What if the key to building a global career isn’t talent or timing…

But your ability to stay curious, adaptable, and true to yourself, no matter the noise around you?

Today on The SMARTA Podcast, we’re diving into a conversation with someone who has shaped the global entertainment landscape from every angle, from Sony Pictures Iberia to Movistar Plus+ to Huawei Technologies.

My guest, Maria Valenzuela, has generated over €2 billion in international deals, built award-winning teams, launched global content, and now leads Brisa Media, her own international production company. She also teaches at IE University and speaks five languages, bringing a rare global perspective to creativity, leadership, and career growth.

What You’ll Learn

• How to negotiate with fairness, reliability, and integrity
• The truth about AI’s impact on content and creativity
• The skills young professionals must develop right now
• How to turn a creative vision into a viable global business
• Why curiosity is the “battery” for success
• Why it’s okay not to have your passion figured out at 17
• How to stay true to your path in a fast-changing world

Maria Valenzuela is a global media executive with 20+ years of senior leadership experience across Europe, Asia, and the U.S. She has served as SVP at Sony Pictures Iberia, General Manager at Movistar Plus+ International, and Global Head of Video Strategy at Huawei. She is the founder of Brisa Media, a multilingual professor at IE University, and a leading expert in content strategy, co-productions, AI in media, and international entertainment.

Find her work here:

🔗 Brisa Media – https://brisamedia.com (or preferred link you provide)

In this episode:

00:00 – Welcome

01:00 – 3 Takeaways You Won’t Want to Miss

02:17 – How to Build Long-Lasting Global Collaborations

04:10 – What Thinking “Beyond Borders” Teaches Young Professionals

05:43 – How AI Will Transform the Media Industry

09:18 – The Skills Young Professionals Need Today

10:37 – What Maria Looks for in Her Ideal Student

11:52 – Turning Creative Vision Into a Global Business

14:14 – What Audiences Want Across Cultures

16:21 – The Role of Curiosity, Adaptability & Lifelong Learning

17:37 – How Learning Languages Becomes a Superpower

19:09 – Advice to Maria’s 17-Year-Old Self

20:18 – Hot to Balance Creativity With Financial Independence

21:52 – Books That Changed Maria’s Life

23:42 – How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome

26:10 – A Challenge for the Listener: Why Do You Want This?

27:18 – Maria’s Final Message

28:31 – Thank You

🎄 GIVEAWAY NOTE

I’m running a Christmas giveaway with a finance & self-development book, 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 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

Have you ever felt like you’re standing still in your career, not because of the ceiling above you, but the floor beneath you?

Today on The SMARTA Podcast, we dive deep into what’s really holding you back at work and how to unlock your potential by removing the “interference” that clouds performance.

In this episode, we unpack:

💡 Why you need to stop managing change and start building change fitness

💡 How to balance freedom and structure to build trust and accountability

💡 What “performance = potential - interference” really means in practice

💡 How to design a culture that’s both emotional and cognitive

💡 Why leadership doesn’t start with a title, it starts with you

About Yvette:

Yvette Janse Van Rensburg is a Partner at Let’s Talk Talent, specializing in culture, leadership, and talent management. She’s passionate about making organizations irresistible by unlocking people’s potential. You can connect with Yvette and explore her work at letstalktalent.co.uk.

In this episode:

00:00 – Intro

01:19 – What makes organizations irresistible

02:39 – The power of the “performance = potential – interference” equation

06:21 – Building culture that lasts

11:08 – Moving from change management to change fitness

15:18 – Freedom within the framework: structure vs flexibility

18:16 – Rethinking talent management

20:56 – Leadership starts before the title

23:27 – The rise of AI and hybrid workplaces

27:43 – The future of people and culture

30:15 – The sticky floor paradox

32:50 – Books that shaped Yvette’s perspective

35:55 – Unlocking hidden talent

38:52 – Final message to listeners

41:00 – Outro

If today’s episode made you see yourself differently, pause to think, or feel understood share this episode with someone who needs it too.

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

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

What if the very things you think are “holding you back” are actually your greatest power?

If you’ve ever felt overlooked in a loud room, struggled to be taken seriously at work, or questioned whether your voice truly matters, today’s episode is going to shift something in you. Today you will learn how to own your voice, communicate with impact, and lead confidently whether you’re an introvert, an extrovert, or somewhere in between. This conversation will help you understand yourself better and show up differently tomorrow.

What You’ll Learn

By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with:

1. How to communicate with authenticity (and what that actually looks like in real-life conversations).

2. Why introversion is a leadership strength, not something to “fix.”

3. How to build a work culture where everyone feels heard (no matter the size of the room).

4. 3 practical skills anyone can use to stand out in a new team or organization.

5. How to use storytelling to influence decisions, connect deeply, and grow your career or brand.

Richard Étienne is a storytelling strategist, documentary filmmaker, communications consultant, and founder of The Introvert Space a platform dedicated to elevating introverted voices in leadership.

