What does it really mean to uplift service, and why does it matter more now than ever?

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Ron Kaufman, New York Times bestselling author of Uplifting Service, globally ranked customer service expert, and one of the world’s top keynote speakers on leadership, culture, and service excellence. For over 30 years, Ron has helped organizations from Singapore Airlines to Fortune 500 companies build cultures of service that transform both business outcomes and human connection.

Together, we explore the mindset and tools leaders need to move beyond “good service” and instead create uplifting service—service that consistently adds unexpected, lasting value.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The difference between good service, customer satisfaction, and authentic care
• How to build a culture of service across every level of your organization
• Why complaints are the most valuable gift a customer can give you
• The shift from customer service to customer care, and what it means for the future
• How generosity, responsibility, and authenticity make leadership sustainable

Whether you’re leading a global team or just beginning your career, Ron’s insights will reshape how you think about service, leadership, and the role you play in creating impact.

Grab your copy of Ron Kaufman’s bestseller, Uplifting Service here: https://www.amazon.com/Uplifting-Service-Delighting-Customers-Colleagues/dp/0984762507

In this episode:

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction

01:13 – The Three Big Takeaways on Service

03:33 – Ron’s Early Influences and the Roots of Service Leadership

08:13 – The 12 Building Blocks of Service Culture

11:44 – Common Challenges in Service Around the World

17:23 – Why Uplifting Service Matters for Everyone

20:40 – The True Definition of Service (Beyond Clichés)

22:29 – The Power of Surprise in Customer Experience

24:58 – Personal Stories of Uplifting Service

29:51 – Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up Leadership

33:02 – Staying Inspired Through Decades of Service Work

36:47 – The Future of Service Excellence (Bucharest Event Preview)

40:27 – Advice to Ron’s 17-Year-Old Self

41:41 – Ron’s Book Recommendations

46:21 – How Employee Engagement Shapes Customer Experience

50:13 – Final Message: Uplift Someone Today

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📅 New episodes every Monday at 11 AM EST

Watch the full episodes on YouTube: SMARTA Podcast Playlist

Find out more about Sonia: www.soniamarta.com

Follow Sonia’s journey on Instagram: @soniamartaauthor | Linktree

What separates good leaders from great ones? How do the best teams thrive while others fall apart?

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Dr. David Burkus, best-selling author of Build Your Best Team Ever, globally recognized leadership thinker, and trusted advisor to organizations like NASA, Adobe, and PepsiCo. With over 20 years of research and experience, David reveals the surprising truths behind team performance, leadership clarity, and why contribution matters more than passion.

Whether you’re leading a team of 5 or 500, this conversation will reshape how you think about leadership, teamwork, and success.

What You’ll Learn:

– Why talent alone doesn’t create success — and what does

– How to turn feedback into your career’s greatest advantage

– The blueprint for building a team that actually performs

– The difference between good leaders and great leaders

– Why contribution comes before passion (and not the other way around)

– The single habit that builds trust and respect on any team

📚 Dr. David Burkus is the author of five bestselling books, including Build Your Best Team Ever. He has delivered 1,000+ keynotes across the globe, appeared on Good Morning America and CNN, and worked with Fortune 500 companies, the military, and top universities to transform leadership and teamwork.

📖 Grab a copy of Best Team Ever here https://davidburkus.com/books/best-team-ever/

In this episode:

00:00 Welcome & Introduction to Dr. David Burkus

00:57 The 3 most important lessons from David’s journey

03:13 The surprising truth about talent and teams

04:13 Why leadership is not about a title

07:09 What separates good leaders from great leaders

09:34 Building trust and psychological safety on teams

11:59 Why talented teams sometimes fail

15:47 A blueprint for leaders to improve performance this week

18:15 Career advice: contribution vs passion

21:15 Lessons from NASA, Adobe, and PepsiCo

24:32 Why great ideas often get rejected

26:03 Advice David wishes he knew early in his career

28:24 What it really takes to build your best team ever

30:46 David’s final advice for listeners

🛎️ Subscribe for more weekly episodes that fuel growth, clarity, and leadership from the inside out.

