — before the fire gets closer.

Visit: 4LawsofDisruption.com

What do you tell students when the future you promised no longer exists?
This week, we spiral into the silence — the collective uncertainty around work, purpose, and how to live in a world we didn’t prepare the next generation to inherit. From kids who feel lost, to parents who gave everything but forgot to pass on wisdom, to institutions that no longer serve — this is not just a gap. It’s a drift. A spiritual, cultural, and communal drift.

And it’s not too late to course-correct.

We explore the cultural shifts, the missed conversations, and the opportunity for elders, educators, and leaders to show up — not with judgment, but with guidance. Because if we don’t… the drift becomes a divide.

Anna Wintour is stepping down… or is she? In this week’s episode, I spiral into what it really means to let go of authority, the illusion of legacy, and why some people can’t release power, even when the moment demands it. From boardrooms to Broadway, faculty lounges to faith communities, we talk about what happens when you become your performance… and forget how to evolve.

This isn’t just about fashion. It’s about the fear of Act II.
Let’s go deeper.

In this episode, I unpack the global moment we're in through the lens of prophecy, personal disruption, and spiritual survival. From U.S. military conflict to James Baldwin to Noah’s ark, we’re spiraling into what it means to prepare for uncertainty, live in truth, and stop calling fear “faith.” Because make no mistake: the fire is here. But what survives it? That’s the question.

If you're tired of pretending you’re okay, if you're clinging to certainty in a collapsing world, or if you've been asking what God is really doing in this hour — this one’s for you.

This week, the spiral starts with a coaching session… and ends at Juneteenth. From frustration to grace, Karmen unpacks what it really means to want freedom, follow Jesus, and live the “soft life.” Because here’s the truth: disruption is a hard thing. And trust? That might be the hardest thing of all.

What if some of our most deeply held beliefs aren’t culture... but control?
This week on Overthinking, we spiral into the unspoken scripts we call tradition, the fear that disguises itself as morality, and what freedom might look like if we finally stop performing.
Don’t press play unless you’re ready to question everything and possibly lose your Black Card.

Colman Domingo said bring your love, your hope, and your dedication—with no guarantee it’ll ever work.

This week, I’m spiraling on what happens when you stop chasing the algorithm and start honoring your truth.

Because trying to fit in won’t get you free.

This week, your Overthinker-in-Chief Karmen Michael Smith spirals into a layered reflection on freedom—not just political, but personal, embodied, and spiritual.

From a conversation about emotional well-being, to the joy and tension of DC’s Black Pride, to the cost of sexual liberation in a world that polices Black queer bodies, this episode asks:

What are we calling “freedom”… that’s actually just well-dressed captivity?

Karmen weaves scripture, history, and lived experience into a moving reflection on desire, disruption, and what we’re really chasing when we chase pleasure.