Catalyst Conversations
Catalyst Conversations is a podcast for leaders, creators, and visionaries who know they’re here for more—but refuse to burn themselves out getting there.
Hosted by Desi Bolin, founder of The Catalyst Collective™, this show explores what it really takes to build a business, career, and life that works with you, not against you.
Each episode features honest, grounded conversations with entrepreneurs, speakers, change-makers, and behind-the-scenes leaders who are redefining success through clarity, structure, and soul-aligned growth.
This is not hustle culture.
This is not performative leadership.
This is not surface-level motivation.
Inside Catalyst Conversations, you’ll hear real stories, practical insights, and perspective-shifting dialogues around:
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Soul-aligned leadership and decision-making
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Building sustainable businesses without burnout
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Clarity, structure, and systems that actually support your life
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Identity shifts required for the next level of growth
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Navigating visibility, expansion, and impact with integrity
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Leading from alignment—not pressure, chaos, or obligation
Whether you’re scaling a business, stepping into greater visibility, or recalibrating how you lead, Catalyst Conversations invites you into deeper conversations that spark transformation—not just inspiration.
Because growth shouldn’t cost you your nervous system.
And success should feel as good as it looks.
Episodes

May 13, 2026
May 13, 2026
47 min
There are so many people moving through life feeling like they’re out of rhythm.
They’re overwhelmed.Overstimulated.Constantly trying to force themselves into systems, expectations, and environments that were never truly designed for the way they’re wired.
And for many neurodivergent individuals, that experience can create stress, anxiety, self-doubt, and the belief that something is wrong with them.
In this episode of Catalyst Conversations, Desi Bolin sits down with Dori Staehle — coach, consultant, and drum therapist — to explore the transformative power of rhythm, mindset, and embracing neurodiversity as a strength rather than a limitation.
Together, they unpack how rhythm and music can help regulate the nervous system, reconnect people to themselves, and create new pathways for confidence, growth, and emotional resilience. Dori shares how both children and adults can learn to work with the way they’re uniquely wired instead of fighting against it.
This conversation goes far beyond drumming.
It’s about identity.Leadership.Stress regulation.Creativity.And learning how to rise into the next stage of life without abandoning who you truly are.
Inside this episode, you’ll learn:
Why so many people feel disconnected from their natural rhythm
How stress impacts the nervous system and emotional regulation
The powerful connection between rhythm, drumming, and mental wellness
The hidden strengths often found in neurodivergent individuals
How creativity, passion, and pattern recognition become leadership assets
Why structure should support people instead of suppressing them
The mindset shifts that help people “Rise Up & Rock”
Simple ways to reconnect with yourself when feeling overwhelmed or stuck
If you’ve ever felt like you had to push harder, mask who you are, or fit yourself into systems that leave you exhausted, this episode is a powerful reminder that your rhythm isn’t wrong.
You’re not broken.You’re not behind.And it’s never too late to rock what you’ve got.
Connect with Dori Staehle:
Website: https://www.nextstagedrumming.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nextstagedrumming
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/NextStageDrumming
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextstagedori
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/doristaehlemba
Connect with Desi Bolin:
Website: https://talkwithdesi.com

Apr 29, 2026
Apr 29, 2026
37 min
There are a lot of talented, visible leaders doing meaningful work… yet still feeling stuck.
Momentum is inconsistent.Attention isn’t converting.Growth feels heavier than it should.
In this episode of Catalyst Conversations, Desi Bolin sits down with Christelle Biiga, Podcast Matchmaker and Founder of her agency, to explore the real reason behind stalled growth—and it’s not a lack of visibility. It’s a lack of intentional placement.
Together, they unpack the critical difference between being heard everywhere and being trusted in the right rooms. Christelle shares how podcast guesting, when approached with clarity and strategy, becomes more than a visibility tool—it becomes a powerful pathway to authority, alignment, and sustainable growth.
This conversation goes beyond tactics. It’s about leadership, discernment, and building a business that expands through trust—not noise.
Inside this episode, you’ll learn:
The difference between visibility and strategic placement—and why it mattersWhy not all podcast opportunities are created equalHow to leverage podcast guesting to build trust before making an offerThe three phases of monetizing podcast appearances (before, during, and after)Why alignment—not volume—is the key to authority and sustainable growthHow to turn conversations into collaborations, referrals, and revenueThe role of clarity in accelerating trust and decision-making
If you’ve ever felt like you’re showing up consistently but not seeing the traction you expected, this episode will help you refine your approach, eliminate wasted energy, and step into more intentional visibility.
Because growth doesn’t come from being everywhere.It comes from being in the right rooms—with the right message—at the right time.
Connect with Christelle Biiga:Email: exposuremaven@gmail.com
Connect with Desi Bolin:https://talkwithdesi.com

