Daily Influence

What does it take to thrive in a sport where opportunities are limited—and still create a legacy beyond the rink?

In this inspiring episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Hayley Williams, a trailblazer in women’s ice hockey and founder of Hockey Worldwide Academy. From her triple-overtime championship goal as a teenager to playing professionally across North America, Russia, and Hungary, Hayley’s journey is one of resilience, adaptability, and bold leadership.

She shares how living overseas shaped her perspective on teamwork, why holistic athlete development goes far beyond ice time, and what it means to positively influence the next generation of players. With stories of perseverance, including becoming the oldest rookie at the World Championships at age 31, Hayley proves that it’s never too late to chase your dreams.

🌟 In this episode:

• Lessons learned from navigating international hockey and cultural barriers

• The founding of Hockey Worldwide Academy and its holistic approach to training

• How influence evolves from athlete to mentor to coach

• Words of encouragement for anyone striving to make an impact on or off the ice

📲 Tune in for a conversation that blends grit, growth, and the power of responsible influence.

Connect with Hayley:

http://www.hockeyworldwide.com

https://www.instagram.com/hwahockey

https://www.instagram.com/hayleywilliamsathlete/

In today’s revisit of episode 326 of the Daily Influence, Brian Smith dives into the challenge of finding common ground during these highly divisive times, especially as we near election season. With emotions running high across social media, at work, and in public spaces, it's crucial to take a step back and approach these conversations with empathy and understanding. Brian shares actionable tips on how to lead by example, emphasizing the importance of listening, asking intentional questions, and creating a positive ripple effect in your own areas of influence. Whether or not we ultimately agree with others, we can still foster more meaningful, respectful conversations.

In this episode of Daily Influence, Brian Smith explores the quiet but powerful force of decision fatigue—how too many choices drain focus, clarity, and influence. Whether you’re a leader, parent, or simply managing life’s constant decisions, fatigue can erode your judgment and relationships.

What does it really mean to have a village and how do we build one in today’s world of disconnection and busyness?

On this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Florence Ann Romano, nationally recognized keynote speaker, media personality, and author of Build Your Village: A Guide to Finding Joy and Community in Every Stage of Life. Florence Ann shares her journey from nanny to author and thought leader, and why she believes we are not meant to do life alone.

In this conversation:

• The six archetypes of villagers and how to identify who’s in your circle (and who might be missing).

• Why vulnerability, reciprocity, and service are essential to authentic connection.

• The biggest myths about friendship and why asking for help is not a weakness.

• Practical steps for overcoming isolation and finding your place in community.

Florence Ann reminds us that connection doesn’t happen by accident, it’s a choice we make daily. Whether you’re seeking deeper friendships, building support systems, or simply wanting to show up better for others, this episode will inspire you to become a more intentional villager.

Connect with Florence Ann:

https://florenceann.com/

https://www.instagram.com/florenceann.romano/

https://www.facebook.com/FlorenceARomano

https://www.tiktok.com/@florenceann.romano

https://www.linkedin.com/in/florence-ann-romano-636a07377/

In this revisit of Daily Influence Episode 172 we asked, Have you been ghosted? Have you ghosted someone? Have you wondered why or what drives ghosting to happen? We have some definite opinions on the act of ghosting and how inappropriate it is in day-to-day communication. Don't let exceptions guide you here!

What happens when strategy meets spirit—and scale follows alignment?

In this conversation, Camille L. Miller, transformational business strategist and founder of the Soul Professional Business School, shares how she turned a coffee-club idea into a global movement for soul-led entrepreneurs. Camille walks through her 14-week Accelerator (from concept to launch), why mindset is the true “trump card,” and how to design a business that dovetails with your life instead of competing with it.

We dig into practical alignment—reading what your body’s telling you, avoiding “stacked dreams,” and using small, honest steps to build momentum. Camille also explains how values, clear vision, and the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals shape businesses that create real, positive impact.

In this episode:

• From nonprofit CEO to global community builder—Camille’s origin story

• The 80/20 test: when fear is information and excitement is a green light

• Why confidence creates cash—and how to cultivate it without empty affirmations

• Designing offers around your uniqueness so there’s no competition

• Breaking goals into doable steps (and why you shouldn’t wait to “earn” your life)

Connect with Camille: https://www.soulprofessional.com/

In this revisit of episode 275 of The Daily Influence, Brian Smith explores the critical role that accountability plays in achieving both personal and organizational success. Accountability is more than just meeting deadlines—it's about building trust, fostering teamwork, and driving continuous improvement. Brian delves into how accountability serves as a pillar of trust within teams and highlights practical applications from the S.M.A.R.T. Management framework. Learn how to create a culture of accountability that balances support and empathy, encouraging personal responsibility while driving your organization toward excellence. Tune in to discover how implementing these strategies can help you and your team achieve your goals and cultivate a culture of continuous improvement.

Today on Daily Influence, Brian sits down with Alex Sheridan—founder of Impaxs—to unpack how companies can ditch “agency-dependence” and build a lean, authentic, in-house content engine. Alex explains why the best-performing content carries the founder’s voice, how to create a culture of storytelling across the team, and where AI helps (editing, trimming, transcribing, repurposing) without replacing your point of view.

We get practical for busy owners—yes, even the “I’m a plumber, not an influencer” crowd—with simple first steps: film real work, share behind-the-scenes, and publish consistently. Alex reframes “influencer” to “key person of influence,” turning brand building into everyday business practice.

Contact Alex: LinkedIn — Alex B Sheridan; Website — impaxs.com.

What happens when you throw out the slick playbook and build marketing around values, voice, and real people? Chicago-based organic SEO consultant Lauren Plug, founder of Chaotically Mindful, joins Gregg-Brooke to share how she helps sustainable and mindful brands grow without greenwashing or “tech-bro” tactics.

Lauren’s journey—from copywriting to SEO to standing up for purpose-driven marketing—offers a refreshing blueprint: slow down to speed up, keep mission in the room, and let authenticity guide the strategy. She breaks down common traps (scientific jargon, condescension, eco-perfectionism, and vague green claims) and shows how to replace them with clear language, consistent touchpoints, and search strategies that actually fit your brand.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to balance chaos and intention so creativity (and results) can breathe

• Practical ways to align SEO with your mission—without sacrificing performance

• A simple cadence that works: alternating mission-led and SEO-led content until they converge

• Why “your website is your platform” and how to use it to tell your sustainability story

• The mindset shift purpose-led founders need to market ethically and make money

Connect with Lauren:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-plug/

In this revisit to Episode 399 of the Daily Influence, Brian S. Smith delves into the evolving landscape of remote and hybrid work. He explores the challenges organizations face, from siloed employees to accountability issues, and presents the S.M.A.R.T. Management framework as the solution. Discover how to balance flexibility with accountability, foster trust-driven leadership, and build meaningful team connections to create a sustainable and productive work environment. Whether you're embracing remote work or considering hybrid models, this episode provides actionable insights for success.