In this powerful episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Melissa O’Dell, the Illinois Executive Director of Defy Ventures, a national nonprofit dedicated to helping currently and formerly incarcerated individuals build pathways to financial independence. With over 20 years in this work and a decade at Defy, Melissa shares her journey from law school aspirations to leading transformative reentry programs that empower individuals to become the CEOs of their own lives.

Melissa dives deep into the importance of personal responsibility, mindset shifts, and second chances, highlighting the real impact of Defy’s work— from career readiness to entrepreneurship training. She shares inspiring stories of resilience, misconceptions about the justice-involved community, and the ripple effect of responsible influence in helping individuals reclaim their futures.

Join us for this insightful conversation on redemption, opportunity, and the power of human connection. Learn how you can support fair chance hiring, mentorship, and community reintegration.

💡 Want to make an impact? Learn more at www.defyventures.org

🎧 Tune in and be part of the movement toward second chances and lasting change!

In today’s episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg Koleno sits down with Valerie Johnson, a trailblazer in Montana’s luxury real estate scene. Discover how Valerie transformed her journey from a licensed assistant to a producing agent and now a valued partner at one of the state's top-performing teams.

Drawing from her personal experiences—navigating major life transitions, overcoming postpartum challenges, and supporting a family through entrepreneurial shifts—Valerie reveals the mindset shifts and leadership strategies that have defined her success. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on the power of self-care, setting clear expectations, and harnessing the strength of supportive alliances to lead with authenticity and positive influence.

Contact Valerie at:

[email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/vjohnsonre/

In today’s episode of Daily Influence, we welcome Nicki Sutherland, Executive Director of Gratitude Generation, an organization dedicated to empowering the next generation to lead with kindness, gratitude, and purpose. Nicki shares the inspiring story of how a simple desire to teach children about gratitude sparked a movement that now connects families, businesses, and individuals in meaningful acts of service.

We explore the transformative power of gratitude in leadership, teamwork, and personal growth, along with practical ways to cultivate a culture of giving in our communities and workplaces. Nicki also offers valuable insights on how volunteering can strengthen relationships, boost mental health, and create lasting impact.

Tune in to discover how small acts of service can lead to big change and how you can take action to make a difference today.

🔗 Learn more about Gratitude Generation: GratitudeGeneration.org

📲 Follow them on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/gratitudegeneration

https://www.instagram.com/Gratitude.Generation/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/gratitude-generation-501c3/

If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who could use a little extra inspiration today! 🌟 #DailyInfluence #GratitudeInLeadership #MakeADifference

In today’s Daily Influence episode, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Gallup-certified strengths coach and founder of Sparkitect Coaching Studio, Jenny Henderson. Jenny shares her transformative journey—from high-pressure sales to impactful nonprofit work, and finally to a fulfilling career in coaching.

Discover how understanding your core strengths, like positivity and connectedness, can unlock authentic leadership and empower you to overcome career crossroads. Through engaging stories, including a powerful account of helping a client escape a toxic environment, Jenny reveals practical strategies for reframing challenges and sparking positive change in your personal and professional life.

Tune in for your daily dose of inspiration and learn how small, intentional actions can create a ripple effect of lasting influence.

Connect with Jenny at:

https://www.sparkitectcoaching.com/

[email protected]

In this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Eric Cohen, a CrossFit CFL2 coach and two-time CrossFit Games athlete, to discuss the transformative power of strength training—especially for individuals in their 50s and 60s. Eric shares inspiring stories of clients who have gained confidence and independence through fitness, debunks common myths about aging and exercise, and emphasizes the mental and physical benefits of consistent strength training. His approach to coaching goes beyond lifting weights—it’s about building a mindset of resilience, discipline, and growth. Tune in for actionable insights on how to stay strong, healthy, and motivated at any stage of life.

