PODCAST · business
Connecting With Purpose
by Mark Griffin
Connecting With Purpose is a place for consequential conversations about doing what matters most in times when our families, workplaces, and communities need us. On the PurposeFused podcast, our partners host conversations with leaders from multiple sectors about what’s possible when we invest in leading and living with purpose, for ourselves and our teams.By learning from guests’ experiences in the purpose journey, as business leaders and humans beyond the workplace, the show serves as a catalyst for action. Connecting With Purpose inspires and guides discovery to embed purpose into people’s work and lives, improving wellbeing and performance for themselves, their organizations, and their worlds. We help leaders create the impact they seek and inspire a ripple effect of purpose activation.
Episodes
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Playing in Position: Are We Getting The Best of Our People?
What if your biggest leadership problem is not effort, but misalignment? Mark Griffin argues that high-performing people often get pulled out of position, doing more than they should, diluting their impact, and draining the very energy their team needs most. Drawing on founder experience and...
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What Founders Get Wrong About Succession & Employee Ownership | Jason Wiener
In this episode of Connecting with Purpose, Mark Griffin is joined by Jason Wiener, founder of CurrentShift Legal, a legal and business consulting firm serving mission-driven companies, social impact organizations, and environmentally focused enterprises. Jason specializes in employee ownership,...
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Founder Transition: The Hidden Pressure Founders Carry Before an Exit
Founder transitions are often framed as financial or structural events. But long before a succession plan, ownership evolution, or exit is announced, founders carry a hidden layer of pressure that few people see. In this solo episode of Connecting With Purpose, I continue the conversation from…
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Founder Transition: Identity Before the Deal
Ownership transition isn't just a financial event. It's an identity shift. In this episode, I explore the part of founder transition that rarely gets discussed — the internal evolution required before structure changes. Whether you're considering succession, employee ownership, partial liquidity,...
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Impact, Trust, & Ownership: A Founder's Bold Succession Strategy with Miren Oca
In this episode of Connecting with Purpose, Mark Griffin sits down with Miren Oca, founder of Ocaquatics Swim School and founder of Ripples of Impact — a nonprofit expanding access to life-saving swim education in Miami-Dade County. Since 1994, Miren has grown Ocaquatics into a multi-location…
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Sustainability as a Performance Strategy
You can be aligned. You can be executing. And still be quietly running out of gas. In this solo episode of Connecting with Purpose, Mark explores one of the most overlooked drivers of sustainable performance: capacity. Most leaders focus on strategy and execution. Few pay attention to the nervous...
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Vulnerability, Resilience & Results with Sara Jensen: Building Through Adversity
In this Season 4 episode of Connecting with Purpose, Mark Griffin sits down with Sara Jensen, CEO and co-founder of Hugh & Grace, to explore how vulnerability becomes a leadership advantage and how purpose fuels sustained performance at scale. Sara shares the defining moments that shaped her...
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From Belief to Alignment: The Missing Link in High-Performing Teams
High-performing teams don't stall because they lack talent or effort. They stall when belief doesn't turn into alignment. In this solo episode, we explore the often-overlooked bridge between belief, identity, alignment, and trust — and why teams can be full of capable, values-driven people yet...
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Regenerative Finance Explained: How Purpose-Driven Leaders Change Business with Jasper van Brakel
Welcome back to Season 4 of Connecting with Purpose — where we put founders first and share the stories of the humans behind the business. In this episode, Mark sits down with Jasper Van Brakel, President & CEO of RSF Social Finance (Regenerative Social Finance), to explore what happens when...
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Belief, Identity, & Ultimate Performance: Re-Anchoring After the New Year
If you're listening to this in mid-January, you may recognize this moment. You set goals. You clarified priorities. You stepped into the year with intention. And now… you're back in meetings. Back in execution. Back in the reality that can quietly pull you away from what mattered most just weeks...
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A Leadership Journey: From Empty Achievement to Regenerative Impact with Keith Bearden
In this episode of Connecting with Purpose, Mark Griffin sits down with Keith Bearden, CEO of Alter Eco Foods—the company behind some of the cleanest, greenest (and frankly, most addictive) chocolate bars, truffles, granola, and quinoa on the planet. Keith shares how a childhood shaped by a small...
