“Being apathetic is a choice.”

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with John R. Miles, founder of the Passion Struck podcast and a former U.S. Navy officer turned intentional living strategist, to explore how to break free from autopilot and design a life that truly matters.

John shares how to reconnect with your purpose, reclaim your identity, and challenge the habits that keep you stuck, starting with one powerful decision at a time.

🎯 In this episode, we explore:

– What it means to live with intention

– Why distraction is the greatest threat to your future

– How to build daily momentum through meaningful action

– The psychology of your “reverse bucket list”

– How to stop reacting and start designing your life

💡 What You’ll Learn:

✓ How to shift from passive to passionate living

✓ Tools to become an “action creator” instead of a bystander

✓ The power of making aligned micro-choices

✓ Why it’s never too late to start again

✓ How to stop micromanaging others and yourself

🧠 Who is John R. Miles?

John is the host of the Passion Struck Podcast (ranked Top 10 globally), a keynote speaker, veteran, and personal transformation expert. With millions of downloads and high-profile guests like Jamie Kern Lima and Gary Vee, his work empowers individuals to bridge the gap between intention and action.

📚 Explore his brand-new book Passion Struck on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Passion-Struck-Powerful-Principles-Intentional/dp/B0C8G5R5FZ

In this episode:

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction to John R. Miles

02:34 – What it really means to live with intention

06:47 – Why most people live on autopilot (and how to break free)

09:55 – The role of self-awareness in designing your life

12:48 – What is a reverse bucket list — and why it matters

15:33 – How to stop micromanaging yourself and others

18:02 – Becoming an “action creator” and building momentum

22:21 – Letting go of the need to prove yourself

25:10 – Creating habits that support identity shifts

28:44 – John’s message to his younger self

31:10 – Final challenge: Start living like you matter

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🗓️ New episodes every Monday at 11 AM EST

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What if the way you show up: your energy, your focus, your choices, was more powerful than your circumstances?

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Brian Biro, America’s #1 Breakthrough Speaker and bestselling author of Beyond Success, to talk about how we can stop striving for approval, start showing up with purpose, and lead with energy and presence — even in moments of fear, doubt, or disconnection.

If you’re ready for clarity, momentum, and more joy, start here.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

✓ The mindset shift that changes pressure into momentum

✓ The 3 controllables that shape your leadership & energy

✓ How to focus on what you put in, not just what comes out

✓ How to be more present with the people who matter most

✓ Why the key to breakthrough leadership is belief — in yourself and others

🎯 In this episode, we explore:

– The moment Brian stopped chasing approval and started chasing impact

– How to stop letting others drain your energy

– The true power of being present

– The science behind belief, expectations & breakthroughs

– Why your focus creates your future — and how to reframe it

– A challenge for listeners to become better leaders, friends, and partners

🧠 Brian Biro has delivered nearly 1,900 presentations around the world to over 1 million people. He is the author of 16 books, including Beyond Success and his newest, Lessons from the Legends.

With degrees from Stanford and UCLA, he has appeared on Good Morning America and CNN, and was named one of the Top 10 Interactive Keynote Speakers in North America and among the Top 50 Motivational Speakers in the WORLD.

In this episode:00:00 – Welcome & Introduction to Brian Biro03:42 – What’s the most important mindset for students today?06:52 – What makes a great keynote speaker stand out?09:31 – Why stories are more powerful than facts13:07 – What’s your definition of breakthrough leadership?16:16 – What are the 3 controllables that shape great leaders?20:05 – How to reshape your vision and focus25:36 – What’s the real secret to energy and presence?31:49 – How do you heal past wounds and release “energy vampires”?34:10 – Tell me more about the breakthrough board experience35:09 – What would you tell your 17-year-old self?39:29 – What is the Pygmalion effect and how does it change leadership?44:42 – What does it mean to lead with full presence?46:25 – If your biggest failure held a seminar, what would it teach?50:33 – Final advice: why humility and learning are essential

📚 Grab Brian’s books on Amazon — starting with Beyond Success

🌐 Connect with Brian at: www.brianbiro.com

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📅 New episodes every Monday at 11 AM EST

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Feeling disconnected from your work? Wondering where your motivation went?

