Contagious Culture

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 what builds trust. You’ll walk away with practical examples you can implement immediately to strengthen execution, retention, and engagement. -- Learn More About the Contagious Culture Conference Subscribe & Leave a Review to The Contagious Culture Podcast Subscribe to Apple Podcasts 📞 Schedule Your Call Here 🖥️ Join the #1 Community for Leaders and Change Makers 👉🏽 Apply to Be in the Growth Alliance 👉🏽Connect with Kyle S. King

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 infrastructure and those operating week to week. We talk through what’s shifting in the sector and what leaders should prioritize right now, including scenario planning and rolling forecasts, building real operating reserves, focusing on efficiency instead of chasing expansion, and strengthening impact reporting with board-ready KPIs that protect trust and funding. If you’re a CEO, executive director, board member, or fundraiser who wants clarity, discipline, and momentum going into 2026, this episode will help you reset your plan and move with confidence. Listen now and send this to one leader who needs a sharper strategy for the year ahead. -- Learn More About the Contagious Culture Conference Subscribe & Leave a Review to The Contagious Culture Podcast Subscribe to Apple Podcasts 📞 Schedule Your Call Here 🖥️ Join the #1 Community for Leaders and Change Makers 👉🏽 Apply to Be in the Growth Alliance  👉🏽Connect with Kyle S. King  

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 down how manipulation shows up in modern marketing (even when people don’t mean harm), why “high-converting” isn’t always healthy, and what it looks like to build a brand people choose because they feel respected, not cornered. If you’re a founder, nonprofit leader, or marketer who wants to grow without selling your soul, this one will give you language, clarity, and a better way forward. In this episode, we cover: The difference between persuasion and manipulation (and why it matters) Common “trust leaks” in messaging, offers, and funnels How to market with integrity while still hitting revenue goals What ethical urgency looks like, without guilt or pressure Simple trust-building changes you can make today in your copy and content If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t want to sound salesy, but I do want to grow,” press play. This is how you build trust and still win. -- Learn More About the Contagious Culture Conference Subscribe & Leave a Review to The Contagious Culture Podcast Subscribe to Apple Podcasts 📞 Schedule Your Call Here 🖥️ Join the #1 Community for Leaders and Change Makers 👉🏽 Apply to Be in the Growth Alliance  👉🏽Connect with Kyle S. King  

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 in” conversations stall out, and how to lead a donor journey that’s relational and decisive. This isn’t about pressure tactics. It’s about clarity, confidence, and creating a path where the next step feels natural, for you and the donor. In this episode, we cover: The difference between relationship-building and deal-moving The trust signals donors need before they commit How to transition from “great conversation” to “here’s the ask” What to say when donors are interested but hesitant Simple follow-up moves that create momentum (without chasing) If you’ve got strong donor relationships but you’re not closing at the level you need, this Power Session will help you tighten the process and increase commitments, while staying fully aligned with your values. -- Learn More About the Contagious Culture Conference Subscribe & Leave a Review to The Contagious Culture Podcast Subscribe to Apple Podcasts 📞 Schedule Your Call Here 🖥️ Join the #1 Community for Leaders and Change Makers 👉🏽 Apply to Be in the Growth Alliance  👉🏽Connect with Kyle S. King  

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 instead of instruction-driven, and what it looks like to build SPED structures that actually improve teaching and learning. Because students with disabilities don’t experience our systems as policies. They experience instruction, whether lessons are accessible, supports are proactive, and adults know how to adapt in real time. In this episode, we cover: The compliance vs. outcomes trap (and how to lead beyond it) What strong SPED systems look like day-to-day Aligning MTSS + SPED so supports drive learning Accountability without fear, burnout, or blame Practical moves leaders can make in 30–60 days If your school is ready to stop chasing checklists and start building systems that change outcomes, this episode is for you. -- Learn More About the Contagious Culture Conference Subscribe & Leave a Review to The Contagious Culture Podcast Subscribe to Apple Podcasts 📞 Schedule Your Call Here 🖥️ Join the #1 Community for Leaders and Change Makers 👉🏽 Apply to Be in the Growth Alliance  👉🏽Connect with Kyle S. King  

