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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

In this episode of The Energized Leader Podcast , I sit down with David Bossou for a powerful conversation on leadership communication, workplace connection, employee engagement, and valuing people . What begins as an interview quickly becomes an energizing co-host conversation filled with practical leadership insight, memorable stories, and real strategies for building a stronger workplace culture. Together, we explore why connecting with people is one of the most important

In this episode of The Energized Leader Podcast , Desi Payne sits down with leadership coach and community leader Hollie Tometich for a powerful conversation about authentic leadership, energized workplace culture, professional development, coaching, humor in leadership, and how leaders can recharge during tough seasons . Drawing from years of leadership experience in healthcare and community development, Hollie shares practical insight on what it means to lead with authentic

In this inspiring episode of The Energized Leader Podcast , Desi Payne interviews speaker, coach, and American Ninja Warrior finalist Hoan Do about leadership, resilience, mindset, and the power of personal growth. Hoan shares how one life-changing speaker inspired his path, how he went on to work with Tony Robbins, and how he built a speaking career focused on helping people unlock their potential. Hoan also takes listeners behind the scenes of his American Ninja Warrior jo

Hi friends, A new episode of The Energized Leader Podcast is out, and you are going to love this one. I interview Dustin James, America’s Corporate Energizer , and we dig into what it takes to lead with intention and build everyday excellence. Dustin shares his Four E’s framework : Experience, Energy, Emotion, and Education , plus simple tools you can use right away to strengthen connection, show up with better energy, manage emotions on tough days, and keep improving withou

This week, I’m releasing two brand new episodes of The Energized Leader Podcast featuring two powerhouse leaders from Springfield, Missouri and the similarities are seriously impressive. Both guests are U.S. Navy veterans, and both lead organizations recognized as Biz 417 Best Places to Work winners. You’ll hear leadership secrets from: ⚓ Thomas Douglas , CEO of JMARK (Managed IT Services and Cybersecurity Services) ⚓ Richard Ollis , CEO of Ollis/Akers/Arney (Insurance an

A positive workplace culture does not happen by luck. It happens by choice. Here are five simple, high impact ways to lift morale and create a workplace people actually enjoy. 1) Set the tone with your energy Your attitude is contagious. Show up steady, encouraging, and solution focused. People follow the tone you set. 2) Make appreciation a habit Notice effort. Celebrate wins. Say thank you often and be specific. Recognition fuels motivation. 3) Build real connection Check i

Last week, I officially launched my brand new podcast, The Energized Leader , and I could not be more excited. This podcast is for leaders who want practical ideas they can use right now to strengthen culture, boost morale, and lead with more energy and confidence. Each episode features real conversations with leaders and experts who share what is working in the real world, not just theory. To kick things off, I am sharing three powerful guests who set the tone for what The E

I am beyond excited to officially share this news. My brand new leadership podcast, The Energized Leader , is launching, and I cannot wait for you to hear it. If you are a manager, business owner, educator, team leader, or an aspiring leader who wants practical ways to build a stronger culture, boost morale, and lead with more confidence, this show is for you. What Is The Energized Leader Podcast? The Energized Leader Podcast is a leadership and workplace culture podcast cre

Leadership sets the ceiling. In John Maxwell’s Law of the Lid , he reminds us that an organization (or team) can only rise to the level of its leadership. If your leadership lid is a 6, your team will never perform at a 7. The good news? Lids can be lifted. When we grow, our teams grow. When we develop our skills, mindsets, and capacity, we raise the ceiling for everyone we influence. Small growth creates big impact. Here are six examples of what you can do. So today, ask yo

✨ I absolutely love speaking at association conferences! ✨ There’s something special about walking into a room full of professionals who want to be there — people who are passionate about their industry, eager to learn, and excited to connect with others who “get it.” As a keynote speaker, that kind of energy is contagious! I get to help attendees recharge, laugh, and walk away with fresh motivation to take back to their teams and workplaces. Every association conference I

Here are the last 12 traveling hacks in my three-part series for you to have a more enjoyable experience when traveling. 1. If you find...

Last week I gave you 12 Traveling Hacks, Part One. Let’s dive into 12 more to help reduce stress while traveling. 1. If you have a...

Do you get stressed out when you think about traveling for business or even pleasure? If that answer is yes, then I have some great...