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Discover a world where everyone’s influence matters. Welcome to Daily Influence, co-hosted by Brian Smith, founder and managing partner at IA Business Advisors and author of the 'I in Team' series, along with IA Business Advisors Partner Gregg Brooke Koleno. Each day, Brian and Gregg craft episodes designed to elevate your influence and transform it into a force for positive and responsible influence.
Every episode is a journey through real-life experiences, transformative concepts, and powerful tools that help you FIND, BE & BUILD Your Influence. We aim to help you radiate your unique influence, find balance, celebrate victories, and shape your reality. The podcast highlights the art of leading yourself and those around you, remaining humble and composed, learning effectively, and embracing true diversity.
Whether you tune in during your morning coffee, mid-day break, or your evening wind-down, Daily Influence is your daily dose of inspiration and upliftment, relevant to your everyday life. The goal is not just to influence you but to equip you with insights you can share within your sphere of influence.
Join Brian and Gregg as they explore the principles and practices that align with IA Business Advisors' S.M.A.R.T. Management Consulting Methods, offering practical advice and thought-provoking discussions. Remember, it’s not just about being part of the team; it’s about finding the ‘I’ in every team.
So, listen, learn, share, and expand your influence with Daily Influence. Tune in and discover how to make your influence matter, every day.
551 Episodes
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In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Jennifer Bauer, Vice President of Human Capital at RF Ideas, to explore what it means to lead with intention, courage, and compassion. Jennifer shares how her passion for people led her to create RF Ideas’ first Employee Resource Group and the highly successful Ignite mentorship program, both of which are transforming company culture and empowering women in tech.From launching initiatives that earned a spot in the Top 100 Inspiring Workplaces to advocating for inclusion, wellbeing, and leadership from every seat, Jennifer's story is a powerful example of responsible influence in action. Her advice? Don’t wait—take your shot, make your mark, and lift others as you rise.Tune in for real talk on mentorship, allyship, and the lasting impact of showing up with heart and purpose.Connect with Jennifer: jbauer@rfideas.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-bauer-sphr-5a728711/
This Labor Day, Brian reflects on the true meaning of work and the people who keep our world moving. From the visible contributions to the often-overlooked roles, every individual matters. At IA Business Advisors and The I in Team Series, we celebrate the influence each person carries—reminding us to pause, show gratitude, and honor the everyday efforts that build stronger teams, communities, and lives.
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 deeper trust and collaboration within your team. Discover the power of shared vulnerability and how to transform challenges into opportunities for growth.
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 supporting hundreds of providers. Together, they explore what it means to lead with positive and responsible influence, how to cultivate trust within teams, and why continuous learning is key to longevity in mental health work. Lara offers powerful insights on creating safe spaces for both providers and patients, shares why leadership is like setting a thermostat, and encourages aspiring changemakers to diversify their passions and embrace growth. Whether you're in healthcare or just want to make a difference in your world, this conversation is full of inspiration and actionable wisdom. 🔗 Learn more at: https://cliniciandevelopmentcollective.com
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, and ensuring resilience and adaptability within your team. Learn how to integrate these elements with SMART management practices to create a balanced, transparent, and innovative organizational culture. Tune in to discover actionable insights that will help you build a sustainable and thriving business.
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 enterprise, fueled by faith, hard-won experience, and love—including the final recipe perfected just before the tragic loss of her daughter. Sarah speaks candidly about her path through grief, her transition from corporate finance to food entrepreneurship, and how she uses her gift for connection to support other founders and funders through her growing community. She also opens up about her advocacy work with the Endometriosis Foundation of America, where her personal loss became a platform for national awareness and action. This conversation is a moving testament to the power of resilience, reinvention, and responsible influence. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, Sarah's story is a reminder to trust the timing, keep showing up, and lead with heart. 🔗 Connect with Sarah: sarah@thescratchpantry.com
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 responsible influence. Discover strategies from "Individual Influence: Find the I in Team," "Positive Influence: Be the I in Team," and "Responsible Influence: Build the I in Team" to transform your organization into a proactive, cohesive, and accountable team. Join us to strengthen your leadership and enhance your organizational culture!
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 SMART Management model. From improving reporting and reconciliation to creating a real-time feedback loop, the result was a more efficient, confident leadership team—ready to make better decisions, faster. If your business is growing and your finance systems feel like they’re falling behind, this conversation offers real insight into what it takes to build a financial foundation that supports smart, sustainable scale.
