The Real Reason Leaders Burn Out—and How to Stop It with Darci Ecker-Popiel episode artwork

EPISODE · Nov 3, 2025 · 48 MIN

The Real Reason Leaders Burn Out—and How to Stop It with Darci Ecker-Popiel

from Experience Leadership - The Small Business Podcast · host Marc Haine

Emotional Contagion: What You Feel, Your Team Feels with Darci Ecker-Popiel Why Do Smart Leaders Fall Apart Under Pressure? Ever felt like your brain short-circuits the moment the pressure’s on? You’re not alone—and you’re not broken. Most performance failures in business aren’t about bad strategy—they’re about overloaded nervous systems.  In this episodeof Experience Leadership, Marc is joined by Mental Performance Strategist Darci EPOPS (because her last name’s longer than a Monday morning), and together we dive into the invisible, expensive problem plaguing businesses: underperforming leaders who look fine on the outside but are fried on the inside. Need to brainstorm aspects of your business? Book your complimentary 30-minute brainstorm with Marc. Schedule a time that works for you at https://meetwith.marchaine.com About Darci Darci “EPOPS” ( because my last name is L O N G!) is a Mental Performance Coach and science educator who helps leaders and business operators strengthen their mindset, regulate their nervous system, and build sustainable performance under pressure. With a unique background in neuroscience, coaching, and education, Darci “EPOPS”  brings practical, grounded strategies that help clients move from overwhelmed to optimized. Connect with Darci epopsperformance.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/darci-ecker-popiel-93727686/ @epopsmentalperformance E-PopsPerformance MentalGame Darci (EPOPS PERFORMANCE) Ecker-Popiel   ----more----About Your Host, Marc Haine Need to brainstorm aspects of your business or talk to Marc about speaking at your upcoming conference or staff retreat? Book your complimentary 30-minute brainstorm with Marc. Schedule a time that works for you on Marc's online calendar. Get your copy of Lights! Camera! Action! Business Operational Excellence Through the Lens of Live Theatre on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2PFj8a2 or directly from the publisher Author, Speaker, Facilitator and Coach Marc Haine will help your teams ignite their passions. Working with him, you can support your leaders to recentre their focus and drive continuous improvement through connected and engaged employees. You will realize your competitive advantage with a connected purpose and consistent customer experience across your brand. Tap into Marc’s 35 years of operational excellence experience and imagine a world in which the majority of us put more love and care in being of service. Tap into Marc’s 35 years of operational excellence experience and imagine a world in which the majority of us put more love and care in being of service. Dare to be the exception™ Connect with Marc +1 (780) 729-4932  🗓️  https://meetwith.marchaine.com [email protected] http://MarcHaine.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/marcjlhaine FB: https://www.facebook.com/MasterofExperiences TW: https://twitter.com/MarcHaine2 LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marchaine/ YT: https://www.MarcHaineLive.com Looking for more quality content? Check out Marc's catalogue of video and audio podcasts here.  

Emotional Contagion: What You Feel, Your Team Feels with Darci Ecker-Popiel Why Do Smart Leaders Fall Apart Under Pressure? Ever felt like your brain short-circuits the moment the pressure’s on? You’re not alone—and you’re not broken. Most performance failures in business aren’t about bad strategy—they’re about overloaded nervous systems.  In this episodeof Experience Leadership, Marc is joined by Mental Performance Strategist Darci EPOPS (because her last name’s longer than a Monday morning), and together we dive into the invisible, expensive problem plaguing businesses: underperforming leaders who look fine on the outside but are fried on the inside. Need to brainstorm aspects of your business? Book your complimentary 30-minute brainstorm with Marc. Schedule a time that works for you at https://meetwith.marchaine.com About Darci Darci “EPOPS” ( because my last name is L O N G!) is a Mental Performance Coach and science educator who helps leaders and business operators strengthen their mindset, regulate their nervous system, and build sustainable performance under pressure. With a unique background in neuroscience, coaching, and education, Darci “EPOPS”  brings practical, grounded strategies that help clients move from overwhelmed to optimized. Connect with Darci epopsperformance.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/darci-ecker-popiel-93727686/@epopsmentalperformanceE-PopsPerformance MentalGameDarci (EPOPS PERFORMANCE) Ecker-Popiel   ----more----About Your Host, Marc Haine Need to brainstorm aspects of your business or talk to Marc about speaking at your upcoming conference or staff retreat? Book your complimentary 30-minute brainstorm with Marc. Schedule a time that works for you on Marc's online calendar. Get your copy of Lights! Camera! Action! Business Operational Excellence Through the Lens of Live Theatre on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2PFj8a2 or directly from the publisher Author, Speaker, Facilitator and Coach Marc Haine will help your teams ignite their passions. Working with him, you can support your leaders to recentre their focus and drive continuous improvement through connected and engaged employees. You will realize your competitive advantage with a connected purpose and consistent customer experience across your brand. Tap into Marc’s 35 years of operational excellence experience and imagine a world in which the majority of us put more love and care in being of service. Tap into Marc’s 35 years of operational excellence experience and imagine a world in which the majority of us put more love and care in being of service. Dare to be the exception™ Connect with Marc +1 (780) 729-4932  🗓️  https://meetwith.marchaine.com [email protected] http://MarcHaine.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/marcjlhaine FB: https://www.facebook.com/MasterofExperiences TW: https://twitter.com/MarcHaine2 LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marchaine/ YT: https://www.MarcHaineLive.com Looking for more quality content? Check out Marc's catalogue of video and audio podcasts here.

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The Real Reason Leaders Burn Out—and How to Stop It with Darci Ecker-Popiel

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Emotional Contagion: What You Feel, Your Team Feels with Darci Ecker-Popiel Why Do Smart Leaders Fall Apart Under Pressure? Ever felt like your brain short-circuits the moment the pressure’s on? You’re not alone—and you’re not broken. Most...

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