Contagious Culture

This one is a necessary reality check. Kyle and Dan share a hot take that might save you years of frustration: don’t start a nonprofit, at least not until you understand what you’re signing up for. We unpack the conversations we keep having with executive directors and founders who feel underwater because they didn’t know what they didn’t know. We talk infrastructure, leadership readiness, fundrai...

DEI doesn’t fail because people don’t care, it fails when it becomes performative, vague, or disconnected from real systems and outcomes. In this episode, Kyle and Dan sit down with Cierra Belher Johnson to go beyond the buzzwords and talk about what DEI looks like when it’s actually working. We explore practical approaches to equity-centered leadership, how to avoid “checkbox” culture, and what i...

In this Power Session, Kyle and Dan unpack why systems are the difference between a nonprofit that scales and one that stays stuck. If your team is overwhelmed, donors are ghosting, or programs feel chaotic, it’s not always a “people problem”, it’s often a systems problem. We break down the core systems every nonprofit should have, how systems shape supporter experience, and why consistency is wha...

Episode 156 is a Power Session built for nonprofit leaders heading into a volatile 2026. Kyle S. King and Dan sit down to unpack BDO’s 2026 nonprofit outlook and translate the predictions into real-world strategy you can actually use, especially if you’re feeling pressure around revenue uncertainty, tighter donor budgets, rising scrutiny, and the growing gap between organizations with strong infra...

In a world where marketing is often built on pressure, fear, and “gotcha” tactics, this episode is a reset. I’m joined by Chelsea Burns, The Marketing Psychologist™ and Brand Ethicist, for a conversation about ethical marketing that actually works. Not the fluffy kind. The kind that builds real trust, creates long-term customers, and protects your reputation while still driving growth. We break do...

In fundraising, most leaders are strong at building relationships… but far fewer know how to turn trust into a clear commitment without feeling pushy. In Episode #154 (Power Session), Dr. Daniel Freeman and I break down how to go from connection to closing, by building the kind of trust that makes donors feel confident saying yes. We talk about what donors are really listening for, why “checking i...

In special education, it’s possible to have every box checked and still have students who aren’t getting what they need. That’s the gap Diana Williams is here to close. In Episode #153, I’m joined by Diana, SPED leader, consultant, and Founder of The SPEDucated Leader, for a real conversation about moving schools from compliance to conviction. We unpack why so many systems become paperwork-driven...

In Episode #152 (Power Session), Dr. Daniel Freeman and I kick off the first step of our nonprofit transformation framework: Prepare. Because most organizations don’t struggle from a lack of passion, they struggle from a lack of readiness. And when you skip preparation, everything downstream gets messy: the strategy, the messaging, the fundraising, the partnerships, and even the internal culture....

Known > Best is a hard truth for leaders who pride themselves on excellence: you can be the best in the room and still lose, because the market doesn’t reward what’s best, it rewards what’s trusted, clear, and visible. In this episode, I sit down with Kalyanna Williams (“Yanna”) to unpack why so many great businesses stay invisible, even when the product is strong, the mission is real, and the...

In this power session, Kyle King and Dr. Daniel Freeman dive into the real state of nonprofit leadership, where it’s falling short, why growth is stalling, and what leaders must do differently to scale impact. They unpack the philosophy behind the Growth Alliance and challenge leaders to rethink capacity, accountability, and what effective leadership actually requires today. -- Learn More About th...

In this power session, Kyle King and Dr. Daniel Freeman—co-founders of the Contagious Culture Conference, pull back the curtain on why this conference exists, what problem it’s solving, and what attendees can expect from the experience. This episode is all about vision, urgency, and building something that actually moves leaders from inspiration to execution. Learn More About the Contagious Cultur...

What if we stopped treating community as a “nice-to-have”… and started building it like the foundation it really is? In this episode, Kyle sits down with Sarah Sooklal, Director of Community Engagement at Cannon School, to talk about the real work behind thriving school communities, where parents, alumni, grandparents, board members, and friends don’t just show up… they feel seen, heard, and value...

