Only 36% of employees in the U.S. say they feel engaged at work, and lack of empathy from leadership is often cited as a leading cause of disengagement (Gallup). Yet research shows that leaders who practice empathy foster stronger trust, improve retention, and drive higher performance across teams.

In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Katharine Manning, Author, Public Speaker, and President of Blackbird. Katharine is the author of The Empathetic Workplace: Five Steps to a Compassionate, Calm, and Confident Response to Trauma on the Job and teaches at American University. 

With more than 25 years of experience working on trauma and victimization, including 15 years at the Justice Department supporting cases like the Boston Marathon bombing and the Pulse Nightclub shooting, Katharine brings a wealth of expertise on empathy as both a human and organizational imperative.

Her work has been featured in the Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Newsweek, CNBC, Business Insider, Thrive Global, and CEOWorld. Through her company Blackbird, Katharine provides training and consultation that helps organizations build cultures rooted in compassion and resilience.

🎙️ Hosted by Stephen Sakach and Mike Liwski

🎧 Produced by Tullio Siragusa

🧭 In this episode, we explore:

• Why empathy is not a soft skill but a leadership superpower

• How leaders can respond with compassion to employees facing trauma or stress

• The connection between empathy, psychological safety, and organizational performance

• Practical steps leaders can take to integrate empathy into decision-making and culture-building

🎧 Whether you’re a founder, executive, or people leader, this conversation will give you concrete strategies to elevate your leadership through empathy and build workplaces where both people and businesses thrive.

73% of consumers say they are more likely to trust a brand whose tone of voice feels authentic and consistent across every touchpoint (Edelman Trust Barometer).

In this week’s Marketing With Purpose Kit from The Bliss Business Podcast, we explore how tone and voice bring your brand’s purpose to life, not just in what you say, but in how you say it.

📅 Wednesday, August 27, 2025 | 🕗 8:00 AM PDT

🎙️ Hosted by Stephen Sakach, Tullio Siragusa, and Mike Liwski

🎧 Produced by Tullio Siragusa

🧭 In this episode, we cover:

• Why tone and voice are the bridge between your purpose and your audience’s experience

• Examples from brands like Liquid Death, Mailchimp, Tom’s, and Oatly

• How to avoid mixed signals that weaken your purpose

• Steps to document and train teams to communicate in purposeful, consistent ways

🎧 Whether you’re shaping ad copy, customer support scripts, or social campaigns, this episode shows how tone and voice can transform every interaction into a proof point of your purpose.

Emotional intelligence accounts for nearly 90% of what sets high performers apart from their peers (Harvard Business Review). Yet too often, EQ is dismissed as “soft skills” instead of being recognized as the foundation of effective leadership, culture, and business growth.

In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Kath Allen, Founder of Hike Doggie Inc & Hike Doggie Franchising LLC, and Abbey Lee, Partner of Hike Doggie Inc & Hike Doggie Franchising LLC. Together, they are scaling a purpose-driven brand that combines adventure-driven pet care with empathy-centered leadership and franchising.

 🎙️ Hosted by Stephen Sakach and Mike Liwski

🎧 Produced by Tullio Siragusa

🧭 In this episode, we explore:

• How emotional intelligence strengthens leadership and team dynamics

• The role of empathy and trust in scaling Hike Doggie’s franchise model

• Systems that foster connection and resilience during rapid growth

• Why purpose and compassion are cornerstones of sustainable success

🎧 Whether you’re a founder, executive, or team leader, this conversation will inspire you to integrate emotional intelligence into the way you lead and grow.

Organizations with strong, positive cultures see employee engagement rates up to 72% higher than those with weak cultures (Gallup). Yet too often, leaders focus on “fixing” people rather than addressing the systems, values, and environment that shape behavior. The real transformation begins when we fix the culture.

In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Garry Ridge, Chairman Emeritus of WD-40 Company and Founder of The Learning Moment. Known as the “Dean of Dumbassery,” Garry brings decades of leadership wisdom, showing organizations how to create cultures where learning, trust, and accountability replace blame and fear. His approach has helped companies around the globe turn engagement into a competitive advantage.

🎙️ Hosted by Stephen Sakach, Mike Liwski and Tullio Siragusa

🎧 Produced by Tullio Siragusa

🧭 In this episode, we explore:

• Why leaders should fix the culture, not the people

• How trust and psychological safety drive performance

• Lessons from WD-40’s transformation into a “tribe” with 93% engagement

• Practical steps to replace blame with curiosity in the workplace

🎧 Whether you’re a CEO, manager, or team leader, this conversation will inspire you to create a culture where people feel valued, trusted, and empowered to succeed.

40% of purpose-driven companies experience higher employee retention and stronger brand loyalty (Deloitte).

As your business grows, markets shift, and your audience changes, your purpose may need to evolve. The key is doing it in a way that deepens impact without losing the essence of who you are.

In this week’s Marketing With Purpose Kit from The Bliss Business Podcast, we explore how to refresh your mission so it continues to inspire, guide, and connect—while staying true to your roots.

🎙️ Hosted by Stephen Sakach, Tullio Siragusa, and Mike Liwski
🎧 Produced by Tullio Siragusa

🧭 In this episode, we cover:
• How to recognize the signs your purpose needs to evolve
• Steps to update your mission while preserving authenticity
• Real-world examples from Airbnb, National Geographic, Netflix, REI, and Lego
• How to use your evolution to re-energize storytelling and brand connection

🎧 Whether you’re a marketer, founder, or leader, this episode shows how to align growth with purpose so your brand’s heartbeat stays strong in every chapter.

