Daily Influence

In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Jessica Eastman Stewart, a productivity expert, author, and founder of the Joyfully Managed Life program. With a background in education, nonprofit leadership, and executive management, Jessica shares her insights on building sustainable work habits and fostering joy in professional and personal spaces. Jessica discusses the po...

In today’s episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Violette de Ayala, the inspiring founder of FEMCity—a thriving global community supporting women entrepreneurs. Violette shares her personal journey from launching her first business as a young mother to building a vibrant network that now empowers over 20,000 women worldwide. Listen in as Violette discusses the importa...

In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg Koleno sits down with Mike Gamson, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Permanent Capital Partners. From scaling LinkedIn’s global operations to leading ventures in AI and biotech, Mike shares his journey and the importance of building supportive networks that drive personal and professional success.   We dive deep into the differences between empathy and co...

In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Dave Molenda, founder of Positive Polarity, best-selling author, and host of the Positive Polarity Podcast. Dave shares his journey from growing a business to $10 million in annual sales to becoming a coach focused on building high-performing teams and enhancing customer experiences. We dive into the importance of aligning pers...

In this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Erin Attere, Social Impact Entrepreneur and champion of fair trade, to discuss her transformative work at Threads Worldwide. Erin shares her passion for empowering women globally and how Threads Worldwide provides life-changing opportunities for women artisans by connecting them with meaningful, dignified work. Through sto...

In today’s episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno speaks with Regina Verdico, a certified yoga instructor, meditation teacher, and Intuit mentor, about the powerful intersection of wellness, conscious leadership, and business. Regina shares her inspiring journey from 20 years in marketing and corporate America to building a fulfilling life centered around mindfulness, creativity, and comm...

In this powerful episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Georgina Jean-Dusseck, Founder and CEO of JD Body Treats, to explore her deeply personal journey of entrepreneurship, self-care, and resilience. Georgina shares how growing up in New York City and experiencing the tragic loss of her mother and brother shaped her mission to help others prioritize self-care and mental we...

In this uplifting episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Megan O’Brien, Event Coordinator at the Special Leisure Services Foundation (SLSF) and the Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA). Megan shares her inspiring journey from aspiring wedding planner to community leader, driven by her passion for creating inclusive events for individuals with disabilities. Disco...

In this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Lori Dan, founder of the President's Leadership Council (PLC), a peer advisory group for small business leaders. Lori shares her journey of building PLC and the critical role it plays in fostering open, supportive, and responsible communication among small business presidents. Lori delves into the importance of creatin...

In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg Koleno welcomes John Fela, Ministry Relations Manager at Joni and Friends Chicago. John shares his personal journey as a father of a child with autism and how it shaped his approach to building meaningful relationships. With nearly 20 years in education and extensive community involvement, John discusses the importance of empathy, teamwork, and intentional...

In today’s episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg Koleno chats with Maggie Swift, CEO and Co-Founder of Unframed Digital, a leading SEO agency. Maggie shares her journey from Syracuse, NY to Los Angeles, leading a dynamic digital marketing company. Listen as Maggie talks about how small moments, like an elevator ride, have shaped her outlook on leadership and life. She dives into how fostering a p...

In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg Koleno sits down with Katie Van Gheem to explore her inspiring journey through challenges, career pivots, and mentorship. Katie shares how she navigated male-dominated industries, re-entered the workforce after a decade away, and fostered meaningful relationships that shaped her success. From running community programs to mentoring sales teams, Katie offer...

In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg Koleno interviews Candance Chow, co-founder of NextGroup, a company dedicated to helping women re-enter the workforce and guiding organizations toward inclusive hiring. Candance shares her journey from public service to entrepreneurship, the importance of collaboration in career transitions, and how NextGroup bridges the gap between talented women and busi...

In today’s episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Susie Rateike, an inspiring individual whose story embodies resilience, community, and the power of positivity. Susie shares how her involvement with NWSRA and the Pursuit Adult Day Program has transformed her life, providing independence, new friendships, and opportunities to learn and grow.  From performing in a talent sho...

In today’s episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Liz Thomas, nominee for Volunteer of the Year at the Schaumburg Business Association and a passionate advocate for individuals with disabilities. Liz shares how her sister's medical challenges shaped her career in nonprofit work with the Special Leisure Services Foundation (SLSF). Tune in to hear inspiring stories about...

In this episode of  Daily Influence, Gregg Koleno sits down with Courtney Burton, Director of Development at Fellowship Housing. Courtney shares her journey from growing up in a compassionate household to advocating for at-risk single mothers through her work. She discusses the importance of teamwork, the power of small acts of kindness, and offers heartfelt advice on how anyone can make a positiv...

In today's episode of Daily Influence, Gregg Koleno sits down with Gini Shahzada, VP of Business Development at Apex3 Security Systems. Gini shares her journey of cultivating long-lasting relationships both personally and professionally. She discusses how she fosters a family culture within her organization and among her clients, emphasizing trust and authenticity. Gini also dives into the imp...

In this episode of The Daily Influence, Brian S. Smith sits down with Spencer McLean from Forbes Books to dive into the art of public relations and how it plays a critical role in shaping narratives for individuals and brands. Spencer shares her journey into PR, offers actionable strategies for building positive influence during disruptive times, and discusses the importance of authenticity when b...

In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Carmen Londono, founder of Insurance Pros. Carmen shares her personal journey from growing up in Chicago and Honduras to becoming a mother, grandmother, and successful business leader. She opens up about the challenges of balancing personal and professional roles, adapting leadership styles to inspire her team, and her passion...

In Episode 328 of the Daily Influence, Brian Smith explores how practicing media literacy can help reduce the stress surrounding election cycles. In today's hyper-connected world, where media bias is prevalent, it's important to be intentional in how we consume information. Brian provides practical tips on questioning media sources, identifying biases, and creating a more balanced perspect...

In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg Koleno sits down with Jenny Lundquist of Jen Rose Media to explore the power of authentic video storytelling for businesses. Jenny shares how she helps clients create engaging video content by focusing on human connections and relatable stories that resonate with their audience. Tune in to discover Jenny's strategies for fostering creativity, staying t...

In today’s episode of the Daily Influence, Brian Smith dives into the challenge of finding common ground during these highly divisive times, especially as we are in election season. With emotions running high across social media, at work, and in public spaces, it's crucial to take a step back and approach these conversations with empathy and understanding. Brian shares actionable tips on how t...

In this episode of The Daily Influence, Brian S. Smith welcomes Dan Dominguez, founder of Why Not Leadership. Together, they explore the power of challenging the status quo and the importance of self-awareness in leadership. Dan shares insights from his journey, emphasizing how understanding your "why" can help you lead with purpose, empower teams, and create lasting impact. Whether you&#3...

In this episode of The Daily Influence, Brian Smith delves into the increasingly emotional and complex nature of political conversations. He discusses the importance of maintaining empathy and respect while navigating these challenging discussions. With a focus on core values, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness, Brian shares practical strategies to foster meaningful dialogue, even when dis...

In today's episode of Daily Influence, Gregg Koleno sits down with Jasmine Menser-Lust, LCPC, founder of Catalyst Counseling Group, to discuss her work empowering overworked women and their families to lead healthier, more balanced lives. Jasmine shares her approach to helping clients take personal responsibility for their well-being, navigate career transitions, and avoid burnout. Discover ho...