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 beyond business.

We talk about what truly makes someone remarkable, why young people should focus on interests over pressure-filled passions, the truth about personal branding, the mistakes that shape success, and how to make the world better in your own way.

We also dive into privacy, digital security, creativity, books that change lives, and the brutally honest advice Guy would give his 18-year-old self.

If you’re ambitious, building something, or trying to stand out in a noisy world, this episode is a masterclass.

What You’ll Learn

• Why personal brands are a result, not a goal

• What makes a person truly remarkable

• Why mistakes may shape you more than success

• How to pursue interests instead of forced passions

• Why privacy matters more than most people realise

• The 3-word philosophy Guy believes is the secret to life

• How to make the world better starting small

Guy Kawasaki is the chief evangelist of Canva, host of the Remarkable People podcast, and author of nineteen books including Everybody Has Something to Hide, Think Remarkable, and Wiser Guy. He is an adjunct professor of UC Santa Cruz, and trustee of the University of Hawaii Foundation. He was the chief evangelist of Apple, trustee of the Wikimedia Foundation, and brand ambassador of Mercedes-Benz. Kawasaki has a BA from Stanford University, an MBA from UCLA, and an honorary doctorate from Babson College.

In this episode:

00:00 – What Makes Someone Remarkable?

02:30 – Meet Guy Kawasaki

05:10 – Why Personal Branding Is Backwards

09:00 – Build Accomplishments, Not Image

13:00 – Privacy Mistakes Young People Make

17:30 – Why Signal & Security Matter

22:00 – Passion vs Interests Debate

26:00 – Entrepreneurship Advice for Young People

31:40 – The Truth About Personal Brands

35:00 – “Do Good Sh*t” Philosophy

37:10 – 2 Books That Changed Guy’s Life

40:10 – Advice to His 18-Year-Old Self

41:59 – How to Make the World Better

43:00 – Final Thoughts & Surfing Exit

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This episode is brought to you by InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest—the perfect stay in the heart of Bucharest, where elegance meets history and luxury intertwines with charm.

If this episode challenged the way you think about success, branding, or impact, share it with someone who needs it.

And if it made you rethink how you approach your goals, share it with someone who needs the reminder to stop waiting and start creating.

And if you’re enjoying these conversations with world-class thinkers, entrepreneurs, and authors, make sure to subscribe to The SMARTA Podcast for weekly insights on leadership, mindset, and building a meaningful life.

And remember:

Don’t chase being impressive.

Chase being useful.

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 right where you are, spark your true interests, and stop doing the mundane things that drain your energy and steal your time.

What you will learn:

• Why your passion is your absolute biggest competitive advantage in an AI-driven world.
• How a miserable night sleeping on the floor during a Dallas ice storm sparked a global movement.
• The "Laundry Rule": How simply stopping one chore can help you reclaim 8 hours a month to dedicate purely to your passion.
• Why your passions are allowed to change and how to pivot in your 20s, 30s, or beyond without the guilt.

In this episode:

00:00 – Intro: Why So Many People Feel Disconnected From Their Passions

02:14 – Meet Laura Best: From Corporate Leader to Passion Collective Founder

05:02 – What “Passion” Really Means (And Why We Misunderstand It)

08:17 – Why You Don’t Need to Quit Your Job to Feel Fulfilled

11:40 – The Hidden Cost of Ignoring What Energizes You

15:06 – How Corporate Culture Can Unlock or Drain Passion

18:28 – Passion as a Driver of Performance and Growth

22:10 – Small Ways to Reconnect With What Lights You Up

25:45 – Why So Many High Achievers Feel Stuck

29:12 – The Science Behind Energy, Motivation & Purpose

33:08 – How to Bring More Passion Into Your Current Role

36:41 – Burnout vs Boredom: Knowing the Difference

40:05 – Building a Life That Feels More Alive

43:20 – Advice for Young Professionals Finding Their Path

46:14 – Born to Buzz: Key Lessons From the Book

49:02 – Final Thoughts: You’re Allowed to Want More

50:30 – Closing Remarks

ADThis episode is brought to you by InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest—the perfect stay in the heart of Bucharest, where elegance meets history and luxury intertwines with charm.

If this episode made you rethink how you approach your goals, share it with someone who needs the reminder to stop waiting and start creating.

And if you’re enjoying these conversations with world-class thinkers, entrepreneurs, and authors, make sure to subscribe to The SMARTA Podcast for weekly insights on leadership, mindset, and building a meaningful life.

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 pushing through isn’t a badge of honour, it’s a warning sign.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stretched too thin, or unsure how to set boundaries without feeling guilty, this episode gives you the clarity and tools to take back control.

What You’ll Learn

• Why burnout is a slow build

• The early warning signs most people ignore

• Why high achievers are more vulnerable to burnout

• How to set boundaries without guilt

• The difference between being productive and being effective

• Why rest is a strategy, not a reward

• How to redesign your work and life for sustainable success

Aoife O’Brien is a leadership coach, speaker, and burnout expert, and the founder of Happier at Work. She helps individuals and organizations create healthier, more sustainable ways of working that prioritise both performance and wellbeing.

You can find her on LinkedIn and through Happier at Work, where she shares practical tools on burnout prevention, leadership, and workplace culture.

In this episode:

00:00 – The Real Cause of Burnout

02:15 – Why Burnout Builds Slowly

05:40 – Early Warning Signs You’re Ignoring

09:30 – Why High Performers Burn Out Faster

13:50 – Productivity vs Effectiveness

18:20 – The Power of Boundaries

22:40 – Why We Feel Guilty Resting

27:10 – Redesigning Your Work Life

31:00 – Leadership & Workplace Culture

35:20 – Practical Steps to Prevent Burnout

39:30 – Advice to Younger Self

43:00 – Final Message: Sustainable Success

If this episode made you rethink how you approach your goals, share it with someone who needs the reminder to stop waiting and start creating.

And if you’re enjoying these conversations with world-class thinkers, entrepreneurs, and authors, make sure to subscribe to The SMARTA Podcast for weekly insights on leadership, mindset, and building a meaningful life.