Featured Guest Series Episodes
Welcome to the Guest Series on The Bliss Business Podcast! In this series, we spotlight exceptional leaders of companies that embody the core values of Belonging, Love, Inspiration, Service, and Sustainability. These organizations set the standard for empathy and people-centric business practices, creating positive and inclusive work environments.
Join us as we explore the stories and strategies of these remarkable companies, and gain valuable insights on integrating BLISS principles into your own business practices. Subscribe and follow us to stay updated on the latest episodes and be inspired by leaders who are making a difference.
Join us as we explore the stories and strategies of these remarkable companies, and gain valuable insights on integrating BLISS principles into your own business practices. Subscribe and follow us to stay updated on the latest episodes and be inspired by leaders who are making a difference.
Dec. 9, 2025
The Role of Empathy in Leadership with Teresa Johnson
Teresa Johnson, CEO of Color Me Mine, joins The Bliss Business Podcast to explore empathy in franchise leadership: the open-ended questions, diagnostic habits, and "dream manager" mindset that scale care across more than 150 studios.
Guest: Teresa Johnson
Dec. 4, 2025
Building Community and Connection in Business with Heather Neary
Heather Neary, President and CEO of Taco John's, joins The Bliss Business Podcast to explore guest experience and community: the authenticity, recognition systems, and standing Thursday gratitude ritual that turn a 56-year-old QSR brand into a small-town institution.
Guest: Heather Neary
Dec. 2, 2025
Innovative Work Models for the Future with Alex Filipuk
Alex Filipuk, CEO and Founder of Ideal Siding, joins The Bliss Business Podcast to explore innovative work models in construction: paid half-day Fridays, same-day pay for crews, and the trust systems built for a franchised home-improvement business.
Guest: Alex Filipuk
Nov. 25, 2025
Conscious Capitalism: Business Beyond Profit with Shane Jackson
Shane Jackson, President of Jackson Healthcare, joins The Bliss Business Podcast to explore conscious capitalism in healthcare: the Others First value, skip-level meetings, and the two-part purpose statement that keeps a 20-plus company family accountable to patients.
Guest: Shane Jackson
Nov. 20, 2025
The Power of Emotional Intelligence in Business with Jennifer Lemcke
Jennifer Lemcke, CEO of Weed Man, joins The Bliss Business Podcast to explore balancing data and empathy: the E-Myth systems, franchisee business plans, and hard-work ethic that scale a 700-plus location lawn care franchise without losing heart.
Guest: Jennifer Lemcke
Nov. 18, 2025
Innovative Work Models for the Future with Patrick Cowden
Patrick Cowden, Chief Relational Officer and Architect of Warmspace, joins The Bliss Business Podcast to explore restoring workplace connection: why trust is an outcome, not an input, and the 70-second rituals that rebuild it at scale.
Guest: Patrick Cowden
Nov. 13, 2025
Conscious Capitalism: Business Beyond Profit with Neal Courtney
Neal Courtney, CEO of Cookie Cutters, joins The Bliss Business Podcast to explore joy driven franchise leadership: how a children's haircut brand pivoted through the pandemic to protect franchisees first and built a business where joy is the strategy.
Guest: Neal Courtney
Nov. 11, 2025
Building Community and Connections in Business with Mark Van Wye
Only 33 percent of employees strongly agree they feel connected to their company’s mission (Gallup, 2024).
That lack of connection impacts everything from engagement to innovation.
In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we explore how community and connection can transform not only workplace culture but also business performance.
Our guest, Mark Van Wye, CEO of Zoom Room, joins us to discuss how purpose, empathy, and relationships can become a company’s greatest growth ...
That lack of connection impacts everything from engagement to innovation.
In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we explore how community and connection can transform not only workplace culture but also business performance.
Our guest, Mark Van Wye, CEO of Zoom Room, joins us to discuss how purpose, empathy, and relationships can become a company’s greatest growth ...
Guest: Mark Van Wye
Nov. 6, 2025
Building Community and Connection in Business with Brian Kellerman
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 conne...
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 conne...
Guest: Brian Kellerman
Nov. 4, 2025
Conscious Capitalism: Business Beyond Profit with Rachel Fine Wilson
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...
