The Energized Leader

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

E23 Leadership Lessons from a Skydiving Accident Survivor Jason Dennen

In this powerful and inspiring episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne sits down with Jason Dennen, a speaker, leader, and survivor whose story will leave you believing that the impossible can be overcome. Jason shares the incredible story of a skydiving accident that changed his life in an instant when a sudden wind gust slammed him into a fence and the side of an airplane hangar at 30 miles per hour. With catastrophic injuries, including a life-threatening heart injury, 20 broken bones, collapsed lungs, and multiple damaged organs, doctors were shocked that he survived. But Jason’s story is not just about survival. It is about resilience, leadership, perspective, purpose, and choosing to rebuild your life into a better version of yourself. In this conversation, Jason shares how his accident changed the way he leads, how he learned to express appreciation, why leaders must care about people beyond their work, and how laughter, connection, and encouragement help create a positive workplace culture. He also shares the unforgettable story of completing a triathlon just one day before the one-year anniversary of his accident, after being told he would probably never run again. This episode is perfect for anyone looking for inspiration, resilience strategies, leadership lessons, workplace culture insights, and motivation to keep going through life’s toughest challenges. Jason’s message is a reminder that what you are going through today may be preparing you for what you are called to do tomorrow. Contact with Jason: www.JasonDennen.com [http://www.JasonDennen.com] www.linkedin.com/in/jasondennen [http://www.linkedin.com/in/jasondennen] https://www.youtube.com/@JasonDennenspeaks [https://www.youtube.com/@JasonDennenspeaks] Email: JasonDennen@JasonDennen.com [JasonDennen@JasonDennen.com] Contact Information for Desi : CONNECT WITH DESI: https://www.desipayne.com/ www.linkedin.com/in/desipaynemotivationalspeaker www.youtube.com/c/desipayne Instagram: @Desi.Payne Facebook: @DesiPayneMotivationalSpeaker

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

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, Desi Payne sits 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 grounded in their values, communicate through difficult seasons, and create workplaces where people feel seen, valued, and energized. Together, Desi and Lynsey explore leadership development, time management, coaching, resilience, workplace culture, personal growth, and what to do when leaders feel burned out, disconnected, or stuck. If you are a business leader, manager, entrepreneur, HR professional, or professional woman looking to lead with more clarity, confidence, and energy, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and encouragement. You will walk away with strategies to protect your energy, support your team, find fulfillment, and become the kind of leader people want to follow. Connect with Lynsey: https://lynseymulder.com/ [https://lynseymulder.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynsey-mulder/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynsey-mulder/] Connect with Desi: https://www.desipayne.com/ www.linkedin.com/in/desipaynemotivationalspeaker www.youtube.com/c/desipayne Instagram: @Desi.Payne

E21 Dr. Marie Cosgrove The Woman Who Bought the Company That Fired Her

In this powerful episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne interviews entrepreneur, speaker, and resilience expert Dr. Marie Cosgrove for an unforgettable conversation about faith, leadership, perseverance, and overcoming impossible odds. Dr. Cosgrove 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 once fired her. Together, Desi and Dr. Cosgrove explore what it means to be an energized leader, how faith and resilience shape strong leadership, and why investing in people is one of the greatest ways to build a positive workplace culture. Marie also shares how she motivated her team, created a culture of trust and connection, and helped employees feel valued, energized, and inspired in the workplace. If you are looking for inspiration on resilient leadership, women in business, workplace culture, faith in leadership, overcoming adversity, and how to stay energized as a leader, this episode will leave you encouraged, empowered, and ready to lead with greater purpose. Connect with Dr. Marie Cosgrove: https://mariecosgrove.com/ [https://mariecosgrove.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariecosgrove/ Connect with Desi:  https://www.desipayne.com/ www.linkedin.com/in/desipaynemotivationalspeaker www.youtube.com/c/desipayne Instagram: @Desi.Payne