Only 31 percent of employees strongly agree that their company cares about their well-being (Gallup, 2024). That’s not just a people problem, it’s a business problem.

In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we sit down with Brian Kellerman, CEO at GoGather, to explore how intentional connection transforms company culture, leadership, and performance.

🎙️ Hosted by Stephen Sakach and Mike Liwski

🎧 Produced by Tullio Siragusa

🧭 In this episode, we explore:

• How connection and belonging drive business performance

• Systems that help scale emotional connection across organizations

• The link between purpose and community in building lasting culture

• Why love, care, and empathy are the strongest leadership tools in business today

🎧 Connection isn’t built by accident, it’s designed by leaders who care.

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.