I spent 4 days alone without food.
In the fall of 2022, I climbed the mountains of East Tennessee with nothing but a sleeping bag, water, a journal, and a tarp.
A few days before the fast, a small group of seekers and I arrived at an eco-lodge at the base of the mountain. Bill and Mitzi, from the Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center, guided us in preparing our minds and bodies for the journey ahead.
There was no Wi-Fi or phone service at the lodge, conveniently severing us from daily concerns, family, friends, and work. Each day, they served us progressively smaller meals to soften the transition into the fast. They helped us set expectations, shared rituals, and taught us safety procedures. From the terrace of the eco-lodge, we could see the mountain that would host us—and perhaps, change our lives.
People seek the mountain for many reasons. One member of my cohort had lost a son to suicide just four months earlier. A queer young man was navigating a major identity shift and sought clarity. A musician was determined to leave his alcohol addiction behind. As for me, I wanted to understand what drives me—what is most important. My intention was to find a compass I could use to navigate my life.
The mountain was benevolent, peaceful, and quiet—and at times, unbearably boring, frightening, and lonely. On the third night of the fast, we were encouraged to perform a ritual, pray for a vision, and wait. I didn’t experience a vision, but I felt a deep sense of truth about what matters most to me: relationships.
I realized that relationships are what give me strength and life force. I enjoy life the most when I’m with the people I love—my family, my romantic partner, and at work. This realization changed my life.
It is people and the planet that matter most—never profit. We need marketing that supports this paradigm.
We don't need more marketing tricks to propel consumerism by manipulating people to buy, we need marketing that builds long-standing resilient relationships rooter in mutual trust, respect and care.
We don’t need more marketing tricks designed to fuel consumerism by manipulating people into buying. Instead, we need marketing that builds long-standing, resilient relationships rooted in mutual trust, respect, and care.
This shift is already happening. Trust is at an all-time low (Pew Research Center) (Gallup). Some of my clients cringe when their content feels "too salesy"—and they’re right to feel this way. Yet, too many so-called experts insist this is the way to do marketing. I disagree.
People are tired of “marketing bros” and salesy tactics that reduce relationships to mere transactions. The future of marketing lies in relationships and connections anchored in values—where trust can flourish. People are longing for authentic brands and experts. Purpose and values alignment are now the most critical elements for connecting with an audience.
I call this new paradigm Relationship-Based Marketing (RBM). The table below outlines some key differences between Transactional Marketing and RBM.
Relationship-Based Marketing (RBM) is still a work in progress. I’ve been refining its vision and operations over the past few months, and it will be my primary focus in 2025.
Stay tuned, my friends.
“The planet does not need more successful people. The planet desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers and lovers of all kinds.”
― Dalai lama