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Belief, Identity, and the Quiet Foundations of Ultimate Performance
As we step into a new year, most leaders are refining goals, strategies, and growth plans. But beneath all of that sits something far more fundamental — and far less discussed. Belief. and Identity. In this solo episode, Mark Griffin explores the quiet foundations of Ultimate Performance and why…
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When Growth Gets Hard: Resilience and Purpose in the Founder Journey with Adrian Bray
In this episode, Mark Griffin is joined by Adrian Bray, USA CEO of Stellar Consulting, for a deeply honest conversation about growth, resilience, and what founders are rarely prepared for when success accelerates faster than infrastructure. Adrian shares three defining magic moments that shaped…
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The Ultimate Performance Approach with Mark Griffin
In this episode, we explore how leaders can move from pressure to clarity to sustainable, scalable impact. Many founders hit what I call the Performance Precipice—when pressure outpaces clarity, effort drains energy, and success no longer feels fulfilling. I break down the Ultimate Performance...
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Leading With Purpose in a Changing World with Munir Haddad
Welcome back to Season 4 of Connecting with Purpose, where we put the founder first and explore the human behind the business. In this episode, Mark Griffin sits down with Munir Haddad, Founder and CEO of Kiosk, for a grounded and energizing conversation about resilience, people first leadership...
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Sustaining Performance Without Burning Out — The Ultimate Performance Approach
Episode Overview In this solo episode, Mark explores one of the most important — and misunderstood — challenges facing founders, CEOs, and high-performance leaders today: How do you sustain elite performance without burning out… and build teams and cultures that do the same? Drawing from...
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Winning Under Pressure, Scaling Smart, and Building a Team that Runs Fast with Timothy Furey
If you've ever wondered how elite competitiveness transfers from the rugby pitch to the trading floor, this one's for you. Founder and CEO Timothy Furey of Tradeview Markets joins host Mark Griffin for a candid, founder-first conversation about channeling pressure into performance, building truly...
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Money Mindset: Fuel for Impact
In this solo episode of Connecting with Purpose, Mark Griffin opens up about a personal shift that changed the way he leads, lives, and creates impact — reframing money not as a finish line, but as essential fuel for purpose. For years, Mark viewed money as a byproduct of meaningful work. Impact...
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From Setback to Scale-Up: Resilience, Leadership, and Outsourcing with Brad Stevens
In this episode, host Mark Griffin sits down with Brad Stevens, Founder/CEO of Outsource Access and Brad Stevens Training, for a powerful founder-first conversation on resilience, disciplined leadership, and scaling with offshore talent and software excellence. A lifetime entrepreneur, Brad has...
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How to Scale Without Losing Alignment (or Yourself)
How do you scale your business without losing alignment? As your company grows, clarity often drifts. More people, more meetings, more complexity—yet alignment and focus don't automatically scale with size. In this episode of Connecting with Purpose, Mark Griffin explores one of the biggest...
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Fight Less, Win More: Leadership, Strategy, and Negotiation with Jonathan Smith
In this episode, host Mark Griffin sits down with Jonathan Smith, author, negotiation instructor with the Black Swan Group, and Expert EOS Implementer®, for a powerful founder-first conversation on strategy, negotiation, and leadership at the intersection of purpose and performance. Jonathan has...
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5 Signs You're Becoming an Empty Achiever & How to Step Back from the Performance Precipice
Are you performing at a high level — but feeling emptier inside? You're not alone. In this solo episode of Connecting with Purpose, Mark Griffin breaks down 5 subtle signs that high performers, founders, and leaders often miss on the way to burnout — what he calls the Performance Precipice.…
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Founders, Grit & the Future of Work with Naveen Khugputh
In this episode, host Mark Griffin sits down with Naveen Khugputh, Co-Founder & COO at APiRO and Co-Founder & COO at Werqwise, for a powerful founder-first conversation on resilience, leadership, and reimagining the future of work. From his start in private equity to launching multiple ventures...
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Season 4 Kickoff: Magic Moments, Purpose, and the Founder Journey
Welcome to Season 4 of Connecting with Purpose! 🎙️ This season, we're putting founders first—exploring the human stories behind the businesses, from their magic moments and entrepreneurial roller coasters to the possibilities ahead. In this solo kickoff episode, host Mark Griffin sets the stage…
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From NFL to Coaching: Phil McGeoghan on Mindset, Resilience & Purpose
In the season finale of Connecting with Purpose, Mark Griffin sits down with former NFL wide receiver and accomplished coach Phil McGeoghan for a powerful conversation on mindset, resilience, and finding purpose beyond sport. Phil's journey is filled with defining "magic moments"—from his first...
