You can get richer over time by investing less, earlier.

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, bestselling author Sonia Marta sits down with Julia Cancro, finance expert and author of More Than Cash, to reveal practical money tips that actually work.

If you’ve ever Googled “how to invest for beginners” or “how to retire early,” this conversation is packed with simple strategies you can apply today.

In today’s episode, discover how to build wealth without a massive paycheck and why starting small right now can completely change your financial future. Julia shares the simple, realistic money habits that helped her and her friends invest smarter, stress less, and gain more freedom.

Money doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be empowering, freeing, and even exciting. Julia’s down-to-earth advice will help you ditch the overwhelm, start investing with confidence, and make your future self proud.

What we’ll cover:

• The truth behind “save less, retire rich”

• Why your habits matter more than your income

• How to start investing even if you’re intimidated

• The one money story that will change how you think about time and compounding

• How to ignore social media’s “keep up” trap and focus on your goals

• The easiest ways to automate your wealth-building strategy

To see more of Julia’s work, follow her on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-cancro-b98a2275/ and check out her book More Than Cash. https://www.amazon.com/More-Than-Cash-finally-making-ebook/dp/B0BSND3DRX

As a finance writer and former Fortune 500 professional, Julia Cancro is on a mission to make financial literacy simple and accessible. She combines real-world investing experience with relatable stories, showing people how to start small, think long-term, and create a financial life they love without a finance degree or endless spreadsheets.

Connect with Sonia:

Find out more about Sonia: www.soniamarta.com

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

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

New episodes every Monday at 11 AM EST

Watch the full episode on YouTube: The SMARTA Podcast

What if confidence isn’t something you’re born with… but something you build?

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Juan Bendaña: keynote speaker, author, and Gen Z leadership expert to unpack what real confidence looks like and how you can stop waiting and start leading. From school auditoriums to global stages, Juan has shared his story with over 250,000 students and professionals, inspiring them to build courage, take action, and show up as their authentic selves.

This conversation is about getting honest: Why do we feel stuck? What’s holding us back from speaking up or showing up fully? And how do we create the confidence we need to live a life that feels like ours?

Whether you’re navigating your career, building a brand, or simply tired of doubting yourself, this episode will give you the tools and mindset to lead from within.

What You’ll Learn

– Why confidence is a skill, not a trait

– How to reframe failure and take action anyway

– The 3 things confident people do differently

– Why Gen Z struggles with self-worth and what to do about it

– How to overcome imposter syndrome by building self-trust

– The difference between clarity and certainty (and why it matters)

– How to find your voice and stop shrinking

About Juan Bendaña

Juan is a globally recognized speaker and author of Confident by Choice. He works with schools, companies, and leaders worldwide to inspire purposeful action, bold confidence, and personal leadership. With a background in youth development and performance psychology, he’s redefining what it means to lead in the 21st century especially for younger generations.

Get your copy of Confident By Choice here https://www.juanbendana.com/book

In This Episode:

00:00 – Welcome & Intro to Juan

03:11 – What confidence really means

06:42 – The biggest lie we believe about purpose

10:19 – Self-doubt, self-talk, and showing up anyway

14:30 – Gen Z’s biggest challenge right now

18:22 – Why clarity is more important than certainty

21:50 – How Juan built his career from scratch

26:00 – Overcoming fear of judgment

30:44 – The story behind Do It With Fire

34:00 – Building trust with yourself

39:12 – How to turn your voice into your power

43:21 – Final thoughts and takeaways

🎧 New episodes every Monday at 11AM EST

📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube: @soniamartaauthor

🌍 Learn more: www.soniamarta.com

📲 Follow Sonia: @soniamartaauthor | linktr.ee/soniamartauthor

What does it really take to speak so people listen in meetings, on stage, and in high-stakes moments?

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Deborah Gardner, former Olympic trial swimmer turned renowned keynote speaker and Hall of Fame inductee, to talk about how women can lead through confident, compelling communication.

Deborah breaks down the myths of “professionalism,” shares practical tools for handling confrontation, and helps us rethink what powerful presence actually means.

Whether you’re pitching, presenting, or speaking up for yourself, this conversation is your permission to stop diluting your voice and start owning the room.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to speak up with clarity and presence

• Why female professionals often underplay their ideas (and how to stop)

• Tactics for reframing fear into fuel before a big talk

• How to balance warmth with authority

• How to overcome imposter syndrome in high-stakes rooms

Deborah Gardner is a Certified Meeting Professional, entrepreneur, and the author of six bestselling books. Named Mrs. Arizona 2020 and Mrs. America 2022, Deborah has been recognized as a CNN Top 75 Keynote Speaker, one of Smart Meetings’ Top 50 Smart Women Leaders, and a Top 20 Trendsetter by Meetings Today.

Learn more about Deborah at https://iamdeborahg.com/

In this episode:

00:00 – Welcome + Meet Deborah Gardner

03:10 – How sports shaped her mindset and grit

06:45 – Why women struggle to speak with authority

11:20 – What people misunderstand about professional communication

15:00 – Speaking tips for introverts

18:33 – How to stop over-explaining your ideas

21:58 – Pre-speech mindset: What Deborah does before every keynote

25:42 – Navigating conflict with confidence

29:10 – The mindset that helps her walk into any room

34:15 – How to make people feel heard without shrinking yourself

39:40 – Her advice to the next generation of female leaders

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

📅 New episodes every Monday at 11 AM EST

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube: The SMARTA Podcast

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

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