Daily Influence

In this powerful episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Beth Nabors, Executive Director of Journeys | The Road Home, to explore the human side of homelessness and the leadership it takes to create lasting change. With over 26 years of service in suburban Cook County, Beth shares how personal experiences shaped her mission, the misconceptions that often surround homelessness, and how her team stays resilient amidst emotional and logistical challenges.

From standing in the rain to protect a client’s only remaining possession to redefining burnout as moral injury, Beth’s insights highlight the power of empathy, presence, and purpose-driven leadership. This conversation is a testament to what it means to lead not from behind a desk, but from beside the people you serve.

Tune in to hear:

• What suburban homelessness really looks like

• How Beth motivates her team through policy, presence, and compassion

• A powerful story of standing up for what’s right—even in a thunderstorm

• Why hope is a strategy, not just a feeling

Whether you’re in nonprofit work, leadership, or just looking to make a difference, Beth’s message will leave you inspired and reconnected to your own power to influence positive change.

Learn more about Journeys The Road Home: https://www.journeystheroadhome.org/

In this episode of The Daily Influence, Brian explores the often-unspoken language that defines our impact—our body language. From posture and eye contact to facial expressions and even wardrobe choices, your physical presence begins influencing others the moment you enter a room. Learn how to align your nonverbal signals with your mission and values to cultivate trust, build deeper connections, and create responsible influence. Whether you're leading a team or just showing up for a conversation, discover how intentional awareness of your physical self can elevate your leadership and relationships.

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Gigi Verrey—founder of Very Smart Ideas—to explore how a limb difference became a source of strength, innovation, and global impact. Gigi opens up about growing up in a time when her difference was misunderstood, and how it shaped her mindset, creativity, and leadership.

From inventing one-handed life hacks to empowering parents of children with limb differences across the world, Gigi shares how visibility, vulnerability, and humor can break down barriers. Her message is clear: “If I can do it, you can do it.” Whether she’s peeling carrots in a new way or inspiring others through viral videos, Gigi reminds us that our greatest challenges can become our greatest leverage.

This episode is a masterclass in responsible influence, empathy-driven leadership, and the courage to show up fully—even when it’s uncomfortable. Tune in to learn how to lead with authenticity, create inclusive spaces, and turn your uniqueness into your superpower.

Connect with Gigi at:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063558941643

https://www.instagram.com/verysmartideas/

In Episode 486 of the Daily Influence, Brian explores the transformative strength of quiet influence—leadership that doesn't demand attention but earns respect through intentional actions, deep listening, and unwavering consistency. Drawing from the SMART philosophy and the foundational concepts in The I in Team Series, Brian shares how disciplined, unassuming leadership fosters sustainable trust, clarity, and organizational growth. Learn how to let your presence speak louder than your voice—and how process, empathy, and reliability drive performance and elevate your team’s influence.

In this inspiring episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Cindy Brom—Midwestern leader, changemaker, and affectionately known as “Gumby” and “Clorox Cindy.” From her early days at Northwestern University’s Department of Psychiatry to scaling a mental health program from 1 employee to over 400, Cindy’s journey is rooted in flexibility, deep listening, and a relentless drive to serve others.

Cindy opens up about her unexpected entry into the helping profession, her transformational leadership style, and the meaningful impact she’s had on her teams and her own family. She introduces the concept of “currency”—the core motivators that drive individuals—and how understanding these can elevate influence and connection.

With anecdotes ranging from disinfecting doorknobs during COVID to coaching her son through one of his toughest academic challenges, Cindy reminds us that real influence starts with authenticity, credibility, and rolling up your sleeves.

Tune in to hear Cindy’s actionable advice on how to lead with intention, recognize what matters most to others, and be the kind of leader who gets things done—while lifting others up.

Plus: Gregg reflects on the power of influence and how it’s evolved in her own life.

Connect with Cindy: [email protected]

Learn about SimplyBee: https://www.simplybeecounseling.net/

In Episode 484 of The Daily Influence, Brian Smith tackles a leadership challenge many face but few discuss: the tension between being liked and being a positive, responsible influence. Drawing from personal experience and SMART principles, Brian explores how true leadership is built on clarity, consistency, and integrity—not popularity. Discover why choosing influence over likeability may not always be comfortable, but it’s the key to earning long-term respect and trust. If you’ve ever struggled with making the hard call or wondered if being liked was enough, this episode is your must-listen reminder that leadership is about doing what’s right—not what’s easy.

In this inspiring episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno welcomes Belinda Sandor, affectionately known as Lady Belinda and the visionary founder of The VA Connection. With a story that begins at age 50—amid divorce, a failed business, and raising a young daughter—Belinda shares how she transformed personal hardship into a mission-driven career helping thousands of virtual assistants across the globe.

Belinda discusses building a six-figure VA business, the power of connection and mentorship, and how a supportive community has grown into an international movement with over 58,000 members in 47 countries. From a rural mom in Iowa earning $65/hour to forging deep friendships in online cohorts, this episode highlights how Belinda is redefining success through kindness, collaboration, and personal empowerment.

She also previews her upcoming VA Connection Live Conference, where virtual assistants will explore holistic success—balancing business with health, mindset, and connection.

Learn more about The VA Connection at https://www.thevaconnection.com/

Tune in for words of wisdom, practical insight, and a powerful reminder that it's never too late to step into your power and live life on your own terms.

In this episode of The Daily Influence, Brian S. Smith revisits one of the cornerstones of leadership—accountability—but with a deeper dive into the synergy between self-accountability and team accountability. Discover how self-accountability serves as the catalyst and team accountability becomes the engine that drives collective success. Brian unpacks how SMART culture transforms accountability from a burden into a shared commitment, elevating individuals while aligning momentum toward common goals.

In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno welcomes Debra Duby, founder of Do Be Fit LLC, for a powerful and heartfelt conversation on what it truly means to transform—physically, mentally, and emotionally. With over two decades of experience blending psychology, personal training, nutrition, and meditation, Debra shares her unique philosophy: that lasting change is rooted not in reps and routines, but in resilience and self-awareness.

Debra opens up about her own journey from a corporate tech career to becoming a celebrated wellness coach. She shares real-life client stories—like an 80-year-old lifting weights after decades of inactivity—and offers empowering advice for those feeling stuck or unsure of where to begin. Learn why “lowering the bar” isn’t failure, but the first step toward sustainable success, and how friction in your journey is actually a sign of progress, not a red flag.

This episode is a masterclass in responsible influence and quiet leadership. Debra reminds us that you don’t need a platform to inspire others—you just need to be the change.

🔗 Connect with Debra on Instagram @Debra_Duby or visit her website at debraduby.com

In Episode 480 of the Daily Influence, Brian explores the transformative role of humor in leadership and workplace culture. Drawing from the SMART Management framework and personal stories—including the roots of his TED Talk—Brian unpacks how appropriate humor fosters trust, psychological safety, emotional intelligence, and resilient leadership. Whether you lead a team or are part of one, this episode shows how laughter, when aligned with values, can break down barriers and build meaningful connections that drive engagement and productivity.