Contagious Culture

What happens when strategy and heart finally stop competing and start working together? In this episode of The Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle sits down with Olavee Williams , a leader and advocate reshaping how schools think about Special Education, equity, and culture. Together, they explore what it really takes to build environments where every student is seen, supported, and set up to thrive....

This Contagious Culture Podcast session explores how leaders can blend empathy with authority to cultivate organizational cultures grounded in trust, stability, and accountability. Amy Hull and Deborah Newton share how balanced leadership transforms team dynamics, drives better outcomes, and helps organizations recover from cultural fractures. They provide practical strategies that leaders at any...

This Contagious Culture Podcast session dives into how artificial intelligence can simplify, strengthen, and scale modern fundraising. Cynthia Respert explores practical tools that help fundraisers prioritize leads, predict donor behavior, automate outreach, and make smarter, data-informed decisions. She also examines both the opportunities and the boundaries of AI in philanthropy, providing liste...

This Contagious Culture Podcast session explores how artificial intelligence can be harnessed to tackle real social challenges and accelerate mission-driven work. Scott Rosenkrans and Dr. Daniel Freeman discuss practical applications, ethical considerations, and the strategic alignment needed to implement AI responsibly in the social impact sector. They share actionable frameworks that help organi...

This Contagious Culture Podcast session explores the transformative power of storytelling in shaping brand identity and attracting the right audience. Sharee Allen and Nicole Smith share how organizations can craft narratives that foster emotional connection, clearly communicate value, and inspire meaningful engagement. They highlight real-world strategies and campaigns that demonstrate how authen...

Are you frustrated that your team isn’t responding the way you hoped, despite your hard work and good intentions? In this episode of The Contagious Culture Podcast, Dr. Daniel Freeman breaks down the common leadership missteps that quietly undermine influence, engagement, and results. Kyle and Dr. Freeman explore practical strategies to recalibrate your approach, strengthen trust, and create a cul...

This Contagious Culture Podcast session explores how organizations can leverage artificial intelligence not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for cultural transformation. Coretta Dixon and Myreesha Franklin discuss how AI can enhance human thinking, spark innovation, and support equitable practices when implemented thoughtfully. They dive into strategies for creating organizational cultures where...

What does it truly mean to show up as your authentic self, without apology or compromise? In this episode of The Contagious Culture Podcast, Dr. Stephanie Kirkland shares 12 powerful lessons to help you embrace your identity, amplify your strengths, and confidently own what makes you unique. Kyle and Dr. Kirkland dive into practical strategies for overcoming self-doubt, navigating societal expecta...

This Contagious Culture Podcast session explores the powerful intersection of emotional intelligence and organizational performance. Marisa Ciesluk and Tracy Solarek share how leaders can cultivate self-awareness, strengthen team connections, and make more effective decisions under pressure. They highlight what emotionally intelligent leadership looks like in action and reveal how it directly shap...

This Contagious Culture Podcast session takes a deep dive into relationship-based fundraising and the art of transforming early interest into long-term, values-aligned partnership. Somer Saunders and Aneesah Bray unpack how to recognize partners who truly align with your mission, nurture authentic and reciprocal relationships, and design engagement strategies that build trust, resonance, and stayi...

This Contagious Culture Podcast session dives into the art of confidently and authentically making major gift requests. Kari McCormick and Lakisha Rios break down how to prepare for a high-stakes ask, assess donor readiness, and personalize conversations in ways that honor both the relationship and the mission. They unpack the emotional barriers, fear, hesitation, self-doubt, that often hold fundr...

This Contagious Culture Podcast session centers on one of the most overlooked yet powerful stages of fundraising: stewardship. Ana Marte and Brooklyn Stanfill unpack what happens after the gift is made, how to personalize stewardship at scale, communicate impact in meaningful ways, and create follow-up systems that deepen trust rather than drain capacity. They explore how thoughtful, consistent st...

In Episode 122 of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Myreesha Franklin joins Kyle to unpack the mindset, grit, and inner strength required to rise above life’s toughest moments. From personal setbacks to professional reinvention, Myreesha reveals how perseverance became her superpower and how anyone can cultivate the same resilience. This conversation is raw, uplifting, and filled with practical wisd...