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Failing Forward: Jacob Brown's Journey of Resilience and Purpose
In this powerful episode of Connecting with Purpose, Jacob Brown shares his transformative life story of overcoming adversity and developing a "fail forward" mindset. From being cut from the NFL to battling personal challenges including alcoholism, Jacob demonstrates how resilience and…
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The Stories That Shape Us: Purpose, Perspective & Legacy with Don Yaeger
In this episode of Connecting with Purpose, we're joined by Don Yaeger—hailed as one of America's best storytellers, a twelve-time New York Times bestselling author, nationally recognized keynote speaker, and host of the top-ranked Corporate Competitor Podcast, which I've been hooked on since...
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The Courage to Adapt & Elevate with John Register: Season 3, Episode 5
Today's guest is all about inspiring people to rise above adversity and move beyond fear. He believes that when our truth outweighs our fear, we can commit to living a courageous life. John Register is a true example of resilience. A combat Army veteran and two-time U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier…
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Beyond the Scoreboards: Performance, Resilience & Growth with Gina Tucci
In this episode of Connecting with Purpose, we're joined by Gina Tucci, founder of Beyond the Scoreboards, licensed counselor, and mental performance coach. With a lifelong passion for sports and athletic competition, Gina helps athletes, coaches, executives, and teams overcome mental roadblocks...
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Purpose-Driven Leadership and Ethical AI with Dr. Adam Russell
In this episode of Connecting with Purpose, we're joined by Dr. Adam Russell, Chief Vision Officer for the U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute and Director of the AI Division at USC's Information Sciences Institute. With an impressive background spanning DARPA, IARPA, and ARPA-H, Adam...
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Competitive Greatness: Winning Life Through Purpose and Resilience with Carlette Patterson
Turning Challenges into Purpose and Winning Life Beyond the Game In this episode of Connecting with Purpose, we're joined by Carlette Patterson—CEO and Founder of Patterson Sports Ventures, where she pioneers Sports Life Coaching to help athletes and leaders navigate transitions with purpose and...
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Navigating Change and Unlocking Potential: The Elite Athlete Opportunity with Digit Murphy
Pioneering Change and Opportunity in Women's Sports In this episode of Connecting with Purpose, we sit down with Digit Murphy—a trailblazer in women's sports and leadership. Digit's career spans decades as a coach, executive, and advocate, dedicated to creating opportunities for women using…
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Building, Learning and Growing with Scott Lewis
Spartan Investment Group is on a mission to improve lives through real estate. As co-founder and CEO, Scott Lewis is living his purpose through Spartan. There are few people with as diverse a background as Scott, which had included teaching English in Thailand, various positions in sales…
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Building Trust and Embracing Failure with Michael Bearup
In this conversation, Michael Bearup shares the insights from his 38 year long career with KPMG, within which he most recently held the following titles: Former Lead Partner for Culture at KPMG US, Lead Director KPMG US, Office Managing Partner KPMG Colorado. Michael Bearup's mission is to engage...
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Energy Exchange and Successful Leadership Transitions with Ophelia Byers
Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Ophelia Byers, Founder and Principal at SitchRoom, speaking from the heart about the origins of her purpose, the importance of leadership training and the impact she has achieved as a former Chief Nursing Officer and continues via her transition...
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Living the (Rugby) Dream with Dallen Stanford
Do something you love and opportunities will continue to open up". Inspired by Nelson Mandela's Presidency in South Africa and his Nation's historic Rugby World Cup victory which unified South Africa in 1995 (popularized beyond rugby circles via the movie: Invictus), Dallen Stanford's energy was...
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What's Your Energy for Impact? with Nathan Ott
Nathan Ott is the Chief Polisher (CEO) and co-founder of The GC Index and author of the book: Coaching Me, Coaching You. The GC index measures an individual's natural energy & inclinations when it comes to making their biggest impact and contribution to a role, team or organization. Their vision…
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Leading with "Genuosity" with Chris Allaire
Chris Allaire is the Founder and CEO of Averity a NYC based, people-forward recruiting company that have been named the Best Staffing and Recruiting Company to Work For in North America, on multiple occasions. To speak a little to Chris and Averity's approach to recruiting (and work generally):...
