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

If you enjoyed this episode, hit Subscribe for more weekly conversations that fuel growth, clarity, and leadership from the inside out.

📺 Watch on YouTube: The SMARTA Podcast Playlist

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

📖 Get your copy of Always Free by Jason Graystone.

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

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

How do you get people to feel deeply engaged, motivated, and connected at work?

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Ricardo Cabete: global keynote speaker and emotional intelligence expert who helps Fortune 500 companies like Novartis, PwC, and HSBC boost employee engagement through the power of emotional connection.

With 17 years of experience as a rock band lead singer, Ricardo brings a unique mix of stage charisma and evidence-based leadership techniques. His mission: to help leaders build cultures where people feel unstoppable.

Together, we unpack the emotional side of leadership and why mastering it is the key to building trust, retention, and productivity that last.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

– The “cow vs. buffalo” mindset shift for facing challenges head-on

– Why emotions drive performance (and how to harness them)

– Ricardo’s GAP model: the 5 human needs behind engagement

– Why leading yourself first is essential to leading others

– A simple weekly habit that can boost engagement up to 80%

– How authenticity and emotional connection create stronger leadership

📚 Ricardo has spoken on TEDx stages, worked with Fortune 500 executives, and trained leaders across the globe. His work proves that emotions aren’t obstacles in business, they’re the most powerful drivers of success.

In this episode:

00:00 Welcome & Introduction to Ricardo Cabete

02:15 From Rock Band Singer to Global Keynote Speaker

06:43 Why Emotional Intelligence Matters in Leadership

10:21 The “Cow vs. Buffalo” Mindset for Facing Challenges

14:48 Breaking Down the GAP Model of Engagement

19:56 How Leaders Can Spark Real Emotional Connection

23:45 Practical Tools for Building Trust in Teams

27:30 Leading Yourself Before Leading Others

32:10 Why Authenticity Creates Stronger Cultures

37:52 The Habit That Can Increase Engagement to 80%

42:16 Stories of Transformation from Fortune 500 Leaders

47:28 Advice Ricardo Would Give His Younger Self

50:45 Final Insights & Call to Action

🔔 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

What does it really mean to uplift service, and why does it matter more now than ever?

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Ron Kaufman, New York Times bestselling author of Uplifting Service, globally ranked customer service expert, and one of the world’s top keynote speakers on leadership, culture, and service excellence. For over 30 years, Ron has helped organizations from Singapore Airlines to Fortune 500 companies build cultures of service that transform both business outcomes and human connection.

Together, we explore the mindset and tools leaders need to move beyond “good service” and instead create uplifting service—service that consistently adds unexpected, lasting value.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The difference between good service, customer satisfaction, and authentic care
• How to build a culture of service across every level of your organization
• Why complaints are the most valuable gift a customer can give you
• The shift from customer service to customer care, and what it means for the future
• How generosity, responsibility, and authenticity make leadership sustainable

Whether you’re leading a global team or just beginning your career, Ron’s insights will reshape how you think about service, leadership, and the role you play in creating impact.

Grab your copy of Ron Kaufman’s bestseller, Uplifting Service here: https://www.amazon.com/Uplifting-Service-Delighting-Customers-Colleagues/dp/0984762507

In this episode:

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction

01:13 – The Three Big Takeaways on Service

03:33 – Ron’s Early Influences and the Roots of Service Leadership

08:13 – The 12 Building Blocks of Service Culture

11:44 – Common Challenges in Service Around the World

17:23 – Why Uplifting Service Matters for Everyone

20:40 – The True Definition of Service (Beyond Clichés)

22:29 – The Power of Surprise in Customer Experience

24:58 – Personal Stories of Uplifting Service

29:51 – Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up Leadership

33:02 – Staying Inspired Through Decades of Service Work

36:47 – The Future of Service Excellence (Bucharest Event Preview)

40:27 – Advice to Ron’s 17-Year-Old Self

41:41 – Ron’s Book Recommendations

46:21 – How Employee Engagement Shapes Customer Experience

50:13 – Final Message: Uplift Someone Today

🛎️ 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 episodes on YouTube: SMARTA Podcast Playlist

Find out more about Sonia: www.soniamarta.com

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

What separates good leaders from great ones? How do the best teams thrive while others fall apart?

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Dr. David Burkus, best-selling author of Build Your Best Team Ever, globally recognized leadership thinker, and trusted advisor to organizations like NASA, Adobe, and PepsiCo. With over 20 years of research and experience, David reveals the surprising truths behind team performance, leadership clarity, and why contribution matters more than passion.

Whether you’re leading a team of 5 or 500, this conversation will reshape how you think about leadership, teamwork, and success.

What You’ll Learn:

– Why talent alone doesn’t create success — and what does

– How to turn feedback into your career’s greatest advantage

– The blueprint for building a team that actually performs

– The difference between good leaders and great leaders

– Why contribution comes before passion (and not the other way around)

– The single habit that builds trust and respect on any team

📚 Dr. David Burkus is the author of five bestselling books, including Build Your Best Team Ever. He has delivered 1,000+ keynotes across the globe, appeared on Good Morning America and CNN, and worked with Fortune 500 companies, the military, and top universities to transform leadership and teamwork.