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 work, how blind spots shape our paths, and why cultivating self-awareness is essential to positive influence. From art journaling to mindset shifts, her tools are practical, powerful, and rooted in love. You’ll also hear the story of an 81-year-old client who chose to rediscover her voice and passion—and how it's never too late to live a meaningful life. In this episode: • How happiness and mindset fuel purposeful living • The ripple effect of positivity and emotional contagion • What art, truth, and joy have in common • A powerful question to guide your next chapter: “What else is possible?” If you’ve been feeling stuck, Nina’s gentle wisdom and encouragement will remind you that joy isn’t just possible—it’s your birthright. Connect with Nina: Website: www.ninalockwood.com Podcast: Get Your Happy Back https://getyourhappyback.podbean.com/ Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nina-lockwood/ https://www.facebook.com/nina.lockwood Get Your Happy Back on Amazon: amzn.to/4Kf7QmD
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 stakeholder roles, and create a multi-year succession plan rooted in intentionality. Through stakeholder discovery and transparent conversations, the company moved from uncertainty to confidence about its path forward. If you're leading a mission-driven organization and thinking about succession—even five years out—this episode offers powerful lessons on planning with heart, structure, and strategy.
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 of empathy, the importance of finding your authentic voice, and why being yourself is your greatest tool for influence. She also reflects on the impact of mentorship, standing tall in the face of criticism, and what it truly means to lift others as you climb. In this episode: • Ruthie’s unlikely journey from musical theater to major league sports • Navigating adversity and self-doubt in the public eye • Why mentorship and advocacy matter—especially for women in media • The emotional story that reminded Ruthie of the power of her platform Whether you're in media, leadership, or simply looking to lead with more authenticity, Ruthie’s story will leave you inspired to show up boldly—and unapologetically—as you. Connect with Ruthie: Instagram & X (Twitter): @ruthiepolinsky Email: ruthiepolinsky@gmail.com Watch her on Chicago Sports Network
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 Management model helped uncover the business’s true value and reshape its succession plan. The result? A transition that honored both generations and set the stage for a confident, strategic future. Whether you're considering selling, transitioning ownership, or simply want to understand your business’s real worth, this episode offers insight into building a legacy grounded in clarity and intention.
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 their people and their mission. From cultural recalibration to systems improvement, this episode offers a real-world look at what it takes to evolve from reactive to intentional leadership—especially when growth is rapid and purpose is central. Whether you’re leading a nonprofit, social enterprise, or values-driven business, this conversation is packed with insight on how to sustain momentum while staying true to your core.
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 teaching in Tanzania—and how each experience deepened her commitment to service, leadership, and impact. Now, through Female Strong, she helps young women tap into their voice, creativity, and grit to become the next generation of changemakers. You’ll hear: • The importance of structure, support, and space in developing confidence • A powerful story of a 6th grader who transformed her bullying experience into a social enterprise • Why real leadership starts with listening and service—not being the loudest in the room • How Sarah’s experiences abroad sparked her passion for social entrepreneurship and collaboration If you’ve ever wondered how to empower young people or create lasting impact through mentorship and education, this episode is a must-listen. Get involved: https://www.femalestrong.org/ sarah@femalestrong.org
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 walks through how IA Business Advisors applied the SMART Management model to assess vulnerabilities, update and digitize safety protocols (including bilingual delivery), and build a culture of transparency and accountability. The result? A safety program aligned with OSHA, union, and client standards, 85% company-wide engagement, and real-time feedback loops that empower teams to apply what they learn right on the job site. This episode is a must-listen for leaders in high-risk industries who want to scale responsibly while protecting their people and preserving their culture.
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 leadership with confidence. From supporting survivors of trafficking to guiding widows through transformative life changes, Valerie embodies responsible influence in action. Together, Gregg and Valerie explore the ripple effect of financial confidence, the evolving role of women in wealth transfer and leadership, and how to close the confidence gap in financial conversations. This inspiring conversation is a reminder that asking questions, being bold, and embracing vulnerability can lead to meaningful growth and generational impact. Learn more about Valerie and Clearwater Capital Partners here: https://ccpwealth.com/team/valerie-n-hogan-jd-cfp/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeriehogan/ If something resonates, share it with someone who needs to hear it.
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 framework, IA Business Advisors helped them identify high-impact investments, remove friction in operations, and gain a deeper understanding of how their finances could unlock opportunities. From boosting lending capacity to strategically deploying resources, the result was a company ready to move with purpose toward scale—not just more growth. If you're facing operational overwhelm or unsure how to prepare for the next phase of your business, this episode offers clear, actionable insights to move from chaos to clarity.
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 can transform your leadership style and drive team success.
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, how responsible (or radical) influence begins with doing our own inner work, and why helping others before they pay you may be the most rewarding—and effective—approach of all. Melissa also opens up about her work with Rebels for Peace, a Chicago nonprofit focused on equipping youth with emotional intelligence, and shares the heartwarming story of a client who “got her laugh back.” If you’re ready to redefine influence, deepen your relationships, and lead from your most authentic self, this episode is for you. 🔗 Learn more about Melissa at MelissaFordCoaching.com melissa@melissafordcoaching.com
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 shift your mindset from simply managing change to fostering meaningful growth, using the SMART framework to guide every step of the journey.
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