Apr 14, 2026
Apr 14, 2026
32 min
There are a lot of talented, visible leaders doing meaningful work… yet still feeling stuck.
Momentum is inconsistent.Attention isn’t converting.Growth feels heavier than it should.
In this episode of Catalyst Conversations, Desi Bolin sits down with Kenny Perry, Founder of Organic Mindset Agency, to explore the real reason behind stalled growth—and it’s not a lack of effort. It’s a lack of clarity.
Together, they unpack the critical gap between being seen and being chosen, and why visibility alone is no longer enough in today’s relationship-driven business landscape. Kenny shares how unclear messaging quietly erodes trust, slows referrals, and creates friction that leads to burnout—for both the business owner and their audience.
This conversation goes beyond tactics. It’s about leadership, alignment, and creating a business that feels as good as it performs.
Inside this episode, you’ll learn:
The difference between visibility and being truly understood
Why unclear messaging is costing you more than you realize
How clarity builds trust and accelerates decision-making
Why relationships open doors—but clarity closes the loop
How to create sustainable growth without pressure or burnout
If you’ve ever felt like your work is powerful but not fully landing, this episode will help you refine your message, reduce friction, and lead with clarity.
Because growth doesn’t come from doing more.It comes from being understood—quickly, cleanly, and honestly.
Connect with Kenny Perry:Website: https://organic-mindset.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/organicmindsetagency
Connect with Desi Bolin:https://talkwithdesi.com

Apr 1, 2026
Apr 1, 2026
36 min
Most leaders can clearly articulate their “WHY”—but far fewer know how to translate that purpose into a culture their team actually lives and breathes.
In this episode of Catalyst Conversations, we sit down with Coach Greg Hess to explore what it really takes to build aligned, high-performing teams that create meaningful impact. From communication and trust to execution and accountability, this conversation bridges the gap between intention and implementation.
We dive into what separates teams that simply function from those that truly thrive, how leaders can move from ego-driven leadership to “assist energy,” and why culture is not what you say—but what you consistently model, reward, and reinforce.
If you’ve ever felt the disconnect between your vision and your team’s day-to-day reality, this episode will give you the clarity, structure, and perspective to close that gap.
Because when your WHY becomes culture—your business becomes a force for real impact.
Connect + Continue the Conversation:
If this conversation resonated and you’re ready to build a business that is aligned, structured, and built for sustainable growth:
Book a strategy call with Desi:https://talkwithdesi.com
Connect with Coach Greg Hess:https://coachhess.com

Mar 17, 2026
Mar 17, 2026
24 min
Are you leading from true inner power… or from patterns that keep you performing, proving, and pushing through?
In this powerful Catalyst Conversations guest episode, Desi sits down with Maryann Hesse to explore what it really means to embody unshakable presence, inner peace, and self-led authority as a woman in leadership.
Because here’s the truth — many women don’t struggle from lack of intelligence, ambition, or capability. They struggle because they’ve been conditioned to lead from survival instead of safety, from overthinking instead of embodiment, and from performance instead of peace.
This conversation blends grounded leadership wisdom with deep personal transformation, inviting you to rethink power, presence, and the energetic foundation of sustainable leadership.
Inside this episode, you’ll discover:✨ Why inner peace is a leadership practice — not a reward you earn later✨ What unshakable presence actually looks like in real life and leadership✨ How embodiment creates stability, clarity, and greater self-trust✨ The connection between nervous system regulation, visibility, and being truly heard✨ How unprocessed emotion can quietly shape leadership presence✨ Why so many women struggle to receive, be seen, and fully own their authority✨ How embodied leadership can transform conflict, communication, and compensation
If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying too much… dimming yourself to stay safe… or trying to lead from a place that no longer feels sustainable — this episode will meet you there.
Because real leadership isn’t about becoming more impressive.It’s about becoming more inhabited.
🌿 Connect with Maryann Hesse
Website: https://www.maryannhesse.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryannhesse/Connection Call: https://calendly.com/maryannhesse/connection-call?back=1
🔥 Ready for leadership that aligns clarity, structure, and soul?
Connect with Desi:👉 https://talkwithdesi.com

Mar 3, 2026
Mar 3, 2026
42 min
Are you scaling your business… or just stacking more chaos on top of shaky foundations?
In this powerful Catalyst Conversations guest episode, Desi sits down with Butch Santucci, founder of Better Biz Performance, to talk about the one thing most entrepreneurs avoid until burnout hits: operational structure.
Because here’s the truth — businesses rarely fail from lack of talent or ambition. They struggle when growth outpaces the systems designed to support it.
This conversation blends practical business insight with grounded leadership wisdom, helping you understand how to build structure without sacrificing creativity, values, or soul.
Inside this episode, you’ll discover: ✨ Why strong systems actually create freedom — not restriction ✨ The hidden cost of “I’ll deal with it later” operations ✨ The Better Business Blueprint: Discover, Design, Develop, Dominate ✨ How to identify what’s breaking in your business operations right now ✨ Simple first steps to reduce overwhelm and restore clarity ✨ The leadership mindset required to scale sustainably
If your business feels heavier than it should… if you’re constantly firefighting… or if marketing and sales growth feel chaotic instead of supportive — this episode will help you rethink how you scale.
Because real growth isn’t just about getting more clients.It’s about building a business that can actually hold them.
🌿 Connect with Butch Santucci
Website: https://betterbizperformance.com
🔥 Ready for leadership that aligns clarity, structure, and soul?
Connect with Desi:👉 https://talkwithdesi.com

