The Energized Leader

In this episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne sits 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, Desi and David explore why connecting with people is one of the most important leadership skills, how strong communication impacts workplace success, and why leaders must be intentional about checking in with employees. They discuss key principles from Desi’s message on The Magic of Connecting, including taking time to ask simple but meaningful questions like “Are you okay?” and “How are you doing?” to help people feel seen, valued, and supported.
This episode also dives into the importance of valuing people as a 10, finding common ground through empathy, and understanding what others think, feel, and care about. With stories about Walt Disney, hospital leadership, and everyday workplace moments, Desi shows how intentional connection can breathe life into teams, strengthen relationships, and create a positive workplace culture where people thrive.
Connect with David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-bossou-079370225/
Connect with Desi:
https://www.desipayne.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/desipaynemotivationalspeaker
www.youtube.com/c/desipayne
Instagram: @Desi.Payne

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 authenticity, passion, and strong relationships.
Together, Desi and Hollie discuss how energized leaders inspire others, why workplace culture must be supportive and relationship-driven, and how leaders can avoid burnout by staying true to themselves. They also explore the value of leadership coaching, the importance of humor and laughter in the workplace, and why professional development helps both employees and organizations grow instead of staying stagnant.
If you are a leader, manager, business owner, or professional who wants to build a stronger team, boost workplace morale, and become a more authentic and energized leader, this episode is full of practical leadership wisdom, encouragement, and real-world strategies you can apply right away.
Connect with Holly:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollie-tometich/
FEE CONSULT: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSceyYq2wyRL9qTgPA1x9brhpXEiA4HuxcMcM87tyB0D7PXc3A/viewform
Instagram:@hollie_d_tometich
Connect with Desi:
https://www.desipayne.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/desipaynemotivationalspeaker
www.youtube.com/c/desipayne
Instagram: @Desi.Payne

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 journey, including how he got selected, how he trained, and the mental preparation it took to compete. He opens up about overcoming setbacks, pushing through adversity, and why success is often built through preparation, adaptability, and resilience.
Throughout the conversation, Hoan shares powerful lessons on the personal engine check light, changing the playlist in your mind, pattern interrupts, unshakable resilience, and what it really means to lead with impact. This episode is packed with encouragement and practical wisdom for leaders who want to protect their energy, grow through challenges, and inspire others through their actions.

In this powerful episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne sits down with bestselling author and inspirational speaker John O’Leary to talk about his extraordinary true story of survival, resilience, faith, and purpose. John shares the moving story behind the new film Soul on Fire, now reaching even wider audiences, and reflects on how a tragic childhood burn accident became the beginning of a life marked by hope, significance, and impact.
Together, Desi and John discuss the real-life events behind the movie, the people who spoke life into him during his darkest days, and the leadership lessons that emerged from pain, perseverance, and community. They explore the difference between success and significance, the importance of gratitude, the power of words, and how leaders can energize their teams by first leading themselves well.
This episode is filled with heartfelt stories, emotional insight, and practical encouragement for leaders, teams, and anyone who wants to live with more intention. If you need a reminder that your life, your words, and your presence matter, this conversation will leave you inspired to lead with courage, joy, and purpose.
Soul on Fire Movie Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CslVGLETWps
To book John O'Leary: https://johnolearyinspires.com/
Purchase "On Fire," by John O'Leary: https://www.amazon.com/Fire-Choices-Ignite-Radically-Inspired/dp/1501117726
To Connect with Desi Payne:
https://www.desipayne.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/desipaynemotivationalspeaker
www.youtube.com/c/desipayne
Instagram: @Desi.Payne
Facebook: @DesiPayneMotivationalSpeaker

