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

How do the world’s most successful leaders communicate with confidence and clarity even in chaos?

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, Oliver Aust: bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and CEO communication strategist, shares his insights on what it really takes to become an influential, unignorable leader in today’s world.

With two decades of experience advising C-level executives, political leaders, and startups, Oliver breaks down the core principles of powerful communication and why confidence isn’t about speaking louder; it’s about connecting with the right message, at the right time, in the right way.

Whether you’re building a personal brand, stepping into leadership, or preparing for your next big moment in the spotlight, this episode offers clear, actionable strategies to help you lead with more intention, presence, and impact.

You’ll learn:

• What every successful communicator does differently

• How to become “unignorable” without being loud

• The mindset shift that transforms how you present yourself

• How to align communication with your goals, values, and audience

• What it takes to earn trust and authority in any room

In this episode:

00:00 Welcome & Intro to Oliver Aust

02:18 Why Most Leaders Struggle with Confidence

05:10 How to Be More Strategic with Your Messaging

09:45 What Makes a Personal Brand Magnetic

14:00 The Myth of Needing to “Be Loud” to Be Heard

18:15 Communication vs. Perception: The Real Battle

23:28 How to Avoid Quick Fixes in Branding

26:20 The Power of “Unignorable” Leadership

26:45 How to Communicate with Empathy Under Pressure

29:50 Authenticity & Its Role in Modern Leadership

30:00 Final Tips for Becoming a Better Speaker

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: SMARTA Podcast Playlist

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

- Follow Sonia's Journey on Instagram: @soniamartaauthor

- All links: linktr.ee/soniamartauthor

Feel like you’re behind in life? Or unsure how to make your first job count?

Jacob Karnes has coached hundreds of young professionals, and in this episode, he reveals exactly what he wishes he knew when he started out and how you can master your mindset, your brand, and your career.

Jacob is the bestselling author of Master Your First Job and the founder of Waves Business Coaching. He spent 10 years climbing the ladder at Chick-fil-A before starting his own company. And now, he’s on a mission to help Gen Z build careers with purpose and authenticity.

🧠 What You’ll Learn:

✓ How to stand out from day one in your career

✓ Why you don’t need to wait for permission to pursue big goals

✓ How to build a personal brand (before your first promotion)

✓ A mindset that makes you impossible to ignore

✓ The mistake most people make when asking for a raise

✓ Why your identity isn’t tied to one job

🎯 In this episode, we explore:

– Jacob’s journey from Chick-fil-A employee to business founder

– The #1 thing you must do to be seen as a leader early on

– Why your values matter more than your resume

– His top 2 books that changed how he sees life

– What to tell your younger self (or your future kids)

– Why writing his first book was the breakthrough he needed

📚 Grab Jacob’s book, “Master Your First Job,” on Amazon here:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZW5BZBX

In this episode:

00:00 Welcome & Intro

02:07 3 Life Lessons Jacob Would Tell Every Young Professional

06:27 The 60-Second Pitch: Why You Should Read His Book

08:06 The Turning Point That Sparked His Business

10:51 Building His Dream Job (Without a Job Description)

13:06 How to Ask for a Raise (and Actually Get It)

17:12 What Most People Get Wrong About Promotions

20:43 Branding Yourself as a Teen: What He’d Tell His 17-Year-Old Self

23:17 Building a Reputation That Precedes You

29:19 What Jacob Wants His Daughter to Always Remember

32:17 The Books That Shaped His Life (Atomic Habits & Man’s Search for Meaning)

35:25 The Limiting Belief That Almost Stopped Him

38:30 Final Message: Find Where Your Purpose & Skills Align

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

📅 New episodes every Monday at 11 AM EST

📺 YouTube: @soniamartaauthor

🌍 Website: www.soniamarta.com

📲 Instagram: @soniamartaauthor | linktr.ee/soniamartauthor

Do you feel overwhelmed by money or unsure where to begin with investing, saving, or building wealth? You’re not alone, and this episode will help you turn confusion into clarity.

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I’m joined by certified money coach, international speaker, and founder of MoneyPal, Luca Caruana, to talk about financial confidence, emotional wealth, and starting small with your finances, even if you’re 17 and just getting started.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

✓ How your emotional relationship with money shapes your success

✓ Why starting small is the smartest move you can make

✓ The psychological blocks that hold most people back

✓ How to set goals and define your Happy Money Fund

✓ The biggest budgeting mistakes and how to avoid them

✓ Why your past doesn’t have to define your financial future

📚 Luca’s 2 books that completely transformed his perspective of life: The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel & Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers

🎯 In this episode, we talk about:

– The emotional side of money no one teaches us

– Budgeting mistakes that hold people back

– How to set clear, motivating financial goals

– Monetizing your passions and hobbies

– Building your own “Happy Money Fund” guilt-free

– The truth about investing

🧠 Who is Luca Caruana?

Luca is a certified money coach, keynote speaker, and the founder of MoneyPal, with years of experience helping people across Europe achieve financial clarity. Known for his focus on emotional intelligence and financial wellbeing, Luca helps individuals rewrite their financial story, without shame, math phobia, or jargon.

