What if 2026 doesn’t need more pressure... just more energy?

This is the final episode of 2025 on The SMARTA Podcast, and it’s not about resolutions you’ll abandon by February. It’s about learning how to enter 2026 with clarity, confidence, and sustainable energy, without burning out or betraying yourself.

In today’s conversation, I’m joined by Michele Phillips, an expert in emotional intelligence, happiness, and energy management, to break down what actually creates momentum in your life. Not motivation. Not hustle. Alignment.

We talk about why happiness comes before success, how emotions are simply energy asking for direction, and how small, repeatable habits, not massive goals, are what change your life year over year.

This episode is an invitation to slow down, reset, and choose a different way of moving forward.

What you’ll learn:

• How to enter 2026 with more energy (not exhaustion)

• Why happiness is a habit, not a destination

• How to stop letting emotions run your life, and start guiding them

• Why small habits beat big resolutions every time

• How to build confidence by keeping promises to yourself

• The difference between running on adrenaline vs alignment

Michele Phillips is a speaker, corporate trainer, and bestselling author of Happiness Is a Habit and Energize Your Happiness. Her work focuses on emotional intelligence, energy management, and helping people live with greater clarity, confidence, and joy.

In this episode:

00:00 – Welcome & why this episode matters for 2026

02:34 – You have more power than you think

04:20 – Happiness as a habit (not a reward)

06:10 – Journaling, clarity & celebrating small wins

09:18 – Navigating emotional lows without spiraling

12:30 – Naming emotions: “name it to tame it”

15:30 – Energy vs time as the real performance driver

18:05 – Why dopamine shortcuts don’t work

20:35 – Alignment vs adrenaline

23:40 – Rejection as redirection

27:14 – Why New Year’s resolutions fail

30:10 – The power of starting so small you can’t fail

34:49 – Consistency, patience & long-term confidence

37:00 – Morning rituals & grounded leadership

39:00 – Energize Your Happiness (book pitch)

42:20 – Advice Michele wishes she knew at 17

46:40 – How to live a more energized, happy life

47:50 – Final reflections & closing the year

If you learned something new from this episode, do me a huge favor: double-check that you’re subscribed, follow the show, and rate this episode 5 stars. It’s the single best way to help us bring you more amazing guests and tools to help you live your best life ever. Now, go out there and make this your best year yet!

📺 Watch on YouTube: The SMARTA Podcast Playlist

📖 See Sonia’s books: www.soniamarta.com/books.

📲 Follow Sonia’s Journey linktr.ee/soniamartauthor

Music by epic_musictracks on Pixabay

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What if your future success has less to do with your grades… and everything to do with how well you run the business of YOU?

In this very first debate-style episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio, co-authors of The Business of You, to tackle one of the most important conversations for students, young professionals, and leaders navigating an AI-driven world: why soft skills, self-awareness, and character matter more than ever.

We talk about the character revolution, why 85% of success comes from human skills, how AI is commoditising technical abilities, and why every single one of us, whether we realise it or not, is already running a personal business called YOU. This episode is practical, honest, and packed with frameworks you can actually apply starting this week.

What you’ll learn:

• Why self-awareness is the #1 predictor of leadership success

• The difference between confidence and self-promotion

• How to answer “Tell me about yourself” with clarity and authenticity

• Why storytelling beats facts 22x over in interviews and leadership

• How to build resilience, confidence, and momentum through small risks

• How to future-proof your career in the age of AI

• Why failure is feedback—and how to use it to grow faster

Marnie Stockman is a former educator, leadership coach, and co-founder of Blue, a character-development platform helping young people build self-awareness, confidence, and purpose.

Nick Coniglio is a tech leader, entrepreneur, and leadership expert with a background in IT and innovation, focused on helping individuals treat themselves like startups and build careers with intention.

Together, they are the authors of The Business of You, a practical guide for students and young professionals learning how to invest in themselves, build value, and stand out through human skills.

📘 The Business of You is available on Amazon

📲 Learn more about Blue → coming soon

In this episode:

00:00 Welcome

02:34 Top 3 Takeaways

05:27 The Importance of Self-Awareness

08:43 Finding Your Stories and Superpowers

10:16 Confidence vs Self-Promotion

12:32 Creating the Business of YOU

17:00 Taking Ownership of Your Future

20:15 Leveraging Technology for Self-Discovery

23:18 The Role of AI in the Future of Work

26:24 Mastering Soft Skills for Success

28:44 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome

30:44 The Role of Failure in Personal Growth

34:28 Finding Balance Between Purpose and Paycheck

38:06 The SMARTA Podcast Traditions

48:13 End Message

49:11 Thank You

If you learned something new from this episode, do me a huge favor: double-check that you’re subscribed, follow the show, and rate this episode 5 stars. It’s the single best way to help us bring you more amazing guests and tools to help you live your best life ever. Now, go out there and make this your best year yet!