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Imposter Syndrome: Identifying It, Addressing It and Advancing Through It with Dan Winter-Bates
Join today's host, Neil Turnham as he chats with Dan Winter-Bates, Head of Organizational Development for the NHS in the UK and the vocalist of Bury Tomorrow, a renowned metalcore band. In this episode, they explore imposter syndrome: its origins, its emotional impact, and practical strategies…
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Building Teams with Joy to Inspire Them to Achieve Great Things with Nigel Girgrah
Dr. Nigel Girgrah leads with vulnerability and courage. He quite simply wants to make people feel good. As Chief Wellness Officer to over 30,000 employees, he models behaviors that create an open, empathetic and accepting workplace, where people care for each other and collaborate to achieve…
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Support Your People's Full Pie To Engage Your Team with Grace Zuncic
Grace Zuncic is Chief People and Impact Officer at the deeply purpose-driven adventure gear retailer, Cotopaxi. She sees it as her own purpose to help others be their best selves, which she's realized is something she can do at scale in HR roles. Now, she's helping Cotopaxi through a stage of…
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Can Work Provide Dignity? with Mark Atkinson
Mark Atkinson's purpose is to make work a source of dignity and self actualization. He's pursued that goal in a wide variety of roles and sectors, now as an entrepreneur and CEO of Mursion, Inc., a VR training platform for professionals to practice and master workplace skills. He's frustrated…
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Storytelling for Authentic Connections with Mark Minner
Question: What does being an SVP at NFP a 7,400 employee insurance and consultancy company, have to do with being a play-by-play commentator at Butler Bulldog's Basketball Team? Answer: Storytelling. This was such a fun and entertaining conversation with Mark Minner, Senior Vice President at NFP....
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The Power of Feeling Othered to Discover Our Purpose with Yuisa Perez
Yuisa Perez is the first Chief People Officer of the Boston Museum of Science where she brings over 20 years of experience as a passionate human resources leader, K-12 educator, and a champion for creating vibrant spaces for all communities to realize their natural talent. Her sense of purpose…
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Being Real: Modeling Care to Build Trust with Michael Goebel
Openness, transparency & compassion enable us to get to know each other, to share, challenge, to build trust. Trust is a foundational component upon which positive and high performing cultures are built. Trust is also enriched with candid conversations, difficult decisions, holding people...
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Collective Thriving with Christina Keller
Christina Keller is the CEO of Cascade Engineering, an engineering and manufacturing firm that knows a people-centric culture is key to its success. Celebrating 50 years of operations, with a triple bottom line approach since day one, Christina and the Cascade team are committed to making their...
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Making Work Better, More Connected, More Human with Analiese Brown
How do we make work better for the people we work with? Analiese Brown, VP of People & Culture at Campminder, focuses on three things to bring purpose into the work place - 1. making meaning of the work, so people can see the difference it has; 2. Connecting people together, so they feel part of...
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Purposefully Opting In Or Out with Michael Oh
Michael Oh has partnered with several purpose-driven CEOs to grow companies. He knows first hand the joys and challenges of this growth. One of his top tips is the need to recognize and accept the inevitability of change as companies grow. Effective leaders support people at every level to opt in...
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A CORE Approach to Leadership with Laurie Shakur
Compassion, Optimism, Resilience and Enthusiasm - these are 4 words that describe Laurie Shakur, Chief People Officer at Session AI, and her leadership model. In essence it is these principles that bring Laurie's purpose to life and enable her to support people in being at their best. A big...
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Building Transparency and Tenacity in a Mission-Driven Start Up with Caralyn Cooley
Do you love what you do? Caralyn Cooley, EVP, Chief People Officer at Bowery Farming, is on a mission to ensure everyone does. This episode explores how Caralyn looks to identify and build upon her people's strengths to support what they do, how they do it and what they collaborate on together....
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Connecting With Purpose is a place for consequential conversations about doing what matters most in times when our families, workplaces, and communities need us. On the PurposeFused podcast, our partners host conversations with leaders from multiple sectors about what’s possible when we invest in leading and living with purpose, for ourselves and our teams.By learning from guests’ experiences in the purpose journey, as business leaders and humans beyond the workplace, the show serves as a catalyst for action. Connecting With Purpose inspires and guides discovery to embed purpose into people’s work and lives, improving wellbeing and performance for themselves, their organizations, and their worlds. We help leaders create the impact they seek and inspire a ripple effect of purpose activation.
HOSTED BY
Mark Griffin
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Connecting With Purpose have?
Connecting With Purpose currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Connecting With Purpose about?
Connecting With Purpose is a place for consequential conversations about doing what matters most in times when our families, workplaces, and communities need us. On the PurposeFused podcast, our partners host conversations with leaders from multiple sectors about what’s possible when we invest in...
How often does Connecting With Purpose release new episodes?
Connecting With Purpose has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Connecting With Purpose?
You can listen to Connecting With Purpose on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Connecting With Purpose?
Connecting With Purpose is created and hosted by Mark Griffin.
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