Daily Influence

In Episode 354 of The Daily Influence, Brian Smith delves into the pivotal role of self-awareness in building resilience as a leader. Drawing from The I in Team Series and SMART Management principles, Brian shares actionable strategies to navigate challenges, foster emotional endurance, and lead with empathy during adversity. Learn how to align short-term tactics with long-term vision and create d...

In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Lara Effland, LICSW, CEDS-C—an influential leader in behavioral health and founder of the Clinician Development Collective. With nearly two decades of experience building and mentoring large clinical teams, Lara shares her journey from working crisis hotlines in high school to leading national behavioral health programs and sup...

In this episode of the Daily Influence, Brian Smith delves into the core principles of Sustainable Leadership. Often misunderstood as merely environmental responsibility, sustainable leadership goes beyond to prioritize long-term success and the well-being of an organization and its people. Brian discusses the importance of maintaining high ethical standards, fostering a people-centric approach, a...

On this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg Koleno welcomes Sarah Austin—founder and CEO of The Scratch Pantry, creator of Founders Forum, and a passionate advocate for women’s health. Sarah shares how her business was born out of hardship, launched from her kitchen during a time of personal and financial struggle. What began as a way to feed her family on a tight budget grew into a mission-driven e...

Brian Smith discusses the fundamental importance of cultivating a culture of accountability within organizations. Using insights from the I in Team series, Brian emphasizes that accountability begins with individual leaders who consistently model the company's core values and mission. Learn how to set SMART goals, foster a supportive team environment, and maintain consistent, positive, and res...

In this episode of Daily Influence, host Brandon Cohen talks with Brian Smith about how one scaling company transformed its financial operations—not by overhauling everything, but by bringing clarity, communication, and strategy into alignment. Brian shares how IA Business Advisors stabilized the company’s accounting structure by integrating both tactical and strategic finance teams under the SMAR...

In this heart-centered episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno welcomes transformational guide, author, and speaker Nina Lockwood, the inspiring voice behind Get Your Happy Back. With a background in psychotherapy, energy medicine, and the creative arts, Nina brings decades of insight to helping people reconnect with joy, purpose, and their own inner wisdom. Nina shares the origins of her...

In this episode of Daily Influence, Brandon Cohen interviews Brian Smith about the delicate balance of preserving culture while planning for leadership succession. The business in focus had one major concern: maintaining its strong internal culture through future ownership—without sacrificing value or vision. Brian unpacks how the SMART Management framework helped align team members, clarify stake...

In this empowering episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Emmy award-winning sports journalist Ruthie Polinsky, host of The Big Pro Football Show on Chicago Sports Network. From small-town Texas to Super Bowls and sideline reporting in Chicago, Ruthie shares the highs, hurdles, and human stories behind her rise in a male-dominated industry. Ruthie opens up about the power o...

In this episode of Daily Influence, host Brandon Cohen sits down with Brian Smith to explore how one family-owned business navigated a peak in industry demand while planning for the future. With succession on the horizon, the owners sought a clear, fair valuation—one that reflected long-term worth, not short-term spikes. Brian shares how applying objective financial principles and the SMART Manage...

In this episode of Daily Influence, host Brandon Cohen sits down with Brian Smith to explore how one purpose-driven organization navigated transformational growth with the help of clear vision, strategic alignment, and the SMART Management model. Brian shares how the team overcame operational challenges, clarified leadership roles, and implemented accountability structures that empowered both thei...

In this inspiring episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Sarah Sleevi, Program Director and Young Entrepreneurs Academy Instructor at Female Strong, a Chicago-based nonprofit dedicated to building confidence and entrepreneurial skills in girls as young as eight. Sarah shares her incredible journey—from community dinners in West Virginia to housing support in New York to tea...

In this episode of Daily Influence, host Brandon Cohen speaks with Brian Smith about how one construction company tackled the increasing complexity of growth by investing in operational safety, cultural alignment, and compliance clarity. As the company expanded its self-performed services, new risks emerged—requiring smarter systems and better communication across field and leadership teams. Brian...

In this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno welcomes Valerie Hogan, JD, CFP® — a wealth advisor, attorney, author, and radio host who works at the intersection of finance, legacy, and purpose. Valerie shares her unique journey from science and law to philanthropy and wealth management, highlighting how she empowers individuals and families—especially women—to navigate financial le...

In this episode of Daily Influence, host Brandon Cohen speaks with Brian Smith about the difference between growing a business and scaling one—and why so many companies confuse the two. Brian unpacks a client story that highlights how clarifying this distinction transformed the company’s mindset, financial planning, and operational focus. By slowing the team down and applying the SMART Management...

In this revisitation of episode 421, Brian Smith dives deep into the art of SMART Decision Making. He reveals how accurate, relevant, and actionable data can be integrated with seasoned experience and refined intuition to shape breakthrough leadership. Explore actionable strategies to convert past learnings into insightful, intuitive decision-making and discover how harmonizing these three pillars...

In this powerful episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Melissa Ford—master coach, author of Living Service, and a fierce advocate for servant leadership. Melissa shares her decades-long journey from fear and frustration to fulfillment through the practice of service as a way of being, not just a strategy. Together, they explore what it means to coach and lead with love, ho...

In this revisit of episode 411, Brian Smith delves into the powerful distinction between change and improvement. While not all change leads to progress, all genuine improvement requires change. Drawing from The I in Team Series and SMART Management principles, Brian shares how intentional, purpose-driven improvements can create lasting impact in both personal and professional spheres. Learn how to...

In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Courtney A. Olson, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Business Banking at First Bank Chicago, to explore the powerful intersection of business strategy and community impact. Courtney shares her journey from teller to banking executive, the influence of her family legacy, and how a deep-rooted passion for nonprofits...

Listen as we describe how this one simple word - SMART - can be the foundation for you and your organization as revisit our talk from episode 180 of the Daily Influence. 

This episode offers Gregg's perspective on slowing down, which can add context because each of us faces different challenges in the 'go too fast' world we live in.

In this inspiring episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno welcomes Lauren Fondriest, a corporate team effectiveness consultant turned intentional dating and relationship coach. Drawing from her 17-year career in the corporate world and her personal journey navigating love, Lauren shares how influence isn’t just reserved for the boardroom—it’s essential in our most intimate relationships. L...

In Episode 525 of the Daily Influence, Brian welcomes Michael Drelicharz—entrepreneur, tech integrator, and the host of I Got a Guy podcast. Michael shares how he revolutionized fleet tracking for small businesses with real-time AI-enabled tools and an unwavering commitment to legendary customer service. They dive into how technology, human behavior, and personal passion intersect to create powerf...

What if burnout wasn’t a personal failure but a structural misalignment? In this powerful episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Nicole Connor—transformative thinker, systems strategist, and co-creator of The Resiliency Code. Nicole shares her multidimensional journey through law, interior design, offshore finance, and institutional reform, all while navigating and overcomi...

In this special remake of Episode 148 of The Daily Influence, Brian Smith reconnects with David Evans from And Coaching to explore the bold and transformative initiative: “Leadership or Leadershit.” As David and Debbie continue their U.S. Roadshow, this conversation highlights what real leadership looks like today—and why much of what we call leadership might actually be something else entirely. W...