Business Love Stories

Chris Hay
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  • Entrepreneurship

Business Love Stories is a podcast for founders, creators, and change-makers who love what they do — and dare to build businesses that reflect their deepest values. Hosted by entrepreneur and storyteller Chris Hay, each episode dives into the heart of a real-life business love story — exploring the passion, purpose, pain, and personal transformation behind brands that matter. Whether it’s a mission-driven startup, a soulful solo venture, or a global company led with heart, our guests share what it really takes to build something meaningful: The sparks that started it all The challenges that nearly broke them The values they won’t compromise on And the love that keeps them going You’ll hear raw, honest conversations with entrepreneurs who’ve created companies worth falling for and learn how they’ve stayed connected to their why, even when the going gets tough. This podcast is for anyone who believes: Business can be a force for good Love is a strategy, not just a feeling Profit and purpose are better together Whether you’re just getting started or scaling your impact, Business Love Stories is your invitation to go deeper; to lead with soul, create with courage, and write your own great love story in business. Tune in weekly for fresh inspiration, powerful storytelling, and a reminder that the most successful businesses are the ones built with love.

Episodes

  1. Oct 29

    From Speed to Stillness — with Dr. Stephan Rechtschaffen

    Dr. Stephan Rechtschaffen is a physician, co-founder of the Omega Institute (NY), creator of Blue Spirit (Costa Rica), and author of Time Shifting. In this conversation, we explore what it means to live from presence rather than pressure — letting go of “somebody training,” trusting right action, and trading speed-driven anger for grounded being.   In This Episode, You Will Learn Why the spiritual path often starts by dropping identities How dark retreat, meditation, and slowness can dissolve reflexive anger Holding a vision lightly: manifesting without anxiety or attachment Building inner trust (the trapeze metaphor): try, fail, learn, repeat Bringing practice off the cushion into everyday kindness and simplicity   Connect with Stephan Website: www.bluespiritcostarica.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/bluespiritcostarica/

  2. 11/06/2025

    Way-Showing Love — with Danielle Brooks

    Danielle Brooks is an author and the founder of the Revelation Integration Method & Institute. Her work sits at the intersection of spirituality, somatic healing, and psychedelic integration, helping people release old identities and return to the truth of who they are. In this conversation, Danielle shares how a purpose revealed in ceremony (“way-show love”) reshaped her business and life, why cultivating awareness is the doorway to self, and how leaders can evolve their companies after a values-level awakening.   In This Episode, You Will Learn: How Danielle shifted from nutrition coaching to integration work by using “food as a platform for self-realization.” A simple awareness practice (sounds → body → belly → heartbeat) to drop out of the mind and into presence. Why many founders hit an identity wobble after deep inner work—and why that’s a good sign. The difference between motivated striving and inspired action—and how to “remain unmoving until right action arises.” Practical ways to infuse a business with love without losing rigor, profits, or standards.   Connect with Danielle Brooks: Website: revelationintegration.com Books & programs: via Danielle’s site and institute pages Instagram

  3. 10/17/2025

    Love, Leadership, and the Joyful Art of Living — with Mary Dee

    Mary Dee is an international speaker, author, philanthropist, and leadership advisor, well known for her podcast The MadLove Your Life Show. Her story is one of radiant resilience — from leading high-growth companies and surviving breast cancer, to helping others build lives and businesses infused with joy, faith, and self-love.   Mary’s approach to business is refreshingly human. She reminds us that falling in love with your work doesn’t always happen at first sight — sometimes it’s a slow burn that deepens through challenge, curiosity, and consistency. In this conversation, we explore the balance between ambition and joy, the discipline of self-forgiveness, and the habits that turn ordinary days into sacred rituals.   In This Episode, You Will Learn How to fall back in love with your business when the spark fades. Why joy is an inside job — and how to choose quality of life daily. How to build consistency through grounding morning and evening routines. The surprising link between self-forgiveness and personal freedom. Practical ways to make work playful and reconnect with your purpose. Connect with Mary Dee Facebook LinkedIN Instagram YouTube

