What if the only thing standing between you and financial freedom is the story you keep telling yourself about money?

Today on The SMARTA Podcast, we’re cutting through the noise. We’re talking about the money habits keeping you stuck, the mindset shifts that actually matter, and the three mistakes almost EVERYONE makes. Even high-net-worth families Jacqui advises. Whether you’re 17, 27, or 47, this episode gives you the clarity you wish school had taught you.

What you’ll learn:

• The 3 biggest money mistakes and how to avoid them

• How to shift your money mindset (even if you grew up with scarcity)

• Why your financial literacy matters more than your income

• How to build control with one simple habit

• How to handle peer pressure, lifestyle creep, and “wearing and driving your money”

• What financial independence actually looks like at 18+

• Why money is a tool, not your identity

• How to start building your safety net today

Jacqui Clarke is one of Australia’s leading strategic financial advisors, known for guiding some of the country’s wealthiest families. Author of Stop Worrying About Money, she’s built a career demystifying finance, simplifying money for the everyday person, and teaching people how to take back control of their financial lives.

Find her here: jacquiclarke.me

BUY JACQUI’S BOOK

Stop Worrying About Money:

👉 Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Stop-Worrying-About-Money

In this episode:

00:00 – Welcome + Why Finance Feels Complicated

00:51 – The 3 Big Money Takeaways

01:55 – Your Money Mindset Shift

02:40 – Why Talking About Money Matters

04:52 – Money, Values & Goal Setting

07:45 – Taking Back Control of Your Spending

10:20 – Lifestyle Choices & The “Front Door Cost”

11:46 – Healthy Money Habits at 18

13:08 – Money Mistake #1: Wearing & Driving Your Money

17:55 – Emotional Money Pitfalls

20:39 – Money Mistake #2: Head-in-the-Sand

21:07 – Money Mistake #3: Not Knowing Your Baseline

24:39 – Building Financial Literacy Today

26:59 – Lifestyle Creep & Living Within Your Means

33:24 – The Hard Truth About Money

34:42 – How Creatives Can Stay True and Earn

35:58 – Advice to Her 17-Year-Old Self

36:29 – Books That Changed Her Life

37:00 – Final Message to You

🎄 GIVEAWAY NOTE

This is one of the final guests before December! I’m running a Christmas giveaway with three finance & self-development books, details will drop in the next episode. Stay tuned. Follow my Instagram to stay up to date to any updates and news!

If you learned something new from this episode, double-check that you’re subscribed for more weekly conversations that fuel growth, clarity, and leadership from the inside out. Also, rate this podcast 5 stars as it’s what helps me grow the show!

📺 Watch on YouTube: The SMARTA Podcast Playlist

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

📖 See Sonia’s books: www.soniamarta.com/books.

📲 Follow Sonia on Instagram @soniamartaauthor and connect via linktr.ee/soniamartauthor

What if the only thing standing between you and the life you want… is courage?

If you’ve ever doubted yourself, felt behind, or wondered if you’re “too much” or “not enough,” today’s episode is just what you needed.

In this conversation, bestselling author and leadership expert Sonia McDonald reveals the mindset shifts, courage rituals, and confidence habits that helped her rebuild her life from scratch after a “life-quake,” become a global keynote speaker, and develop her signature philosophy of leading with kindness, courage, and authenticity.

What we talk about:

• How to build unshakeable self-belief (even when you’re scared)

• Why courage is a muscle and how to strengthen it

• How to lead with kindness without losing your power

• Why authenticity is your greatest competitive advantage

• What the “Courage Compass” is and how to use it in real life

What You’ll Learn:

1. Why courage + kindness are the leadership skills of the future

2. How to reinvent yourself after setbacks, rejection, or starting over

3. The daily neuroscience-backed habits Sonia uses to create confidence

4. How to stop people-pleasing and become unapologetically yourself

5. The one mindset shift that eliminates imposter syndrome

6. How to find your purpose and use it to fuel action, not pressure

7. Why your 8-year-old self and your future self hold the keys to your success

Sonia McDonald is an award-winning global keynote speaker, leadership expert, CEO of LeadershipHQ, and author of Just Rock It, Leadership Attitude, and First Comes Courage. Known for her energetic stage presence and neuroscience-backed approach to confidence and leadership, she has trained thousands of leaders worldwide and works with top organizations to build courageous, human-centered leadership cultures.

