Daily Influence

IA Business Advisors

Discover a world where everyone’s influence matters. Welcome to Daily Influence, co-hosted by Brian Smith, founder and managing partner at IA Business Advisors and author of the 'I in Team' series, along with IA Business Advisors Partner Gregg Brooke Koleno. Each day, Brian and Gregg craft episodes designed to elevate your influence and transform it into a force for positive and responsible influence. Every episode is a journey through real-life experiences, transformative concepts, and powerful tools that help you FIND, BE & BUILD Your Influence. We aim to help you radiate your unique influence, find balance, celebrate victories, and shape your reality. The podcast highlights the art of leading yourself and those around you, remaining humble and composed, learning effectively, and embracing true diversity. Whether you tune in during your morning coffee, mid-day break, or your evening wind-down, Daily Influence is your daily dose of inspiration and upliftment, relevant to your everyday life. The goal is not just to influence you but to equip you with insights you can share within your sphere of influence. Join Brian and Gregg as they explore the principles and practices that align with IA Business Advisors' S.M.A.R.T. Management Consulting Methods, offering practical advice and thought-provoking discussions. Remember, it’s not just about being part of the team; it’s about finding the ‘I’ in every team. So, listen, learn, share, and expand your influence with Daily Influence. Tune in and discover how to make your influence matter, every day.

  1. 11H AGO

    686. Communication Is Not a Soft Skill: Turning Clarity into ROI with Shelley Goldstein

    Is communication really a “soft skill” — or is it one of the most powerful profit drivers in your business? In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Shelley Goldstein, leadership development coach, creator of the Remarkable Framework, and author of the #1 international bestselling book Remarkable Speaking. Shelley works with executives and business owners in high-stakes environments, helping them transform communication into a measurable leadership advantage. Shelley shares how her own fears and communication challenges shaped her work — and why true leadership transformation begins with identity, not just outcomes. From guiding CEOs out of the weeds and back into their visionary role, to reframing meetings as measurable ROI opportunities, Shelley makes a compelling case that communication is not “nice to have” — it’s a strategic lever that saves time, builds trust, and drives results. The conversation also explores: • Why identity is a leader’s greatest competitive advantage — especially in the age of AI • How responsible influence begins with ownership, clarity, and invitation • The difference between being goal-focused and vision-driven • How AI can serve as a copilot — without replacing authenticity • Practical ways to reduce meeting time, increase clarity, and reclaim thousands of productive hours Shelley reminds us that influence cannot be forced — but it can be invited. When leaders communicate with intention, share their journey, and stay grounded in their identity, they inspire alignment rather than compliance. If you lead a team, run a business, or want to strengthen your impact, this episode will challenge how you think about communication — and show you how to turn it into a measurable asset. Connect with Shelley at RemarkableSpeaking.com or on LinkedIn (links in show notes). As always, at Daily Influence, we believe that when leaders take responsibility for how they show up and communicate with clarity and purpose, the ripple effects are lasting. Small actions. Clear communication. Big impact.

    16 min
  2. 2D AGO

    684. Get Seen, Remembered, and Paid — Without Losing Yourself

    In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Naowshaba Ferdous, global personal brand strategist, speaker, and business mentor who has supported women across 27 countries in generating more than $10 million in revenue. Naowshaba shares her journey from a conventional path toward law to building a thriving business rooted in storytelling, behavioral psychology, and authentic brand strategy. Influenced by powerful female entrepreneurs early in her career, she went from freelance copywriter to trusted strategist helping six- to eight-figure leaders get seen, remembered, and paid — without compromising who they are. Together, Gregg and Naowshaba explore: • How to scale visibility and income while staying aligned with your values • Why storytelling is a bridge to connection — not manipulation • The mindset shift required to sustain six-, seven-, and even eight-figure success • How to use AI as a tool without losing the human element • Why your “level five” skill can still change someone else’s life Naowshaba also shares a powerful story about helping a client eliminate significant debt and transform her family’s future — a reminder that responsible influence creates ripple effects far beyond revenue. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re “ready enough,” this conversation will remind you that influence starts from within — and that your unique voice is your greatest asset. Because influence isn’t about being louder. It’s about being intentional. Contact Naowshaba at: http://www.naowshaba.com/