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Joshua M. Evans, bestselling author, keynote speaker, and purpose-driven leadership expert, to talk about how to reignite passion even in the most repetitive, exhausting, or corporate of jobs.

You’ll walk away with tools, mindset shifts, and the surprising truth about enthusiasm that can transform how you show up to work… and life.

🎯 In this episode, we explore:

– How to rediscover meaning in your day-to-day work

– What burnout really is (and what it’s not)

– The #1 mindset shift that brings back energy and clarity

– How to lead with enthusiasm without losing yourself

– Why you don’t have to change your job to feel fulfilled

– The secret to sustaining motivation when no one is cheering you on

💡 What You’ll Learn:

✓ How to shift from exhausted to empowered at work

✓ Why purpose doesn’t have to be loud or dramatic

✓ How to gamify your routine to avoid burnout

✓ The real reason you feel “off” and how to reset

✓ Practical tools to find meaning, even in the mundane

🧠 Joshua M. Evans has trained 1,000+ organizations and speaks worldwide about engagement, leadership, and building culture with intention. His mission: help people love what they do and rediscover the human part of their work.

In this episode:

00:00 Intro: Meet Joshua M. Evans

01:45 What Happens When You Feel Disconnected From Your Work

04:12 The Truth About Burnout (It’s Not Always Exhaustion)

07:09 Why Enthusiasm Is a Career Superpower

10:15 Finding Meaning in Repetitive Work

13:40 How to Rediscover Purpose Without Changing Jobs

17:30 Building Daily Momentum Through Micro-Wins

20:00 Protecting Your Energy in a Negative Work Culture

23:14 Gamification: A Surprising Cure for Low Motivation

26:45 The Role of Gratitude in Sustaining Passion

30:10 Leading with Purpose When You’re Not in Charge

34:18 Final Takeaways: How to Love What You Do Again

Check out Purpose or Perish, The Quest For Meaning in the Future of Work on Amazon here

AD: Find out how Computer Generated Solutions (CGS) can support your company’s success today by visiting www.romania.cgsinc.com

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

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.

🗓️ New episodes every Monday at 11 AM EST

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What if you didn’t need a rigid life plan to succeed — just the right questions?In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Anne-Laure Le Cunff, neuroscientist, writer, and founder of Ness Labs, to explore how to design a more intentional life using science-backed tools, curiosity, and micro-experiments.Forget hustle culture. Forget 5-year goals. This is the mindset shift you didn’t know you needed.✨ In this conversation, we cover:– The framework Anne-Laure uses to make big (and small) decisions– Why most productivity advice leaves you burned out or bored out– How to embrace uncertainty without losing direction– What it means to live nonlinearly — and why it’s more realistic– How to experiment your way into clarity, purpose, and peace💡 What You’ll Learn:✓ A powerful method for self-reflection & decision-making✓ Why your brain resists change (and how to work with it)✓ How to design a career and life aligned with your values✓ What to do when you feel stuck or lost✓ Why curiosity should come first, not passion — and how to follow it📚 Anne-Laure’s work has been featured in Forbes, WIRED, and the BBC. She’s built a global community of over 500,000 readers learning to think better, live slower, and grow smarter.Check out Tiny Experiments here🔔 Subscribe for more weekly episodes that fuel growth, clarity, and leadership — from the inside out.🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.🗓️ New episodes every Monday at 11 AM EST📺 Subscribe on YouTube: @soniamartaauthor🌍 Connect with Sonia: www.soniamarta.comFollow Sonia’s journey & grow together:

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Authority is Built, Not Given — Here’s How to Start

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I’m joined by global brand strategist and creator Dain Walker to talk about building an authentic brand that actually connects — and why clarity, obsession, and personal responsibility are the real game-changers.