In this special episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne steps out from behind the microphone and into the guest seat as Garrett Ross interviews her about the life experiences that shaped her leadership message, resilience, and passion for helping people beat burnout, stay positive, and make their current job their dream job.
Desi shares her powerful personal story, from growing up in a NASA family and navigating her father’s alcoholism, to becoming the oldest sibling caretaker at a young age, working in hospital leadership, opening a family business, surviving breast cancer, and building an extraordinary career as a professional clown, speaker, and leadership trainer. Along the way, she reveals how every challenge prepared her to help leaders create stronger workplace culture, inspire teams, and value people more intentionally.
This episode is full of heart, humor, resilience, and leadership insight. If you are looking for inspiration, practical perspective, and a deeper look into the story behind Desi Payne’s message, this conversation will leave you energized and ready for part two.
In this episode, you will hear:
Desi Payne’s personal journey from struggle to purpose
Lessons on resilience, leadership, and workplace culture
How burnout and hard seasons can shape your calling
Why valuing people is the foundation of great leadership
The story behind Desi’s mission to energize leaders and inspire teams
If you are a leader, speaker, entrepreneur, or professional who wants to build a more positive work culture and lead with greater impact, this episode is for you.
Connect with Desi Payne:
Motivational Speaker | Keynote Speaker | Workplace Culture Expert
https://www.desipayne.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/desipaynemotivationalspeaker
www.youtube.com/c/desipayne
Instagram: @Desi.Payne
Facebook: @DesiPayneMotivationalSpeaker
 

In this episode of The Energized Leader, Desi Payne sits down with Iowa real estate leader John Salvador to talk about leadership, workplace culture, motivation, team engagement, goal setting, and the power of leading by example. John shares how he built a high-performing real estate office in a small rural market, how incentives and team challenges drive sales success, and why trust, collaboration, communication, and community involvement matter so much in leadership.
They also discuss how leaders can stay energized during difficult seasons, how humor and laughter strengthen workplace culture, how to handle tough negotiations, and why the best leaders focus on serving others instead of themselves.
This episode is packed with practical leadership insights for business owners, entrepreneurs, sales leaders, managers, real estate professionals, and anyone who wants to create a more positive, motivated, and successful team.
If you want to learn how to inspire others, build a family-like culture, keep your spark alive, and lead with authenticity, this conversation is for you.
 
CONNECT WITH JON:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-salvador-8128469/
 
CONNECT WITH DESI:
https://www.desipayne.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/desipaynemotivationalspeaker
www.youtube.com/c/desipayne
Instagram: @Desi.Payne
Facebook: @DesiPayneMotivationalSpeaker

In this episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne sits down with productivity expert, author, and leadership strategist Jones Loflin to explore how leaders can stay focused, energized, and productive in a world full of distractions. Together, they unpack practical strategies for time management, intentional planning, prioritization, and cutting through the clutter that drains physical, mental, and emotional energy.
Jones shares powerful insights from his books, including Focused as a Bee, Juggling Elephants, and Always Growing, offering leaders actionable tools to improve focus, protect their energy, and align daily activities with meaningful outcomes. From calendar discipline and delegation to asking better questions and creating clarity for teams, this episode is packed with leadership development takeaways that can immediately improve workplace performance.
You will also hear a memorable discussion about humor in leadership, the value of sharing relatable stories, and how laughter helps create stronger relationships and a healthier workplace culture. Plus, Jones shares his unforgettable Krispy Kreme Challenge story and a personal recommendation for staying mentally sharp and emotionally strong.
If you are a leader who wants to improve productivity, manage distractions, strengthen workplace culture, and lead with more energy and intention, this episode is for you.
CONNECT WITH JONES:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonesloflin/
https://jonesloflin.com/
 
CONNECT WITH DESI:
https://www.desipayne.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/desipaynemotivationalspeaker
www.youtube.com/c/desipayne
Instagram: @Desi.Payne
Facebook: @DesiPayneMotivationalSpeaker
 
 
 
 

What does it really mean to be an energized leader and how do you create everyday excellence without burning out? In this episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne interviews Dustin James, America’s Corporate Energizer, for a high-energy conversation packed with practical leadership and team culture strategies.
Dustin breaks down his Four E’s of Everyday Excellence: Experience, Energy, Emotion, and Education. You will learn how to use your personal work history to build trust and connection, why your “energy is two seconds ahead of you,” how to manage emotions during leadership gut punches, and how a simple daily reflection habit can accelerate growth and performance.
You will also hear actionable tools leaders can use immediately, including a staff meeting exercise to strengthen team connection, a doorway mindset shift to reset your presence, and a journaling method Dustin uses to continuously improve. If you lead people, serve customers, sell, speak, or simply want to show up stronger each day, this episode will help you elevate your leadership impact and create a more energized workplace culture.
 
