Daily Influence

In this inspiring episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Erin Herman, keynote speaker, storyteller, and advocate for stepping boldly beyond your comfort zone. From a career in global sales to leading corporate partnerships for UNICEF and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Erin’s journey is a testament to courage, empathy, and growth.

She shares how a simple weekly email to her team became a powerful reminder of the unseen impact of consistent, intentional communication and how that spark ignited her mission to inspire audiences worldwide. Erin opens up about playing big in the workplace, creating a positive culture around failure, and teaching women to own their voices unapologetically.

Whether you lead a small team or dream of influencing on a global stage, Erin’s stories and strategies will remind you that change starts with one voice and the ripple effect can be extraordinary.

Connect with Erin:

www.TheErinHerman.com

https://www.instagram.com/eebherm/

https://www.tiktok.com/@_erin111

https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-herman-97832217/

https://www.facebook.com/erin.beaton.18

In this revisit to episode 320 of the Daily Influence, Brian Smith dives into the challenges leaders face during times of uncertainty and disruption. He shares three key strategies to navigate these turbulent times, emphasizing the importance of understanding each team member's unique contributions, aligning those talents with a shared vision, and embracing the S.M.A.R.T. management model to maintain focus. Brian also highlights the value of transparent communication and empathetic leadership in building trust and resilience within your team. Tune in to learn how to turn disruption into an opportunity for growth and improvement.

In this episode of Daily Influence, Brian Smith sits down with Bob Green, founder of Evoke Growth, to explore what he calls the “Ownership Trap.” Bob shares powerful insights into how business owners—especially those leading family and legacy companies—can avoid getting stuck in day-to-day isolation and identity struggles. Together, they discuss how to preserve tradition and values while embracing innovation, how to balance legacy with financial realities, and why succession and generational leadership are critical to long-term success.

Listeners will gain practical ways to reframe ROI beyond money, engage teams through storytelling and collaboration, and learn how to “think like private equity and act with heart.” If you’ve ever wondered how to grow with intention while protecting what matters most, this conversation is for you.

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

https://evokegrowth.com/

[email protected]

Host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Jayson Mamaclay, Vice President at Norman Professional Services (NPS), to explore how entrepreneurs can take off the armor, get honest about money, and design a business that truly serves their lives. Jayson’s path, from PwC CPA to organizational design and DEI work, to escape-room owner and Goldman Sachs 10KSB alum, now fuels his mission at NPS: helping owners align the pro forma with the personal “why.”

Together, we dig into treating your company as an asset that should create value, freedom, and joy; using a clear North Star to reverse-engineer decisions; and unlearning the “grow at all costs” myth in favor of a business that fits your family and legacy. Jayson also shares why early succession and exit planning preserves both momentum and meaning.

Outside the office, Jayson volunteers with Games Done Quick, whose latest marathon raised $2.4M for Doctors Without Borders, a masterclass in teamwork, shared mission, and community impact. He leaves listeners with a powerful charge: your influence is a +1 fingerprint—make it intentional.

You’ll learn:

• How to build numbers around your values, not just your revenue goals

• A practical way to architect your dream business (and spot misalignment)

• Why succession planning should start while you still love the work

• Community lessons from large-scale philanthropy you can apply to your team

Connect with Jayson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaysonmamaclay/

Hope is a powerful starting point—it sparks the vision of what we want to achieve. But hope alone isn’t enough. In this episode of Daily Influence, Brian Smith unpacks the journey from hope to goals to action. Using the SMART Management lens, he shows how to transform hope into measurable progress and meaningful improvement. Learn how to avoid getting stuck in wishing, and instead move with clarity, accountability, and influence toward real, lasting change.

In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Renee Beckman — executive recruiter, entrepreneur, and founder of the WISE Tribe — a movement dedicated to supporting women in the workplace and advancing mental wellness. Renee shares her journey from CPA to recruiter to passionate advocate, revealing the personal stories that inspired her to create a platform where women can find mentorship, community, and resources for thriving in their careers.

From tackling the taboo around mental health, to equipping women with tools for difficult conversations, to embracing personal responsibility as the catalyst for workplace change, Renee offers a compelling vision for more inclusive, supportive, and empowered professional environments. Whether you’re a leader, a peer, or someone seeking to make a positive difference, her insights will challenge you to listen more deeply, lead with authenticity, and give generously without expectation.

Connect with Renee:

[email protected]

www.mseedinc.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/renee-beckman/

In this episode of Daily Influence, Brian Smith explores how integrity can be tested when emotions run high—whether in religion, politics, or personal crises. He discusses how empathy and sympathy can de-escalate conversations, why accountability must rise above loyalty, and how to choose words that heal rather than harm. When pressure mounts, asking better questions and grounding ourselves in core values helps us influence responsibly and ethically.

In this Opine episode of Daily Influence, Brian Smith explores how focused language can strengthen your influence. Using SMART principles, he discusses how to be specific without overloading, how to measure the true impact of your words, and how to ensure your message is both timely and relevant. Learn how asking the right questions can sharpen communication, reduce confusion, and build trust. Influence isn’t about volume—it’s about clarity.

In this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Tara Baker—an attorney, mom of four, and founder of Estate Planning for New Families—to talk about how she’s changing the conversation around legacy and legal planning. Tara shares her journey from big law to launching a family-centered practice that helps parents take estate planning off their never-ending To Do Lists.

With compassion, clarity, and a touch of humor, Tara explains how her own experiences as a parent shape the way she guides clients through some of life’s most emotional decisions. From creating space for women to lead in their homes to helping families feel empowered instead of overwhelmed, Tara shows how responsible influence can protect what matters most.

Whether estate planning has been on your radar for years or you’ve been putting it off, this episode offers encouragement, real talk, and practical advice for taking the next step.

Learn more at

www.estateplanningforenwfamilies.com

https://www.instagram.com/trustestateplanning/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-baker-309bab47/

https://www.facebook.com/trustestateplanningfornewfamilies/

In this revisit of our milestone episode 400 of the Daily Influence, Brian Smith dives into why the shift from "goals" to "SMART objectives" is essential for achieving meaningful progress. Explore how objectives provide clarity, accountability, and measurable success while avoiding the pitfalls of abstract goals. Discover actionable steps to create SMART objectives that resonate with the principles of Specificity, Measurability, Attainability, Relevance, and Timeliness. Join the conversation and redefine how you and your team approach success.