Daily Influence

In this episode of Daily Influence, Brian Smith returns from a global journey to dive into one of today’s most dynamic and debated topics—Artificial Intelligence. Through the lens of the SMART Management model, Brian explores how AI can responsibly amplify human judgment rather than replace it. He shares personal experiences coaching clients on AI adoption, and gives a grounded perspective on how AI can support strategic decision-making, communication, and culture—when used transparently and ethically. Listeners will walk away with clear, SMART-based guidelines on integrating AI as a tool, not a crutch, in modern leadership and management.

In this inspiring episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno welcomes Steph Corker, leadership strategist, former professional endurance athlete, and values-driven entrepreneur, for a powerful conversation about transformation, authenticity, and responsible influence.

Steph opens up about her journey from building the Corker Co. to joining Veritas, the courage it took to walk away from her identity as a triathlete, and what it means to lead from a place rooted in core values. Together, they explore:

• The art of shedding identities to make room for growth

• Redefining leadership through personal responsibility and compassion

• Building a culture of wellness inside organizations

• Why slowing down is often the path to true alignment

• Small moments that make a lasting impact

Steph’s candid wisdom and deep self-reflection will resonate with anyone navigating seasons of change or looking to lead with greater intention and integrity.

“Stay aligned, stay true, and don’t end up in a ditch.” This episode is your nudge to live and lead with purpose.

📲 Connect with Steph on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcorker/) or visit stephcorker.com

In this inspiring episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Yelena Johnson—educator, advocate, and founder of Reva's Bridge—to explore how culturally responsive practices are transforming classrooms and empowering students across the country.

Yelena shares her powerful personal journey from corporate consulting in New York City to becoming a passionate change-maker in education. Discover how she uses classroom meetings to build inclusive, emotionally intelligent communities where students feel seen, heard, and valued.

Learn about the foundational building blocks of classroom culture, the role of social-emotional learning in academic success, and the profound impact of peer connection. Yelena also reflects on real stories of student transformation—including one who went from failing math to acing it—all through the power of connection and belief.

Whether you're an educator, parent, or leader in your community or workplace, this conversation offers a blueprint for fostering resilience, belonging, and responsible influence in any environment.

Connect with Yelena:

Website: https://www.rivasbridge.com/

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

Email: [email protected]

In this inspiring episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno welcomes Jessica Merar, Director of the Dragonfly Foundation Chicago and a certified child life specialist with a heart for healing. Jessica shares her incredible journey from working in pediatric oncology at Lurie Children’s Hospital to launching and leading the Chicago chapter of Dragonfly—a nonprofit that now supports over 1,000 pediatric cancer patients and families across eight hospitals.

Named a Notable Leader in Healthcare by Crain’s Chicago Business, Jessica opens up about the power of responsible influence, the importance of transparency and empathy in leadership, and how community partnerships have helped her deliver tangible impact—including stories of last-minute miracles, like getting air conditioning installed for a child in treatment over a holiday weekend.

Jessica reminds us that positive change starts with genuine intent—and that you don’t need a title or a plan to make a difference, just the courage to take action.

🔗 Learn more or get involved at dragonfly.org/chicago

https://www.instagram.com/dragonfly_chicago/

In this heartwarming and wisdom-packed episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with the unstoppable Dorothy Wilhelm, a 91-year-old broadcasting legend, author, columnist, and speaker who proves that influence doesn’t expire—it evolves.

Dorothy, the longest-running continuous broadcaster in the Pacific Northwest and host of Swimming Upstream Radio Show, shares her extraordinary journey from “blabbermouth” child to international radio personality. She opens up about becoming a single mother of six after her husband’s sudden death, how she broke into radio without any formal experience, and why she believes volunteering is a superpower.

This episode dives deep into:

• The importance of responsible influence and embracing our gifts at every age

• Why it’s never too late to make a difference (even with bound feet and barriers)

• Her life-changing encounter in a Buddhist temple that forever reshaped her worldview

• The powerful lesson behind not labeling others, especially our children

• Why hope, humor, and a smile can transcend language, culture—and even Parkinson’s

Dorothy reminds us all that it’s not about you—it’s about us, and that everyone has a story worth telling. Tune in for inspiration, laughter, and practical wisdom from a woman who’s still changing lives—one heartfelt conversation at a time.

Learn more at http://www.itsnevertoolate.com/

Listen to her podcast at: https://itsnevertoolate.com/swimmingupstreamradioshow/

In this heartwarming and energizing episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Steve Harper—entrepreneur, speaker, author, and the visionary behind Ripple Central. Known as the "Chief Rippler," Steve shares the inspiring philosophy behind the Ripple Effect: the idea that small, intentional actions can create profound positive change in others' lives.

From overcoming shyness as a young entrepreneur to helping people and organizations deepen authentic connections, Steve opens up about how meaningful relationships—not just transactions—are the real currency of life and business. He reveals personal stories that shaped his journey, including a powerful moment of kindness that sparked a leadership transformation and his lifelong habit of being intentionally early.

Listeners will learn:

• Why connection, not collection, should be the goal of networking

• The power of "Ripple Connection Questions" to spark authentic dialogue

• Why soft skills are anything but soft—and how they drive real business results

• Simple ways to make a daily ripple that leaves a lasting impact

Whether you're a business leader, a team member, or someone looking to make a difference in the world, this episode offers practical wisdom and heartfelt encouragement. Tune in and discover how you can be a responsible influence, one ripple at a time.