Connect with Eric Cohen: Instagram @EricRCohen https://www.instagram.com/ericrcohen/

In this inspiring episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno welcomes back Kari-Ann Ryan, founder of LMJ’s Lost Souls, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting those affected by Alzheimer's disease. Kari-Ann shares her deeply personal journey that led her to become an advocate, driven by the experience of caring for her grandmother.

From her early days fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Association to now serving on the Illinois chapter board, Kari-Ann has made it her mission to provide awareness, community, and direct support to families navigating the challenges of this disease. She discusses how LMJ’s Lost Souls goes beyond research funding by delivering tangible resources—like activity-based donations for memory care residents—to improve the daily lives of those impacted.

She also shares powerful insights on leadership, resilience, and the power of community-driven influence. If you’re looking for ways to make a difference but don’t know where to start, Kari-Ann’s journey will inspire you to take that first step.

Listen in as we discuss the power of compassionate action and how small steps can lead to lasting change.

🎧 Tune in now and be part of the movement to make a difference!

🔗 Learn more at https://www.lostsoulsendalz.org/

📢 Share this episode to spread awareness and support the cause!

In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Tom Fowler, a dynamic leader with a global perspective on unlocking human and organizational potential. Tom shares powerful stories of transformation, including how a simple shift in mindset helped a young professional soar to success and how his unwavering belief in two determined entrepreneurs is helping them secure vital funding.

From his experiences leading teams at Nike to his principles of responsible influence, Tom emphasizes the power of authenticity, empathy, and serving others without expectation. He breaks down the key to breaking through limiting beliefs and offers practical wisdom for those looking to make a positive impact.

If you're seeking inspiration to lead with conviction and lift others up along the way, this conversation is for you. Tune in and discover how small actions can create extraordinary change!

Connect with Tom: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-fowler-6567402/

In this enlightening episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Dr. Veronica Kacherova, also known as Dr. K, an optometrist dedicated to enhancing vision and improving lives. As the founder of Expert Family Eye Care, she specializes in myopia management for children, cutting-edge dry eye treatments, and transformative vision solutions like orthokeratology.

Dr. K shares her personal journey into optometry, the life-changing impact of early vision care, and a heartwarming story about a young soccer player whose world was transformed through her expertise. She also offers valuable advice for parents on protecting their children’s eye health and the importance of responsible influence in healthcare.

Tune in to discover how clear vision goes beyond just seeing—it shapes confidence, success, and overall well-being. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation!

🔗 Connect with Dr. K: https://expertfamilyeyecare.com/

Follow us for more inspiring conversations!

In this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with the Queen of Action, Regina Carey—an inspiring coach, speaker, and energy powerhouse—who challenges individuals to step outside their comfort zones and embrace the power of presence. Regina shares her journey of reinvention, the importance of being over just doing, and practical ways to cultivate meaningful connections and influence.

From power poses and curiosity-driven conversations to the life-changing impact of small, consistent actions, Regina provides powerful insights on how we can all be the kind of person we long to see in the world. Tune in to learn how to say yes to growth, shift your mindset, and lead with authenticity.

🎧 Listen now and take your first bold step toward intentional influence!

Connect with Regina at: https://queenofaction.com/

In this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Ronna Belinky, founder and CEO of Workflows by Ronna. From her early days working behind the scenes of hit sitcom Will & Grace to helping entrepreneurs and small businesses streamline their workflows, Ronna shares how strong systems create efficiency, reduce stress, and foster collaboration.

She dives into the power of proactive planning, the impact of structured workflows in both business and personal life, and how responsible influence plays a role in helping people work smarter, not harder. If you’re looking to gain control over your time, minimize distractions, and maximize your impact, this episode is for you!

Key Takeaways:

✅ How repeatable processes lead to success

✅ The role of organization in reducing overwhelm

✅ Practical tips to improve time management and productivity

✅ How small changes can make a big impact

Connect with Ronna at:

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093643565469.

Website: https://www.workflowsbyronna.com/

Tune in and learn how to build habits that empower you to take charge of your time and energy! Don’t forget to subscribe and share with someone who needs a boost of productivity and positivity today.