Feb 23, 2026
Feb 23, 2026
11 min
Growth is often celebrated as “bigger, faster, more.”But what if real growth isn’t about pushing harder — it’s about expanding in ways that actually support you?
In this reflective, truth-filled episode, Desi explores the difference between costly growth and sustainable growth — especially for heart-led entrepreneurs, visionaries, and leaders who want success without sacrificing themselves in the process.
This isn’t a conversation about hustle or scaling tactics. It’s about alignment, capacity, and building a version of success your nervous system, creativity, and life can genuinely hold.
Inside this episode, Desi shares: ✨ Why growth isn’t linear — and why cyclical growth is more human ✨ The hidden costs of scaling from pressure, fear, or comparison ✨ How ambition and alignment can conflict (and how to reconcile them) ✨ Signs your growth is supportive vs. draining ✨ Three grounding questions to help you scale sustainably
If you’ve ever felt the tension between wanting expansion and needing breathing room… if you’re craving success that feels spacious rather than overwhelming… this episode offers clarity, permission, and a gentler way forward.
And if you’d like space to explore aligned, sustainable growth for yourself, you’re welcome to connect with Desi here: 👉 talkwithdesi.com

Feb 23, 2026
Feb 23, 2026
11 min
What happens when your business looks successful on paper… but doesn’t feel successful in your body?
In this gentle, restorative episode, Desi explores the deeper truth behind burnout — especially for heart-led entrepreneurs, intuitive leaders, and high-capacity visionaries who quietly carry more than most people realize.
This isn’t about hustle, productivity hacks, or chasing bigger milestones. It’s about alignment — the kind that allows your success to feel spacious, sustainable, and genuinely fulfilling instead of heavy, performative, or exhausting.
Inside this conversation, Desi shares: ✨ The difference between external success and soul-aligned success ✨ Why burnout often stems from misalignment, not weakness ✨ How your body signals when something needs to shift ✨ The Dragon, Unicorn, and Mermaid archetypes — and how each experiences alignment and burnout differently ✨ Gentle ways to reconnect with yourself without forcing change
If you’ve been feeling tired despite achieving, disconnected despite growth, or quietly questioning whether your current version of success actually fits you anymore — this episode offers validation, clarity, and a softer path forward.
And if you’d like space to explore what soul-aligned success could look like for you, you’re welcome to connect with Desi here: 👉 talkwithdesi.com

Feb 23, 2026
Feb 23, 2026
12 min
In this honest, heart-centered conversation, Desi explores the hidden weight so many entrepreneurs quietly carry — being everything to everyone in their business.
“Wearing all the hats” often gets framed as hustle, ambition, or capability. But beneath that reality is something much more human: survival patterns, identity beliefs, and a deep desire to keep everything from falling apart.
This episode isn’t about productivity hacks or building complicated systems. It’s about understanding why capable leaders overextend themselves… and how gentle, supportive structure can create space for creativity, clarity, and sustainable leadership.
Inside this episode, we explore: ✨ The emotional and cognitive cost of doing everything alone ✨ Why high-capacity leaders struggle to receive support ✨ How survival habits show up as business overwhelm ✨ What “structure that supports” actually looks like (without rigidity) ✨ The identity shift from constant firefighting to intentional leadership
If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, creatively drained, or quietly resentful of the pressure you’re carrying — this conversation will feel like an exhale.
And if you’re ready to explore what supportive structure could look like for you, you can connect with Desi at: 👉 talkwithdesi.com

Feb 16, 2026
Feb 16, 2026
13 min
What if the turning point in your life wasn’t a dramatic breakdown — but a quiet moment of truth you could no longer ignore?
In this deeply reflective first episode of Catalyst Conversations, Desi invites you into a slower, more honest exploration of identity, alignment, and the inner fire many leaders spend years trying to tone down. This isn’t about hustle, performance, or perfectly packaged leadership. It’s about remembering who you are underneath the roles, expectations, and achievements.
You’ll hear about the “Catalyst Identity” — the kind of leadership that doesn’t come from ambition alone, but from truth, lived experience, and a natural ability to create transformation simply through presence. Desi explores how catalysts are often shaped through both subtle awakenings and life-defining moments, and why ignoring that inner knowing can lead to burnout, heaviness, and quiet disconnection.
This episode also introduces three energetic leadership archetypes — the Dragon, Unicorn, and Mermaid — offering a compassionate lens for understanding how you naturally lead, connect, and inspire change.
If you’ve ever felt:
• Like you’re meant for more but can’t quite name it• Responsible for holding everything together• Powerful and tender at the same time• Ready to stop performing and start aligning
…this conversation was created for you.
Expect a gentle, grounding listen designed to help you reconnect with clarity, sovereignty, and the truth you may already feel stirring beneath the surface.
And if something resonates, you’re invited — with zero pressure — to continue the conversation.
Take a breath.Come home to yourself.And welcome to Catalyst Conversations.