📅 New episodes every Monday at 11 AM EST

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube: The SMARTA Podcast

🌐 Find out more about Sonia: www.soniamarta.com

📲 Follow Sonia’s journey on Instagram: @soniamartaauthor | Linktree

What does it really take to turn a guilty pleasure into a global brand, and why do the “crazy” ideas often become the ones that change your life?

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Georgiana Ghiciuc, a powerhouse entrepreneur whose career has spanned academia, digital marketing, employer branding, and now high fashion. Georgiana opens up about how burnout and self-doubt pushed her to reinvent herself, how a pair of fuchsia satin stilettos became the cornerstone of her business, and why adaptability is the key to thriving in both life and entrepreneurship.

Whether you’re chasing a passion project, doubting your next move, or needing the courage to take the first small step, this conversation will inspire you to embrace change, trust your vision, and bet on yourself.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why embracing change leads to growth (even when it feels scary)

• How “insane” ideas can open surprising doors

• The power of small, consistent steps in building a dream business

• Why adaptability is every entrepreneur’s secret weapon

• What it’s really like to launch a fashion brand from scratch

• The advice Georgiana would give her 17-year-old self

• Her top book recommendations that shaped her journey (Range by David Epstein and Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll)

👠 Check out MAD Shoes here https://madshoes.ro

Georgiana Ghiciuc is a Romanian entrepreneur, storyteller, and founder of MAD Shoes, a luxury footwear brand featured in British Vogue. With a career spanning academia, digital marketing, and employer branding, she has helped over 40 global tech companies grow their voice before reinventing herself in fashion. Today, she designs bold, expressive shoes for women who love originality, proving that true entrepreneurship is about curiosity, reinvention, and turning passion into business.

In this episode:

00:00 – Welcome + Georgiana’s Vogue UK feature

01:10 – From academia to fashion: the unexpected career turn

03:00 – Embracing change & adaptability as an entrepreneur

04:40 – How MAD Shoes began with one bold prototype

06:50 – Doubts, setbacks & first big wins from global stylists

12:20 – Advice to students & young professionals starting out

16:00 – From guilty pleasure to global fashion business

21:50 – The hardest & most surprising challenges in fashion

25:40 – Why entrepreneurship feels like freedom (and why it isn’t)

27:40 – The advice Georgiana would give her 17-year-old self

31:00 – Georgiana’s top 2 book recommendations (Range + Alice in Wonderland)

34:00 – Final advice to embrace patience and the process

🛎️ Subscribe for more weekly episodes that fuel growth, clarity, and leadership from the inside out.

📅 New episodes every Monday at 11 AM EST

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube: The SMARTA Podcast

🌐 Find out more about Sonia: www.soniamarta.com

📲 Follow Sonia’s journey on Instagram: @soniamartaauthor | Linktree

Do you ever wonder how great leaders stay calm, focused, and effective when everything around them feels out of control?

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, bestselling author Sonia Marta sits down with executive coach Rob Kalwarowsky to share practical strategies on self-leadership, managing chaos, and finding clarity under pressure.

If you’ve searched for how to manage stress, lead with confidence, or stay grounded in uncertainty, this episode is for you.

Do you feel like life is moving faster than you can keep up? How do you show up as a leader when chaos surrounds you?

In today’s episode, Rob shares why managing yourself is the foundation of leading others, and how facing your inner chaos can unlock resilience, confidence, and impact.

Whether you’re leading a team, building a career, or just trying to manage the overwhelm of daily life, this conversation will give you practical tools and powerful insights to navigate chaos with clarity and strength.

What we’ll cover:

• Why you can’t lead others until you learn to lead yourself

• The difference between controlling chaos and responding to it

• How to deal with the voice in your head: friend or enemy?

• The truth about living on autopilot and how to break free

• Why self-leadership is the hardest (and most important) work you’ll ever do

• Practical steps to create calm and confidence in uncertain times

To see more of Rob’s work, follow his journey on robkalwarowsky.com.

