Connection is not accidental — it’s intentionally designed.

In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Aaron Smalls, host, DJ, Experience Architect, and creator of Charismatic Advantage: The Art of Social Energy. From his early days at Nickelodeon to commanding stages and designing high-trust experiences for audiences of 50 to 50,000, Aaron shares how presence, intention, and awareness shape meaningful influence.

Together, they explore what responsible influence truly means — leading without ego, reading the room with integrity, and creating environments where people feel seen, safe, and empowered to be themselves. Aaron reveals how influence is less about performance and more about stewardship, reminding others of who they already are.

They also dive into:

• How social energy impacts leadership, communication, and trust

• Why influence is an energy exchange, not a spotlight

• Using AI as preparation — not replacement — for human presence

• Protecting your energy in high-pressure environments

• Why every moment, conversation, and space can be a stage for positive impact

Aaron leaves listeners with a powerful reminder: influence doesn’t require a platform — just presence, care, and intention.

Whether you’re leading a team, hosting an event, or connecting one-on-one, this episode will challenge you to think differently about how your energy shapes the experiences you create.

Connect with Aaron:

Website: https://aaronsmalls.com/

Social Links:

Instagram: @CuriouslyTalented & @TheAaronSmalls

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

Most leaders believe they’ve been clear.

Expectations were set. Goals were communicated. “Good” was explained.

And yet — execution still breaks down.

In this episode of Daily Influence, Brian Smith explores why the real breakdown isn’t effort or intent — it’s accountability. He unpacks why expectations without ownership create frustration, how accountability has been misunderstood as control, and why disciplined accountability actually frees people instead of pressuring them.

This conversation reframes accountability as clarity with follow-through, shows how SMART makes accountability visible rather than emotional, and explains why strong accountability protects high performers while allowing leaders to step out of rescue mode.

Expectations set direction.

Accountability is what moves the work forward.

In this powerful episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Arianna Rose and Soleil Laurent, the visionary founders of Equality Education, an organization redefining how emotional intelligence is taught across schools, communities, and organizations.

What began as a serendipitous friendship in Brooklyn during the pandemic has grown into a movement impacting over 100 New York City schools, partnering with major brands like Puma, Meta, NBC, and Bellevue Hospital, and placing more than 100,000 personal development workbooks into the hands of learners of all ages.

In this conversation, Arianna and Soleil share:

• Why emotional intelligence should be foundational in education—for students, parents, and leaders alike

• How self-agency and self-love create ripple effects that transform relationships, teams, and communities

• A deeply moving real-world story of how their affirmation tools helped a child in crisis

• Their thoughtful approach to responsible AI use, balancing technology with human development

• Practical encouragement for anyone who wants to create positive change—starting right where they are

This episode is a reminder that meaningful influence begins within. When we understand ourselves, we lead better, love better, and build stronger communities—together.

Connect with Equality Education

Website: https://www.theequalityeducation.com/

Instagram (Equality Education): https://www.instagram.com/theequalityedu/

Instagram (Friends Who Want You to Win): https://www.instagram.com/friendswhowantyoutowin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEqualityEducation/