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I absolutely love speaking at association events because there is a special energy in the room from the moment people arrive. Yes, everyone is usually excited to have time away from their regular workday, but it is more than that. Association events give people a chance to network, chill out, relax, laugh, and have fun with others who understand the work they do. There is something powerful about being surrounded by people who share similar challenges, goals, and experiences.

DoubleTree by Hilton Chocolate Chip Cookies As a motivational speaker who travels often, I have stayed in a lot of hotels. Some are beautiful. Some are convenient. Some are comfortable. But every once in a while, a hotel does something so simple and memorable that it makes me think, “Now that is great customer service.” That is exactly what DoubleTree by Hilton has done with their famous chocolate chip cookie. After a long day of travel, you walk into the hotel tired, hungry,

Me and My Family at a Savannah Bananas Game What We Have Learned So Far Put People First: Let people know they matter. Create an Experience: Give people something memorable to talk about. Remember That Energy Is Contagious: Bring the attitude you want others to experience. Do Things Differently: Question old habits and look for better ways to serve people. Give People Something Worth Following: Build a culture with a clear purpose people can believe in. As I sat among approxi

Savannah Bananas and the Fire Fighters What We Have Learned So Far Put People First: Make people feel important. Create an Experience: Turn ordinary interactions into memorable moments. Remember That Energy Is Contagious: Your attitude and actions affect everyone around you. Jesse Cole could have continued operating a traditional baseball team. He could have followed all the customs, rules, and expectations that had existed for decades. Instead, he asked what people disliked

Jesse Cole, Owner, Savannah Bananas What We Have Learned So Far Put People First: Make every person feel seen, valued, and appreciated. Create an Experience: Do more than complete a transaction. Create a positive memory and emotional connection. As a motivational speaker who teaches organizations how to create energized workplace cultures, I could not stop watching the Savannah Bananas team members. Their energy was contagious! The players danced. The coaches participated. T

What We Have Learned So Far Put People First: Make employees, customers, members, patients, students, or guests feel seen, valued, and appreciated. The Savannah Bananas do not believe they are simply selling tickets to a baseball game. They are creating an experience. The game at Kinnick included music, comedy, dancing, skits, fan participation, unique baseball rules, and unexpected moments. People did not come only to see who would win. They came because they knew somethi

What does being dropped into a jungle for 39 days with little food, pouring rain, snakes, rats, and no communication with family have to do with workplace culture? More than you might think. I recently had the honor of interviewing Holly Hoffman, former Survivor Nicaragua contestant, on The Energized Leader Podcast. Holly shared what it was really like to be on the show, including the hunger, uncertainty, fear, and mental exhaustion. But one of the most powerful moments she s

Day 1: Savannah Bananas Workplace Culture Lessons: Put People First Jesse Cole, Owner of the Savanah Bananans Baseball Team On the Fourth of July, I had the opportunity to experience something unforgettable: watching the Savannah Bananas play in front of approximately 70,000 enthusiastic fans at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. This was not simply a baseball game. It was music, dancing, laughter, surprises, audience participation, and nonstop energy. Before the first pitch was t

In 2026, America celebrates 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This historic milestone is more than a birthday celebration. It is an opportunity to pause, reflect, and be thankful. Throughout our nation’s history, generations of Americans have worked, sacrificed, served, and persevered to help build the country we call home. As we celebrate 250 years, let us remember that the strength of America has always been its people. Every act of kindness, e

Leadership can be rewarding, but it can also be stressful. Leaders are expected to make decisions, solve problems, manage conflict, meet deadlines, and support employees. When that pressure builds, stress can affect the way a leader communicates, reacts, and treats others. The problem is that a leader’s stress rarely stays with the leader. It spreads throughout the workplace. A sharp tone, impatient response, or visibly frustrated reaction can change the energy of an entir

As I sat contemplating whether I should snatch the last hot roll from the basket and smother it with Texas Roadhouse’s signature whipped honey cinnamon butter before my husband grabbed it, I looked up and noticed an employee walking past our table. Across the back of her shirt were four simple words: I LOVE MY JOB. My first thought was, Well, that is a brilliant piece of branding. My second thought was, But does she really? It is one thing for a company to print “I L

There was a day when I realized something had to change. I was burned out, overwhelmed, and working in a high-stress, high-pressure environment. Every day felt demanding. There were deadlines to meet, problems to solve, people who needed help, and challenges that never seemed to stop. I was physically tired, mentally drained, and emotionally exhausted. Maybe you have experienced that kind of workplace burnout too. You get up in the morning already thinking about everything w

Looking for a humorist for your next corporate event? The right speaker can do more than make your audience laugh. They can reduce stress, boost morale, strengthen connections, and create an experience people will remember. Discover what to look for when choosing a corporate humorist who fits your audience, goals, and event.

In this energizing episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne sits down with leadership speaker and psychological safety expert Tania DeSa to explore how leaders can create a workplace culture where people feel seen, heard, valued, and safe to speak up. Tania shares powerful insights on psychological safety, connection, leadership vulnerability, recognition, micro moments of trust, and the importance of helping employees own their strengths. She also shares the unfor

What makes someone an energized leader? When I asked Dr. Jeff Hendred that question on The Energized Leader Podcast, his answer was simple and powerful: Influence. Leadership is not just a title or position. Leadership is how you show up, how you treat people, how you respond during hard seasons, and how you help others keep moving forward. Dr. Hendred has spent years leading in education, ministry, business, and the community. Through every role, one thing is clear: energi

At the age of 79, my mom opened a restaurant, even during COVID. At the age of 84, she opened her own little gift shop. How amazing is that? Most people would look at that season of life and say, “It is time to slow down.” But not my mom. She looked at life with courage, creativity, and determination and said, “Why not?” Opening a restaurant at any age takes grit. Opening one during COVID takes incredible resilience. While many people were uncertain, afraid, and wondering wh

What would you do if one ordinary day changed your life forever? On this episode of The Energize Podcast, I had the honor of talking with Jason Dennen, one of the most resilient people I have ever met. Jason survived a catastrophic skydiving accident that left him with life-threatening injuries, 20 broken bones, collapsed lungs, and a heart injury doctors said most people do not survive. But his story did not end there. Jason chose to rebuild his life, become a better version

Laughter is more than just a fun moment at work. It is a powerful part of a healthy workplace culture. When teams are able to laugh together, stress goes down, connection goes up, and people feel more energized, engaged, and valued. Laughter helps build trust, lighten heavy days, and remind us that we are all human. A positive workplace culture does not happen by accident. It is created in the small moments, the shared smiles, the inside jokes, and the leaders who give people

What does it really take to be an energized leader in today’s fast-paced world? In this inspiring episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, I sit down with speaker, coach, and former senior vice president Lynsey Mulder to talk about authentic leadership, burnout recovery, team motivation, leadership communication, and how to lead with more spark, purpose, and alignment. Lynsey shares powerful insights on how great leaders identify the superpowers of their team members, stay gr

In this powerful episode of The Energized Leader Podcast , I interviewed entrepreneur, speaker, and resilience expert Marie Cosgrove for an unforgettable conversation about faith, leadership, perseverance, and overcoming impossible odds. Marie shares her extraordinary story of rising above trauma, sexism in a male-dominated industry, personal hardship, wrongful treatment, and intense business challenges to become a successful leader and ultimately buy the very company that on