  4. 10/06/2025

    From Misery to Mindfulness Mastery — with John Shearer

    In this powerful episode we sit down with John Shearer, a passionate advocate for mental health, suicide prevention, and the power of personal storytelling. John’s remarkable life journey — from surviving a devastating truck crash and enduring 15 years in the mental health system, to discovering mindfulness, spirituality, and purpose — offers profound lessons for dads and coaches alike. John’s work has touched millions through live talks, documentaries, radio, podcasts, and more. As the founder of mindfullymad.org, John champions authentic, unscripted conversations around mental health, helping others reclaim their lives by embracing mindfulness and rewriting their inner stories.     In This Episode, You Will Learn:  How John transformed 15 dark years of psychosis, depression, and medication into a life of purpose, peace, and service. Why pausing and connecting — even for a few seconds — can unlock clarity, creativity, and better relationships. The role of childhood trauma in shaping mental health — and how dads can break cycles for the next generation. How to build a personal, daily mindfulness practice that sticks — even if you think you’ve "tried mindfulness before and it didn’t work." Why spirituality (in whatever form resonates) is the missing piece in most mental health recovery journeys.   Stand-Out Moments:  John’s story of a surprise knock at the door on World Mental Health Day — and how it led to his spiritual awakening.  The insight that every mental challenge contains a hidden gift — if you’re willing to face it and do the work John’s mantra: Be Mindful. Pause. Connect. — a deceptively simple practice that can transform your life. Our candid exchange about family stigma, growing up with a sibling facing mental health challenges, and the power of compassionate presence as dads.   John’s Gift for Listeners: John has generously offered access to his book Mindful Insights, a practical guide to building your own mindful practice over 52 weeks. Get your copy here     Connect with John Shearer: Website: mindfullymad.org Search: Be Mindful. Pause. Connect. on Facebook to find John’s work and resources.

  5. 09/28/2025

    The Heart of Cacao and Conscious Business — with Ally Lyons

    Ally Lyons is a holistic health practitioner and event experience curator.   She spent a decade leading operations for mission-driven startups and entrepreneurs.   Her own health challenges sparked an obsession with ingredient transparency.   Hours in grocery aisles turned into www.isitclean.org, a nonprofit rating ingredients and packaged foods to help people choose the cleanest option available.   In parallel, a Maverick community cacao ceremony opened a new door.   Ally deepened into herbalism, yoga, Reiki, and ceremony.   Daily practice with a friend became https://www.journeywithcacao.com/, sharing ceremonial cacao as heart medicine in community.   She now blends systems thinking with sacred ritual.   Clean food for the body.   Cacao for the heart.   Business as a conduit for love and service.   In This Episode, You Will Learn How to evaluate packaged food fast: a practical rubric for scanning labels and choosing the cleanest option in any store. A simple path to reduce overwhelm: “good, better, best” choices when access to perfect options is limited. How to build a mission tool from a personal pain point and invite community feedback to refine it. What makes cacao “ceremonial” and how sourcing, stewardship, and intention change your experience. A 10-minute cacao ritual to drop from head to heart: prepare, set intention, sip slowly, and listen to the body. How to discern plant allies and align daily practices with genuine inner signals rather than 'force of habit'. Ways to protect your energy as a founder: design roles around your zone of genius and partner for the rest.   Connect with Ally Instagram: @alzlyons Journey for Cacao: journeywithcacao.com Is It Clean: isitclean.org

  6. 09/22/2025

    From Litigation to Love — with Daniel Robertson

    Daniel's Story: Daniel Robertson spent 14 years as a lawyer. He excelled at analysis and argument, but the adversarial system clashed with his values. At Pepperdine he studied world-class mediation and kept that seed alive for a decade. Today he’s pivoting into relationship coaching, helping people heal and connect rather than fight and fracture. His work blends spiritual inquiry (think A Course in Miracles and Richard Rohr’s “holy mystery”) with grounded tools for emotional processing. He sees self-love and relational love as a both/and: we grow by validating ourselves and by receiving trustworthy love from others.   In This Episode, You Will Learn: How to pivot from a head-led career to heart-aligned work without burning your bridges. A clear way to process emotions (RAIN): recognize, allow, investigate, nurture—so you’re calm before you act. How to use feelings as data: map fear, anger, sadness, joy, shame to the unmet needs they signal—and choose healthy strategies. Attachment made practical: spot anxious/avoidant patterns in the moment and shift toward secure behavior. A simple “pause protocol” for texts and tough talks: self-soothe first, then communicate with clarity. And much more...    Connect with Daniel Robertson: Website: www.danielrobertson.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielwilliamrobertson

