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

📺 Subscribe on YouTube: @soniamartaauthor

🌍 Connect with Sonia: www.soniamarta.com

Follow Sonia’s journey & grow together:

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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

📺 Subscribe on YouTube: @soniamartaauthor

🌍 Connect with Sonia: www.soniamarta.com

Follow Sonia’s journey & grow together:

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