Daily Influence

In this revisit to episode 417 of Daily Influence, Brian Smith challenges leaders to break free from the confines of groupthink and the echo chamber. Drawing on insights from The I in Team Series and the power of SMART communication, Brian reveals practical strategies to identify and disrupt homogeneous thinking. Learn how to foster a culture that champions diverse perspectives, constructive dissent, and empowered individual voices—transforming your leadership approach to drive real innovation.

In this revisit to Episode 427 of The Daily Influence, Brian Smith dives into the concept of Invisible Leadership—the ability to influence without authority. In a world where social media personalities, athletes, and entertainers wield significant influence, how do we distinguish between credible, responsible leadership and mere opinion-driven persuasion? Brian challenges us to apply the S.M.A.R.T. framework to the information we consume, ensuring we seek truth, context, and integrity in influence. Whether you're a leader, an influencer, or simply someone navigating today’s information overload, this episode is a must-listen.

Tune in and learn how to cultivate positive and responsible influence—without falling into the traps of misinformation and emotional bias.

On this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Andrea Johnston, seasoned communications executive, exited founder, and founder of Fuel for Female Founders, for a conversation about leadership, growth, and creating impact that reaches far beyond business.

Andrea shares her journey from building and scaling Pure Communications into a $12 million firm, to leading at the executive level after acquisition, to stepping into a more purpose-centered chapter focused on helping women founders grow with clarity, confidence, and authenticity. She reflects on the balance between the “I” and the “we” in leadership, the importance of mentoring others, and why true success is about service as much as achievement.

The conversation also explores Andrea’s commitment to community impact from helping architect a workforce development fund in North Carolina to championing visibility for women through her Women I Want You to Know platform. Along the way, she offers practical wisdom on choosing joy, letting go of perfectionism, taking meaningful risks, and leading in a way that aligns with your own values rather than someone else’s expectations.

This episode is an inspiring reminder that influence is not just about what you build, but about who rises because of how you lead.

Connect with Andrea: https:// /

In Episode 705 of Daily Influence, Brian Smith, PhD steps outside the traditional business lens and into one of his personal passions—art.

Joined by contemporary wildlife artist Kriti Tiwari, this conversation explores the deeper connection between creativity, discipline, and influence. Kriti shares her journey from a 17-year corporate career to becoming a full-time artist, revealing how emotion, consistency, and intentional practice shape her work.

This episode is not just about art—it’s about expression, courage, and the discipline required to bring what’s inside of you into the world.

Key themes include:

The balance between intentional design and creative discovery

Why discipline—not talent—is what sustains growth

How art influences emotion, perspective, and identity

The courage to stop hiding and fully express who you are

Whether you're an artist, a business leader, or someone navigating your next step, this conversation will challenge you to think differently about how you show up and what you’re truly creating.

🎧 Take a moment to slow down—and consider what you are expressing through your work and your life.

https://www.krititiwariart.com/

What if science could become a bridge to peace?

In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno speaks with Dr. Zafra Lerman, internationally recognized chemist, educator, and human rights advocate who has dedicated her life to using science as a tool for collaboration across political and cultural divides.

Dr. Lerman shares the story behind the Malta Conferences, where scientists from countries throughout the Middle East—including nations often in conflict—come together to collaborate on shared global challenges such as water resources, energy, and environmental sustainability. These gatherings create space for dialogue, discovery, and human connection, helping participants see beyond stereotypes and build relationships rooted in respect and shared purpose.

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Lerman reflects on her courageous journey—from advancing science education for underserved students to advocating for human rights and promoting science diplomacy as a pathway to peace.

In this episode:

• How the Malta Conferences bring scientists from divided regions together to collaborate.

• Why shared global challenges like water, energy, and air quality require cooperation beyond borders.

• Dr. Lerman’s belief that creating a “critical mass” of scientists can spark a chain reaction for peace.

• How individuals can use their own skills and passions to influence the world for the better.

This inspiring conversation is a powerful reminder that collaboration, curiosity, and courage can transform division into understanding—and knowledge into positive influence.

Connect with Dr. Lerman or learn more:

Dr. Lerman’s website: zafralerman.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zafralerman/

The Malta Conferences Foundation, using science diplomacy as a bridge to peace in the Middle East: maltaconferencesfoundation.org

The Lerman Institute for the Advancement of Science, she developed unique methods of teaching science through art, music, dance, drama, rap, poetry, and animation which was proven extremely successful with underprivileged students around the globe: https://www.lermaninstitute.org/

Most leaders don’t fail because they lack effort—they fail because they lack intent.

In this episode of Daily Influence, Brian Smith challenges a common leadership trap: confusing activity with progress. Leaders stay busy, respond quickly, and fill their calendars… but without intentional design, that motion creates drift—not direction.