  7. 09/15/2025

    From Synchronicity to Strategy — with Jess Cox

    Jess's Story: Jess Cox is an impact strategist, legacy advisor, and founder of Impact Loop.   She helps entrepreneurs and families align resources with purpose by connecting people, capital, and causes.   Her path began with B Corp advisory work in New Zealand, where she realised many leaders want a legacy they’re proud of but need a practical roadmap.   A string of striking synchronicities — from journaled intentions to a birthday spent on a private island with impact-driven founders — affirmed her role as a connector.   Working with UHNW families, founders, and operators, she now bridges intention and implementation across philanthropy, venture, and systems-level projects.   Jess sees business as inherently spiritual: a vehicle to create from purpose, guided by intuition and sharpened by disciplined execution.   Impact Loop is evolving into a platform and global network of fractional experts, so purposeful projects can access exactly the talent and resources they need, when they need them.   In This Episode, You Will Learn: How to turn “legacy” into a plan: map your resources (financial, human, social, time) to the change you want to see. A simple intuition practice: notice “whisper” ideas, test them fast, and separate fear from genuine gut wisdom. The four kinds of luck (blind, hustle, preparation, unique) — and how to engineer more of them. Practical ways to uncover purpose: eulogy writing, childhood passions, and rapid trial-and-error “small bets.” How to fund or join high-leverage impact: from ocean science tech to access-to-justice platforms.   Connect with Jess Cox: https://www.impactloop.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesscoxnz/

  8. 09/08/2025

    "Bliss Lion" - Eric Lochtefeld

    Eric Lochtefeld. Eric is an accomplished entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist who has founded nearly 30 companies and exited more than a dozen. Drawing on decades of experience in live entertainment, education, real estate, and personal development, Eric has built a career that blends business success with a passion for helping others realise their dreams. Eric’s guidance and mentorship have had a profound impact on me personally in discovering my own path — I truly wouldn’t be here without him. That’s why it’s such a privilege to share his story with you. After transitioning from running one of Silicon Valley’s most recognized theater and event venues, Eric co-founded Bliss Champions, a coaching venture created to help entrepreneurs navigate life after an exit and rediscover their joy. Today, he continues to guide leaders while also developing hospitality ventures in Hawai‘i and pursuing new bliss journeys of his own. In our conversation, you’ll learn: Why financial and time freedom aren’t enough without joy. How to avoid falling back into old roles after an exit. The mindset shifts needed to start fresh with beginner’s mind. How clarity helps break through fear and get unstuck. Why listening to your soul is more powerful than following your ego. Thank you Eric for sharing your wisdom, your stories, and your vision of life and business led by Bliss. Connect with Eric:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericlochtefeld/ https://www.hamakuahotel.com/

  9. 09/02/2025

    From NY Real Estate to Regenerative Living — with Matthew Blesso

    Matthew’s Story: In this episode of Business Love Stories, I sit down with serial entrepreneur Matthew Blesso, founder of Blesso Properties, Shift Esperanza, and multiple ventures in hospitality and real estate.   From buying his first apartment in New York to designing a Manhattan penthouse that made the New York Times front page, Matthew’s career looked like a textbook success story.   But after years of building bigger and more ambitious projects, he realised success alone wasn’t enough.   That insight set him on a journey of self-love, purpose, and eventually to leading Shift Esperanza, a regenerative living community in Costa Rica where real estate development is about healing people, land, and local communities.   In This Episode, You Will Learn: Why big goals don’t always lead to lasting fulfilment — and what does. How to spot when ambition is helping you vs. when it’s harming you. Simple practices to grow genuine self-love and resilience. How to align both joy in your work and a deeper purpose. What it takes to build businesses and communities that give back more than they take.   Connect with Matthew: ShiftEsperanza.com Instagram: @shiftesperanza

  • 9 Episodes

About

Business Love Stories is a podcast for founders, creators, and change-makers who love what they do — and dare to build businesses that reflect their deepest values. Hosted by entrepreneur and storyteller Chris Hay, each episode dives into the heart of a real-life business love story — exploring the passion, purpose, pain, and personal transformation behind brands that matter. Whether it’s a mission-driven startup, a soulful solo venture, or a global company led with heart, our guests share what it really takes to build something meaningful: The sparks that started it all The challenges that nearly broke them The values they won’t compromise on And the love that keeps them going You’ll hear raw, honest conversations with entrepreneurs who’ve created companies worth falling for and learn how they’ve stayed connected to their why, even when the going gets tough. This podcast is for anyone who believes: Business can be a force for good Love is a strategy, not just a feeling Profit and purpose are better together Whether you’re just getting started or scaling your impact, Business Love Stories is your invitation to go deeper; to lead with soul, create with courage, and write your own great love story in business. Tune in weekly for fresh inspiration, powerful storytelling, and a reminder that the most successful businesses are the ones built with love.

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Hay
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Business Love Stories. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Business Love Stories