Mindfulness practices in the workplace can reduce stress by up to 32% and boost productivity by 12% (American Psychological Association). 

Yet in many professional environments, mindfulness is still treated as a personal wellness tool rather than a powerful leadership and business strategy. Leaders who integrate mindfulness into their business DNA can foster more focused, empathetic, and resilient teams.

In this week’s episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Cindy Van Eeckhout, Founder and Owner of Alegria Coaching and Creator of the “Joy of Life” Method.

Cindy empowers high-achieving leaders, whether in organizations or building their own business, to reclaim their time, energy, and joy without sacrificing success. Through her “Joy of Life” Method, she blends mindful leadership, self-mastery, and soulful strategy to help individuals and teams create cultures of clarity, well-being, and sustainable performance.

Within her coaching practice, she equips professionals to navigate challenges with greater resilience, and to design lives and careers filled with presence, purpose, and joy.

🎙️ Hosted by Stephen Sakach and Mike Liwski

🎧 Produced by Tullio Siragusa

🧭 In this episode, we explore:

• Why mindfulness is a leadership skill, not just a personal wellness trend

• How present-moment awareness can improve decision-making and team dynamics

• Ways to introduce mindfulness practices that stick in fast-paced environments

• The link between mindfulness, empathy, and sustainable business success

🎧 Whether you’re a founder, executive, or team leader, this conversation will offer practical strategies to weave mindfulness, intention, and joy into the heart of how you lead and live.

Emotional intelligence is responsible for nearly 90% of what sets high performers apart (Harvard Business Review).

But EQ isn’t just about managing emotions. It’s about leading with intention, presence, and purpose.

In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by David Greer, Leadership Coach and Author of Wind In Your Sails: Vital Strategies That Accelerate Your Entrepreneurial Growth.

As a serial entrepreneur and transformational coach, David helps leaders confront fear, align their teams, and lead from within.

 🎙️ Hosted by Stephen Sakach and Mike Liwski

🎧 Produced by Tullio Siragusa

🧭 In this episode, we explore:

• How emotional intelligence creates clarity in leadership

• Why slowing down is essential for sustainable growth

• How EQ can be embedded into systems and culture

• The connection between purpose, performance, and presence

🎧 Whether you lead a team, run a company, or just want to lead more intentionally, this conversation will give you tools to grow from the inside out.

64% of consumers say shared values are the primary reason they form a relationship with a brand (Harvard Business Review).

In a world where products can be copied overnight, your beliefs are the one thing competitors can’t replicate. Purpose-driven product marketing turns what you sell into living proof of what you stand for.

In this week’s Marketing With Purpose Kit from The Bliss Business Podcast, we explore how your offer can become a statement of your values, building trust, emotional connection, and advocacy that lasts.

🎙️ Hosted by Stephen Sakach, Tullio Siragusa, and Mike Liwski

🎧 Produced by Tullio Siragusa

🧭 In this episode, we cover:

• How to turn your product or service into proof of your beliefs

• Why purpose creates instant trust and “emotional stickiness” with customers

• Examples from brands like Bombas, Who Gives a Crap, Tony’s Chocolonely, and Purina

• Four steps to embedding purpose into your offer from design to delivery

🎧 Whether you’re a marketer, founder, or leader, this episode shows how to make your offer stand for something bigger, and why that’s your ultimate competitive edge.

Franchise brands that prioritize emotional connection can outperform competitors by up to 85% in revenue growth (Gallup). But connection doesn’t happen by chance. It’s designed through leadership, systems, and shared purpose.

In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Bo Lowery, Vice President of Marketing at Wild Birds Unlimited. Bo has helped grow one of the most beloved brands in specialty retail by turning stores into hubs of community, nature, and belonging.

🎙️ Hosted by Stephen Sakach and Mike Liwski

🎧 Produced by Tullio Siragusa

🧭 In this episode, we explore:

• How to build lasting community through business

• The systems that allow 350+ franchisees to deliver consistent care

• Why emotional connection drives loyalty more than satisfaction

• How leaders can scale love, purpose, and trust

🎧 Whether you’re leading a brand, franchise, or local business, this episode will reshape how you think about growth through connection.

 81% of consumers say they need to trust a brand before making a purchase decision (Source: Edelman Trust Barometer).

Trust and connection are not just nice-to-haves in business, they are the foundation for long-term growth and brand loyalty.

Join us for this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast featuring Howard Waterman, Founder and CEO of The Waterman Group. Howard is an influential communications strategist and award-winning board advisor with over two decades of experience shaping brand narratives for companies like Verizon, Moody’s, and leading tech startups.

We’ll dive into how businesses can build authentic connections through strategic storytelling, purpose-driven communications, and human-centered leadership.

 🎙️ Hosted by Stephen Sakach and Mike Liwski

🎧 Produced by Tullio Siragusa

🧭 In this episode, we explore:

• Why trust and transparency are the true competitive advantages

• How storytelling builds stronger relationships with customers and teams

• The role of purpose in elevating brand and leadership strategies

• How leaders can communicate with clarity and empathy during crises

🎧 If you’re looking for insights on building connections that last, this conversation is for you.