🎙️ In this episode, you’ll learn:

– Why “attention is currency” in today’s world

– The #1 mindset shift that unlocked Dain’s success

– How to grow without waiting for the perfect moment

– Tactical advice for finding your niche + standing out

– What it really means to take full agency over your life

💡 This episode will help you:

✓ Get clear on your message

✓ Build credibility without faking it

✓ Create content that feels real

✓ Turn your obsession into opportunity

✓ Stop waiting — and start leading

📚 Check out Dain's book The 90 Brand Plan on Amazon.

In this episode:

00:00 – Welcome

02:01 – How Dain Started His Brand Strategy Journey

04:45 – “Attention Is Currency” – Why Content Isn’t Enough

07:32 – Taking Full Agency Over Your Life and Success

11:09 – The Moment Dain Knew He Was Meant for More

13:20 – How to Turn Your Obsession Into a Scalable Brand

16:44 – Common Mistakes People Make With Their Brand

20:12 – The Power of Consistency and Repetition in Messaging

24:35 – Clarity Over Aesthetics: What Branding Really Means

28:10 – Why Confidence Comes from Reps, Not Followers

31:58 – Building a Personal Brand That Doesn’t Feel Fake

35:40 – The Myth of the “Right Time” to Start

38:23 – Tactical Advice: Find Your Niche and Solve a Problem

41:05 – The Brand-Builder’s Mindset: Focus, Value, Authenticity

44:18 – Final Thoughts: Creating a Brand That Reflects You

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

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.

🗓️ New episodes every Monday at 11 AM EST

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What if the life you’re meant to live starts with being real?

Too many of us are stuck chasing perfection, people-pleasing, or performing our way through life. But what if the key to real resilience is… authenticity?

🎙️ In this empowering conversation, I sit down with Nathan Andres — globally recognized coach, LGBTQ+ advocate, and author of Your REAL Life — to talk about what it truly means to get real, resilient, and aligned with your purpose.

✨ In this episode, we explore:

– The REAL Life framework for authenticity and personal growth

– How to turn adversity into “advertenity”

– The connection between energy, identity, and fulfillment

– How to manage burnout while staying in your power

– Why the relationship you have with yourself is everything

– Creating boundaries without guilt

– The importance of being radically honest about your needs

💡 What you’ll learn:

✓ How to reconnect with your REAL self

✓ Practical tools to manage your energy and avoid burnout

✓ How to shift from adversity to opportunity

✓ Why resilience starts with self-awareness, not hustle

✓ The difference between surviving and truly thriving

✓ How to lead with your values in work and life

Nathan’s lived across continents, coached thousands, and finished four marathons 🏃‍♂️— but his biggest lesson? Authenticity is your greatest asset.

📚 Check out Nathan’s book Your REAL Life now available on Amazon.

In this episode:

00:00 Welcome

07:42 Introduction to Resilience and Well-Being

10:27 The Blueprint of Your Real Life

12:56 Understanding Reality and Acceptance

16:51 Harnessing Energy for Resilience

18:19 Authenticity: The Core of Self-Discovery

19:15 The Power of Love in Resilience

22:02 Facing Adversity: A Mindset Shift

27:18 Building Awareness and Self-Understanding

28:48 Advertenity: Finding Opportunity in Adversity

37:03 Types of Adversity and Their Impact

42:08 Taking Control of Financial Adversity

43:06 Understanding Personal Values and Identity

45:18 Regulating and Recovering Energy

55:07 Practical Tips for Energy Management

01:02:42 The Impact of Vulnerability on Leadership

01:09:50 Leading with Love and Self-Care

01:12:48 Transformative Reads for Personal Growth

SPONSOR: To grow your career and explore opportunities at Computer Generated Solutions (CGS) today, find out more details at www.romania.cgsinc.com.

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

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.

🗓️ New episodes every Monday at 11 AM EST

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What if the purpose of life is… to change your mind?

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Case Kenny — bestselling author of ‘That’s Bold of You’ and host of the top 25 podcast New Mindset, Who Dis? — to talk about self-love, internal dialogue, and the real meaning of settling up vs. settling down.

→ This conversation will challenge you to rethink your relationships, rewrite your labels, and remind you that you’re allowed to define your own path.

→ It’s honest. It’s hopeful. It’s the reminder you didn’t know you needed.

