CHEERS to the 50th episode of The SMARTA Podcast! Today, I’m joined by someone whose work has transformed how thousands of people think about money, mindset, and true freedom: Jason Graystone, investor, entrepreneur, mentor, and author of Always Free.

Jason is best known for helping people master their finances through emotional intelligence and practical trading strategies that go beyond wealth they’re about living on your own terms. With over 8 million views on his viral YouTube video, Jason’s philosophy has inspired a generation to stop chasing money and start creating meaning.

In this conversation, we explore what it really means to be free: mentally, financially, and emotionally and how to build a life around passion, purpose, and smart choices.

💡 What You’ll Learn

1. What financial freedom truly means (and why it’s not about money).

2. How to develop the mindset for wealth and independence.

3. The power of knowing who you are and not living by others’ expectations.

4. How to start investing and managing money as a young professional.

5. Why “hard work” is a myth, and what to focus on instead.

6. The Freedom Lifestyle Formula and how to apply it to your goals.

7. The importance of your environment and how it shapes your success.

In this episode:

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction

01:20 – What Trading Really Is (Explained Simply)

03:31 – Three Takeaways to Financial Freedom

04:43 – How Mindset Shapes Money and Freedom

10:19 – The Power of Boredom and Clarity

10:56 – What Freedom Really Means

15:30 – The Freedom Lifestyle Formula

17:53 – The Five-Year Rule for Building Wealth

19:21 – Surrounding Yourself with the Right People

23:22 – Dealing with Negativity and “Haters”

25:36 – Lessons from Sir Richard Branson

27:36 – Making Bold Decisions and Taking Risks

30:15 – The “Always Free” Challenge Pitch

33:07 – Advice to His 17-Year-Old Self

37:57 – Books That Changed Jason’s Life

39:26 – What Schools Should Teach About Purpose

40:58 – Final Message: Don’t Live Someone Else’s Life

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📺 Watch on YouTube: The SMARTA Podcast Playlist

🌐 Learn more about Sonia Marta: www.soniamarta.com

📖 Get your copy of Always Free by Jason Graystone.

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Today on The SMARTA Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Pamela Ellis, widely known as ‘The Education Doctor’ an award-winning educational consultant, researcher, and author who has personally visited more than 500 colleges and universities.

If you’re a parent, student, or educator navigating the road to college, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode, we unpack the real roadmap to college success beyond grades, test scores, and rankings. Dr. Ellis shares how to find your true “fit,” manage the stress of applications, and set up both parents and students for a confident, clear, and joyful journey.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

1. Why the college process starts with the student, not the school

2. How to build the right mindset before applications even begin

3. The five key types of “fit” every student should evaluate (academic, social, financial, vocational, cultural)

4. How to make each high school year, from freshman to senior, strategic for college prep

5. The truth about financial aid and scholarships most families overlook

6. How to help teens take ownership of their journey and reduce parental stress

7. What really matters most in a college application, straight from an expert who’s worked with 500+ campuses

With a PhD from Stanford, an MBA from Dartmouth, and decades of experience guiding students and families through the college admissions process, Dr. Ellis is on a mission to help young people not just get in, but succeed and thrive once they arrive.

Find out more here: https://theeducationdoctor.com/

In this episode:

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction to Dr. Pamela Ellis

01:04 – The 3 Key Takeaways for Every Family

03:05 – Why Mindset Matters Before the College Process

06:00 – Understanding the Five Pillars of College Fit

12:02 – How to Tell Your Story Authentically in Applications

15:09 – Freshman Year: Building Social Confidence

18:11 – Sophomore Year: Discovering Real Interests

21:40 – Junior Year: The “Make or Break” Year for Research

28:30 – Senior Year Strategy: Common Mistakes to Avoid

30:49 – Navigating Scholarships and Financial Aid

37:49 – What Parents Need to Know About Letting Go

41:36 – Advice to Her 17-Year-Old Self

43:31 – The Books That Changed Her Life

45:57 – What Admissions Officers Really Look For

47:41 – Final Message: Start With Who You Are

Watch the full episode on YouTube and subscribe for more weekly conversations that fuel growth, clarity, and leadership from the inside out.

📺 Watch on YouTube: The SMARTA Podcast Playlist

🌐 Find out more about Sonia: www.soniamarta.com

📲 Follow Sonia’s journey: Instagram @soniamartaauthor | linktr.ee/soniamartauthor

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Nikki Butlin, entrepreneur, author of Driven to Achieve, and a powerhouse leader who blends resilience, authenticity, and candour with business acumen. Inspired by her father Peter’s journey of building a multi-million-pound company, Nikki forged her own path, navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, leadership, and life as a single mother while launching her business, Athena Business Services.

Nikki shares her insights on what it really takes to succeed, from mastering cash flow and building confidence, to leading yourself before leading others, and embracing resilience in the face of setbacks. With her signature mix of compassion and sass, she delivers no-nonsense lessons for anyone ready to drive their own future forward.

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

• Why character, confidence, and resilience matter more than credentials

• The framework of Cash Flow Mastery and how to apply it in your own life

• Why leadership starts with self-leadership

• The role of authenticity in building meaningful businesses and careers

• How to overcome overthinking and perfectionism to finally start

• Why confidence often outweighs credentials in creating real success

Nikki Butlin is an entrepreneur, director, and author of Driven to Achieve. She has decades of experience building and scaling businesses, turning adversity into opportunity, and inspiring others to take ownership of their future.

Take Nikki’s free quiz here https://driventoachieve.co.uk/the-driven-formula-quiz

In this episode:

00:00 – Welcome & Key Takeaways for Listeners

03:01 – Turning Adversity into Your Biggest Asset

05:14 – The Importance of Self-Leadership

07:44 – Building Confidence Through Action (Why It Matters More Than Credentials)

10:09 – The Cash Flow Mastery Framework Explained

12:13 – Misconceptions About Leadership (What Young People Should Know)

13:46 – Building Resilience: Daily Habits & Mindset Shifts

16:25 – Finding Your Passion & Following It

17:50 – Advice for Overthinkers and Perfectionists

19:11 – Overcoming Fear and Taking Action

21:16 – Authenticity in Business and Leadership

23:43 – Following Your Own Path vs. External Pressures

26:59 – The Journey of Self-Discovery and Career Changes

29:38 – Advice to the Younger Generation

31:53 – Imagining a Business Without Financial Constraints

33:12 – Taking Control of Your Life’s Journey

🔔 Subscribe for more weekly episodes that fuel growth, clarity, and leadership from the inside out.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

📺 Watch the full episodes on YouTube: SMARTA Podcast Playlist

🌍 Find out more about Sonia: www.soniamarta.com

📲 Follow Sonia’s journey on Instagram: @soniamartaauthor | Linktree