Most nonprofit leaders are exhausted from bouncing between events, grants, and last-minute appeals just to keep the lights on. If fundraising feels unpredictable, reactive, and overly dependent on hustle, this webinar is for you. In this session, Kyle King and Dan Freeman will show why a great mission alone does not create sustainable funding and what actually does. You’ll learn the three core sys...

Burnout doesn’t start with workload, it starts with leadership blind spots. Under the Headset takes leaders behind the scenes of everyday decision-making, conversations, and pressures that shape how people actually experience work. This session explores how people-driven leadership, grounded in clarity, empathy, and consistency, can dramatically reduce burnout while building a culture where indivi...

Culture doesn’t start in meetings, mission statements, or strategy decks. It starts in you. In this episode, we unpack a hard truth most leaders avoid: if you don’t intentionally train your energy, it will default to negative and your culture will follow. Every room you walk into feels something. Every decision you make carries emotional weight. Every reaction teaches people what’s acceptable. We...

Burnout is often the symptom, not the root cause. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Michelle Singh for a powerful reframe that challenges how leaders talk about burnout and disengagement. Instead of blaming individuals for being “overwhelmed” or “unmotivated,” we unpack the systems, structures, and leadership behaviors that quietly create disengagement long before people check out. Dr. Singh shar...

Burnout isn’t a personal failure, it’s often a systems failure. In this episode, I’m joined by Kate Viana for an honest, much-needed conversation about toxic nonprofit dynamics and why so many well-intentioned organizations are unintentionally harming the very people doing the work. We dig into how broken systems, unclear expectations, under-resourced teams, and unhealthy leadership norms quietly...

Belonging isn’t a slogan. It’s not a DEI checkbox. And it’s definitely not optional. In this episode, I’m joined by Amy E. Hull for a powerful conversation that reframes belonging as core leadership infrastructure, the foundation that determines whether teams merely function or truly flourish. We unpack why leaders who ignore belonging eventually pay the price through burnout, disengagement, turno...

What does it really mean to be audacious, not loud, not reckless, but boldly rooted in purpose? In this episode, I sit down with Dethra Giles for a powerful conversation about reclaiming your voice, standing firmly in your value, and making courageous moves even when fear, doubt, or systems try to keep you small. Dethra breaks down why audacity isn’t arrogance, it’s alignment and how leaders, espe...

In Episode #140, Kyle sits down with Dr. Darlene Williams for a powerful, honest conversation about something leaders are often unprepared for—but inevitably face: grief in the workplace. From personal loss to collective trauma, this episode explores why grief doesn’t stop at the office door and how leaders can respond with clarity, compassion, and strength. Together, they unpack what a healthy gr...

Too many leaders are exhausted not because they lack passion, but because they’re leading without a system. In this episode, I break down why “running on vibes” eventually leads to burnout, missed priorities, and constant reaction mode. Mission-driven leaders don’t fail because they don’t care; they struggle because they never built a weekly operating system that protects their time, energy, and f...

In this episode of The Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle is joined by Stacy Baum to explore what makes partnerships truly purpose-driven and why alignment, trust, and shared values matter more than logos or funding alone. Together, they unpack: The difference between sponsorships and real partnerships How misaligned partnerships drain culture and mission What leaders should clarify before saying “y...

Culture is built by the stories we tell, and just as powerfully, by the ones we ignore. In this episode of The Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle sits down with Ali Jackson-Jolley, a leader, strategist, and storyteller who explores how narrative shapes culture, identity, and belonging inside organizations, schools, and communities. This conversation unpacks: Why storytelling is never neutral, it alw...

Most leaders don’t struggle with ideas. They struggle with closing the gap between value and action. In this episode of The Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle sits down with Deborah Newton , a sales strategist and trusted advisor to mission-driven leaders, to unpack what really moves people from interest to yes, without pressure, manipulation, or sleazy tactics. This conversation dives into: Why mos...

Too many organizations say, “Grants don’t work for us.” But what if the real issue isn’t the funding, it’s the foundation? In this episode of The Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle connects with Jessica Wright , a grants expert and strategist who pulls back the curtain on why so many nonprofits and schools struggle to secure grant funding and how to change that. This conversation unpacks: The bigges...