According to McKinsey, 70% of consumers say their sense of connection to a brand influences their purchasing decisions. Yet many companies still overlook the importance of empathy and purpose in shaping authentic marketing strategies that truly resonate.
In this week’s Marketing With Purpose Kit from The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Stephen Sakach, Founder and CEO of Zero Company and aiCMO. Stephen brings over two decades of experience helping brands grow through data-driven marketing, AI innovation, and purpose-led leadership. He shares how bringing empathy and intention into marketing strategies creates stronger alignment between technology, teams, and customers.
🎙️ Hosted by Michelle Brasfield
🎧 Produced by Martha Huerta
🧭 In this episode, we cover:
• How purpose fuels meaningful customer engagement
• Why empathy is key to effective marketing leadership
• Practical ways to balance AI, data, and human connection
• Real-world insights from decades of purpose-driven innovation
🎧 Whether you’re leading a startup, scaling a franchise, or guiding a corporate team, this conversation will inspire you to bring purpose and empathy to the heart of your marketing and leadership.
Only 32% of employees believe their company truly lives its stated values (Deloitte, 2024). That gap between words and actions is where trust is lost — and where conscious capitalism steps in.
In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we sit down with Rachel Fine Wilson, Founder and CEO of Gigglewaters, to explore how values-driven leadership and authentic connection can transform a business from profitable to purposeful.
🎙️ Hosted by Stephen Sakach and Mike Liwski
🎧 Produced by Tullio Siragusa
In this episode, we explore:
• What conscious capitalism looks like inside a fast-growing hospitality brand
• How to scale culture and care without losing authenticity
• Why purpose and profit are not opposites, but partners in progress
• How empathy and emotional intelligence drive sustainable success
• What “love in leadership” really means in the world of franchising
This episode will challenge how you think about business, purpose, and growth.
A recent Deloitte study revealed that purpose-driven brands are 50% more likely to inspire customer loyalty and long-term growth. Yet many organizations still view marketing as a transaction rather than a tool for connection, empathy, and shared values.
In this week’s Marketing With Purpose Kit from The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Julie Green, Vice President of Marketing for Heights Wellness Retreat. Julie leads marketing initiatives for a fast-growing wellness brand and shares how aligning marketing with purpose and empathy can create meaningful connections with customers while driving brand growth.
PDT 🎙️ Hosted by Mike Liwski
🎧 Produced by Martha Huerta
🧭 In this episode, we cover:
• How empathy and purpose elevate brand storytelling
• Why authentic connection drives customer loyalty
• Practical ways to align brand strategy with human values
• Real-world insights from purpose-driven marketing in action
🎧 Whether you’re leading a startup, scaling a franchise, or steering a corporate team, this conversation will inspire you to bring more purpose and empathy into every aspect of your marketing.
Research from Harvard Business Review shows that 90% of top performers possess high emotional intelligence. Yet many organizations still prioritize technical skills over emotional skills when developing leaders.
In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Kim Daly, Founder and CEO of The Zee Suite. Kim is a nationally recognized franchise consultant, business coach, and one of the top-producing advisors with FranChoice.
With over two decades of experience and nearly 1,000 franchisees created through her consulting work, Kim has become a trusted voice on entrepreneurship, leadership culture, and franchise development strategy.
Her journey from fitness entrepreneur and dot-com founder to performance coach offers a unique perspective on how emotional intelligence fuels business success, resilience, and freedom.
🎙️ Hosted by Stephen Sakach and Mike Liwski
🎧 Produced by Tullio Siragusa
🧭 In this episode, we explore:
• How emotional intelligence influences franchise success and leadership impact
• Ways to build systems that foster emotional growth without sacrificing performance
• The link between purpose, authenticity, and business alignment
• How love and empathy create lasting trust in leadership and customer relationships
🎧 Emotional intelligence is not a soft skill, it is the foundation of effective leadership.
According to Harvard Business Review, purpose-driven brands outperform the market by 42%—yet many organizations still struggle to infuse genuine empathy and meaning into their marketing.
