The SMARTA Podcast

Are you constantly striving for perfection, only to feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and completely disconnected from what actually makes you happy? Today, we are taking a sledgehammer to the idea that you have to burn yourself out to be successful. We are exposing the hidden "saboteurs" that are ruining your productivity and giving you the exact, 16-second tools to stop them in their tracks...

The biggest reason most businesses fail isn’t a bad idea, it’s a lack of discipline. Let me explain. Everyone talks about vision. Vision attracts investors. Vision inspires teams. Vision gets people excited. But according to five-time CEO, executive coach, and author Dane Hudson , vision alone doesn’t build successful companies. Discipline does. In today’s episode, Dane shares the leadership lesso...

T oday, we are flipping everything you thought you knew about marketing, sales, and success completely upside down. We are talking about why finding a "niche" is terrible advice, why selling shouldn't feel creepy, and the absolute secret to understanding the psychology of high-end clients. If you have ever felt like you have massive potential but you're working way harder than yo...

What if the reason you stopped asking questions has nothing to do with curiosity — and everything to do with confidence? In today's episode, I sit down with Dr. Katie Trowbridg, educator, TEDx speaker, leadership researcher, and author of  Lead Boldly, Think Deeply for a conversation that is going to completely rewire the way you think about leadership, learning, and what it actually means to...

What if the only thing standing between you and the opportunity of a lifetime is the belief that you’re not ready? In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with former CEO, executive coach, keynote speaker, and bestselling author Patty Azzarello, who became Hewlett-Packard’s youngest General Manager at 33, ran a billion-dollar software business at 35, and became a CEO by 38. But behind...

What if the career you’re looking for isn’t a destination—but a passport? Most people think hospitality is about hotels, luxury, and customer service. But what if it’s actually one of the greatest leadership schools in the world? In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast , I sit down with Peter Prinsloo , General Manager of The Heritage Resort Ireland , to explore what it really takes to lead people,...

Most people think communication is about sounding smart. But what if the real secret is learning how to make people feel heard? In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast , I sit down with Deborah Riegel , executive coach, leadership communication expert, keynote speaker, and author for a powerful conversation about confidence, difficult conversations, emotional intelligence, and the communication s...

If you’ve ever felt insecure about your voice, your accent, or the way you communicate, this episode is for you. Have you ever wondered why the new generations always text differently? Or why accents exist, or why people judge the way others talk, and how social media is transforming language in real time? In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast , I sit down with Valerie Fridland , professor of s...

What if the thing you’ve spent years hiding… could become the thing that changes your life? For over 10,849 days , David silently battled panic attacks and anxiety while building a successful corporate career. No one knew. Not his colleagues. Not his friends. Not even his family. Then, in 2016, he made one decision that changed everything: he spoke up. Today marks nearly 10 years since David first...

If you’re deciding where to live, study, or build your future, this episode might completely change your perspective. In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast , we break down one of the biggest misconceptions about success, countries, and your future: why the happiest places in the world aren’t what you think, and what that means for you. I’m joined by Dr. Mark Henry, expert in psychology, history...

What if the secret to building a remarkable life isn’t chasing a personal brand… but making the world better first? In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast , I sit down with Guy Kawasaki , bestselling author, entrepreneur, former chief evangelist of Apple, host of Remarkable People , and one of the most respected voices in innovation, influence, and entrepreneurship. This conversation goes far be...

Feeling Stuck? The 8-Hour Rule That Will Change Your Life with Laura Best Have you ever felt like you achieved everything you were "supposed" to, but you still feel completely disconnected from what lights you up? Today, we are diving deep into the massive myth that you have to blow up your life and quit everything just to follow your passion. We're uncovering how to find meaning rig...

What if the reason you feel exhausted… is because you’re doing too much of the wrong things? In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast , I sit down with Aoife O’Brien , burnout specialist, leadership coach, and founder of Happier at Work. This conversation is a wake-up call. We break down why burnout doesn’t happen overnight, how high performers are often the most at risk, and why constantly pushin...

What if the reason your business, or your life isn’t growing… is because you’re focusing on the wrong things? In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast , I sit down with Alan O’Neill , international business strategist, advisor, and author, to break down what actually drives growth in today’s fast-moving world. This is a conversation about clarity, focus, and execution. We dive into why most compan...

What would you do if everything you relied on: your safety, your future, was taken away in seconds? In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast , I sit down with Chris Moon , a former soldier, ultra-endurance athlete, and landmine survivor who quite literally had to rebuild his life from nothing. This is not a conversation about “staying positive.” It’s about facing reality, taking ownership, and cho...

What if the biggest thing holding you back from success… is simply thinking too much? In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with entrepreneur, investor, filmmaker, and speaker Craig Gauthier to talk about the mindset shift that separates people who dream about success from those who actually create it. Craig shares the truth about modern ambition: most people are stuck consuming ide...

What if uncertainty isn’t the problem… but your reaction to it is? In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast , I sit down with Meridith Elliott Powell , award-winning business strategist, keynote speaker, and author of Thrive , to break down how leaders, students, and teams can stop fearing disruption and start using it as fuel. We talk about why most people wait for change instead of preparing for...

What if the real reason you’re stuck isn’t lack of effort… but solving the wrong problem? In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Isamu Pant, behavioural health strategist, former Amazon leader, and author of The Behavioral Health Fix, to unpack why most leaders, students, and organizations stay trapped in cycles of busyness without breakthrough. We talk about: • Why passion alon...

LinkedIn isn’t social media… but it's the biggest networking room you’re not walking into. Most people treat LinkedIn like a CV graveyard or a corporate Instagram. In this episode, we break that myth. Today, I’m joined by Ashley Leeds, known as The 15 Minute Guy , and we unpack exactly how to build confidence, visibility, and real opportunities on LinkedIn in just 15 minutes a day. If you’ve e...

What if the reason you feel stuck isn’t a lack of talent, but a lack of self-awareness? In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast , I’m joined by Betsy Wills , leadership expert, author, and a voice featured in The Washington Post , to explore how understanding your attitude, not just your skills, can completely change the way you lead, learn, and live. This conversation is about ownership, mindset...

What if uncertainty isn’t a sign you’re failing, but proof you’re growing? In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast , I’m joined by Brianna Sylver , innovation leader, author of Leading Through Freefall , and a trusted voice featured in The Washington Post . Brianna has spent over 20 years leading organizations through uncertainty, change, and disruption, and today she breaks down what no one teac...

What if the thing you’re missing right now isn’t motivation — but a village? In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast , I sit down with Jonathan Conyers ,  author of I Wasn’t Supposed to Be Here , campaign feature on Humans of New York , and a voice recognised by The Washington Post , to talk about resilience, community, forgiveness, and how to keep going when life stacks the odds against you. This c...

Do you feel stuck not because you’re behind, but because you’re waiting to feel ready? In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast , I sit down with Musonda Veronica , Insider LA ’s Person of the Year 2026 , TEDx speaker, leadership coach, and keynote speaker, to break down how to step into this year with courage, clarity, and momentum even when your path doesn’t make sense yet. This conversation is...

You don’t have to try harder and post more. You have to get more clarity on what you do. Find your ‘why’. Your purpose. As a new year begins, most people set goals. Very few build the discipline, clarity, and mindset required to actually follow through. In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast , I sit down with one of the most direct, no-nonsense voices in business to talk about productivity with...

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 intellige...