Connect with DUSTIN:
https://www.momentsperformancegroup.com/
TEMI App: https://www.temi.com/confirmation
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinejames/
 
CONNECT WITH DESI:
https://www.desipayne.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/desipaynemotivationalspeaker
www.youtube.com/c/desipayne
Instagram: @Desi.Payne
Facebook: @DesiPayneMotivationalSpeaker

What if the fastest way to become a stronger leader is not doing more, but stepping away?
In this episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, host Desi Payne sits down with Linda Daugherty, Chief Operating Officer of the Academy of Hair Design in Springfield, Missouri, to talk about burnout recovery, leadership sabbaticals, and how to recharge your energy after tough seasons like COVID. Linda shares her real story of hitting a brick wall after years of carrying responsibility in both education and business, then becoming the first person at her company to take a 30 day sabbatical in New Zealand.
You will hear practical leadership strategies for preventing burnout, how to unplug without abandoning your team, and why slowing down can improve decision making, health, and workplace culture. Linda also explains how her organization builds an energized culture through core values you can feel: FUN, Excellence, Love, and Transformation. Plus, she shares how community service, like providing haircuts and wellness services at the Springfield Dream Center and Harmony House, boosts morale and reinforces purpose for employees.
If you are a leader, educator, or business owner feeling exhausted, this conversation will help you reset, reconnect to your purpose, and build a healthier, more energized workplace.
 
Connect with Linda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-daugherty-mba-a9456810b/
 
CONNECT WITH DESI:
https://www.desipayne.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/desipaynemotivationalspeaker
www.youtube.com/c/desipayne
Instagram: @Desi.Payne
Facebook: @DesiPayneMotivationalSpeaker

Recognition is not fluff. It is fuel for performance, retention, and workplace culture.
In this episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne interviews Dr. Bob Nelson, a world-renowned expert on employee recognition and appreciation and the bestselling author behind 1,001 Ways to Reward Employees. With 30 plus books to his name, Dr. Nelson shares practical, real-world strategies leaders can use to energize employees, boost engagement, and build a culture where people feel valued, respected, and motivated.
You will hear why positive reinforcement works, what gets in the way for busy managers, and how to recognize employees without spending money. Dr. Nelson shares powerful stories from organizations like the IRS and Disney, plus simple leadership habits like asking “Are you okay?” and inviting employees to share ideas that improve results. If you want to improve morale, reduce burnout, and create a workplace where people want to do their best work, this conversation is for you.
Connect with Dr. Bob Nelson:
www.drbobnelson.com
https://www.nelson-motivation.com/
CONNECT WITH DESI:
https://www.desipayne.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/desipaynemotivationalspeaker
www.youtube.com/c/desipayne
Instagram: @Desi.Payne
Facebook: @DesiPayneMotivationalSpeaker
 
Desi Payne is an international keynote speaker who helps overwhelmed employees overcome and prevent burnout—so they can experience renewed energy and motivation to work, boosted morale, happier employees, and a positive workplace culture.
With experience as a business owner, a 25-year hospital career, a family legacy of owning 35 restaurants, and the lived perspective of a breast cancer survivor, Desi knows resilience firsthand and delivers practical tools audiences can use immediately. She has inspired thousands of leaders and partnered with hundreds of organizations.
Desi is a regular guest on the lifestyle show Hello Iowa! and the host of The Energized Leader podcast, where she shares practical strategies to manage stress, boost energy, and lead with positivity—at work and in life. She is the author of Manage Stress Without Losing Your Mind, Give Me Some Chocolate...I’m Stressed!, and Do You Work with the Living Dead? and is a John Maxwell Leadership Trainer.