Daily Influence

In this episode of the Daily Influence podcast, host Brian Smith sits down with Mike Heatwole, founder and CEO of The Dala Group, a wealth management company. With a unique background in engineering, Mike shares his journey of transitioning to financial planning and how his analytical mindset gives him a distinctive approach in a chaotic financial world. They discuss key topics like intentional fi...

In this episode of the Daily Influence, Brian Smith PhD explores the critical role that emotional resilience plays in leadership. He shares how resilient leaders are not just emotionally intelligent, but also capable of navigating challenges with calmness and stability. Learn how to manage stress, setbacks, and unforeseen challenges without letting emotions negatively impact your team. Through res...

In this inspiring episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno welcomes Kristin Crockett, the visionary behind Courageous Destiny, a platform dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs and business owners to build lives and businesses they love. Kristin shares her personal transformation journey from corporate America to becoming a life coach, sparked by her first experience with coaching...

In this episode of The Daily Influence, host Brian Smith sits down with renowned customer experience expert and best-selling author David Avrin. With over three decades of experience, David shares actionable strategies from his books, including his latest Ridiculously Easy to do Business With, that businesses can implement to thrive in today's fast-paced, customer-driven market. The conversati...

In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Dr. Sandy Valino Stock, a family medicine physician and President of the Board of Trustees for Hopeful Beginnings.  Dr. Sandy shares her inspiring journey of transforming her career and the powerful role that kindness, mentorship, and leadership play in creating positive and supportive communities.  Tune in to discover practica...

In this episode of the Daily Influence, Brian S. Smith has the pleasure of turning the tables on Scott "Shalom" Klein, the dynamic host of Get Down to Business on AM 560, a business consultant, community advocate, and military officer.  Together, they dive into the key qualities that business leaders need to thrive in today's ever-changing landscape, the importance of lifelong learning...

In this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg Koleno welcomes Danielle Perlin-Good, the Soul-Aligned Ghostwriter, who shares her journey of becoming a successful ghostwriter, book coach, and developmental editor.  Danielle discusses the importance of respect, kindness, and positivity in both personal and professional settings. She also reveals the transformative impact of her morning routine, whi...

In Episode 290 of the Daily Influence, Brian Smith sits down with Bill Himmelstein, the Founder and CEO of Tenant Advisory Group. Together, they dive into the power of strategic networking and its impact on business growth. Bill shares insights from his journey, emphasizing the philosophy of giving to others as a pathway to success. They discuss the evolution of networking from a self-centered act...

In this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg Koleno sits down with Dr. Barbara Provost, founder of Purse Strings, a unique business dedicated to empowering women through financial education and connecting them with trusted financial professionals. Dr. Barb shares her journey from running a successful consulting business to launching Purse Strings, driven by her passion to address the financial n...

In today's episode of the Daily Influence, host Brian Smith dives into "The Power of Mindful Leadership in High-Stress Environments." Brian explores how mindfulness, coupled with emotional intelligence, can transform the way leaders navigate challenging situations. By staying aware of our own emotions and those of our teams, we can make more thoughtful decisions, maintain composure, an...

In this special episode of The Daily Influence, Brian S. Smith welcomes his first guest, Brian Brogen, the Chief Inspiration Officer of Build Consulting Services and the mastermind behind the Voices of Leadership book series. Together, they explore the power of resilience, the importance of positive influence, and the transformative impact of leadership on the younger generation.  As they discuss...

In this episode of The Daily Influence, Brian S. Smith dives into the nuances of effective delegation—an essential leadership skill that can make or break team success. Brian explores the concept of delegation as an art form, emphasizing the importance of trust, clear communication, and matching tasks to individual strengths. Learn how empowering your team through thoughtful delegation can lead to...

In this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg Koleno sits down with Celeste Cecchi, founder of Mosaic Consulting, to explore the power of inclusivity and cultural agility in the workplace. Celeste shares her journey from growing up in Papua New Guinea to founding her own consulting firm, highlighting how diverse experiences shaped her passion for creating policies and environments where everyone...

In this episode of the Daily Influence podcast, Brian Smith delves into the transformative power of positive thinking. Drawing from the core principles of The "I" in Team Series and the SMART Management System, Brian explores how a positive mindset can not only change your perspective but also act as a strategic tool for achieving success. Learn how to cultivate a culture of optimism, resi...

In this enlightening episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Carolina Migliaccio, the founder of Soulful Maxie, to explore the transformative power of embracing your true self. Carolina shares her remarkable journey from corporate success to a profound spiritual awakening in the jungles of Costa Rica. Through her story, she highlights the importance of balancing masculi...

In Episode 282 of The Daily Influence podcast, Brian S. Smith delves into the critical topic of building a high-trust work environment. Discover why fostering transparency, accountability, and empathy within your organization can lead to a culture where innovation thrives, teams collaborate effortlessly, and everyone contributes to continuous improvement. Drawing on insights from The I in Team Ser...

In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Gail Brown, the founder of Engaging Speakers, to explore the incredible impact of kindness, mentorship, and leadership in creating supportive communities. Gail shares her journey from being an introvert to founding a speaking organization, offering insights into how public speaking can elevate both personal and professional inf...

In Episode 280 of The Daily Influence, Brian Smith dives into the critical topic of decision fatigue and its impact on leaders. Decision fatigue occurs when leaders are burdened with making too many decisions over a short period, leading to poor judgment, impatience, and the risk of making bad decisions. Brian shares practical strategies rooted in the SMART Management framework to help leaders rec...

In this inspiring episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Erica Chianelli, Executive Director of Family Forward. Erica shares her journey from a typical suburban upbringing to a life dedicated to helping low-income working families in the Northwest Suburbs. Her passion for social justice and her transformative experiences at Loyola University in Chicago ignited a lifelo...

In Episode 278 of The Daily Influence, Brian S. Smith dives deep into the critical topic of aligning personal and professional goals to create a more balanced and fulfilling life. He explores the importance of synergy between what drives you personally and what you aspire to achieve professionally. Brian emphasizes how using the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) framew...

In Episode 277 of the Daily Influence, Brian Smith dives deep into the vital role of empathy in leadership. He explores how empathetic leaders build trust within their teams, foster a culture of open communication, and drive continuous improvement. By understanding the individual influences that affect team members, leaders can support personal and professional growth, leading to a more cohesive a...

In this episode of the Daily Influence podcast, host Gregg Koleno welcomes Melissa Dailey-Newman, a wealth advisor at Clearwater Capital Partners. Melissa shares her insights on the true meaning of influence and how it extends beyond social media followers. With 25 years in the financial services industry, she discusses the importance of self-awareness, mentorship, and starting with your "why&...

In this episode of The Daily Influence, Brian Smith explores the critical role that accountability plays in achieving both personal and organizational success. Accountability is more than just meeting deadlines—it's about building trust, fostering teamwork, and driving continuous improvement. Brian delves into how accountability serves as a pillar of trust within teams and highlights practical...

In this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Patrick Panayotov from Proceed Innovative, a family-run digital marketing agency. Patrick shares his journey of joining his mother's business and the values that drive him. From picking up a piece of garbage to setting aside funds for charity, Patrick emphasizes the power of small acts of kindness and their cumulative...

In this episode of the Daily Influence, Brian S. Smith dives deep into the complexities of effective communication. Discover how different communication styles, backgrounds, and knowledge gaps can create challenges, and learn strategies to bridge those gaps. Brian emphasizes the power of active listening, transparency, and empathy in fostering meaningful connections. By incorporating S.M.A.R.T. co...