📺 Watch on YouTube: The SMARTA Podcast Playlist

📖 See Sonia’s books: www.soniamarta.com/books.

📲 Follow Sonia’s Journey linktr.ee/soniamartauthor

Music by epic_musictracks on Pixabay

https://pixabay.com/music/main-title-epic-drama-113886/

What if AI doesn’t replace you…but amplifies exactly who you choose to become in 2026?

As we step into a future shaped by automation, algorithms, and artificial intelligence, the real question isn’t what AI will do to us, it’s how we choose to work with it.

In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with one of the world’s leading voices on human-centered AI to break through the fear, the hype, and the noise, and get practical about what actually matters.

This is a grounded, honest, future-focused conversation about how humans stay relevant, creative, and in control in an AI-powered world.

What you’ll learn:

• Why AI is an amplifier, not a replacement

• What skills will matter most as automation accelerates

• How to think critically instead of fearfully about AI

• Why soft skills, ownership, and creativity are becoming non-negotiable

• How young people can shape AI policy, ethics, and real-world impact

• What “human + machine collaboration” actually looks like

• How to prepare for a future where learning never stops

Dr. Bryan Reimer is a Research Scientist at MIT, working at both the MIT AgeLab and the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics, and one of the leading global thinkers shaping the future of mobility, automation, and human-centered AI. He has authored 300+ publications, co-directs major MIT research consortia, advises governments and global companies, and was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to the Transforming Transportation Advisory Committee, serving as Vice Chair of the AI Subcommittee. Bryan is also the co-author of the upcoming book

How to Make AI Useful: Moving Beyond the Hype to Real Progress in Business, Society, and Life, where he explores how AI can genuinely improve human life, not replace it.

In this episode:

00:00 Introduction & why this conversation matters in 2026

02:50 Top 3 takeaways you shouldn’t miss

03:50 “AI is an amplifier” - what that really means

06:17 Moving beyond the AI hype

09:13 AI as an opinion, not a truth

12:16 Soft skills vs hard skills in an AI world

15:00 Regulation, ethics & guardrails

18:03 How to stop fearing AI and think critically

21:56 Jobs, education & the future of work

26:36 Skills young people must develop now

28:48 How youth can shape AI policy & impact

32:20 How to use AI without losing creativity

35:59 Advice Bryan would give his 17-year-old self

39:48 Books that shaped his thinking

43:07 Final message

If you learned something new from this episode, do me a huge favor: double-check that you’re subscribed, follow the show, and rate this episode 5 stars. It’s the single best way to help us bring you more amazing guests and tools to help you live your best life ever. Now, go out there and make this your best year yet!

📺 Watch on YouTube: The SMARTA Podcast Playlist

📖 See Sonia’s books: www.soniamarta.com/books.

📲 Follow Sonia’s Journey linktr.ee/soniamartauthor

Music by epic_musictracks on Pixabay

https://pixabay.com/music/main-title-epic-drama-113886/

Do you ever feel like your energy is being drained by the same handful of people, but you have no idea how to stop it?

If you’ve ever felt stuck, small, or completely exhausted by a "challenging" person in your life, this episode is a must-listen.

We all have those people who put us on a pedestal one minute and test our absolute last nerve the next. But here’s the truth: You cannot step into your best version of 2026 if you’re still carrying the weight of other people’s drama.

In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast, for the first time ever, I decided to have a solo session to reveal the truth about how you can handle negative people.

I’m giving you the exact, 5-step process to protect your peace, reclaim your power, and stop letting other people’s behavior dictate your emotions.

In this episode, you will learn:

• The real reason negative people test your patience and how to shift your perspective.
• The 5-Part Framework to dealing with challenging people in your life
• How to protect your energy so you can show up as a better leader, founder, or friend.
• Why a simple 15-minute reflection can change the trajectory of your entire year.

Who is Sonia?

Sonia Marta is a 17-year-old changemaker, bestselling author of four books, and the host of The SMARTA Podcast. Recognized as a "Young Woman Changing the World," Sonia has traveled globally to inspire over 5,000 students and leaders to find their purpose and lead with clarity. Her mission is simple: to help you grow smarter together and create the life of your dreams.

