In this episode of Daily Influence, Brian Smith picks up where we left off on why goals fail without milestones — and goes deeper into why milestones are what make goals attainable in the first place.

Milestones don’t make goals smaller or easier. They make them humanly achievable through structure, clarity, and momentum. When goals are unsequenced, they overwhelm. When milestones are SMART, they create psychological safety, reduce anxiety, and replace pressure with confidence.

This episode explores how progress fuels motivation, why engagement follows evidence, and how attainability lives at the intersection of clarity, momentum, and trust. If your goals feel distant, this episode will help you turn ambition into a disciplined, achievable path forward.

Most goals don’t fail because they lack ambition — they fail because they lack structure.

In this episode of Daily Influence, Brian Smith explores why milestones are the missing link between setting a goal and actually achieving it. Without milestones, goals drift, accountability becomes emotional, and progress is assumed instead of managed. With milestones, leaders gain clarity, teams gain confidence, and execution becomes intentional.

If you want better results in 2026, this episode will challenge you to stop writing better goals — and start building better milestones.

In this powerful conversation, Gregg-Brooke Koleno welcomes Carolyn Litton, Founder of Hearts for Hope and creator of The Vision Project, to talk about the transformation that occurs when we choose authenticity, alignment, and faith over fear and busyness.

Carolyn shares her journey from high-performing mortgage professional to purpose-driven nonprofit leader and transformational coach. Through thousands of care packages delivered to individuals experiencing homelessness and through her global coaching and retreat programs, Carolyn helps people reconnect to who they really are and operate from flow rather than force.

Listeners will learn:

• How she rebuilt her identity after burnout

• Why slowing down is essential for clarity, influence, and high performance

• The story behind Hearts for Hope’s growing humanitarian impact

• How mindset, energy, and daily habits create sustainable transformation

• Why collaboration and open-hearted leadership expand what's possible

This episode reminds us that influence begins with who we are, not just what we do. Carolyn’s message is grounding, empowering, and full of hope for anyone wanting to make a meaningful difference.

Connect with Carolyn: https://carolynlitton.com/

In this revisit to episode 388 of Daily Influence, Gregg Koleno shares insights from a powerful presentation on business growth and transformation through the lens of IA Business Advisors' proven methodologies.

Founded in 1996, IA Business Advisors specializes in leveraging Individual Advantages (IA) and the principles of S.M.A.R.T. Management to help businesses overcome challenges, identify gaps, and achieve sustainable growth. Gregg discusses their holistic BizVision process, which integrates people, process, and technology to uncover obstacles and create tailored roadmaps for success.

Using the example of a client, Blue Rock Financial Group, Gregg illustrates how IA Business Advisors helped the company streamline operations, develop a functional organizational structure, and empower its leadership team. With candid insights and actionable strategies, this episode will inspire you to:

• Identify gaps in your business operations.

• Embrace S.M.A.R.T. Management principles to create clear, attainable goals.

• Overcome challenges with tailored solutions that drive measurable results.

Whether you're a solopreneur, part of a growing team, or a seasoned leader, this episode provides practical tools and real-world examples to help you take your business to the next level.

Ready to unlock your potential and achieve your goals? Tune in now and discover how IA Business Advisors' transformative approach can guide your journey to success.

In this powerful episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Dr. Zuri Tau—Founder and CEO of Social Insights, a pioneering organization helping foundations, nonprofits, and government agencies turn data into deeper understanding and measurable, community-centered change.

With over two decades at the intersection of research, justice, and healing, Dr. Tau invites us to rethink how we define “success,” why metrics alone are never enough, and how true accountability begins with empathy. She shares her journey from early roots in service and community organizing to reshaping how organizations listen, learn, and respond to the people they aim to serve.

Together, Gregg and Zuri explore:

✨ How awareness drives responsible influence inside organizations

✨ Why stories, lived experience, and somatic wisdom matter as much as data

✨ The challenge of aligning good intentions with real-world outcomes

✨ How to stay grounded in leadership while facing resistance to change

✨ What it means to “come close” when work—and the world—feels overwhelming

✨ The importance of trying without perfection, taking risks, and stepping toward what brings meaning

Dr. Tau’s perspective is a timely reminder that influence isn’t just about sharing ideas—it's about shaping outcomes that honor people, community, and collective possibility. Her insights call us to reflect not just on what we’re doing, but why and how we’re doing it.