📖 Grab a copy of Best Team Ever here https://davidburkus.com/books/best-team-ever/

In this episode:

00:00 Welcome & Introduction to Dr. David Burkus

00:57 The 3 most important lessons from David’s journey

03:13 The surprising truth about talent and teams

04:13 Why leadership is not about a title

07:09 What separates good leaders from great leaders

09:34 Building trust and psychological safety on teams

11:59 Why talented teams sometimes fail

15:47 A blueprint for leaders to improve performance this week

18:15 Career advice: contribution vs passion

21:15 Lessons from NASA, Adobe, and PepsiCo

24:32 Why great ideas often get rejected

26:03 Advice David wishes he knew early in his career

28:24 What it really takes to build your best team ever

30:46 David’s final advice for listeners

🛎️ 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

What does it really take to turn a guilty pleasure into a global brand, and why do the “crazy” ideas often become the ones that change your life?

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Georgiana Ghiciuc, a powerhouse entrepreneur whose career has spanned academia, digital marketing, employer branding, and now high fashion. Georgiana opens up about how burnout and self-doubt pushed her to reinvent herself, how a pair of fuchsia satin stilettos became the cornerstone of her business, and why adaptability is the key to thriving in both life and entrepreneurship.

Whether you’re chasing a passion project, doubting your next move, or needing the courage to take the first small step, this conversation will inspire you to embrace change, trust your vision, and bet on yourself.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why embracing change leads to growth (even when it feels scary)

• How “insane” ideas can open surprising doors

• The power of small, consistent steps in building a dream business

• Why adaptability is every entrepreneur’s secret weapon

• What it’s really like to launch a fashion brand from scratch

• The advice Georgiana would give her 17-year-old self

• Her top book recommendations that shaped her journey (Range by David Epstein and Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll)

👠 Check out MAD Shoes here https://madshoes.ro

Georgiana Ghiciuc is a Romanian entrepreneur, storyteller, and founder of MAD Shoes, a luxury footwear brand featured in British Vogue. With a career spanning academia, digital marketing, and employer branding, she has helped over 40 global tech companies grow their voice before reinventing herself in fashion. Today, she designs bold, expressive shoes for women who love originality, proving that true entrepreneurship is about curiosity, reinvention, and turning passion into business.

In this episode:

00:00 – Welcome + Georgiana’s Vogue UK feature

01:10 – From academia to fashion: the unexpected career turn

03:00 – Embracing change & adaptability as an entrepreneur

04:40 – How MAD Shoes began with one bold prototype

06:50 – Doubts, setbacks & first big wins from global stylists

12:20 – Advice to students & young professionals starting out

16:00 – From guilty pleasure to global fashion business

21:50 – The hardest & most surprising challenges in fashion

25:40 – Why entrepreneurship feels like freedom (and why it isn’t)

27:40 – The advice Georgiana would give her 17-year-old self

31:00 – Georgiana’s top 2 book recommendations (Range + Alice in Wonderland)

34:00 – Final advice to embrace patience and the process

🛎️ 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

Do you ever wonder how great leaders stay calm, focused, and effective when everything around them feels out of control?

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, bestselling author Sonia Marta sits down with executive coach Rob Kalwarowsky to share practical strategies on self-leadership, managing chaos, and finding clarity under pressure.

If you’ve searched for how to manage stress, lead with confidence, or stay grounded in uncertainty, this episode is for you.

Do you feel like life is moving faster than you can keep up? How do you show up as a leader when chaos surrounds you?

In today’s episode, Rob shares why managing yourself is the foundation of leading others, and how facing your inner chaos can unlock resilience, confidence, and impact.

Whether you’re leading a team, building a career, or just trying to manage the overwhelm of daily life, this conversation will give you practical tools and powerful insights to navigate chaos with clarity and strength.

What we’ll cover:

• Why you can’t lead others until you learn to lead yourself

• The difference between controlling chaos and responding to it

• How to deal with the voice in your head: friend or enemy?

• The truth about living on autopilot and how to break free

• Why self-leadership is the hardest (and most important) work you’ll ever do

• Practical steps to create calm and confidence in uncertain times

To see more of Rob’s work, follow his journey on robkalwarowsky.com.

Grab a copy of Rob’s book, Capitalizing on Chaos here. https://www.amazon.com/Capitalizing-Chaos-Executives-Succeed-Disruption-ebook/dp/B0FMQBYYBW/ref=zg_bsnr_g_2581_d_sccl_3/000-0000000-0000000?psc=1

Take the Tasha Eurich Insight Free Assessment here. https://www.insight-book.com/Quiz

As an engineer turned leadership coach, Rob Kalwarowsky has built a career around helping individuals and organizations thrive under pressure. He is passionate about mental health, human-centered leadership, and equipping people with the tools to transform chaos into opportunity. Through coaching, speaking, and his top-rated Leadership Launchpad Project Podcast, Rob inspires leaders around the world to lead with purpose, empathy, and courage.

Connect with Sonia:

• Follow her on Instagram

• Sonia’s socials