This week marks a major milestone — 500 episodes of The Daily Influence! To celebrate, we’re taking you back to where it all began: Episode One, Individual Influence – Defining the (I)individual. (I/We). From the very start, The Daily Influence has focused on the power of responsible, positive influence, beginning with each individual and expanding outward. Whether you’re tuning in during your walk, your commute, or your daily routine, we invite you to continue making Daily Influence part of your day — and to share it with others so together we can keep spreading positivity, one ripple at a time.

In this powerful episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Milena Miteva-Regos — reformed marketing executive, keynote speaker, and founder of Unhustle — to challenge the deeply ingrained culture of toxic hustle. Milena shares her personal journey from burnout to balance, her insights into mindfulness, presence, and the importance of human sustainability in leadership. Drawing from her extensive research, including interviews with 300+ high achievers, Milena offers practical, science-backed strategies to help leaders and individuals reclaim their well-being without sacrificing ambition. Discover how to build alignment, foster purpose-driven leadership, and create "life wealth" — a richer, more fulfilling definition of success.

Learn More About Unhustle: https://unhustle.com/

Connect with Milena:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unhustle

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

Today marks a milestone—500 episodes of Daily Influence. In this reflective episode, Brian Smith explores what it means to cast 500 intentional ripples into the world. From the humble beginnings of The I in Team Series to a global platform of responsible and positive influence, Brian shares the power of consistency, the importance of community, and the ongoing journey to build a better world through influence.

Featuring reflections on key episodes like deliberate action (Ep. 8), consistency (Ep. 77), and human-centered leadership (Ep. 463), this episode celebrates not just a number—but the stories, listeners, and voices that made the journey possible.

If you’ve ever wondered what real, intentional influence looks like over time—start here. And join us for the next 500.

In this powerful episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno welcomes Liva RJ (aka Leva Judic), globally recognized as "The Quiet Disruptor." From a childhood marked by unimaginable adversity in Madagascar, homelessness, abuse, and loss, to standing on global stages like the World Economic Forum and creating a soul-centered retreat in a 16th-century French farmhouse, Liva shares her remarkable journey of resilience and responsible influence.

Liva opens up about the transformative power of presence, intuition, and holding space rather than guiding or directing. She shares profound insights into how trauma shaped her ability to create safe, sacred spaces for healing and self-discovery, especially for women navigating change and reinvention. Through soulful retreats that disconnect from technology and foster creativity, connection, and rest, Liva helps leaders recalibrate their nervous systems, embrace their inner child, and reignite purpose in today's fast-paced world.

Discover how ethical leadership is rooted in mindful presence, deep listening, and creating space for others to thrive. Liva's wisdom offers encouragement for anyone facing struggle or transition, reminding us that pain often signals profound growth, and that by shining brightly ourselves, we lift those around us.

If you're ready to be inspired by a story of transformation, compassion, and courageous leadership, this episode will stay with you long after it ends.

Connect with Liva:

Instagram: @liv.alive

Website: soulxplorers.com

In this special 498th episode of Daily Influence, Brian Smith reflects on the incredible journey leading up to our 500th episode milestone. With a heartfelt look back at how the I in Team Series and Daily Influence have evolved, Brian shares thoughts on the transformative nature of influence—quiet or loud, disruptive or steady—and the importance of recognizing that every person matters. He encourages listeners to revisit past episodes for timeless guidance and previews what's to come with Greg and Liv as we explore quiet disruption and the space between transformation and celebration. Join us as we honor the power of intentional influence and prepare for the next chapter in our journey together.

From a dirt road in rural Alabama to leading global teams at Herman Miller, Knoll, and Hightower, Monique Lecomte’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, adaptability, and authentic leadership. In this episode, Monique joins host Gregg-Brooke Koleno to explore what it means to be an "expert generalist," how to create psychologically safe spaces in the workplace, and why true leadership is about building trust—not titles.

Monique shares how raising her younger brother at 27 shaped her leadership style, the impact of long-term relationship building over transactional communication, and the power of showing up as your authentic self. Her insights are both deeply personal and widely applicable to anyone seeking to influence with purpose and compassion.

💡 Listen in to be inspired to lead with clarity, communicate with curiosity, and create spaces where others can thrive.

Connect with Monique:

https://moniquelecomte.com/

https://www.instagram.com/moniquelecomte_elevatingothers/

In today’s episode of the Daily Influence, Brian Smith explores how one simple tool—your calendar—can become the foundation for intentional and responsible influence. He shares personal habits and professional insights on how structured time management supports clarity, trust, and leadership. Learn how the calendar acts not only as a scheduling tool, but as a strategic framework for aligning your values with action, using the S.M.A.R.T. methodology and the Six to Sixty planning model. If you’re ready to bring order to chaos and elevate your influence, this episode is your starting point.

In today’s episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Burt Levy, a visionary leader whose journey spans decades in media and technology. From his impactful role as Director of Entertainment at the Chicago Sun-Times to launching and scaling Revenue Mountain, Burt shares how he transformed an organic network into a thriving business with heart.

Burt reflects on:

• The lessons he learned and how they shaped his leadership.

• Why "hiring for character and training for skill" is his unshakable rule.

• How a simple act of inclusion transformed a young basketball player’s life—and what that story says about real influence.

• His belief that leadership is stewardship, where we shape lives by how we treat people, not just how we perform.

• Why selling value over price creates lasting relationships—and businesses.

This conversation is a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership, human connection, and cultivating influence with authenticity. Burt’s message is clear: Machines are getting better at being machines—it's time we get better at being human.

Want to connect with Burt? Reach him at [email protected].

Tune in and be reminded why influence is more than a platform—it's the legacy we build through every interaction.

In this episode of Daily Influence, Brian Smith explores how the principles of S.M.A.R.T. Management—Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely—can help leaders navigate today’s increasingly complex and diverse environments. Whether your sphere of influence is local or spans continents, Brian explains how specificity, cultural empathy, and proactive communication can bridge gaps, reduce reactivity, and foster more connected, effective teams. Discover how to lead with intention in a fast-paced world and create influence that transcends borders.

In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Nell Vandeveld, a financial advisor with BBV Wealth Management at Merrill Lynch, whose passion for financial literacy is transforming lives. From her roots in classical music to working alongside her mother in a predominantly female-led finance team, Nell shares how her unconventional path led her to a career of helping others build confidence through financial clarity.

You’ll hear:

• How Nell helps clients overcome financial anxiety by removing emotion from money management

• A touching story of how she supported a client through a complex caregiving situation

• Why financial education is the foundation of her practice and mission

• Practical encouragement for listeners to take charge of their financial futures

This conversation is a reminder that while money isn’t the most important thing in life, understanding it can unlock the freedom to focus on what matters most. Whether you're just starting your financial journey or seeking more confidence in your decision-making, Nell’s insights will leave you informed and inspired.

🔗 Connect with Nell at [email protected]