Find her at: soniamcdonald.com

In this episode:

00:00 Welcome

03:06 Mindset Reset: Where Focus Goes, Power Flows

06:08 What Audiences Love About Sonia’s Speaking

08:18 The Three Leadership Questions to Ask Yourself

12:03 Practical Confidence Habits You Can Start Today

14:47 The “Courage Compass” Explained

21:01 Kindness, AI & The Future of Human Leadership

24:51 Why Gen Z Will Change the World

29:33 Becoming the Leader You Needed

32:29 Imposter Syndrome & How Sonia Overcame It

36:39 Saying YES: The Power of Taking the Leap

40:07 Night Routines & Priming for Success

42:03 What She’d Tell Her 17-Year-Old Self

43:46 Books That Changed Sonia’s Life

44:12 60-Second Challenge: Why You Should Read Just Rock It

45:47 Final Message: Do What Brings You Joy

47:15 Play, Paint, and Reconnect with Your Inner Child

41:00 Closing

If you learned something new from this episode, double-check that you’re subscribed for more weekly conversations that fuel growth, clarity, and leadership from the inside out. Also, rate this podcast 5 stars as it’s what helps me grow the show!

📺 Watch on YouTube: The SMARTA Podcast Playlist

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

📖 See Sonia’s books: www.soniamarta.com/books.

📲 Follow Sonia on Instagram @soniamartaauthor and connect via linktr.ee/soniamartauthor

What if I told you that your posture could shape your future?

In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I’m joined by Ben J. Munday, speaker, coach, and public speaking mentor to explore the power of physicality, confidence, and connection.

Ben’s approach to leadership and communication bridges the physical, mental, and emotional. Through his work with organizations and as VP of Education for Berlin’s leading public speaking group, he helps leaders turn self-awareness into influence.

In this conversation, we dive into how your energy introduces you before you speak, the hidden language of confidence, and how to connect authentically with any audience from boardrooms to TEDx stages.

💡 What You’ll Learn

• How to align your body language with your message

• Why confidence is physical, not just mental

• The biggest mistakes leaders make when communicating

• Tools to adapt your tone and energy for any audience

• How to build stronger emotional connection through presence

• The secret to overcoming imposter syndrome

• Why “practice, practice, practice” is the real key to success

Ben J. Munday is a speaker, coach, and emcee who’s hosted and delivered keynotes alongside thought leaders like Michelle Obama and Erin Meyer. Drawing from years of work in corporate fashion, somatic coaching, and public speaking, Ben helps people transform their communication from transactional to transformational.

📍 Learn more at benjmunday.com

⏱️ In This Episode

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction

01:40 – The Three Dimensions: Body, Mind & Emotion

02:30 – Your Energy Introduces You Before You Speak

05:00 – The Most Common Leadership Communication Mistakes

07:45 – How to Master Non-Verbal Communication

10:10 – Open Body Language: Building Instant Connection

13:00 – How to Read and Match the Room

17:00 – Lessons from Hosting Major Global Events

19:00 – Confidence and the Power of Posture

23:00 – How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome Physically

25:00 – Why Communication Is the Ultimate Growth Strategy

29:00 – The #1 Skill That Changes Your Life: Connection

32:00 – Preparing for Diverse Audiences as a Speaker

35:00 – End Messages

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

📅 New episodes every Monday at 11 AM EST

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

📺 Watch the full episode playlist: SMARTA Podcast on YouTube

🌍 See more of Sonia’s work: www.soniamarta.com

📲 Follow Sonia on Instagram: @soniamartaauthor