📖 Check out Luca’s upcoming book Unspoken and explore his work: MoneyPal.com

🎬 In this episode:

00:00 Welcome + Luca’s top 3 takeaways

01:45 How to build money habits that last

03:40 Where to start if you’re lost financially

07:00 Luca’s personal wake-up call and financial healing

13:30 Renting vs buying & defining your life goals

18:00 Why you need an emergency fund ASAP

23:00 The Happy Money Fund explained

25:30 Monetizing your passion & purpose

29:20 Why your WHY matters more than your income

31:00 Luca’s top 2 life-changing books

34:10 No-lose decisions and money confidence

36:00 Top mental barriers to financial growth

39:30 Unspoken stories and breaking generational patterns

41:30 Luca’s message to the listener

AD: Learn how CGS can support your company at www.romania.cgsinc.com

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

📅 New episodes every Monday at 11 AM EST

📺 YouTube: @soniamartaauthor

🌍 Website: www.soniamarta.com

📲 Instagram: @soniamartaauthor | linktr.ee/soniamartauthor

What if the worst thing that ever happened to you became the reason you succeed?

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with speaker, storytelling coach, and emotional clarity guide Brian Drury to talk about how your biggest pain can shape your greatest platform. From the power of emotional shifts on stage to building a life that feels as good as it looks, Brian shares the exact mindset, habits, and healing practices that helped him turn rock bottom into the foundation for an intentional, fulfilling life.

Whether you’re an aspiring speaker, a high achiever chasing meaning, or someone ready to slow down and reconnect with your truth, this conversation will ground, challenge, and uplift you.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

✓ What separates a great speaker from a good one

✓ How to use your rock bottom as a catalyst for finding your purpose

✓ The difference between overdelivering and resonating

✓ Why storytelling isn’t about you, it’s about service

✓ Why your intuition is important, and why you should stop ignoring it.

📌 In this episode, we talk about:

– Brian’s 3 top lessons for graduates starting out

– His raw story of hitting emotional, physical, and professional burnout

– The one mentor who changed everything for him

– The difference between information and emotional connection

– How grief shaped his ability to lead with clarity and compassion

– Why slowing down is the secret to true success

🧠 Who is Brian Drury?

Brian is a globally respected speaker, emotional clarity coach, and founder of the Speaker’s Lab. He’s trained 1,000+ people to tell transformational stories and believes the most powerful message you can deliver is the one rooted in truth and service. His viral speech “The First Time I Saw My Dad Cry” touched over 20 million hearts on Facebook alone. Brian’s journey is one of depth, resilience, and leading with heart.

📚 Check out The First Step by Brian Drury https://a.co/d/gJl6ZVe

In this episode:

00:00 Welcome Brian Drury to The SMARTA Podcast

00:45 Top 3 lessons for graduates starting out today

06:30 How to know when you’re truly listening to your intuition

11:00 Why you can’t logic your way to fulfillment

17:40 What separates people who thrive from those who plateau?

25:30 How to create emotional connection as a speaker

33:30 How his lowest point became his turning point

40:00 Meeting his mentor and what it changed in him

46:00 What makes a good speaker vs. a great speaker

51:00 Why emotional shifts matter more than information

54:45 What changed between his first and most recent speech

01:02:00 Tips to slow down and stop overdelivering

01:06:50 Advice 17-year-old Brian wished he had

01:12:20 Why holistic success matters more than external success

01:17:20 The importance of rest, presence, and perspective

AD: Learn how CGS can support your company at www.romania.cgsinc.com

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

📅 New episodes every Monday at 11 AM EST

📺 YouTube: @soniamartaauthor

🌍 Website: www.soniamarta.com

📲 Instagram: @soniamartaauthor | linktr.ee/soniamartauthor

Ever felt like you were falling behind — in school, in life, or just in general?

In this powerful episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Jordan Toma, motivational speaker, special education advocate, and author of I’m Just a Kid With an IEP, to talk about what it means to believe in yourself when no one else seems to.

Jordan went from a 1.7 GPA to delivering life-changing talks across the country. His message is clear: you’re not “not good enough” - you’re becoming.

🎯 In this episode, we explore:

– How to turn struggle into confidence

– What students with IEPs (and their parents) need to hear

– Why one person believing in you can change your life

– How to rewrite the labels you’ve been given

– What it actually takes to start believing in yourself

💡 What You’ll Learn:

✓ Why your biggest struggle is your strength

✓ The real way confidence is built

✓ How to show up when you feel invisible

✓ How to turn past pain into purpose

✓ The mindset shift that helps you finally say, “I’m worth it.”

🧠 Who is Jordan Toma?

Jordan is a nationally recognized motivational speaker, author, and advocate for students with learning differences. Known for his viral “Back of the Room” speech, his story has inspired thousands of students, parents, and educators to never give up on themselves or each other. He is featured on NBC today show, CBS news and more.

📚 Check out I’m Just a Kid With an IEP by Jordan Toma

In this episode:

00:00 Welcome

01:40 Why Jordan writes for the “invisible” kids

03:47 Can you take us to the moment in the mirror where everything shifted for you?

07:20 What would you say now to your younger self, knowing what you do today?

14:01 What resonates most with students during your talks, and what do you want them to remember?

21:19 What habits and tools helped you build yourself brick by brick?

24:13 What is your new book about and why is it so important to you?

28:20 Final message to students feeling behind

AD: Learn how CGS can support your company at www.romania.cgsinc.com

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

📅 New episodes every Monday at 11 AM EST

📺 YouTube: @soniamartaauthor

🌍 Website: www.soniamarta.com

📲 Instagram: @soniamartaauthor | linktr.ee/soniamartauthor