Daily Influence

In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Courtney A. Olson, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Business Banking at First Bank Chicago, to explore the powerful intersection of business strategy and community impact.

Courtney shares her journey from teller to banking executive, the influence of her family legacy, and how a deep-rooted passion for nonprofits became a purpose-driven initiative that benefits both community and commerce.

With honesty and wisdom, Courtney reveals how she leads with heart, practices responsible influence, and advocates for collaboration over competition in the nonprofit world. From structuring bank accounts that yield grant-equivalent returns to brokering mergers that preserve vital programs, her stories demonstrate how doing good and doing well can go hand in hand.

Listeners will walk away inspired to:

• Rethink what it means to be a connector and resource

• Collaborate instead of compete

• Lead with kindness and intention

• Embrace the idea that growing the pie benefits everyone

Whether you're a nonprofit leader, small business owner, or professional seeking more meaning in your work, Courtney’s insights are a roadmap for how to make a lasting, positive impact — and why giving back can be a sound business strategy.

Connect with Courtney:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-a-olson-6865b410/

[email protected]

Listen as we describe how this one simple word - SMART - can be the foundation for you and your organization as revisit our talk from episode 180 of the Daily Influence. 

This episode offers Gregg's perspective on slowing down, which can add context because each of us faces different challenges in the 'go too fast' world we live in.

In this inspiring episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno welcomes Lauren Fondriest, a corporate team effectiveness consultant turned intentional dating and relationship coach. Drawing from her 17-year career in the corporate world and her personal journey navigating love, Lauren shares how influence isn’t just reserved for the boardroom—it’s essential in our most intimate relationships.

Lauren explores what it means to be a courageous creator of your love life, how to lead with emotional self-awareness, and why dating with intention is about how you want to feel, not just what you want to find. She also reveals the surprising parallels between healthy workplace dynamics and thriving romantic partnerships—both grounded in authenticity, curiosity, and shared growth.

Whether you're navigating a career, looking for aligned love, or building deeper human connections, Lauren’s insights will leave you empowered to show up more intentionally in every aspect of your life.

Connect with Lauren:

https://laurenfondriest.com/

https://www.instagram.com/laurenfondriest/

In Episode 525 of the Daily Influence, Brian welcomes Michael Drelicharz—entrepreneur, tech integrator, and the host of I Got a Guy podcast. Michael shares how he revolutionized fleet tracking for small businesses with real-time AI-enabled tools and an unwavering commitment to legendary customer service. They dive into how technology, human behavior, and personal passion intersect to create powerful influence. From lost equipment in farm fields to building a network of trusted business referrals, Michael’s story is a masterclass in purposeful, human-centric leadership.

🔗 Learn more at PreciseFleetTracking.com

🎧 Explore I Got a Guy on all major platforms or through his website.

What if burnout wasn’t a personal failure but a structural misalignment? In this powerful episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Nicole Connor—transformative thinker, systems strategist, and co-creator of The Resiliency Code. Nicole shares her multidimensional journey through law, interior design, offshore finance, and institutional reform, all while navigating and overcoming severe burnout.

Nicole introduces the concept of structural correction—a radical framework that shifts focus from emotional reactivity to pattern recognition and systemic realignment. Whether you’re confronting overwhelm in your personal life or witnessing misalignment in institutions, Nicole’s insights challenge you to examine your capacity, jurisdiction, and the contracts—spoken and unspoken—that shape your experiences.

Learn how the Resiliency Code helps individuals pause, prepare, and participate with integrity, clarity, and vitality. Nicole also reveals how these tools are transforming governments, businesses, and everyday relationships—and how one small, self-honoring adjustment at a time can spark deep, lasting change.

Key themes include:

• Understanding burnout through a structural lens

• How self-trust and micro-adjustments rebuild resilience

• The importance of capacity, jurisdiction, and contracts in everyday life

• The silent collapse of high-capacity individuals—and how to reverse it

• Creating change without emotional escalation or conflict

If you’re seeking alignment, personal clarity, or a blueprint for responsible influence, this episode offers the tools and wisdom to help you restore coherence in yourself and your world.

🔗 Learn more at nicoleconnor.substack.com and https://www.sovransystemsinstitute.com/

In this special remake of Episode 148 of The Daily Influence, Brian Smith reconnects with David Evans from And Coaching to explore the bold and transformative initiative: “Leadership or Leadershit.” As David and Debbie continue their U.S. Roadshow, this conversation highlights what real leadership looks like today—and why much of what we call leadership might actually be something else entirely.

We dive into practical strategies for modeling the leadership required of our time, not just echoing outdated traditions. David shares powerful personal examples and three actionable takeaways for anyone looking to evolve their leadership from positional to purposeful.

This episode challenges you to look inward, to lead by example, and to ask the hard question: Am I leading, or am I just in charge?

🎧 Listen. Reflect. Lead forward.

In Episode 522 of Daily Influence, Brian Smith explores the silent but powerful energy we carry into every room. Whether you’re leading a meeting or showing up to listen, your presence sets the tone before you speak a single word. This episode challenges leaders and individuals alike to own their internal energy, enter spaces with intention, and build influence through quiet confidence and mindful communication. True influence isn’t about volume—it’s about being present, prepared, and purpose-driven. Be the I in Team by honoring the energy you bring.

In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Joe Frost — founder and CMO of Your CMO, founder of Frost Media Group, professor, and entrepreneurial strategist. Joe shares his journey from high school entrepreneur to seasoned business leader, reflecting on the power of personal accountability, creative energy, and intentional leadership.

Discover how Joe helps businesses shift from reactive to proactive through strategic planning, the role of core values in uniting teams, and how a simple vision conceived while floating in the South Pacific drives meaningful change globally. Joe also offers practical tactics for fostering positivity, from gratitude streaming to unleashing creativity, and highlights the transformative ripple effect of owning your energy.

Tune in for a masterclass on influence, collaboration, and building businesses that lift both people and communities.

Connect with Joe at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephfrost/

In Episode 520 of The Daily Influence, Brian Smith challenges the reactive mindset of desperate hiring and invites leaders to embrace a more intentional, values-based approach. He explores how rushed hiring decisions can erode your organizational culture and how responsible influence starts with knowing your values—and the true value of every role.

Brian shares practical insights for aligning hiring practices with long-term vision, focusing on core values, and asking the right questions before making a hire. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a revolving door of turnover, this episode will help you reframe hiring as a positive, powerful influence on your culture, your people, and your business.