“Being apathetic is a choice.”

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with John R. Miles, founder of the Passion Struck podcast and a former U.S. Navy officer turned intentional living strategist, to explore how to break free from autopilot and design a life that truly matters.

John shares how to reconnect with your purpose, reclaim your identity, and challenge the habits that keep you stuck, starting with one powerful decision at a time.

🎯 In this episode, we explore:

– What it means to live with intention

– Why distraction is the greatest threat to your future

– How to build daily momentum through meaningful action

– The psychology of your “reverse bucket list”

– How to stop reacting and start designing your life

💡 What You’ll Learn:

✓ How to shift from passive to passionate living

✓ Tools to become an “action creator” instead of a bystander

✓ The power of making aligned micro-choices

✓ Why it’s never too late to start again

✓ How to stop micromanaging others and yourself

🧠 Who is John R. Miles?

John is the host of the Passion Struck Podcast (ranked Top 10 globally), a keynote speaker, veteran, and personal transformation expert. With millions of downloads and high-profile guests like Jamie Kern Lima and Gary Vee, his work empowers individuals to bridge the gap between intention and action.

📚 Explore his brand-new book Passion Struck on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Passion-Struck-Powerful-Principles-Intentional/dp/B0C8G5R5FZ

In this episode:

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction to John R. Miles

02:34 – What it really means to live with intention

06:47 – Why most people live on autopilot (and how to break free)

09:55 – The role of self-awareness in designing your life

12:48 – What is a reverse bucket list — and why it matters

15:33 – How to stop micromanaging yourself and others

18:02 – Becoming an “action creator” and building momentum

22:21 – Letting go of the need to prove yourself

25:10 – Creating habits that support identity shifts

28:44 – John’s message to his younger self

31:10 – Final challenge: Start living like you matter

AD: Find out how Computer Generated Solutions (CGS) can support your company’s success today by visiting 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: linktr.ee/soniamartauthor

What if the way you show up: your energy, your focus, your choices, was more powerful than your circumstances?

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Brian Biro, America’s #1 Breakthrough Speaker and bestselling author of Beyond Success, to talk about how we can stop striving for approval, start showing up with purpose, and lead with energy and presence — even in moments of fear, doubt, or disconnection.

If you’re ready for clarity, momentum, and more joy, start here.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

✓ The mindset shift that changes pressure into momentum

✓ The 3 controllables that shape your leadership & energy

✓ How to focus on what you put in, not just what comes out

✓ How to be more present with the people who matter most

✓ Why the key to breakthrough leadership is belief — in yourself and others

🎯 In this episode, we explore:

– The moment Brian stopped chasing approval and started chasing impact

– How to stop letting others drain your energy

– The true power of being present

– The science behind belief, expectations & breakthroughs

– Why your focus creates your future — and how to reframe it

– A challenge for listeners to become better leaders, friends, and partners

🧠 Brian Biro has delivered nearly 1,900 presentations around the world to over 1 million people. He is the author of 16 books, including Beyond Success and his newest, Lessons from the Legends.

With degrees from Stanford and UCLA, he has appeared on Good Morning America and CNN, and was named one of the Top 10 Interactive Keynote Speakers in North America and among the Top 50 Motivational Speakers in the WORLD.

In this episode:00:00 – Welcome & Introduction to Brian Biro03:42 – What’s the most important mindset for students today?06:52 – What makes a great keynote speaker stand out?09:31 – Why stories are more powerful than facts13:07 – What’s your definition of breakthrough leadership?16:16 – What are the 3 controllables that shape great leaders?20:05 – How to reshape your vision and focus25:36 – What’s the real secret to energy and presence?31:49 – How do you heal past wounds and release “energy vampires”?34:10 – Tell me more about the breakthrough board experience35:09 – What would you tell your 17-year-old self?39:29 – What is the Pygmalion effect and how does it change leadership?44:42 – What does it mean to lead with full presence?46:25 – If your biggest failure held a seminar, what would it teach?50:33 – Final advice: why humility and learning are essential

📚 Grab Brian’s books on Amazon — starting with Beyond Success

🌐 Connect with Brian at: www.brianbiro.com

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Find out how Computer Generated Solutions (CGS) can support your company’s success today by visiting 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

📺 YouTube: @soniamartaauthor

🌍 Connect: www.soniamarta.com

📲 Follow on Instagram: @soniamartaauthor

📌 Links: linktr.ee/soniamartauthor

Feeling disconnected from your work? Wondering where your motivation went?

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Joshua M. Evans, bestselling author, keynote speaker, and purpose-driven leadership expert, to talk about how to reignite passion even in the most repetitive, exhausting, or corporate of jobs.

You’ll walk away with tools, mindset shifts, and the surprising truth about enthusiasm that can transform how you show up to work… and life.

🎯 In this episode, we explore:

– How to rediscover meaning in your day-to-day work

– What burnout really is (and what it’s not)

– The #1 mindset shift that brings back energy and clarity

– How to lead with enthusiasm without losing yourself

– Why you don’t have to change your job to feel fulfilled

– The secret to sustaining motivation when no one is cheering you on

💡 What You’ll Learn:

✓ How to shift from exhausted to empowered at work

✓ Why purpose doesn’t have to be loud or dramatic

✓ How to gamify your routine to avoid burnout

✓ The real reason you feel “off” and how to reset

✓ Practical tools to find meaning, even in the mundane

🧠 Joshua M. Evans has trained 1,000+ organizations and speaks worldwide about engagement, leadership, and building culture with intention. His mission: help people love what they do and rediscover the human part of their work.

In this episode:

00:00 Intro: Meet Joshua M. Evans

01:45 What Happens When You Feel Disconnected From Your Work

04:12 The Truth About Burnout (It’s Not Always Exhaustion)

07:09 Why Enthusiasm Is a Career Superpower

10:15 Finding Meaning in Repetitive Work

13:40 How to Rediscover Purpose Without Changing Jobs

17:30 Building Daily Momentum Through Micro-Wins

20:00 Protecting Your Energy in a Negative Work Culture

23:14 Gamification: A Surprising Cure for Low Motivation

26:45 The Role of Gratitude in Sustaining Passion

30:10 Leading with Purpose When You’re Not in Charge

34:18 Final Takeaways: How to Love What You Do Again

Check out Purpose or Perish, The Quest For Meaning in the Future of Work on Amazon here

AD: Find out how Computer Generated Solutions (CGS) can support your company’s success today by visiting 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

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