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

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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

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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