The key lies in understanding that purpose isn’t just a message—it’s a mindset that guides every interaction and decision.
In this week’s Marketing With Purpose Kit from The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Ash Maher, Chief Marketing Officer at Falcon Wealth Planning. Ash brings extensive experience in growth strategy, financial marketing, and leadership across competitive industries.
With a proven track record of driving 1,000% revenue growth and leading award-winning campaigns, he shares how integrating purpose and empathy can elevate brand trust, engagement, and long-term success.
🎙️ Hosted by Mike Liwski
🎧 Produced by Martha Huerta
🧭 In this episode, we cover:
• How empathy transforms marketing from transactional to meaningful
• Why purpose is the foundation for sustainable growth
• Practical ways to connect authentic values with business outcomes
• Real-world examples of purpose-driven leadership in action
🎧 Whether you’re leading a startup, scaling a franchise, or guiding a corporate team, this conversation will help you bring purpose and empathy to the heart of your marketing strategy.
Seventy-three percent of employees say they want to work for companies that balance profit with purpose, yet fewer than one in four believe their employer truly does (Deloitte Human Values Index, 2025).
The truth is, business has the power to heal or to harm, and that power depends on how consciously it is led.
In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Raj Sisodia, Co-Founder of Conscious Capitalism and Author of Firms of Endearment, to explore how love, purpose, and higher consciousness can reshape the future of business.
Raj has inspired a global movement that challenges the traditional definition of success, proving that when businesses lead with purpose and compassion, profit follows naturally.
🎙️ Hosted by Stephen Sakach and Mike Liwski
🎧 Produced by Tullio Siragusa
🧭 In this episode, we explore:
• How conscious capitalism balances performance with purpose
• The systems that make empathy and accountability work together
• The role of love and care in building resilient organizations
• How AI can amplify human flourishing when guided by ethics and compassion
• Why purpose is the most strategic advantage a company can have
🎧 This episode is a masterclass in leading with humanity while creating lasting value for all stakeholders.
79% of consumers say they want brands to create real connections, not just transactions (Edelman Trust Barometer, 2024).
Community isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a growth strategy.
In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Jonathan Weathington, CEO of Shuckin Shack Oyster Bar. Since 2014, Jonathan has led the company from a single coastal location to a nationally recognized brand featured in The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and Good Morning America.
Known for his no-nonsense approach, Jonathan has made Shuckin Shack a model for how hospitality and community can scale side by side.
🎙️ Hosted by Tullio Siragusa and Mike Liwski
🎧 Produced by Tullio Siragusa
🧭 In this episode, we explore:
• Why community must be more than marketing to create real business growth
• How systems and culture can scale connection across multiple locations
• The deeper purpose driving Shuckin Shack’s expansion
• Why empathy and compassion are as essential to leadership as strategy
🎧 Whether you’re in hospitality, franchising, or any industry built on trust, this episode will show you how community can be your strongest competitive edge.
A Deloitte study found that customer-centric companies are 60% more profitable than those that are not.
Yet in a world overflowing with analytics and automation, many businesses struggle to create authentic customer connections that go beyond the data.
In this week’s Marketing With Purpose Kit from The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Dan Wheeler, Chief Marketing Officer at K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel. Dan brings decades of experience leading marketing, guest experience, and innovation across top brands, and he shares how companies can blend data with empathy to strengthen customer loyalty and business performance.
🎙️ Hosted by Mike Liwski
🎧 Produced by Martha Huerta
🧭 In this episode, we cover:
• Why customer connection is a competitive advantage in today’s market
• How to use data to enhance, not replace, human interactions
• Practical steps to integrate analytics with customer experience strategies
• Real-world examples of brands building trust and loyalty through connection
🎧 Whether you’re leading a startup, scaling a franchise, or steering a corporate team, this conversation will help you rethink customer connection in the era of data-driven marketing.
74% of companies say they are rethinking their work models to remain competitive (Deloitte, 2024).
The challenge is no longer whether work will change — it is how leaders will design models that sustain both people and performance.
