Youth sports are not just about skills and scores. They are one of the most powerful engines of belonging.

A 2020 meta-analysis of 50 studies found that youth sport participation is consistently linked to a stronger sense of belonging and more prosocial behavior, especially when environments are inclusive and supportive.

In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we sit down with Craig Moody, Founder and President of Shoot 360, to explore how to build real community and connection in a high-tech basketball training and franchise environment.

Craig shares powerful insights on:

• How to turn a training facility into a true community hub for athletes and families

• The systems that keep culture and connection strong as locations scale

• Using technology to deepen relationships instead of replacing coaches and mentors

• Why purpose and love belong at the center of competitive sports businesses

🎙️ Hosted by Stephen Sakach and Mike Liwski

🎧 Produced by Tullio Siragusa

The future of sports and business will belong to leaders who design places where people do not just perform, they belong.

Community is often talked about as a brand value, but for many businesses it becomes an afterthought once growth accelerates.At the same time, customers, employees, and franchise partners are craving real connection more than ever, places where they feel seen, welcomed, and part of something bigger than a transaction.

In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we sit down with Carl Comeaux, CEO of Crust Pizza Co., to explore how building community and connection can become a powerful business advantage, not just a feel-good idea.

Carl shares practical insights on:

• How intentional community building fuels sustainable franchise growth

• Creating spaces where customers and teams genuinely belong

• Leading franchise partners through connection, trust, and shared values

• Why culture, care, and consistency matter just as much as unit economics

🎙️ Hosted by Stephen Sakach and Mike Liwski

🎧 Produced by Tullio Siragusa

Community is not something you market after the fact. It is something you build into how you lead, how you serve, and how you grow.

In a world full of noise, the brands that stand out are the ones that speak to the heart.

This week’s Marketing With Purpose Kit from The Bliss Business Podcast features one of the most influential storytellers in franchising: Martha O’Gorman, Chief Marketing Officer at Loyalty Brands.

With more than three decades shaping national brands and guiding entrepreneurs, Martha has built a career on marketing that is both strategic and deeply human.

As a Certified Franchise Executive and active member of the International Franchise Association’s Marketing and Innovation Committee, Martha helps shape the future of storytelling across the entire franchise sector.

From tax prep and mobile pet grooming to roofing, accounting, and home services, she turns complex ideas into emotional, compelling narratives that elevate brands and empower business owners.

🎙️ Hosted by Michele Brasfield

🎧 Produced by Tullio Siragusa

💡 In this episode, we explore:

• Why empathy and purpose belong at the center of every marketing strategy

• How storytelling can transform both emerging brands and established franchises

• What 30+ years of brand building taught Martha about clarity, connection, and trust

• The surprising leadership wisdom we learn from animals and how Martha’s dog Penny inspires her daily

🎧 Join us for a warm, insightful conversation on building businesses that matter and stories that stay with people long after the moment has passed.