In this inspiring episode of The Contagious Culture Podcast, Dr. Dexter Shorter breaks down the true art and power of positive thinking, far beyond clichés or motivational quotes. He explores how mindset shapes identity, influences behavior, and determines the opportunities we allow ourselves to see. Drawing from his personal journey and years of leadership experience, Dr. Shorter shares how inten...

Janice M. Coleman joins The Contagious Culture Podcast for a transformative conversation about alignment, authenticity, and building a career that truly reflects who you are. With nearly three decades in Corporate America leading rooms, coaching teams, and elevating leaders, Janice opens up about her journey from IT into career coaching and leadership development. She breaks down the power of cong...

In this powerful and timely episode, Kyle sits down with Natalie Paramenter , a fearless advocate for families and students in Charlotte, to unpack one of the most urgent crises the community has faced this year. With ICE presence disrupting neighborhoods and nearly 30,000 students absent from school in a single day, Natalie and Kyle dive into the real consequences families are navigating and why...

In this powerful episode of The Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Damon Watson , a Harvard-educated attorney whose journey defies every expectation. Once on top of the world, Damon fell into addiction, lost his career, and found himself homeless and behind bars. But instead of letting his past define him, he rebuilt his life from the inside out—spiritually, mentally, and emotion...

What happens when you climb to the top of corporate America, only to realize you’re ready to redefine what success looks like? In this episode, I sit down with Krista Bourne , a powerhouse leader who spent 25 years inside Verizon, rising from the mailroom to COO of its Consumer Group. She led 30,000 employees, served 110 million customers, and helped deliver over $100 billion in annual revenue. Bu...

What separates a good fundraiser from a truly transformative one? In this episode, Kyle sits down with Rachel Simon, MBA, MS, CFRE , a powerhouse in the world of community impact and philanthropy, to unpack how authentic relationships, deep trust, and shared purpose can turn fundraising into a movement for change. Rachel shares her journey from early career challenges to leading record-breaking ca...

In this episode of Contagious Culture, we sit down with Shantell Jeter, founder of You Got It Girl and Manager of Special Projects at Boston Public Schools. Shantell Jeter is a powerhouse educator, coach, and community builder dedicated to empowering young women to embrace their value, build confidence, and become resilient leaders. With over 300,000 Black women recently pushed out of the workforc...

In this live episode of The Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King dives deep into why you’re not making progress and how one decision, one risk, and one step can completely shift your momentum. Kyle shares the behind-the-scenes story of how The Podcastathon and The Blueprint Conference came to life in just 11 days and what it really takes to turn vision into execution. If you’ve been waiting for t...

In this episode, we sit down with Megan Schmitt King , Chief Development Officer at Camp Southern Ground and a seasoned expert in nonprofit growth and fundraising strategy. With a career spanning leadership roles at Team Red, White & Blue, Raiders Foundation, and National 4-H Council, Megan has mastered the art of turning vision into measurable impact. We explore how to build lasting partnersh...

What does it really take to turn a first conversation into a million-dollar impact? In this episode, I take you inside a live client intake call with a mission-driven organization, unpacking the questions, insights, and strategies that set the stage for successful fundraising. You’ll see how our 4P Framework, Prepare, Prove, Partner, Propel, guides organizations to build their strategy, board, pro...

In this live episode of The Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Coretta Dixon , Director of Organizational Effectiveness and Change Leadership, to explore how real transformation begins from within. Coretta has led large-scale initiatives across industries like education, finance, healthcare, and aviation, helping organizations build adaptive cultures, high-trust teams, and scalab...

What makes an event unforgettable? How do you turn a gathering into an experience that inspires, connects, and leaves a lasting impact? In this episode of Contagious Culture, we sit down with Corey J Frank, Founder of Spoken Red, a dynamic Event Experience Strategist, Host, Dance Instructor, and Wellness Coach with nearly two decades of transforming ordinary moments into extraordinary legacies. Fr...