E22 Lead With Spark: How Energized Leaders Build Strong Teams with Lynsey Mulder

E28 How Leaders Can Say Yes and Build an Energized Workplace Culture Christine Trippi

In this energizing episode, Desi Payne welcomes Christine Trippi, known as The Wise Pineapple, hospitality expert, speaker, author of Yes Is the Answer, and creator of powerful customer service strategies that help leaders and teams create unforgettable experiences. Christine shares how she began her hotel career at just 17 years old and grew into leadership by learning the power of hospitality, positive energy, and the simple but transformational practice of beginning with “yes.” Through moving stories from the hotel industry, including a powerful birthday surprise for two young boys, Christine reminds us that every interaction is an opportunity to change someone’s world. This conversation explores how leaders can build a positive workplace culture, train teams to think creatively, improve customer service, reduce negativity, and help employees feel good at their jobs. Christine also explains how the reticular activating system impacts our mindset, why gratitude helps teams look for the good, and how leaders can replace automatic “no” responses with solution-focused language. Whether you work in hospitality, leadership, customer service, education, healthcare, sales, or any people-centered profession, this episode will inspire you to lead with heart, create more yes moments, and build a culture where employees and customers feel valued. Connect with Christine: https://www.thewisepineapple.com/ [https://www.thewisepineapple.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8D%8Dchristine-trippi-56105311/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8D%8Dchristine-trippi-56105311/] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF0kM0pVVew [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF0kM0pVVew] Connect with Desi: https://www.desipayne.com/ [https://www.desipayne.com/] www.linkedin.com/in/desipaynemotivationalspeaker [http://www.linkedin.com/in/desipaynemotivationalspeaker] www.youtube.com/c/desipayne [http://www.youtube.com/c/desipayne] Desi is a leading authority on positive workplace culture, stress management, and team engagement. An award-winning international keynote speaker, she equips professionals with actionable strategies to “Make Your Current Job Your Dream Job,” even when stress and pressure are high. Drawing on a 35-year hospital career, entrepreneurship, and her personal triumph as a cancer survivor, she equips teams to overcome burnout, negativity, and overwhelm in high-pressure environments. Desi has delivered keynotes and workshops in 27 states and internationally for hundreds of organizations, known for blending actionable tools with humor and memorable storytelling. She is a certified John Maxwell Leadership Trainer, a regular TV personality on Hello Iowa!, host of The Energized Leader podcast, and author of three books on stress and workplace culture.

E27 Understanding Introverts, Extroverts, Ambiverts, and Leadership Energy Antoinnette Griffin

In this energizing episode, Desi Payne sits down with leadership expert Antoinette Griffin to explore how understanding your natural communication and energy style can make you a more effective leader. Together, they discuss the differences between introverts, extroverts, ambiverts, omniverts, and attroverts, and why self-awareness is essential for building stronger relationships, increasing influence, and creating a positive workplace culture. Antoinette shares practical insight on how leaders can recognize their strengths, identify blind spots, and adapt their communication style to connect better with their teams. From the quiet power of introverted leaders to the outgoing energy of extroverted leaders, this conversation helps listeners understand how different personality styles impact leadership, team dynamics, communication, and workplace engagement. You will also hear powerful lessons on body language, emotional awareness, social intelligence, and why energized leaders must learn to be the thermostat, not just read the temperature in the room. If you are a leader, speaker, business owner, educator, or team member who wants to improve communication, build trust, boost employee engagement, and create a more energized workplace culture, this episode is for you. Connect with Antoinnette: https://www.griffdevelopment.com/about/about-antoinette/ [https://www.griffdevelopment.com/about/about-antoinette/] Connect with Desi: https://www.desipayne.com/ [https://www.desipayne.com/] Desi is a leading authority on positive workplace culture, stress management, and team engagement. An award-winning international keynote speaker, she equips professionals with actionable strategies to “Make Your Current Job Your Dream Job,” even when stress and pressure are high. Drawing on a 35-year hospital career, entrepreneurship, and her personal triumph as a cancer survivor, she equips teams to overcome burnout, negativity, and overwhelm in high-pressure environments. Desi has delivered keynotes and workshops in 27 states and internationally for hundreds of organizations, known for blending actionable tools with humor and memorable storytelling. She is a certified John Maxwell Leadership Trainer, a regular TV personality on Hello Iowa!, host of The Energized Leader podcast, and author of three books on stress and workplace culture.