Grab a copy of Rob’s book, Capitalizing on Chaos here. https://www.amazon.com/Capitalizing-Chaos-Executives-Succeed-Disruption-ebook/dp/B0FMQBYYBW/ref=zg_bsnr_g_2581_d_sccl_3/000-0000000-0000000?psc=1

Take the Tasha Eurich Insight Free Assessment here. https://www.insight-book.com/Quiz

As an engineer turned leadership coach, Rob Kalwarowsky has built a career around helping individuals and organizations thrive under pressure. He is passionate about mental health, human-centered leadership, and equipping people with the tools to transform chaos into opportunity. Through coaching, speaking, and his top-rated Leadership Launchpad Project Podcast, Rob inspires leaders around the world to lead with purpose, empathy, and courage.

Connect with Sonia:

• Follow her on Instagram

• Sonia’s socials

Do you truly know your voice? Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to express yourself fully, without fear or comparison?

In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast, explore the power of voice with singer, vocal coach, and educator Jimmy Cannon. Through his unique perspective, Jimmy reveals why your voice is more than sound. It’s identity, freedom, and the purest expression of your inner self.

Whether you’re a professional performer, someone who sings in the shower, or simply want to connect more deeply with your own authenticity, this conversation will inspire you to listen closer to your voice and trust it as a guide.

Your voice can empower, heal, and transform not just you, but the people around you.

What we’ll cover:

• Why your voice is the most powerful instrument you already own

• How finding your voice leads to greater freedom and confidence

• Why singing isn’t just for singers, it’s for everyone

• The connection between self-acceptance and vocal expression

• How to overcome fear and embrace your true sound

• The emotional impact of using your voice authentically

To see more of Jimmy’s work, follow him on https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmycannon/

As a professional singer, songwriter, and educator, Jimmy Cannon has dedicated his career to helping people discover the transformative power of their voice. From international performances to intimate coaching sessions, he has seen firsthand how voice can build confidence, break down barriers, and create deeper connections. Jimmy’s approach is rooted in honesty, emotion, and the belief that everyone has a unique voice worth sharing.

Connect with Sonia:

• Follow her on Instagram www.instagram.com/soniamartaauthor/

• Sonia’s socials linktr.ee/soniamartauthor

You can get richer over time by investing less, earlier.

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, bestselling author Sonia Marta sits down with Julia Cancro, finance expert and author of More Than Cash, to reveal practical money tips that actually work.

If you’ve ever Googled “how to invest for beginners” or “how to retire early,” this conversation is packed with simple strategies you can apply today.

In today’s episode, discover how to build wealth without a massive paycheck and why starting small right now can completely change your financial future. Julia shares the simple, realistic money habits that helped her and her friends invest smarter, stress less, and gain more freedom.

Money doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be empowering, freeing, and even exciting. Julia’s down-to-earth advice will help you ditch the overwhelm, start investing with confidence, and make your future self proud.

What we’ll cover:

• The truth behind “save less, retire rich”

• Why your habits matter more than your income

• How to start investing even if you’re intimidated

• The one money story that will change how you think about time and compounding

• How to ignore social media’s “keep up” trap and focus on your goals

• The easiest ways to automate your wealth-building strategy

To see more of Julia’s work, follow her on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-cancro-b98a2275/ and check out her book More Than Cash. https://www.amazon.com/More-Than-Cash-finally-making-ebook/dp/B0BSND3DRX

As a finance writer and former Fortune 500 professional, Julia Cancro is on a mission to make financial literacy simple and accessible. She combines real-world investing experience with relatable stories, showing people how to start small, think long-term, and create a financial life they love without a finance degree or endless spreadsheets.

Connect with Sonia:

Find out more about Sonia: www.soniamarta.com

Follow Sonia’s journey on Instagram: @soniamartaauthor | Linktree

Subscribe for more weekly episodes that fuel growth, clarity, and leadership from the inside out.

New episodes every Monday at 11 AM EST

Watch the full episode on YouTube: The SMARTA Podcast

What if confidence isn’t something you’re born with… but something you build?

