Daily Influence

In this episode of the Daily Influence podcast, host Gregg Koleno welcomes Melissa Wallace, founder of Fierce Foundry, the first Femtech venture studio for female founders. Melissa shares her journey from a career in marketing to launching her own nonprofit and venture studio, driven by a passion for positivity and female empowerment. Melissa discusses the crucial role of leadership, mentorship, a...

In this episode of the Daily Influence, Brian Smith delves into the essential elements of fostering a culture of innovation within your organization. Discover practical tips and strategies to inspire creativity among your team members. Learn how to create an open communication environment where ideas can be shared freely, and understand the importance of cross-training and continuous learning for...

In this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Amanda Decker, an associate attorney at Bruning and Associates. Amanda shares her inspiring journey from overcoming academic challenges to becoming a successful attorney leading an office in Schaumburg. She discusses the pivotal role mentorship played in her life, the importance of community involvement, and how small acts...

In this heartfelt episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Julyn Panicola of Supporting Strategies. Julyn shares her inspiring journey of spreading positivity and making a difference in the lives of others. From the profound influence of her father's unexpected passing to her belief in the power of small, kind gestures, Julyn opens up about the values and experiences...

In this heartwarming episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke (Henry) Koleno, MBA, sits down with Anna Maria Viti, owner of the third-generation family business Guy Viti Insurance. Anna Maria shares her inspiring journey of helping others, from supporting a young girl who lost her mother to creating meaningful initiatives like "Spreading Hearts." With her contagious positivity and pas...

In this episode of Daily Influence, Brian Smith from The I in Team Series delves into the essential topic of building resilience. Life and business are filled with challenges and adversity, but with the right mindset and strategies, we can overcome these obstacles and emerge stronger.  Brian discusses the importance of self-awareness, developing a growth mindset, and creating a robust support syst...

In this episode of The Daily Influence, host Gregg Koleno sits down with Bryce Fender, a Wilmington-based social entrepreneur and co-founder of WilmInvest. Bryce shares his inspiring journey from his early days in the Scouts to founding a social impact real estate investment firm. They discuss Bryce's unique approach to solving housing instability, the importance of understanding and addressin...

In this episode of the Daily Influence, Brian Smith dives deep into the transformative power of reflection. Learn how to harness your past experiences—both successes and failures—to build a better future.  Brian discusses the importance of self-awareness, ethical reflection, and maintaining a growth mindset. Discover practical tips on how to engage in daily reflection practices, tackle recurring b...

In this compelling episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno welcomes Dennis Mellen, founder of Full Throttle Leadership. Dennis, a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and former airline captain, shares his inspiring journey of resilience after a career-ending heart attack and how he found a new purpose in leadership. Dennis discusses the importance of fostering a positive workplace cu...

In this episode of the Daily Influence, Brian Smith explores strategies for effective transition management, which he refers to as improvement management. Learn how to engage your team and stakeholders in the process of change by adopting a SMART management approach.  Brian discusses the importance of clear vision, effective communication, continuous training, and the allocation of proper resource...

In this episode of the Daily Influence, Brian Smith delves into the importance of Emotional Intelligence (EI) in effective leadership. Discover how mastering self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills can transform your leadership approach and enhance your influence.  Learn practical strategies for developing EI, such as active listening, transparent communication, and...

In this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno, welcomes Laura Lian Williams, the founder of Laura Lian Creative Partners. Laura shares her journey from being adopted from China to starting her own creative firm and making a positive impact in her community. Listen as Laura discusses the importance of kindness, mentorship, and leadership in creating a supportive environment. She shar...

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,...

In this inspiring episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno, sits down with Nicole Woodcox Bolden, LCSW, a therapist, transformational life coach, doula, and founder of Thriving with Baby. Nicole shares her journey of spreading positivity and creating supportive communities through acts of kindness, mentorship, and leadership. Discover how Nicole's belief in love and authenticity dr...

In Episode 258 of the Daily Influence, Brian S. Smith delves into the transformative power of positive influence within organizations. Discover practical strategies for fostering empathy, transparent communication, and effective teamwork. Learn how individual actions can create a ripple effect, shaping a positive organizational culture. Tune in to explore how you can become a beacon of positive in...

In this inspiring episode of the Daily Influence, host Gregg Koleno sits down with Roxanne Parikh, a healthcare professional and passionate advocate for health and well-being. Roxanne shares her incredible journey from overcoming life-threatening injuries and battling aggressive breast cancer to becoming a beacon of positivity and motivation.  Tune in to hear how her personal experiences have shap...

In Episode 256 of the Daily Influence, Brian Smith dives into the art of balancing short-term wins with long-term vision. Discover practical tips and strategies to align your immediate goals with your broader objectives, ensuring sustainable success. Tune in to learn how S.M.A.R.T. Management principles can help you achieve both quick victories and lasting impact. Don’t miss this insightful episod...

In this inspiring episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno, MBA, talks with Malaun Rice, a healing and transformational coach, about her journey from a marketing professional to a life coach. Malaun shares her personal healing process and offers actionable advice on spreading positivity, overcoming challenges, and making a lasting impact. Listen in as Malaun discusses the importance of...

Join Brian Smith on Episode 254 of the Daily Influence as he explores the essential elements of creating an inclusive work environment. Drawing from personal experiences and professional insights, Brian discusses the importance of fostering open communication, embracing diverse perspectives, and overcoming biases to build a culture of trust and collaboration. Learn practical strategies for promoti...

In this inspiring episode of the Daily Influence, host Gregg Koleno sits down with Luis Toledo, the founder of Midwest Moving and Storage and Chicago Office Movers. From growing up in a bustling household of eight in Evanston to establishing a thriving business with 60 trucks and 75 employees, Luis shares his incredible journey.  Tune in to learn how acts of kindness, mentorship, and a positive wo...

Join Brian Smith on Episode 252 of the Daily Influence as he delves into the transformative power of servant leadership. Discover how prioritizing the needs and development of your team can create a culture of trust, collaboration, and proactive engagement. Brian addresses common concerns leaders face, such as maintaining authority while empowering others, and shares actionable insights on balanci...

In this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg Koleno sits down with Jodi Sheffield, a dedicated mediator and divorce coach, who shares her journey from a tumultuous upbringing to a career focused on helping others resolve conflicts constructively. Jodi discusses the importance of kindness, effective communication, and finding inner peace, offering valuable insights and practical advice for mainta...

In Episode 250 of the Daily Influence, Brian Smith delves into the critical role of feedback in personal, team, and organizational growth. Drawing insights from The 'I' in Team Series books—Individual Influence, Positive Influence, and Responsible Influence—Brian explores how to give and receive constructive feedback effectively.  Learn how to develop a culture of continuous improvement th...

In this inspiring episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg Koleno sits down with business strategist Tom Gosche to delve into the transformative power of networking and the philosophy of 'Givers Gain.'  Tom shares his journey from owning a BNI franchise to becoming a master networker, emphasizing the importance of giving, empathy, and maintaining positivity. Discover how Tom's approach h...

In Episode 248 of the Daily Influence podcast, Brian Smith discusses the critical role of emotional intelligence in leadership. Reflecting on the recent July 4th celebrations, Brian emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and managing emotions to enhance personal and team effectiveness. Learn how to identify emotional triggers, practice empathy, and create a positive and responsible organizati...