The Energized Leader

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, collaboratio...

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, m...

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, E...

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...

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...

What does Olympic level resilience look like in real life leadership? In this episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, host Desi Payne sits down with Nikki Stone, Olympic gold medalist and motivational speaker, for a powerful conversation about mental toughness, resilience, and leading under pressure. Nikki shares the moment 10 doctors told her she would never return to aerial skiing and how she r...

In this episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne sits down with Tom Douglas of JMARK, a recognized voice in AI, business strategy, and workplace culture. Tom shares insights from his economic forecasting, the changing workforce, and the mind blowing technology that is shaping the next decade. He also reveals why leadership development is more important than ever, especially as middle ma...

What does it take to build an award-winning workplace culture that earns Best Places to Work 2025 for the third year in a row? In this episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne sits down with Richard Ollis, CEO of Ollis/Akers/Arney Insurance & Business Advisors, an employee-owned company in Springfield, Missouri, known for exceptional culture, transparency, and people-first leadershi...

In this powerful episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne sits down with David Cameron, City Manager of Springfield, Missouri, to talk about a topic leaders cannot afford to ignore: mental health. David shares the real story behind his high-performance leadership journey, including what he learned from growing up in a small Missouri town, leading city growth and development, and helping...

In this episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne sits down with Dave Hirst, a school nutrition leader who proves that the best leadership strategy is simple: empower your people. Dave shares why nearly his entire team followed him to a new district, how trust and valuing people creates loyalty, and what it looks like to decentralize leadership so teams grow with confidence and ownership...

What does energized leadership look like inside a high impact school district? In this episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne interviews Dr. Grenita Lathan, superintendent of the largest public school district in Missouri, and a Women Who Mean Business award recipient.  Dr. Lathan shares practical education leadership strategies for building an energized workplace culture, increasing...

In this episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne sits down with Donna Isgett, President and CEO of McLeod Health, to unpack what energized leadership looks like inside a high pressure healthcare environment. Donna shares the one word she believes defines an energized leader, enthusiastic, and explains how enthusiasm spreads when leaders connect people to purpose and consistently show up...

In this episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne welcomes Chris Robinson, Executive Vice President of Maxwell Leadership, for a powerful conversation on what it takes to lead with energy, clarity, and purpose. Chris shares insights from his USA Today bestselling book From Drift to Drive: A High Achiever’s Guide to Breaking the Chains of Complacency, including why complacency is not lazi...

In this episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne sits down with Logan Aguirre, owner of 417 (Four One Seven), a media and lifestyle brand based in Springfield, Missouri that celebrates community, connection, and experiences across the Ozarks. Logan shares what it’s like to lead a family business, buy it from your parents, and grow into leadership through trial by fire, including the les...

Welcome to The Energized Leader Podcast with Desi Payne, where leaders learn how to build a positive workplace culture and stay energized in the middle of overwhelm, deadlines, and difficult people. In Season One, Desi shares practical leadership strategies that boost morale, motivation, and momentum, plus interviews with leaders from some of America’s top workplaces. This episode kicks off the se...