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Juan Bendaña: keynote speaker, author, and Gen Z leadership expert to unpack what real confidence looks like and how you can stop waiting and start leading. From school auditoriums to global stages, Juan has shared his story with over 250,000 students and professionals, inspiring them to build courage, take action, and show up as their authentic selves.

This conversation is about getting honest: Why do we feel stuck? What’s holding us back from speaking up or showing up fully? And how do we create the confidence we need to live a life that feels like ours?

Whether you’re navigating your career, building a brand, or simply tired of doubting yourself, this episode will give you the tools and mindset to lead from within.

What You’ll Learn

– Why confidence is a skill, not a trait

– How to reframe failure and take action anyway

– The 3 things confident people do differently

– Why Gen Z struggles with self-worth and what to do about it

– How to overcome imposter syndrome by building self-trust

– The difference between clarity and certainty (and why it matters)

– How to find your voice and stop shrinking

About Juan Bendaña

Juan is a globally recognized speaker and author of Confident by Choice. He works with schools, companies, and leaders worldwide to inspire purposeful action, bold confidence, and personal leadership. With a background in youth development and performance psychology, he’s redefining what it means to lead in the 21st century especially for younger generations.

Get your copy of Confident By Choice here https://www.juanbendana.com/book

In This Episode:

00:00 – Welcome & Intro to Juan

03:11 – What confidence really means

06:42 – The biggest lie we believe about purpose

10:19 – Self-doubt, self-talk, and showing up anyway

14:30 – Gen Z’s biggest challenge right now

18:22 – Why clarity is more important than certainty

21:50 – How Juan built his career from scratch

26:00 – Overcoming fear of judgment

30:44 – The story behind Do It With Fire

34:00 – Building trust with yourself

39:12 – How to turn your voice into your power

43:21 – Final thoughts and takeaways

🎧 New episodes every Monday at 11AM EST

📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube: @soniamartaauthor

🌍 Learn more: www.soniamarta.com

📲 Follow Sonia: @soniamartaauthor | linktr.ee/soniamartauthor

What does it really take to speak so people listen in meetings, on stage, and in high-stakes moments?

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Deborah Gardner, former Olympic trial swimmer turned renowned keynote speaker and Hall of Fame inductee, to talk about how women can lead through confident, compelling communication.

Deborah breaks down the myths of “professionalism,” shares practical tools for handling confrontation, and helps us rethink what powerful presence actually means.

Whether you’re pitching, presenting, or speaking up for yourself, this conversation is your permission to stop diluting your voice and start owning the room.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to speak up with clarity and presence

• Why female professionals often underplay their ideas (and how to stop)

• Tactics for reframing fear into fuel before a big talk

• How to balance warmth with authority

• How to overcome imposter syndrome in high-stakes rooms

Deborah Gardner is a Certified Meeting Professional, entrepreneur, and the author of six bestselling books. Named Mrs. Arizona 2020 and Mrs. America 2022, Deborah has been recognized as a CNN Top 75 Keynote Speaker, one of Smart Meetings’ Top 50 Smart Women Leaders, and a Top 20 Trendsetter by Meetings Today.

Learn more about Deborah at https://iamdeborahg.com/

In this episode:

00:00 – Welcome + Meet Deborah Gardner

03:10 – How sports shaped her mindset and grit

06:45 – Why women struggle to speak with authority

11:20 – What people misunderstand about professional communication

15:00 – Speaking tips for introverts

18:33 – How to stop over-explaining your ideas

21:58 – Pre-speech mindset: What Deborah does before every keynote

25:42 – Navigating conflict with confidence

29:10 – The mindset that helps her walk into any room

34:15 – How to make people feel heard without shrinking yourself

39:40 – Her advice to the next generation of female leaders

🛎️ Subscribe for more weekly episodes that fuel growth, clarity, and leadership from the inside out.

📅 New episodes every Monday at 11 AM EST

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube: The SMARTA Podcast

🌐 Find out more about Sonia: www.soniamarta.com

📲 Follow Sonia’s journey on Instagram: @soniamartaauthor | Linktree