In this revisit to Episode 372 of The Daily Influence, we explore what it means to feel unappreciated and how to shift the narrative to reclaim your sense of value. Brian S. Smith offers practical advice on self-reflection, open communication, and modeling positive behavior to inspire gratitude and appreciation in your personal and professional life. Discover how embracing your influence can help you feel seen, valued, and empowered.

In this revisit to episode 127 of Daily Influence we discuss our belief in I am We and it is why We all matter; we all have amazing influence. I am We. Yes, I am the accumulation of all those people who have influenced me prior to this moment, it does not define me but they have all influenced me and are part of the me/we of today.  

In this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Carolann Valentino, 15-time award-winning entertainer, positive psychology practitioner, and creator of the Heart Coherence Method, to explore what happens when purpose, humor, and heart all align.

From running a $40M steakhouse in the heart of New York City to performing her sold-out Off-Broadway show Burnt at the Stake, Carolann has spent her life at the intersection of entertainment, emotional truth, and leadership. Today, she helps leaders, teams, and audiences reconnect with their why, regulate their emotions, and show up more authentically on stage, at work, and at home.

In this conversation, Carolann shares:

• How blending entertainment and psychology helps people shift from the inside out

• The story of a keynote that became a turning point for audience members on the edge of big life decisions

• What the Heart Coherence Method is and how it helps leaders move from chaos to clarity

• Why presence beats perfection, and how authenticity becomes a tool for real influence

• Practical ways to recalibrate purpose, build resilience, and lead with more humanity (not just hustle)

• How humor opens the heart and makes real transformation possible

Carolann reminds us that influence doesn’t have to be complicated or “perfect” it has to be aligned. When we lead from the heart, stay present, and allow ourselves to laugh, we create the kind of connection that changes rooms, organizations, and lives.

 Tune in and discover how heart coherence, purpose, and humor can transform the way you live and lead.

Connect with Carolann: www.carolannvalentino.com

Today we revisit Daily Influence episode 171 where we tackled the topic of Communication Organization. We are bombarded by many different kinds of communication: email, text, in-person, phone and then there is body language and other written forms. How we manage our communication is one of life's biggest challenges!

In this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Ronnie Loaiza (RonnieLo), Master Certified Professional Life Coach, Certified Habit Coach, and Certified Personal Trainer, who helps people do one powerful thing: stop stopping.

Blending science-based habit strategy with joy, play, and real-life compassion, Ronnie shows how small, consistent actions can move us past resistance, overwhelm, and perfectionism. Instead of relying on willpower and “discipline,” she teaches how to build habits that feel doable, sustainable, and aligned with who you really are.

In this conversation, Ronnie shares:

• Why relying on motivation and willpower keeps us stuck and how habits create natural momentum

• How “celebrative accountability” turns follow-through into a form of self-care, not self-criticism

• A client story that shows how tiny changes in mornings, evenings, and self-care can transform a business and a life

• The role of boundaries as habits that protect your energy, time, and values

• How shifting your thoughts (without lying to yourself) changes your emotions, behaviors, and results

• Why it’s never “too late” to create new, life-giving habits especially in midlife transitions

Ronnie reminds us that change doesn’t have to be dramatic to be deeply impactful. One tiny action, done consistently and celebrated along the way, can rewrite the story of your health, your work, and your influence.

Tune in and discover how to stop stopping, start small, and build habits that support the life you actually want.

Connect with Ronnie:

www.ronnielolifecoach.com

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

On Today's Daily Influence we revisit episode 182 where we discussed the foundation of being a good leader is your ability to listen. Listen to how we teach this required skill for everyone.

In this revisit to episode 188 of Daily Influence, we discuss the ongoing debate about Culture and its influence on profit continues. After 28 years of continuous strategic, tactical and culture improvement advisory service, we believe culture ultimately drives profit; listen to Brian talk about that journey.

In today’s episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Jess Kaskov, #1 best-selling author, transformational coach, and creator of Soul Salary and the Overwhelmed to Overjoyed digital course, to explore how we can realign our time, energy, and choices with what truly lights us up.

Jess brings a powerful blend of lived experience and practical guidance. After a 15-year engineering career and a defining “life quake” moment, she discovered that her deepest impact wasn’t in process improvement—it was in people. That realization sparked her transition into heart-centered work that helps others move from burnout to balance and rediscover joy as a daily practice.

In this conversation, Jess shares:

• How a plant closure and a month of uncertainty sparked her journey into a more aligned life

• Why joy isn’t indulgent it’s essential

• What “Soul Salary” really means and how to give yourself raises in fulfillment

• A transformative client story that shows the power of intentional reflection and courageous change

• How her Overwhelmed to Overjoyed framework helps you move from chaos to clarity

• The role technology (including AI) plays in supporting not replacing the heart-centered parts of her work

Jess reminds us that you don’t have to earn joy—you return to it. With her compassionate approach, she shows how slowing down, reflecting, and aligning your life with what feels fulfilling can change everything.

Tune in and learn how small, intentional shifts can lead you from overwhelmed to truly overjoyed.

Website: https://www.jesskaskov.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1930971

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-kaskov-03a39950/

In this revisit to episode 196 of Daily Influene, we asked; Do you ever consider who makes up your team? We're not referring to those who assist you with daily tasks, but rather the individuals who have shaped who you are and where you stand today.

Even when we work independently, we embody both significant and subtle lessons learned throughout our lives. This awareness fosters a healthy humility in any sphere of influence we find ourselves in, because we recognize that without others, we could not be who we are today.

This is why I/we firmly support our premise: "I am because we are."

In today’s episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Stan Slovin, author, lawyer, financial advisor, and a respected pillar of the Northbrook community, to explore one of the most overlooked skills in leadership and life: listening.

As the author of Better Listening: The Secret to Improving Both Your Professional and Personal Life, Stan shares the experiences and observations that shaped his mission to help people listen not to respond, but to genuinely understand. He breaks down why listening is the heart of responsible leadership, how empathy changes the tone of every conversation, and the simple habits anyone can start using today to foster deeper trust, connection, and clarity.

 In this conversation, Stan shares:

• Why so many leaders “listen to respond” instead of listening to understand

• How empathy, pause, and presence transform professional AND personal relationships

• Practical tools to improve communication including reflection, clarification, and intentional pauses

• Why better listeners build stronger teams, retain talent, and create healthier cultures

• The ripple effect of compassionate, non-judgmental listening in a divided world

Stan also shares powerful stories from boardrooms to kitchen tables that show just how deeply listening impacts the people who matter most.

If you want to improve your influence, deepen your relationships, and communicate with more purpose, this episode is full of insights you can put into practice today.

 Tune in and let this conversation inspire you to listen not to reply, but to truly understand.

Connect with Stan: https://www.betterlisteningbook.com/

Buy his book: https://a.co/d/1DWCxHU