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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In this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Megan Schwan—CEO of Sidekick Accounting Services, certified Profit First professional, and solo mom of four—for a powerful conversation about financial empowerment, entrepreneurship, and resilience. With over 20 years of experience and a passion for helping women and minority-owned businesses thrive, Megan shares her journey from bookkeeping in high school to launching a firm that’s transforming how small businesses manage their money.

She opens up about the challenges she faced during a cross-country move and divorce, and how building a sustainable business gave her the freedom and stability to support her family. Megan also dives into common financial pitfalls, why community matters, and the importance of giving yourself grace while pursuing purpose.

If you're an entrepreneur looking for inspiration, practical advice, and a reminder that you're not alone—this episode is for you.

Connect with Megan at: https://www.sidekick-accounting.com/

In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Jillian Bernstein, founder of Wellness Extension, to explore how small, intentional moments of gratitude can transform workplace culture. Jillian shares her journey from economics to HR leadership, her passion for holistic employee well-being, and how she helps companies implement meaningful benefits and policies that truly support their teams. From launching global gratitude challenges to designing empathy-centered bereavement leave, Jillian leads with compassion and connection. Tune in for simple, actionable ways to foster a culture where people feel seen, valued, and inspired to show up as their best selves.

Connect with Jillian:

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

https://www.wellness-extension.com/

In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Jillian Bernstein, founder of Wellness Extension, to explore how small, intentional moments of gratitude can transform workplace culture. Jillian shares her journey from economics to HR leadership, her passion for holistic employee well-being, and how she helps companies implement meaningful benefits and policies that truly support their teams. From launching global gratitude challenges to designing empathy-centered bereavement leave, Jillian leads with compassion and connection. Tune in for simple, actionable ways to foster a culture where people feel seen, valued, and inspired to show up as their best selves.

Connect with Jillian:

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

https://www.wellness-extension.com/

Success isn’t about grand, dramatic moments—it’s about the power of small, consistent actions over time. In this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with writer, speaker, and chief storyteller Carla Birnberg to explore how steady daily effort leads to transformational results.

Carla shares insights from her journey, from fitness and leadership to storytelling and social impact, emphasizing why consistency—not motivation—is the key to progress. She discusses how to shift from chasing bursts of inspiration to building sustainable habits, the importance of structure in leadership, and simple ways to integrate consistency into daily life.

Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by big goals or struggling with staying on track, this conversation offers practical advice on embracing small steps to create meaningful change. Tune in and discover how consistency builds success in business, personal growth, and beyond.

👉 Subscribe and share to help spread positivity and the power of steady effort!

Connect with Carla at:

https://carlabirnberg.substack.com/

https://www.instagram.com/carlabirnberg/

In this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno welcomes Jonathan Barnes, a seasoned corporate communications and public affairs executive currently serving as Client Success Manager at the Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation. With over 25 years of experience, Jonathan shares his journey from journalism school in Atlanta back to his roots in Delaware, and how his passion for service, laughter, and team collaboration shapes the work he does today.

Jonathan opens up about the power of cross-generational teamwork, the joy of seeing entrepreneurs grow through the foundation’s programs, and why creating a culture of ownership and clear communication is essential for lasting community impact. He also reflects on personal moments of influence and offers encouragement for anyone looking to make a difference: "The world needs to hear your voice."

Tune in for an inspiring, heart-centered conversation full of wisdom, humor, and a call to lead by example.

Learn More about the Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation https://www.petedupontfreedomfoundation.org/

https://www.facebook.com/petedupontfreedomfoundation

https://www.instagram.com/petedupontfreedomfoundation/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/pete-du-pont-freedom-foundation/

Connect with Jonathan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-barnes-9b15996/

In today’s heartwarming episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg Koleno reconnects with her dear friend of over 20 years, Lily. From their first meeting in Israel to a lifelong friendship built on kindness and resilience, Lily shares profound insights on what it means to be a human first—above all else.

Through her inspiring acts of service, from reuniting lost pets in times of crisis to bringing joy through ice cream for displaced families and injured soldiers, Lily reminds us that small gestures can make a world of difference. She also shares a deeply personal reflection on hope, symbolized by the simple act of planting bulbs during uncertain times—watching them bloom as a testament to resilience.

This episode is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest moments, hope prevails, kindness connects us, and giving enriches not just others but ourselves. Tune in for an uplifting conversation about humanity, perseverance, and the ripple effect of good deeds.

Listen, share, and embrace the power of influence in your life!

What if your biggest life pivots held the key to your purpose? In this heartfelt episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Andrea Hecht—certified life coach, writer, and host of The Next Chapter (Her)—whose journey from Wall Street to teaching, motherhood, and coaching was shaped by a profound life event: witnessing 9/11 firsthand.

Andrea shares how that moment became a catalyst for rediscovering her voice and redefining fulfillment. Together, they explore how to navigate change with intention, why clarity begins within, and how small, courageous steps can create lasting impact. You’ll learn about Andrea’s signature “Road Map Back to Joy” framework and how she helps women reclaim their power by honoring their stories.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, uncertain, or disconnected from your purpose—this episode is your invitation to reflect, realign, and rise.

Learn more about Andrea and her work at fullyinformedlife.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fullyinformedlifecoaching/

🎙️ Podcast: The Next Chapter (Her) https://fullyinformedlife.com/the-next-chapther-podcast

In this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Michelle Saward—an industry leader who has built a thriving real estate organization of over 1,700 agents and closed more than 2,000 career sales. But beyond the numbers, Michelle’s journey is a testament to resilience, responsible influence, and the power of belief in oneself and others.

Michelle shares how she navigated setbacks, from starting over after unexpected job loss to rebuilding after a major team departure. She dives into the importance of goal-setting, the mindset shifts that fueled her success, and how instilling belief in others can transform lives both professionally and personally.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation on grit, leadership, and the small but powerful moments that shape our influence. Plus, hear Michelle’s advice for those looking to make an impact but unsure where to start.

🔗 Connect with Michelle:

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.saward.9

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In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Andre Johnson, Fund Manager at the Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation, whose journey from higher education and corporate recruiting to nonprofit leadership is grounded in one powerful principle—connection. Andre shares how active listening, authentic relationships, and leading by example have shaped his mission to support entrepreneurs, build sustainable partnerships, and foster community impact.

From helping first-generation college grads land career-shifting roles to navigating the unpredictability of fundraising, Andre’s story is a testament to the ripple effect of showing up, staying curious, and serving others.

Tune in for wisdom on purpose-driven leadership, inspiring change without a big platform, and how every conversation—no matter how small—can become the start of something transformational.

Learn more: pdupontfreedomfoundation.org

Connect with Andre: [email protected]