Find Sonia here:

• Website: www.soniamarta.com
• Instagram: @soniamartaauthor

If you learned something new from this episode, do me a huge favor: double-check that you’re subscribed, follow the show, and rate this episode 5 stars. It’s the single best way to help us bring you more amazing guests and tools to help you live your best life ever. Now, go out there and make this your best year yet!

📺 Watch on YouTube: The SMARTA Podcast Playlist

📖 See Sonia’s books: www.soniamarta.com/books.

📲 Follow Sonia’s Journey linktr.ee/soniamartauthor

Music by epic_musictracks on Pixabay

https://pixabay.com/music/main-title-epic-drama-113886/

What if the biggest way to grow in your career was becoming more human?

In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Philippa J. White to explore why leadership, innovation, and performance are breaking down in modern organisations, and what it actually takes to rebuild them. We talk about disengagement, quiet quitting, siloed teams, and why so many workplaces are struggling despite more tools, tech, and strategy than ever before.

This is a conversation about returning to humanity at work, without losing results.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why disengagement isn’t a motivation problem, but a leadership one

• How human-centered leadership drives innovation and collaboration

• The real cost of silos and how to break them

• Why purpose, connection, and creativity are now business essentials

• How leaders can create environments where people actually want to contribute

Philippa J. White is an international speaker, bestselling author of Return on Humanity, and host of The TIE Unearthed Podcast. With over 20 years of experience working with global organisations, Philippa helps leaders tackle disengagement, resistance to change, and lack of innovation by putting people, not just profit, at the center of strategy.

Born in South Africa, raised in Canada, running a business in the UK, and now based in Brazil, Philippa brings a truly global lens to leadership and organisational culture. Her work challenges traditional management models and offers a more human, sustainable approach to performance in today’s workplace.

You can find Philippa and her work at www.philippajwhite.com and through her book Return on Humanity.

In this episode:

00:00 Welcome

00:32 Philippa’s Top 3 Takeaways

02:37 What “Return on Humanity” Really Means

05:18 The Root Cause of Disengagement at Work

10:21 Self-Awareness at Work

15:31 What Gen Z Needs to Hear about Starting a Business

21:14 Purpose, Belonging, and Human-Centered Leadership

25:10 Leading Through Change Without Burnout

27:08 What Leaders Must Unlearn to Move Forward

31:21 What Every Teenager Needs To Do Now

33:20 Building Workplaces Where People Thrive

41:04 Philippa’s 2 Life-Changing Books

48:50 End Reflections

51:41 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 the opportunities you want is the way you communicate?

Today’s episode pulls back the curtain on the REAL reason talented people get overlooked, while others get promoted, remembered, and invited into rooms you haven’t entered yet.

Before we dive in, here’s the truth:

Your ideas don’t matter if people can’t understand, feel, or remember them.

And today, we’re fixing that at the highest level.

This episode gives you the exact tools Warwick has used to coach leaders at Microsoft, Coca-Cola, HSBC, Rolls-Royce, and Unilever so you can walk into any room, and speak with authority, confidence, and clarity.

What You’ll Learn

You’ll walk away knowing:

• How high-performing leaders make themselves visible and why it matters

• The most common communication mistakes, and how to fix them instantly

• How to become a “promotion-ready” communicator regardless of your age

• The psychology behind confidence and why behavior change beats talent

• How Warwick transforms “invisible managers” into world-class leaders

• One communication tool from The One Minute Presenter to use TODAY

• What Jack Ma teaches us about influence that schools never mention

• Warwick’s top 3 pieces of advice for young people entering university or early career

Warwick John Fahy is a global leadership communication expert who has spent 20+ years helping executives move from invisible to high-impact. He has led over 3,650 coaching sessions across Asia, working with global companies including Microsoft, Unilever, HSBC, Coca-Cola, Rolls-Royce, and Burberry.

He’s the author of The One Minute Presenter, Speaking with Purpose and Influence: The Jack Ma Way

Find Warwick here:

🌐 https://www.warwickjohnfahy.com

📚 His books – available on Amazon

In this episode:

00:00 – Welcome

01:50 – Top 3 takeaways listeners must not miss

05:20 – Patterns of high-performing leaders

09:47 – What leaders get wrong in communication

13:10 – Moving from invisible managers to visible leaders

17:02 – Role of psychology & mindset in communication

20:28 – Warwick’s breakthrough coaching moment

24:55 – Warwick’s top 3 pieces of advice for young people

29:30 – One powerful tip from The One Minute Presenter

32:48 – Lessons from Influence: The Jack Ma Way

36:05 – 60 sec challenge

38:20 – The SMARTA Podcast Traditions

45:20 – 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 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