In this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Alex Draper, founder and CEO of DX Learning, to explore the powerful concept of human-centric leadership and what it means to lead with care—not the cuddly kind, but the kind that drives results.

Alex shares his personal journey from the countryside of England to the front lines of leadership development in the U.S., revealing how his early experiences with toxic leadership fueled his passion to help others lead more compassionately and effectively. Through his CARE to Win framework—Clarity, Autonomy, Relationships, and Equity—Alex teaches how to positively influence those we serve in both our personal and professional lives.

Discover why silence is the biggest red flag of workplace toxicity, how to balance our own needs with those of others, and why every weekend (of the 4,000 we get in life) matters. You’ll also hear a heartwarming story about the impact of redefining equity in the workplace—and how a small shift in mindset can create a ripple effect of understanding and trust.

Whether you’re a leader at home or at work, this episode is a reminder that leadership is simply one human positively influencing another. Tune in for insights, actionable tools, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Don’t forget to check out Alex’s book Care to Win (https://a.co/d/dMLBJhl) and follow him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-draper/) for daily wisdom.

In this inspiring episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Kristen “Kiki” Wilkinson, founder of Thrive Mind Collaborative and a transformative leadership coach dedicated to helping high-achieving leaders lead with purpose, confidence, and clarity.

Kiki shares her incredible journey from early days at a little-known startup called Airbnb—where she wore multiple hats and faced intense burnout—to becoming a sought-after coach for mission-driven leaders. Through candid reflections on her experience with imposter syndrome, ADHD, and learning how to thrive beyond the hustle, Kiki reveals how intentional leadership rooted in psychological safety can transform teams, cultures, and lives.

Discover why slowing down is the secret to sustainable success, how to create human-centric workplaces, and why your leadership—no matter your title—creates a ripple effect that truly matters. Whether you're a founder, executive, or emerging leader, Kiki’s wisdom will remind you that thriving at work isn't a luxury—it's a responsibility.

Tune in to learn:

• How to overcome burnout and reclaim your energy

• Practical ways to lead with intention and build resilience

• The truth about “human doings” vs. “human beings”

• The power of creating psychologically safe environments

• Why feedback isn’t the “F-word” we think it is

Connect with Kiki Wilkinson:

• Email: [email protected]

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiki-wilkinson/

• Join her free leadership community: Reach out via email or LinkedIn for an invite to her safe, supportive space for authentic leadership conversations (no selling, just real support and connection).

Ready to lead differently? Let this conversation be your spark.

In this uplifting episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno welcomes Lauri Stern—host of The Real and The Woo podcast and founder of Custom Designed Wellness. With nearly four decades in the fitness and wellness space, Lauri blends real-world insights with spiritual practices like yoga, Reiki, and chakra balancing to help people reconnect with their inner selves.

Lauri shares the inspiration behind her viral practice “Joy on the 5s,” encouraging listeners to intentionally pause throughout their day and notice what sparks joy. She explains how joy isn’t frivolous—it’s fuel—and how leaders and individuals alike can use that joy to lead with authenticity, reduce overwhelm, and foster meaningful impact.

You’ll hear Lauri’s thoughts on combating imposter syndrome, shifting from competition to co-creation, and how cultivating personal wellness can transform entire organizations. If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your purpose or needed a reminder that you matter, this conversation will resonate deeply.

💬 “We all pull from the same energetic pot… but each of us uses our own unique ladle.” – Lauri Stern

🌟 Tune in for practical wisdom, heartfelt stories, and an energizing reminder to pause, reflect, and rise.

Connect with Lauri at:

https://www.customdesignedwellness.com/

Socials FB: Lauri Fleischmann Stern, Lauri Stern Yoga, and Custom Designed Wellness

Insta: @sternlauri and @customdesginedwellness

Podcast: The Real and the Woo with Lauri Stern

LinkedIn: Lauri Fleischmann Stern

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lauristerncustomwellness

TikTok: @lauristern7

In this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno is joined by Dr. Angela Brooks — an educator, leadership coach, and well-being advocate who has dedicated her life's work to helping leaders and organizations thrive from the inside out.

Dr. Angela shares her inspiring journey from a naturally empathetic child to an award-winning principal and transformational leader. She unpacks how social and emotional well-being is at the core of authentic, effective leadership and how investing in our own emotional health can create a ripple effect of positive influence in the lives of others.

Through powerful stories, including the remarkable transformation of one of her teachers who became Principal of the Year, Dr. Angela demonstrates how personal growth and professional leadership go hand in hand. She also reveals how small, intentional "micro moments" — from chewing bubble gum to sharing ice cream with family — can build resilience, joy, and connection in our fast-paced, often overwhelming world.

Listeners will walk away with actionable strategies to:

• Prioritize their well-being without adding more to their to-do list.

• Embrace vulnerability and authenticity in leadership.

• Intentionally create space and grace in their daily routines.

• Discover the power of joyful, mindful living as a catalyst for influence.

Dr. Angela reminds us that leading others starts with leading ourselves — and that our most profound influence begins in the quiet, intentional moments we create each day.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Angela Brooks at drangelabrooks.com to learn more about her work and sign up for tips on leading with well-being.

In this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno welcomes Arlene Martin, Vice President and SBA Business Development Officer at Busey Bank. With nearly 40 years of experience in business banking, commercial lending, and SBA financing, Arlene shares her inspiring journey of balancing a high-level career while navigating personal challenges, including caring for her husband through a liver transplant and her mother through serious illness.