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...
Guest: Rachel Fine Wilson
Oct. 28, 2025
The Power of Emotional Intelligence in Business with Kim Daly
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 nearl...
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 nearl...
Guest: Kim Daly
Oct. 21, 2025
Conscious Capitalism: Business Beyond Profit with Raj Sisodia
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,...
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,...
Guest: Raj Sisodia
Oct. 16, 2025
Building Community and Connection in Business with Jonathan Weathington
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.
K...
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.
K...
Guest: Jonathan Weathington
Oct. 14, 2025
Innovative Work Models for the Future with Ashley Wright
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 ...
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 ...
Guest: Ashley Wright
Oct. 9, 2025
What Every CEO Needs to Know About Workforce ROI with Mason Duchatschek
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. ...
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. ...
Guest: Mason Duchatschek
Oct. 7, 2025
Building Community and Connection in Business with Brooke Clark
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 ...
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 ...
Guest: Brooke Clark
Oct. 2, 2025
Building Community and Connection in Business with Gavin McMahon
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 hel...
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 hel...
Guest: Gavin McMahon
Sept. 30, 2025
The Future of Work in the Age of Generative AI with Professor Joseph Fuller
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 ...
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 ...
Guest: Joseph Fuller
Sept. 25, 2025
The Power of Emotional Intelligence in Business with Dr. Ron Stotts
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 i...
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 i...
Guest: Ron Stotts
Sept. 23, 2025
Building Community and Connection in Business with Craig Larsen and Dr. Peter Fotinos
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 a...
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 a...
Guests: Dr. Peter Fotinos , Craig Larsen
Sept. 18, 2025
Building Community and Connection in Business with Will Bartholomew
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, Wil...
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, Wil...
Guest: Will Bartholomew
Sept. 16, 2025
Innovative Work Models for the Future with Liza Adams
Companies that redesign work models for agility and adaptability see 30% higher performance compared to peers (McKinsey).
Yet many organizations still rely on outdated structures that cannot keep pace with the integration of AI and the need for more human-centered, flexible teams.
In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Liza Adams, AI Advisor, Go-to-Market Strategist, and CEO of Growth Path Partners. Recognized as one of the 50 CMOs to watch in 2024 and a Pavil...
Yet many organizations still rely on outdated structures that cannot keep pace with the integration of AI and the need for more human-centered, flexible teams.
In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Liza Adams, AI Advisor, Go-to-Market Strategist, and CEO of Growth Path Partners. Recognized as one of the 50 CMOs to watch in 2024 and a Pavil...
Guest: Liza Adams
Sept. 11, 2025
The Power of Emotional Intelligence in Business with Brendan Kamm
90% of top performers have high emotional intelligence, yet only 36% of people can recognize their emotions in real time (TalentSmart).
This gap matters because emotional intelligence, paired with gratitude, may be the most underrated driver of trust, loyalty, and long-term success in business.
In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Brendan Kamm, CEO of Thnks, the first global platform built on the principles of Gratitude Commerce.
Under Brendan’s leader...
This gap matters because emotional intelligence, paired with gratitude, may be the most underrated driver of trust, loyalty, and long-term success in business.
In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Brendan Kamm, CEO of Thnks, the first global platform built on the principles of Gratitude Commerce.
Under Brendan’s leader...
Guest: Brendan Kamm
Sept. 9, 2025
Conscious Capitalism in the Age of AI with Kevin Surace
Companies that embrace conscious capitalism outperform the market by 10x over a 15-year period (Firms of Endearment study).
Yet as AI adoption accelerates, many leaders face a critical question: How do we ensure innovation serves humanity rather than undermines it?
In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Kevin Surace, Author, Keynote Speaker, CEO, and widely recognized as the father of the AI Virtual Assistant. Kevin has been named INC Magazine’s Entrepreneur o...
Yet as AI adoption accelerates, many leaders face a critical question: How do we ensure innovation serves humanity rather than undermines it?
In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Kevin Surace, Author, Keynote Speaker, CEO, and widely recognized as the father of the AI Virtual Assistant. Kevin has been named INC Magazine’s Entrepreneur o...
Guest: Kevin Surace