💬 What We Talk About:

– The true definition of optimism

– Why labels limit your growth

– How vulnerability filters in the right people

– Visualizing vs Vocalizing to yourself: the mindfulness gap

– Visualizing success without bypassing your truth

– Breaking free from people breadcrumbing you + relationship imbalances

– Self-love before love: how to build your life first

– Creating your own version of success and joy

✨ What You’ll Learn:

✓ How to build confidence by pushing your comfort zone

✓ Why your internal dialogue shapes your emotional reality

✓ The difference between settling up and settling down for someone

✓ How to support others through trauma with compassion

✓ Why resistance is often a sign of progress

✓ How to stop rushing — and start trusting your pace

Case’s message is clear: the more honest you are with yourself, the less regret you’ll carry. And that’s where the real peace begins.

📚 Pre-order Case’s upcoming book The Opposite of Settling

📖 Get your copy of ‘That’s Bold of You’ here.

🖍️ & follow his signature red-pen reflections on Instagram at @case.kenny.

In this episode:

00:00 Welcome

03:33 Introduction to Case Kenny's Journey

05:42 Embracing Change and Optimism

10:00 The Power of Labels and Reinvention

14:05 Challenging Societal Norms

18:33 The Importance of Honesty and Vulnerability

23:47 Mindfulness and Visualization Techniques

26:03 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

30:18 Understanding Breadcrumbing in Relationships

34:11 The Importance of Choosing Yourself

40:18 Promoting Self-Love and Building a Life You Love

44:36 Cultivating a Trauma-Informed Mindset

46:44 Defining Your Own Path to Happiness

SPONSOR: To grow your career and explore opportunities at Computer Generated Solutions (CGS) today, find out more details at www.romania.cgsinc.com.

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

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.

🗓️ New episodes every Monday at 11 AM EST

📺 Subscribe on YouTube: @soniamartaauthor

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If you’re ready to lead with more empathy, courage, and clarity — this is your episode. 💡

In this conversation, we talk about:

– Navigating the legal system with compassion

– Why trauma-informed leadership matters

– Self-care as a radical act for survivors

– How to turn pain into purpose

– Entrepreneurship as a tool for advocacy

– And what it means to lead with values — even when it’s hard

💌 This episode is for you if you’re:

– Ready to grow through what you’ve gone through

– Looking to serve your community in a bigger way

– Curious about how trauma shapes leadership

– Searching for clarity, healing, or your next step

🎧 You’ll walk away with:

✓ A deeper understanding of how trauma shows up in life + work

✓ Empowering tools for leading with empathy

✓ A new perspective on consent, boundaries, and self-respect

✓ Micha’s top 2 life-changing reads — The Body Keeps the Score + Sapiens

✓ The reminder you didn’t know you needed: you can trust yourself

⸻

Micha Star Liberty is a nationally recognized trial lawyer, trauma-informed leader, and the founder of Liberty Law. She’s a fierce advocate for survivors, a voice for justice in the courtroom, and a mentor for the next generation of impact-driven women. ⚖️

But beyond her resume, Micha is real, grounded, and speaks truth with the kind of wisdom that sticks with you.

📚 Explore Micha’s book, Evolutionista

Find it now on Amazon → https://a.co/d/5FtUV8T

Follow Micha Star Liberty on LinkedIn here.

The 2 books Micha described as life-changing:

1. The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk
2. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari

⸻

In this episode:

00:00 – Intro to Micha Star Liberty

13:50 – Empowerment Through Advocacy

16:40 – Understanding Toxic Environments

19:29 – The Mind-Body Connection and Trauma

22:29 – Trauma-Informed Leadership

25:44 – Navigating the Legal System

28:45 – Entrepreneurship and Advocacy

31:40 – The Importance of Community

34:42 – Reality-Based Optimism in Healing

37:28 – Consent in the Digital Age

40:54 – Literature’s Impact on Growth

43:26 – Final Thoughts + Life Advice

59:45 – Books That Changed Micha’s Life

⸻

🗓️ New episodes every Monday at 11 AM EST

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