E26 How DISC Personality Training Can Transform Leadership and Workplace Culture Dave Kauffman

In this inspiring episode, Desi Payne sits down with Dave Kauffman, international relationship speaker, Master DISC trainer, entrepreneur, business coach, business owner, and pilot, to talk about how leaders can create stronger relationships, healthier workplace cultures, and more energized teams. Dave shares his journey from Amish Mennonite farm boy to successful business owner and leadership coach, revealing how ambition, strategy, self-awareness, and communication all played a role in his growth. He explains why DISC personality training is one of the most powerful tools for leaders, teams, sales professionals, families, and anyone who wants to communicate more effectively. Listeners will learn how understanding the DISC personality styles can improve workplace relationships, reduce conflict, increase empathy, and help leaders adapt their communication style to the people they serve. Dave also shares why energized leaders need mission, vision, and purpose, how authenticity builds trust during difficult seasons, and why leadership is not positional, it is relational. This episode is perfect for leaders, business owners, entrepreneurs, managers, coaches, and team members who want to improve communication, build trust, create a positive workplace culture, and become more intentional in how they lead and relate to others. Connect with Dave:  https://davekauffmanspeaks.com/ [https://davekauffmanspeaks.com/] Register for Events: https://davekauffmanspeaks.com/product-category/event-tickets/ [https://davekauffmanspeaks.com/product-category/event-tickets/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/davekauffmanspeaks/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davekauffmanspeaks/] Connect with Desi: https://www.desipayne.com/ www.linkedin.com/in/desipaynemotivationalspeaker www.youtube.com/c/desipayne

E25 How Psychological Safety Creates an Energized Workplace Culture Tania DeSa

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 unforgettable story behind her TED Talk, How to Save Your Life in 60 Seconds, where she learned the power of discovering, owning, and sharing what makes you unique. This episode is packed with practical leadership strategies for building trust, improving employee engagement, creating a positive workplace culture, and helping teams feel energized even during tough seasons. Leaders will walk away with simple but powerful ways to create connection, encourage courage, use laughter, and build a culture where people are excited to contribute. Connect with Tania: https://taniadesa.com/ [https://taniadesa.com/] https://www.youtube.com/user/taniadesa [https://www.youtube.com/user/taniadesa] https://www.linkedin.com/in/taniadesa/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/taniadesa/] You can also find Tania on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram Connect with Desi: https://www.desipayne.com/ www.linkedin.com/in/desipaynemotivationalspeaker www.youtube.com/c/desipayne Instagram: @Desi.Payne Facebook: @DesiPayneMotivationalSpeaker

E24 Leadership, Influence, and the Power of Knowing Your Why with Dr. Jeff Hendred

In this energizing episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne sits down with Dr. Jeff Hendred, longtime educator, former principal, community leader, assistant pastor, business owner, and Dean of the Legacy Tumwater Leadership Academy, for a powerful conversation on what it truly means to be an energized leader. Dr. Hendred shares practical leadership lessons on influence, passion, positive workplace culture, knowing your organization’s why, building psychological safety, using feedback instead of failure, and creating momentum during tough seasons. From his years in education to his work in the community and his business, Polar Xpress, Dr. Hendred reminds leaders that people matter most. This episode is filled with wisdom, laughter, faith, and encouragement for anyone who wants to lead with purpose, build stronger relationships, reduce stress, and create a culture where people feel valued, supported, and inspired. Connect with Dr. Hendred: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-hendred-4543587b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-hendred-4543587b/] Connect with Desi:  https://www.desipayne.com/ www.linkedin.com/in/desipaynemotivationalspeaker www.youtube.com/c/desipayne Instagram: @Desi.Payne Facebook: @DesiPayneMotivationalSpeaker