If you’re ready to lead with more clarity, courage, and compassion, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Learn More At:

https://www.socinsights.com/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CVQrD1VLZk2/

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In this revisit to episode 469 of Daily Influence, Brian Smith dives into one of today’s most dynamic and debated topics—Artificial Intelligence. Through the lens of the SMART Management model, Brian explores how AI can responsibly amplify human judgment rather than replace it. He shares personal experiences coaching clients on AI adoption, and gives a grounded perspective on how AI can support strategic decision-making, communication, and culture—when used transparently and ethically. Listeners will walk away with clear, SMART-based guidelines on integrating AI as a tool, not a crutch, in modern leadership and management.

In today's revisit to episode 471 of the Daily Influence, Brian Smith tackles how leaders can navigate uncertainty by applying S.M.A.R.T. Management tactics. Whether facing economic instability, shifting tariffs, or market disruptions, being Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely builds organizational resilience. Learn how transparency, strategic communication, and small measurable wins can stabilize your teams, strengthen relationships, and turn uncertainty into opportunity. Join us as we explore how to lead with intention, influence, and SMART resilience.

In today’s empowering episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Shenali Rajaratnam—visionary leader, global changemaker, and co-founder of Power of Women and We Are the Hope. Through storytelling, service, and conscious innovation, Shenali is raising the vibration of communities worldwide and redefining what it means to lead with love, purpose, and responsible influence.

Shenali shares the personal roots that shaped her worldview—from her grandmother’s legacy of peacebuilding to her upbringing centered on possibility and unity—and how these experiences led her to build two global platforms devoted to empowerment, well-being, and connection.

She reveals the Four R’s Framework—Reflection, Recognition, Respect, and Resolution—that guides her leadership and teaches individuals how to rediscover their inner power. Shenali also shares an unforgettable story from Uganda’s Power of Girls Clubs, where confidence-building and creativity helped young women step into futures they never imagined possible.

Together, Gregg and Shenali explore:

• How women can reshape global narratives by recognizing the inherent power they already possess

• What responsible influence looks like when building a movement rooted in peace, collaboration, and compassion

• How music, culture, and storytelling foster unity and healing across borders

• Why discovering your purpose begins with turning inward—not outward

• The extraordinary ripple effect of simple acts like kindness, acknowledgment, and showing up

Shenali’s message is a heartfelt reminder that every person carries a unique gift, and even the smallest gesture can spark transformation.

If you’re seeking clarity, inspiration, or a renewed sense of the impact you can make, this episode will meet you exactly where you are—and lift you higher.

Connect with Shenali or learn more:

https://www.powerofwomen.info/

https://www.instagram.com/powerofwomen.info/

In this revisit to Episode 73 of the Daily Influence we explore (I)individual responsibility. Understanding (I)individual responsibility can confuse many. Our responsibility extends each time we influence. This is why we believe our influence is our biggest responsibility.

In this inspiring episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Sarah Johnston—performance coach, transition guide, and former corporate leader turned entrepreneur—whose work centers on helping people navigate life’s biggest shifts with clarity, confidence, and intention.

Sarah shares her own winding journey from 12 years in the corporate world to building a coaching practice rooted in behavior change, resilience, and responsible influence. Together, Gregg and Sarah explore why so many people fear failure, the power of reframing it as feedback, and why embracing the “gray space” is essential for sustainable progress.

They unpack the myth of massive overhauls, shine a light on the importance of micro-actions, and discuss how identity, self-trust, communication, and vulnerability shape our growth—especially during seasons of transition. Sarah also opens up about her deeply meaningful work with new moms and aspiring entrepreneurs, offering grounded and compassionate wisdom for anyone rebuilding, redefining, or realigning their path.

Sarah leaves listeners with a grounding message: “You don’t need to be perfect—you just need to be present.”

An empowering conversation about change, leadership, and showing up for yourself with grace.

Connect with Sarah:

https://www.sarah-johnston.com/

https://www.instagram.com/sarahdjohnston/