He has shaped communications at 10 Downing Street, created social strategy that reached over 1 billion impressions, led storytelling at Bacardi, Elsevier, and The Economist, and co-hosts the Trends at 12 segment on BBC London Radio.

▶︎ Website & Resources: https://www.richardetienne.co.uk

In this episode:

00:00 Welcome & Richard’s Journey

01:12 The 3 Key Takeaways for Your Leadership Growth

04:30 Misconceptions About Introverts in Leadership

07:55 Building Inclusive Workplace Cultures

11:15 How to Bring Your “Whole Self” to Work

14:42 Skills to Stand Out in Any Career Stage

17:25 How to Grow Your Voice & Your Community

20:10 The Art of Storytelling for Influence

24:50 The Power of Pivoting Careers

29:17 Books That Transformed Richard’s Journey

32:01 How to Create Space in Conversations

35:30 Final Message to the Listener

If today’s episode made you see yourself differently, pause to think, or feel understood share this episode with someone who needs it too.

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

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

Are you stuck between your job and your dream? Wondering how to finally start your personal brand and actually make it profitable? Or maybe you’re curious what truly separates those who talk about success from those who live it?

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, Sonia sits down with Katrena Friel, the powerhouse behind the Becoming the Expert methodology and founder of the Business Mentor Institute. With over 25 years of experience mentoring thousands of entrepreneurs, Katrena helps professionals move from “thinking about it” to getting it done with authenticity, clarity, and purpose. Together, they explore the mindset shifts that turn uncertainty into action and ideas into income.

💡 What You’ll Learn

1. Why trusting yourself is the first step to becoming the expert.

2. How to start your personal brand business, even on a shoestring.

3. The key differences between mentorship and coaching, and why most entrepreneurs get it wrong.

4. How to package, position, and price your expertise effectively.

5. The seven streams of income every personal brand should have.

6. The secret to building authentic confidence and speaking from your soul.

7. Why living intentionally and focusing on what you can control sets you free.

Katrena Friel is an award-winning business mentor, speaker, and author who has transformed the lives of thousands of professionals worldwide. She’s the creator of Becoming the Expert and founder of the Business Mentor Institute, helping individuals turn their life stories into legacy businesses. Katrena’s approach blends strategy, mindset, and soulful www.becomingtheexpert.com.au.

📚 Her latest book is available directly through her website.

⏱️ In This Episode

00:00 — Welcome & Introduction

01:00 — The Power of Self-Trust and Confidence

03:20 — How to Build a Startup with Limited Resources

08:30 — Why Every Entrepreneur Needs a Personal Brand

12:40 — The Difference Between Coaching and Mentoring

20:00 — The Done-For-You Business Model Explained

24:10 — How to Get Unstuck and Find Your Life Purpose

32:00 — The Best Advice for 17-Year-Old Entrepreneurs

36:30 — Living Intentionally & Controlling What You Can

38:00 — Final Reflections

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

📖 Get your copy of Always Free by Jason Graystone.

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

What if your biggest limitation isn’t a lack of skill… but an unconscious belief you’ve never questioned?

What if selling, leading, and succeeding had less to do with persuasion… and more to do with curiosity?

And what if generosity, not hustle, was the ultimate competitive edge?

The answers lie in this week’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast, where I sit down with Bob Burg, bestselling co-author of The Go-Giver and globally recognized expert on influence, sales, and leadership. Bob’s work has impacted millions, with his books translated into more than 30 languages and sold over a million copies worldwide. A sought-after keynote speaker and mentor, Bob helps professionals and organizations shift from transactional to transformational success by focusing on creating genuine value first.

You can find more about Bob and his work at www.burg.com, and follow him on LinkedIn for his latest insights.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

1. How your unconscious operating system shapes success and behavior

2. The difference between go-getters, go-givers, and go-takers

3. The five laws of stratospheric success from The Go-Giver

4. How to build influence through authenticity and service

5. Why giving and receiving are two sides of the same coin

6. The mindset shifts needed to embrace prosperity and abundance

7. The crucial people skills that technology can never replace

In this episode:

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction to Bob Burg

01:00 – Understanding Your Unconscious Operating System

04:20 – The Go-Giver vs. The Go-Getter vs. The Go-Taker

09:30 – The Five Laws of Stratospheric Success

14:43 – How Authenticity and Receptivity Shape Influence

18:50 – The Prosperity Mindset: How to Overcome Limiting Beliefs

20:19 – Why People Skills Matter More Than Ever

24:56 – Emotional Intelligence in the Age of AI

26:27 – The 60-Second Go-Giver Challenge

28:48 – Books That Transformed Bob’s Life

31:09 – Final Message: Become a Student of Life

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

📖 Get your copy of Always Free by Jason Graystone.

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