How Learning Differences, Confidence, and One Tiny Daily Ritual Can Change Everything

What if the story you tell yourself about being “not smart enough” is just a bad fit between your brain and a test format? We open up about growing up with the quiet fear of not measuring up, the panic of multiple-choice exams, and the surprising relief that came from changing the way questions were asked. When the puzzle layer fell away, knowledge finally had room to show up—no extra genius required, just a fairer way to think and respond.

From there, we explore learning differences without shame: how timing, ambiguity, and test-maker intent can derail capable minds, and how accommodations like oral exams and extended time aren’t shortcuts but bridges to accuracy. Carmen shares a small, luminous practice—the toothbrushing smile—that acts like a daily reset. It sounds simple because it is: look in the mirror, smile for real, and watch your nervous system unclench. That tiny habit makes it easier to greet strangers with warmth, to start softer, and to carry less static into the day.

The conversation turns on a phrase that finally landed: be not afraid. A client with power and status reflected Carmen’s strengths back to her until they stuck. That mirror—of competence, kindness, and calm under pressure—reframed worth beyond grades, titles, and money. We talk about the mask of “behave as if,” why many of us wear it, and how confidence shifts from performance to alignment when we stop trying to decode other people’s expectations and start honoring our own wiring.

If you’ve ever felt small in classrooms, meetings, or social circles, this story invites you to audit your beliefs: Who taught you them? Do they serve you now? Try the smile ritual, ask for the format that lets your mind work, and practice be not afraid in small, brave steps. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a kinder story about intelligence, and leave a review so more listeners can find their way here.

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Music By Geovane Bruno, Moments, 3481
Editing by Team A-J
Host, Carmen Lezeth


DISCLAIMER: As always, please do your own research and understand that the opinions in this podcast and livestream are meant for entertainment purposes only. States and other areas may have different rules and regulations governing certain aspects discussed in this podcast. Nothing in our podcast or livestream is meant to be medical or legal advice. Please use common sense, and when in doubt, ask a professional for advice, assistance, help and guidance.