    15 min
  3. MAR 5

    681. Grief as a North Star: Finding Purpose in Life’s Most Sacred Transitions

    What if grief wasn’t something to “get over,” but something that could guide you toward deeper purpose? In this moving conversation, Amana Mayfield-Faulkner, founder of Amana Be Love and former palliative care nurse, shares how profound personal loss reshaped her understanding of life, death, intuition, and connection. From witnessing her first love take his final breaths in his twenties… to giving birth to her daughter and holding her through her last moments… Amana’s journey through grief has been both devastating and transformative. Through these experiences, she discovered that grief does not end — it changes. And when honored instead of suppressed, it can become a compass. In this episode, we explore: • What working in palliative care teaches about presence and responsibility • Why grief doesn’t follow a timeline — and shouldn’t be rushed • The importance of community when navigating loss • How to support someone grieving without expectation • What “post-traumatic growth” can look like • Reconnecting with your intuition as a source of strength • Why transitions — like in birth — often feel darkest right before breakthrough Amana reminds us that grief exists because love exists. And when we allow ourselves to move through the “underworld” of loss — without building our home there — we can emerge with greater depth, compassion, and even access to joy we didn’t know was possible. Her message is especially powerful for anyone navigating uncertainty, loss, or major life transitions: Start small. Start with yourself. Trust your inner voice. And remember — transitions do not last forever. This episode is a beautiful reminder that influence often shows up in quiet presence, deep listening, and the courage to share what is often unseen and unspoken. Listen in and be inspired to show up — for yourself and for others — with compassion, responsibility, and trust in your own inner guidance. Website URL: www.amanabelove.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanabelove/

    16 min
  4. MAR 3

    679. A Bad Day Doesn’t Make a Bad Life: From Incarceration to Impact

    What if your hardest chapter became the foundation of your greatest influence? In this powerful and unfiltered conversation, Lora Tomlinson shares her journey from small-town athlete to addiction, incarceration, and ultimately, transformation. After serving 7 and a half years in federal prison for substance-related charges, Lora experienced a moment of clarity that changed everything. Instead of allowing her past to define her, she chose to take responsibility, do the internal work, and build a life rooted in purpose. Today, Lora is the CEO of a substance abuse treatment center, a licensed professional, and a leader committed to helping others see their potential — often before they can see it themselves. In this episode, we explore: • The moment in prison that sparked real change • Why leadership begins with vulnerability and integrity • How taking care of your team creates true impact • The power of support systems in recovery and in life • Why “a bad day doesn’t make a bad life” Lora’s story is a reminder that change is uncomfortable — but necessary for growth. Her honesty, compassion, and commitment to serving others demonstrate that our past does not disqualify us. In many cases, it becomes the very thing that equips us to lead. If you or someone you love is navigating a difficult season, this conversation will remind you that transformation is possible — and that leaning in and asking for help can change everything. Listen in and be inspired to keep showing up, leading, and growing — one day at a time.

    10 min
5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Discover a world where everyone’s influence matters. Welcome to Daily Influence, co-hosted by Brian Smith, founder and managing partner at IA Business Advisors and author of the 'I in Team' series, along with IA Business Advisors Partner Gregg Brooke Koleno. Each day, Brian and Gregg craft episodes designed to elevate your influence and transform it into a force for positive and responsible influence. Every episode is a journey through real-life experiences, transformative concepts, and powerful tools that help you FIND, BE & BUILD Your Influence. We aim to help you radiate your unique influence, find balance, celebrate victories, and shape your reality. The podcast highlights the art of leading yourself and those around you, remaining humble and composed, learning effectively, and embracing true diversity. Whether you tune in during your morning coffee, mid-day break, or your evening wind-down, Daily Influence is your daily dose of inspiration and upliftment, relevant to your everyday life. The goal is not just to influence you but to equip you with insights you can share within your sphere of influence. Join Brian and Gregg as they explore the principles and practices that align with IA Business Advisors' S.M.A.R.T. Management Consulting Methods, offering practical advice and thought-provoking discussions. Remember, it’s not just about being part of the team; it’s about finding the ‘I’ in every team. So, listen, learn, share, and expand your influence with Daily Influence. Tune in and discover how to make your influence matter, every day.