Arlene opens up about the power of faith, perseverance, and community support in overcoming life's toughest moments. She offers invaluable insights into the realities of business financing, common obstacles entrepreneurs face, and how to build strong, lasting relationships with financial institutions. Arlene also shares uplifting stories of the positive impact she has made throughout her career—helping small business owners and mentoring women entrepreneurs to achieve financial success and personal growth.

The episode wraps with Arlene’s words of encouragement and her favorite quotes that will inspire you to live with kindness, gratitude, and intentional influence.

Connect with Arlene at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arlene-martin-32a868b/

Tune in and be inspired to lead, grow, and make a positive difference — one day at a time.

In this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Erin Wilson, founder of The Law Office of Erin M. Wilson LLC. Erin shares her powerful journey from aspiring psychologist to dedicated family law attorney, driven by her passion to help families and children navigate life's most challenging transitions.

Together, they discuss how responsible influence, integrity, and compassion can reshape the legal field, even in the most emotional and adversarial situations. Erin opens up about her unique approach to family law—prioritizing children’s well-being, fostering collaboration over conflict, and setting boundaries for ethical advocacy.

She also shares her commitment to empowering young women in law, creating safe spaces for emerging attorneys, and standing against harassment in the legal profession. Listeners will walk away inspired by Erin’s dedication to lifting others up, her belief in sharing knowledge without gatekeeping, and her message that positive leadership begins with helping others succeed.

Tune in for practical lessons on advocacy, collaboration, and leading with heart—even when the stakes are high.

Connect with Erin:

[email protected]

www.ewilsonfamilylaw.com

In this inspiring episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Steve Spiro, founder of Halotherapy Solutions, a company revolutionizing respiratory wellness. Steve shares his incredible journey from corporate America and tech startups—including being part of the founding team at Audible.com—to building a business with heart and healing at its core.

Celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Halotherapy Solutions, Steve dives into his mission of democratizing wellness and ensuring that health and healing are accessible to all, not just the privileged. You'll hear powerful stories of impact, including his company’s work with wounded veterans at the Invictus Games, partnerships with community organizations like the Urban League of West Palm Beach, and their continued support of underserved communities.

Steve discusses how leading with purpose, humility, and heart has fueled not only the growth of his business but also meaningful collaborations and real change in people's lives. He also shares practical advice for anyone looking to make a difference: Just get started.

Tune in to be inspired by how business success and social responsibility can coexist—and how you, too, can lead with positive influence.

Learn more about Halotherapy Solutions at halotherapysolutions.com

Reach out to Steve at: [email protected]

In this inspiring episode of Daily Influence, we welcome Elissa Kalver, founder and CEO of WeGotThis.org, a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that no one faces cancer alone. Diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2021, Elissa turned her personal challenge into a powerful movement, creating the first nonprofit gift registry for cancer patients. She shares the story behind her mission, the impact of small acts of kindness, and how a simple gift bag led to a life-changing journey of advocacy and empowerment.

Elissa also opens up about the lessons she’s learned in building a nonprofit, the importance of community support, and why she believes cancer is a “team sport.” Whether you’re looking to make a difference, build resilience, or simply be inspired, this conversation is a reminder that we are stronger together.

Tune in for a story of hope, action, and the ripple effect of positivity. 💜

🔗 Learn more at WeGotThis.org

📩 Connect with Elissa at [email protected]

📲 Follow her journey on Instagram: @ElissaKalver

In this empowering episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Jorie Houlihan, a leading voice in the ADHD community and founder of the ADHD Transformation Café. Diagnosed at the age of 49 after decades of being misunderstood, Jorie shares her personal journey of discovering her ADHD, the struggles she faced, and how she transformed that diagnosis into a mission to uplift and empower women navigating similar paths.

Jorie opens up about the challenges women with ADHD often face—from time blindness and goal-setting struggles to the emotional weight of judgment and perfectionism. She explains how shifting the lens from judgment to curiosity can be a game changer not only for those living with ADHD but for leaders and influencers who want to foster more compassionate, productive teams.

This conversation is filled with actionable insights, including how to advocate for yourself when seeking an ADHD diagnosis, the importance of seeking the right kind of evaluation, and how leaders can nurture their teams by focusing on strengths over assumptions.

Jorie also shares the unexpected strength and creativity that come with an ADHD brain, offering encouragement to anyone who has ever felt unseen or misunderstood. Her message is clear: Small acts of kindness and curiosity can change lives.

If you’ve ever felt like you were working twice as hard to keep up—or you’re a leader seeking to better understand and support others—this episode will leave you inspired.

Learn more about Jorie Houlihan:

Website: https://joriehoulihan.com/

https://www.instagram.com/joriehoulihan

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joriehoulihan1

In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Sarah Wallace, a leader in customer experience strategy and passionate advocate for positive change. With over 20 years of experience, Sarah has led 400+ workshops across 22 industries, helping businesses align customer experience with success. Beyond her professional work, she serves as President of the Board at Resilience, Chicago’s largest standalone rape crisis center, and actively volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, Tutoring Chicago, and more.

Sarah shares her journey from psychology to customer experience strategy, the power of listening, and how a Habitat for Humanity build transformed her perspective on gratitude and service. She discusses balancing leadership and collaboration, overcoming ego in decision-making, and fostering responsible leadership in the next generation. Plus, she offers practical tools for discovering your passion and making a meaningful impact in your community.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation on aligning purpose with action, staying resilient in emotionally complex spaces, and leading with authenticity.

Connect with Sarah Wallace:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahannewallace/

https://www.proprietary-insights.com/

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