Brian breaks down how intentional leadership is not something you “have”—it’s something you build through structure, clarity, and disciplined execution. Using S.M.A.R.T. principles, he outlines how to align your daily actions with your long-term vision and eliminate the subtle drift that erodes trust, performance, and results over time.

If you’ve ever felt busy but not effective, this episode will help you reset, refocus, and operate with purpose.

In this episode:

Why activity without direction leads to leadership drift

How to design intent into your daily structure

The hidden cost of “busy” leadership on your team and results

How S.M.A.R.T. systems turn motion into measurable progress

Core Idea:

You don’t drift into success—you design it.

In this episode of Daily Influence, Brian Smith sits down with entrepreneur, investor, and author of The Zenith Code, Boaz Gilad, to challenge one of the biggest misconceptions in business and life:

That success comes from working harder.

After building and taking public a real estate development company responsible for over a billion dollars in projects, Boaz shares a different perspective — one rooted in structure, not effort.

Together, Brian and Boaz explore:

Why success is not a linear path — and why that misunderstanding holds people back

How high performers think in terms of “games” with rules, constraints, and measurable outcomes

The critical role of structure over motivation — and why inspiration alone fails

How to reframe failure as data instead of identity

A practical approach to 90-day execution cycles that drive real, measurable progress

This conversation brings together Boaz’s “game-based” thinking and Brian’s S.M.A.R.T. Management philosophy — reinforcing a powerful truth:

👉 If you haven’t defined the game, no amount of effort will help you win.

If you’re a business owner, leader, or professional looking to close the gap between intention and execution, this episode delivers both mindset and tactical application.

What happens when successful leaders reach a moment where something simply feels “off”?

In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Dr. Bobby Hulme-Lippert, leadership coach, keynote speaker, award-winning storyteller, and author of Small Stories About Big Things. After two decades in professional ministry and serving in the U.S. Army chaplaincy, Bobby now helps mid- and late-career leaders navigate pivotal inflection points in their lives and leadership.

Through storytelling, curiosity, and courageous conversations, Bobby guides leaders who feel stuck on the “hamster wheel” of busyness or disconnected from the energy and purpose they once had.

In this conversation, Bobby shares how slowing down, asking better questions, and reconnecting with personal stories can help leaders realign themselves before influencing others.

In this episode:

• Why many leaders feel exhausted or misaligned despite outward success

• How curiosity and powerful questions create stronger leadership cultures

• The story of the “orange posts” and how small steps help leaders rediscover purpose

• Why storytelling builds trust and strengthens responsible influence

• How uncertainty and challenges can become invitations to growth

Bobby reminds us that leadership transformation rarely happens through grand gestures. Instead, it often begins with small stories, thoughtful reflection, and the courage to pause long enough to realign with what truly matters.

Learn more: https://bhl.coach

Episode 700 marks a pivotal moment for Daily Influence — and a shift into a deeper conversation about how leaders actually operate.

In this milestone episode, Brian S. Smith challenges a common frustration shared by business owners and leaders:

“Why isn’t our marketing working?”

The answer is direct:

It’s not a marketing problem.

It’s a communication problem — and more specifically, a lack of discipline in how communication is structured.

Social media doesn’t create the issue… it exposes it.

Brian breaks down why most marketing today is simply activity without structure, and how that leads to noise instead of trust.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why self-focused messaging gets ignored — even when it’s accurate

How S.M.A.R.T. becomes a communication discipline, not just a goal-setting tool

The difference between visibility and true understanding

Why consistency, clarity, and relevance build trust — not promotion

This episode sets the foundation for the next series:

Operating With Intent — From Discipline to Design

Core Idea:

If your communication isn’t structured, it isn’t strategy — it’s activity.

In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Dr. Marie Livesey, founder of Lively Holistic Health, to explore a powerful but often overlooked truth: the way we lead is deeply connected to how well we listen to our bodies.

As a physician, Dr. Livesey helps individuals and leaders understand how stress, energy, and physiology directly impact patience, decision-making, motivation, and follow-through—especially during demanding seasons of life and work. Rather than viewing burnout or irritability as personal shortcomings, she reframes them as predictable biological signals asking for attention.

Together, Gregg and Marie discuss:

• How low energy and chronic stress quietly affect leadership presence

• Why burnout is often physiological—not a mindset failure

• The power of the “pause” between transitions in your day

• Practical strategies to stabilize energy, including sleep, nutrition, sunlight, and mental reset practices

• Why self-care is not selfish—but foundational to responsible influence

Dr. Livesey also shares a meaningful story about helping a patient move from self-blame to empowered decision-making, reminding us that compassionate leadership begins with understanding—of both others and ourselves.

If you’ve been feeling stretched, tired, or unsure, this conversation offers grounded, science-backed encouragement. Because positive influence doesn’t come from pushing harder—it comes from showing up steady, aware, and well-supported.

Small resets create sustainable impact.

Connect with Marie at: https://www.instagram.com/dr.mlivesey/