In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Ashley Wright, Founder and CEO of Plantista, an investor-backed startup pioneering the use of AI to scale expertise in the green industry.
Featured on Nasdaq, AP News, NBC, Fox, WGN, and Forbes, Ashley is modernizing an entire industry by blending AI innovation with sustainability at its core.
🎙️ Hosted by Tullio Siragusa and Mike Liwski
🎧 Produced by Tullio Siragusa
🧭 In this episode, we explore:
• The risk of leaving AI out of small businesses once driven by individual skill and expertise
• How AI and human creativity and expertise can thrive together
• Systems that make innovation scalable instead of overwhelming
• The deeper purpose behind Plantista’s mission to modernize the green industry
• Why empathy and humility remain essential to any innovative work model
🎧 Whether you’re a founder, executive, or team leader, this conversation will inspire you to see how the future of work can be built with both purpose and performance in mind.
Only 31% of U.S. employees say they feel engaged at work (Gallup). That disengagement, combined with turnover and poor hiring decisions, costs companies nearly $1.9 trillion each year.
Most CEOs treat these issues as people problems. In reality, they are profit problems, hidden drains in the org chart that quietly erode growth.
In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Mason Duchatschek, Bestselling Author, Workforce Strategist, and Founder of Workforce Alchemy. Mason has spent his career helping CEOs uncover and fix profit leaks tied to turnover, disengagement, and team misalignment.
🎙️ Hosted by Stephen Sakach and Tullio Siragusa
🎧 Produced by Tullio Siragusa
🧭 In this episode, we explore:
• Where most CEOs unknowingly bleed profit, and why they don’t see it
• Why relying on resumes, gut instinct, or interviews alone is risky
• The real difference between employees who thrive and those who struggle
• How to spot friction before it turns into turnover or disengagement
• Why empathy and care aren’t just “soft skills” but measurable ROI drivers
🎧 If you’re a CEO, founder, or executive leader, this conversation will show you how to stop “hiring and hoping” and start making smarter, faster workforce decisions that protect margins and accelerate growth.
Research from Gartner shows that organizations where marketing is tightly aligned with business strategy are 3.5 times more likely to outperform peers in revenue growth.
Yet many marketing teams still find themselves disconnected from core business goals, limiting their impact and long-term effectiveness.
In this week’s Marketing With Purpose Kit from The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Jessica Martin, Chief Marketing Officer at Payroll Vault.
Jessica brings extensive experience in marketing leadership, brand development, and driving growth across industries, and she shares how aligning marketing with business strategy can create measurable, sustainable success.
🎙️ Hosted by Michele Brasfield
🎧 Produced by Martha Huerta
🧭 In this episode, we cover:
• Why marketing alignment is essential for business growth
• How CMOs can connect strategy with execution
• Practical steps to ensure marketing supports organizational goals
• Real-world examples of alignment driving stronger outcomes
🎧 Whether you’re leading a startup, scaling a franchise, or steering a corporate team, this conversation will show you how marketing alignment can be the catalyst for long-term business growth.
Only 37% of professionals say they feel their contributions are fully recognized at work (Gallup).
Visibility is more than reputation, it is a career asset. Without it, even the most capable leaders risk being overlooked. With it, they unlock trust, influence, and community.
In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Brooke Clark, Founder of Seat 1A Advisors. With two decades of experience as a talent strategist and leadership advisor, Brooke helps executives and rising leaders treat visibility as an advantage, building careers and communities rooted in trust and connection.
🎙️ Hosted by Tullio Siragusa and Mike Liwski
🎧 Produced by Tullio Siragusa
🧭 In this episode, we explore:
• Why visibility is essential for building connection and community
• Systems leaders can use to stay visible while doing the work
• The deeper purpose behind visibility rooted in service, not ego
• Real-world stories where visibility reshaped careers and culture
🎧 Whether you’re an executive, entrepreneur, or emerging leader, this episode will show you how to own your presence and build the kind of connections that last.
Stories are 22 times more memorable than facts alone (Stanford Graduate School of Business).
