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

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