👉 Want to learn more about Steve and the Ripple movement?

Visit RippleCentral.com and join The Pond, a free community where people come together to practice authentic connection, share meaningful ideas, and amplify positive impact. You can also follow Steve on all major social platforms at @rippleon (with two Ps) to keep the conversation—and the ripples—flowing.

In this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Alex Draper, founder and CEO of DX Learning, to explore the powerful concept of human-centric leadership and what it means to lead with care—not the cuddly kind, but the kind that drives results.

Alex shares his personal journey from the countryside of England to the front lines of leadership development in the U.S., revealing how his early experiences with toxic leadership fueled his passion to help others lead more compassionately and effectively. Through his CARE to Win framework—Clarity, Autonomy, Relationships, and Equity—Alex teaches how to positively influence those we serve in both our personal and professional lives.

Discover why silence is the biggest red flag of workplace toxicity, how to balance our own needs with those of others, and why every weekend (of the 4,000 we get in life) matters. You’ll also hear a heartwarming story about the impact of redefining equity in the workplace—and how a small shift in mindset can create a ripple effect of understanding and trust.

Whether you’re a leader at home or at work, this episode is a reminder that leadership is simply one human positively influencing another. Tune in for insights, actionable tools, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Don’t forget to check out Alex’s book Care to Win (https://a.co/d/dMLBJhl) and follow him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-draper/) for daily wisdom.

In this inspiring episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Kristen “Kiki” Wilkinson, founder of Thrive Mind Collaborative and a transformative leadership coach dedicated to helping high-achieving leaders lead with purpose, confidence, and clarity.

Kiki shares her incredible journey from early days at a little-known startup called Airbnb—where she wore multiple hats and faced intense burnout—to becoming a sought-after coach for mission-driven leaders. Through candid reflections on her experience with imposter syndrome, ADHD, and learning how to thrive beyond the hustle, Kiki reveals how intentional leadership rooted in psychological safety can transform teams, cultures, and lives.

Discover why slowing down is the secret to sustainable success, how to create human-centric workplaces, and why your leadership—no matter your title—creates a ripple effect that truly matters. Whether you're a founder, executive, or emerging leader, Kiki’s wisdom will remind you that thriving at work isn't a luxury—it's a responsibility.

Tune in to learn:

• How to overcome burnout and reclaim your energy

• Practical ways to lead with intention and build resilience

• The truth about “human doings” vs. “human beings”

• The power of creating psychologically safe environments

• Why feedback isn’t the “F-word” we think it is

Connect with Kiki Wilkinson:

• Email: [email protected]

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiki-wilkinson/

• Join her free leadership community: Reach out via email or LinkedIn for an invite to her safe, supportive space for authentic leadership conversations (no selling, just real support and connection).

Ready to lead differently? Let this conversation be your spark.

In this uplifting episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno welcomes Lauri Stern—host of The Real and The Woo podcast and founder of Custom Designed Wellness. With nearly four decades in the fitness and wellness space, Lauri blends real-world insights with spiritual practices like yoga, Reiki, and chakra balancing to help people reconnect with their inner selves.

Lauri shares the inspiration behind her viral practice “Joy on the 5s,” encouraging listeners to intentionally pause throughout their day and notice what sparks joy. She explains how joy isn’t frivolous—it’s fuel—and how leaders and individuals alike can use that joy to lead with authenticity, reduce overwhelm, and foster meaningful impact.

You’ll hear Lauri’s thoughts on combating imposter syndrome, shifting from competition to co-creation, and how cultivating personal wellness can transform entire organizations. If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your purpose or needed a reminder that you matter, this conversation will resonate deeply.

💬 “We all pull from the same energetic pot… but each of us uses our own unique ladle.” – Lauri Stern

🌟 Tune in for practical wisdom, heartfelt stories, and an energizing reminder to pause, reflect, and rise.

Connect with Lauri at:

https://www.customdesignedwellness.com/

Socials FB: Lauri Fleischmann Stern, Lauri Stern Yoga, and Custom Designed Wellness

Insta: @sternlauri and @customdesginedwellness

Podcast: The Real and the Woo with Lauri Stern

LinkedIn: Lauri Fleischmann Stern

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lauristerncustomwellness

TikTok: @lauristern7

In this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno is joined by Dr. Angela Brooks — an educator, leadership coach, and well-being advocate who has dedicated her life's work to helping leaders and organizations thrive from the inside out.

Dr. Angela shares her inspiring journey from a naturally empathetic child to an award-winning principal and transformational leader. She unpacks how social and emotional well-being is at the core of authentic, effective leadership and how investing in our own emotional health can create a ripple effect of positive influence in the lives of others.

Through powerful stories, including the remarkable transformation of one of her teachers who became Principal of the Year, Dr. Angela demonstrates how personal growth and professional leadership go hand in hand. She also reveals how small, intentional "micro moments" — from chewing bubble gum to sharing ice cream with family — can build resilience, joy, and connection in our fast-paced, often overwhelming world.

Listeners will walk away with actionable strategies to:

• Prioritize their well-being without adding more to their to-do list.

• Embrace vulnerability and authenticity in leadership.

• Intentionally create space and grace in their daily routines.

• Discover the power of joyful, mindful living as a catalyst for influence.

Dr. Angela reminds us that leading others starts with leading ourselves — and that our most profound influence begins in the quiet, intentional moments we create each day.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Angela Brooks at drangelabrooks.com to learn more about her work and sign up for tips on leading with well-being.