Yet in today’s data-driven world, many leaders overlook storytelling as a critical business skill. Without story, even the best ideas struggle to connect, inspire, or move people to action.
In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Gavin McMahon, Author, CEO, and Co-founder of Fassforward and Story Business.
With a career spanning engineering and business, Gavin helps leaders and organizations turn complex strategies into compelling stories that drive connection, alignment, and results.
🎙️ Hosted by Stephen Sakach and Mike Liwski
🎧 Produced by Tullio Siragusa
🧭 In this episode, we explore:
• Why storytelling is the foundation of building connection in business
• How leaders can embed story into culture so it becomes lived, not just told
• The deeper purpose of story in shaping organizational identity
• Real-world examples where story transformed engagement and outcomes
🎧 Whether you’re a founder, executive, or team leader, this conversation will give you practical insights on how to use story as a tool to build stronger communities and more connected organizations.
According to PwC, 73% of customers say experience is a key factor in their purchasing decisions, yet only 49% of U.S. consumers say companies provide a good customer experience.
This gap highlights the challenge many organizations face: using data to understand customers while still creating genuine, human-centered connections.
In this week’s Marketing With Purpose Kit from The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Lindsey McFadden, Chief Marketing Officer at Stretch Zone. Lindsey brings a wealth of expertise in brand strategy, franchise growth, and customer engagement, and she shares how businesses can combine data-driven insights with authentic interactions to create lasting impact.
🎙️ Hosted by Michelle Brasfield
🎧 Produced by Martha Huerta
🧭 In this episode, we cover:
• Why customer connection is more critical than ever in a data-first world
• How to balance technology with empathy in customer engagement
• Practical steps to turn insights into meaningful action
• Real world examples of brands building loyalty through authentic connection
🎧 Whether you’re leading a startup, scaling a franchise, or steering a corporate team, this conversation will equip you to strengthen customer connection in the era of data-driven marketing.
Generative AI could add up to $4.4 trillion annually to the global economy (McKinsey).
But while the potential is massive, the bigger question is: how will AI reshape the future of work, leadership, and culture?
In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Professor Joseph Fuller, Professor of Management Practice at Harvard Business School and Co-Leader of the Managing the Future of Work Project.
As one of the world’s leading thinkers on the workforce, Joseph brings decades of experience as a founder, CEO, researcher, and educator. His work has influenced executives, policymakers, and organizations around the globe.
🎙️ Hosted by Stephen Sakach, Mike Liwski, and Tullio Siragusa
🎧 Produced by Tullio Siragusa
🧭 In this episode, we explore:
• How generative AI is reshaping the global workforce
• What systems leaders need to adopt AI responsibly
• Why purpose is more critical than ever in the AI era
• How empathy and love can guide leadership in a tech-driven future
🎧 Whether you’re a founder, executive, or team leader, this conversation will give you actionable insights into how to harness AI’s potential while keeping people at the center.
Leaders with higher emotional intelligence outperform peers in decision-making, collaboration, and resilience by a wide margin (Harvard Business Review).
Yet too often, emotional intelligence is overlooked, treated as a secondary trait instead of the leadership superpower it truly is.
In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Ron Stotts, three-time bestselling author, psychologist, and conscious leadership expert.
With over five decades of exploration into psychology, neuroscience, and ancient wisdom, Ron has guided thousands of entrepreneurs and executives into higher levels of authentic, purpose-driven leadership.
🎙️ Hosted by Tullio Siragusa and Mike Liwski
🎧 Produced by Tullio Siragusa
🧭 In this episode, we explore:
• Why emotional intelligence is the foundation of effective leadership
• How to move beyond blind spots and ego-driven decision-making
• Systems that embed emotional intelligence into organizational culture
• The role of purpose and love in creating conscious leaders and thriving workplaces
🎧 Whether you’re leading a company, building a team, or navigating your own growth as a leader, this conversation will give you practical tools to harness emotional intelligence and lead with authenticity.
A recent report by McKinsey found that companies leveraging customer analytics are 23 times more likely to outperform competitors in new customer acquisition.
