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/

Speed gets attention. Patience builds trust.

In this episode of Daily Influence, Brian Smith sits down with Mike Hinds, co-founder of Nashville Barrel Company, to explore what building a premium whiskey brand can teach us about leadership, influence, and long-term thinking.

Mike shares how Nashville Barrel Company grew from handwritten labels on a coffee table to distribution in 36 states—without sacrificing quality, culture, or credibility. From resisting the pressure to scale too fast, to protecting brand identity in a crowded market, to treating people with the same care as product, this conversation is a masterclass in intentional influence.

Whether you lead a company, a team, or simply yourself, this episode reminds us that the best results—like the best whiskey—can’t be rushed.

https://www.nashvillebarrelco.com

https://louisvillerickhouse.com/

Motivation gets us started — but it rarely gets us to the finish line.

In this episode of Daily Influence, Brian Smith explores why execution has become the defining leadership skill in 2026, and why discipline — not motivation — is what sustains progress when energy fades, distractions rise, and uncertainty increases.

Brian breaks down the critical difference between emotional motivation and operational discipline, why most execution failures are structural (not personal), and how disciplined systems like SMART Management create clarity, calm, and predictable progress — even in volatile times.

If execution feels heavy, this episode challenges leaders to stop pushing harder and start designing better systems.

In this powerful episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Eric Collett, CEO of A Mind for All Seasons, nationally recognized brain health expert, educator, and advocate for proactive cognitive care.

Eric shares his unexpected journey from running assisted living and memory care communities to becoming a sought-after speaker and consultant in brain health, dementia care, and caregiver education. With a blend of science, compassion, and leadership, Eric explains how addressing root causes—not just symptoms—can dramatically improve cognitive outcomes and quality of life.

Listeners will hear a remarkable story of hope involving early-onset Alzheimer’s, learn practical lifestyle and mindset strategies to support long-term brain health, and explore how responsible influence is less about control and more about creating conditions for better choices.

This conversation is a reminder that influence doesn’t have to be loud or grand—it often shows up in education, service, and taking the next right step.

Key takeaways include:

• Why brain health is deeply connected to daily choices and lifelong learning

• The role of biomarkers, lifestyle, and mindset in cognitive resilience

• How leaders and caregivers can influence others by empowering choice

• Why small, thoughtful actions often create the greatest impact

Whether you’re a caregiver, leader, lifelong learner, or someone thinking about your own cognitive health, this episode offers insight, clarity, and hope.

Connect with Eric Collett or learn more

Website: https://amindforallseasons.com

Economic uncertainty is no longer an occasional disruption—it’s the environment leaders are operating in every day.

Tariffs, market volatility, geopolitical pressure, AI disruption, and shifting consumer confidence have changed how leadership must show up. In this episode of Daily Influence, Brian Smith explores why resilience alone isn’t enough—and how strategic influence becomes the defining leadership skill when conditions are unpredictable.

You’ll hear:

Why people watch leaders more than plans during uncertainty

How calm, clarity, and stability outperform forced optimism

What influential leaders do differently to turn volatility into strategic advantage

This episode is a practical and timely conversation for leaders navigating pressure, ambiguity, and constant change—without losing trust, momentum, or direction.

What if the gap between your potential and your results isn’t motivation… but autopilot?

In today’s Daily Influence episode, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with entrepreneur, success mentor, and Think It, Be It founder John Mitchell to unpack the “missing secret” he uncovered inside the legendary book Think and Grow Rich—and how a simple 12-minute daily practice helped him shift from consistent low six figures to building a life that produced seven-figure results.

John explains why most of our daily actions are unconscious, how that silently drives our outcomes in business, relationships, and health, and how his repeatable method helps people build clarity, confidence, and intentional influence—starting with how they lead themselves. You’ll also hear practical examples of how this shows up in everyday moments (like patience at the dinner table and focus at work), plus how listeners can access his free training and tools.

If you’re someone who feels “meant for more,” this conversation offers a grounded, repeatable way to move from intention to action—on purpose.

Learn More:

Email John: john@thinkitbeit.com

Website: Think It, Be It: https://thinkitbeit.com/

THE MISSING SECRET of the Legendary Book Think and Grow Rich : And a 12-minute-a-day technique to apply it: https://a.co/d/61r8r2D