Peaceful Hugs Podcast
Uplifting Stories of Faith, Kindness, and Connection
Join Mark and Lorelei for fun, laughter, and heartfelt conversations with remarkable guests from business, church, politics, and sports. They explore themes of service, second chances, community, faith, and more. With perspectives shaped by different generations, genders, and faith traditions, each episode offers a fresh reminder that doing good begins with empathy, compassion, and courage.
Upcoming Guests
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American / Italian artistic gymnast, author, content creator, and motivational coach. She began gymnastics at age 3 in Colorado, competed at an elite level in both the United States and Italy, and became the Italian national champion on uneven bars in 2021. She later gained additional recognition through the MTV Italy show Ginnaste: Vite Parallele and her online brand “Sophialand.”
Some highlights of her background:
Won Colorado state gymnastics titles as a youth athlete.
Competed in Italy's top gymnastics league, Serie A1, as an elite gymnast.
Became Italian national champion on uneven bars in 2021.
Authored the book Flipped: Keeping My Balance Beyond Borders and runs motivational events focused on confidence, mindset, and personal development.
You can learn more on her official website: Sophia Campana Official Website -
As the year reaches its midpoint, Mark and Lorelei take listeners on a reflective journey in this special mid-year review episode of the Peaceful Hugs Podcast. Looking back on the first half of the year, they celebrate the growth of the show, memorable conversations with guests, and the inspiring stories shared by their community. The episode highlights how the podcast has continued its mission of spreading kindness, connection, and hope through meaningful discussions. Mark and Lorelei share some of their favorite moments, lessons learned, and the feedback that has touched them most deeply from listeners around the world.
A focus of the conversation is their recent travels and service experiences. Mark reflects on his time on the Camino de Santiago in Spain, sharing how the historic pilgrimage offered moments of reflection, gratitude, and personal growth. Lorelei discusses her meaningful trip to Uganda, where she participated in projects aimed at supporting local communities and helping those in need. Together, Mark and Lorelei explore how these journeys influenced their perspectives and strengthened the core message of the podcast: that small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact. They also discuss plans for upcoming episodes, future guests, and new ways the podcast hopes to inspire listeners during the remainder of the year.
About the Hosts
Mark Z.
At 59, Mark Z sits squarely between the Boomers and Gen X — and he’s got the stories to back it up. He’s the founder of Peaceful Hugs, a seasoned business executive, and an entrepreneur whose life reads more like a novel than a résumé. From a turbulent youth and a headline-making robbery, to a failed marriage, the loss of his fiancée, a fight with cancer, adoption, raising kids, profound spiritual experiences, and building multiple businesses, Mark brings an uncommon depth to conversations about life and faith — all shaped by travels across the globe and to every U.S. state but two.
With degrees in communications and business — and now pursuing entry for his Master's at the University of Michigan. Mark offers thoughtful, hard-earned wisdom on relationships, parenting, education, business, and even politics.
Lorelei Thorne-Cromer
Lorelei Thorne-Cromer is a nonprofit leader and adventurer at heart. A graduate of the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in journalism, she brings a fresh Millennial perspective to her work and the world around her. As the Director of Operations for UnbridledACTS, she has spent the past six years building programs that serve diverse communities and offer hope to individuals in need.
Her purpose is simple: to “stop for the one” by recognizing each person’s intrinsic value and cultivating a sense of belonging. With experience as a missionary and time spent living abroad, Lorelei carries a global perspective into everything she does.
When she’s not advocating for at-risk communities, you’ll find her exploring the world with her husband and three dogs, diving into a good book, chasing new learning adventures, or savoring the crisp serenity of Colorado mornings.