Yet many brands still struggle to connect with their audience in meaningful ways, relying too heavily on data while overlooking human connection.
In this week’s Marketing With Purpose Kit from The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Liane Caruso, CMO at IMAGE Studios.
Liane brings deep expertise in franchise marketing, customer experience, and brand growth, and she shares how balancing data with genuine human connection can drive stronger loyalty, engagement, and business results.
🎙️ Hosted by Mike Liwski
🎧 Produced by Tullio Siragusa
🧭 In this episode, we cover:
• How to humanize customer experiences in a data-driven world
• The role of analytics in building—not replacing—authentic connections
• Practical strategies to personalize marketing without losing trust
• Examples of brands that combine data with empathy to fuel growth
🎧 Whether you’re leading a startup, scaling a franchise, or steering a corporate team, this conversation will inspire you to rethink customer connection in today’s data-driven era.
By 2030, one in five Americans will be over the age of 65 (U.S. Census Bureau).
Yet, despite advances in medicine, millions still face preventable conditions tied to stress, aging, and hormonal imbalance. The challenge is no longer about living longer but about living better.
In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Craig Larsen, Co-Founder and CEO of Excel Medical, and Dr. Peter Fotinos, Chief Medical Officer of Excel Medical, which includes brands Male Excel and Fem Excel.
Together, they have built the nation’s first telehealth hormone replacement therapy (HRT) clinic, helping more than 100,000 members improve vitality, sleep, energy, and confidence while redefining how people approach healthy aging.
As the leader in men's and women's hormone replacement therapy, they’ve pioneered a new model of personalized, proactive health rooted in daily microdosing and clinically proven protocols.
🎙️ Hosted by Tullio Siragusa and Mike Liwski
🎧 Produced by Tullio Siragusa
🧭 In this episode, we explore:
• Why the future of healthcare must shift from treatment to prevention
• How Excel Medical scaled trust and connection through telehealth
• Stories of patients transforming their lives through proactive health solutions
• The role of purpose and empathy in reimagining how we age
🎧 Whether you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or someone thinking about the future of health, this conversation shows how community, compassion, and innovation can change lives.
79% of consumers prefer to engage with brands that foster a sense of community (HubSpot).
Yet many businesses still focus on transactions over relationships, missing the deeper loyalty and growth that come from connection.
In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Will Bartholomew, Founder and CEO of D1 Training.
From playing alongside Peyton Manning at the University of Tennessee to building one of the fastest-growing fitness franchises in the country, Will has spent his career proving that community and accountability drive performance both on and off the field.
🎙️ Hosted by Tullio Siragusa and Mike Liwski
🎧 Produced by Tullio Siragusa
🧭 In this episode, we explore:
• How lessons from Division 1 athletics shaped Will’s leadership philosophy
• Systems that allow D1 Training’s culture of accountability to scale across 150+ locations
• Stories of athletes and communities transformed through D1’s model
• Why community and compassion are essential to long-term business success
🎧 Whether you’re leading a startup, scaling a franchise, or growing your team, this conversation shows why community is the ultimate competitive advantage.
A Deloitte study found that organizations with strong cross-functional collaboration are 60% more likely to exceed performance expectations.
Yet many marketing teams still operate in silos, leading to missed opportunities, duplicate work, and inconsistent customer experiences.
In this week’s Marketing With Purpose Kit from The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Laura Rice, CMO at Celebree School. Laura brings extensive experience in franchise marketing and brand growth, and she shares how breaking down silos across teams can unlock creativity, efficiency, and purpose-driven impact.
📅 Wednesday, September 17, 2025 | 🕗 8:00 AM PDT
🎙️ Hosted by Michele Brasfield
🎧 Produced by Martha Huerta
🧭 In this episode, we cover:
• Why silos persist and the hidden costs they create
• How shared purpose aligns marketing, sales, and operations
• Practical steps to improve communication and collaboration
• Examples of how cross-team integration drives better results for brands
🎧 Whether you’re leading a startup, scaling a franchise, or running a corporate team, this conversation will help you reimagine collaboration as your ultimate marketing advantage.