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. In this short, high-impact episode, we break down what it actually means to get prepared, before you launch the campaign, before you pitch the funder, before you scale the program. We talk about the clarity, alignment, and infrastructure nonprofits need so they’re not constantly reacting… they’re building with intention. In this episode, we cover: What “Prepare” really means (and what most leaders confuse it with) The few foundational decisions that unlock momentum fast How to align your team, mission, and message before you ask for support The readiness gaps that silently block funding and growth Simple next steps you can take this week to get prepared, without overwhelm If you’re ready to stop winging it and start building a nonprofit that’s positioned to win, this is your first step. -- Learn More About the Contagious Culture Conference Subscribe & Leave a Review to The Contagious Culture Podcast Subscribe to Apple Podcasts 📞 Schedule Your Call Here 🖥️ Join the #1 Community for Leaders and Change Makers 👉🏽 Apply to Be in the Growth Alliance  👉🏽Connect with Kyle S. King  

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 results are undeniable. We talk about the hidden “visibility blocks” that keep founders playing small (perfectionism, fear of being misunderstood, waiting for the right time, overbuilding behind the scenes) and the mindset shift required to move from quiet excellence to public impact. You’ll hear how to stop confusing “being busy” with “being known,” and how to build credibility without turning into a content machine. Yanna breaks down what visibility actually is (and what it isn’t), how to communicate your value in a way people instantly get, and why consistency beats intensity every time. If you’ve ever thought, “Once I perfect it, then I’ll promote it,” this conversation will help you flip that script. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why “best” is not a strategy—and “known” is a multiplier The difference between attention, authority, and trust (and which one drives revenue) How to make your message simpler, sharper, and easier to repeat What to post and say when you feel stuck, skeptical, or tired of “marketing” A practical approach to visibility that still feels ethical, human, and aligned If you’re building something meaningful and you’re ready for people to actually find it, talk about it, and choose it, this episode is your push to get out of the shadows and into the spotlight with conviction. -- Learn More About the Contagious Culture Conference Subscribe & Leave a Review to The Contagious Culture Podcast Subscribe to Apple Podcasts 📞 Schedule Your Call Here 🖥️ Join the #1 Community for Leaders and Change Makers 👉🏽 Apply to Be in the Growth Alliance  👉🏽Connect with Kyle S. King  

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 the Contagious Culture Conference Subscribe & Leave a Review to The Contagious Culture Podcast Subscribe to Apple Podcasts 📞 Schedule Your Call Here 🖥️ Join the #1 Community for Leaders and Change Makers 👉🏽 Apply to Be in the Growth Alliance  👉🏽Connect with Kyle S. King  

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 Culture Conference Subscribe & Leave a Review to The Contagious Culture Podcast Subscribe to Apple Podcasts 📞 Schedule Your Call Here 🖥️ Join the #1 Community for Leaders and Change Makers 👉🏽 Apply to Be in the Growth Alliance  👉🏽Connect with Kyle S. King

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 valued. Sarah shares how her journey from the classroom (and the art room) shaped her empathetic, creative approach to engagement, and why community building isn’t just an outcome of good work—it’s the heartbeat of meaningful advancement. You’ll learn: How to turn events into relationships (not just attendance) The difference between participation and belonging How to navigate difficult stakeholder moments with trust and calm leadership What strong volunteer and alumni engagement systems actually look like Why storytelling and stewardship are the bridge between connection and long-term support Whether you lead a school, nonprofit, or community-driven organization, this conversation will give you both inspiration and practical strategies to build community that lasts. -- Learn More About the Contagious Culture Conference Subscribe & Leave a Review to The Contagious Culture Podcast Subscribe to Apple Podcasts 📞 Schedule Your Call Here 🖥️ Join the #1 Community for Leaders and Change Makers 👉🏽 Apply to Be in the Growth Alliance  👉🏽Connect with Kyle S. King

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 systems high-performing nonprofits use to generate consistent revenue, how to diagnose what’s really broken in your current fundraising approach, and how to transform everyday conversations and relationships into repeatable, reliable support. This is not theory. You will walk away with clear, actionable takeaways for building structure, replacing chaos with consistency, and moving from one-time donations to long-term partnerships. And if you’re ready to stop learning and start executing, you’ll also see how leaders are implementing these systems inside a focused 12-week cohort through Growth Alliance, where the real work happens. -- Learn More About the Contagious Culture Conference Order Your Copy of Contagious Culture: Creating an Ecosystem of Academic Excellence Subscribe & Leave a Review to The Contagious Culture Podcast Subscribe to Apple Podcasts 📞 Schedule Your Call Here 🖥️ Join the #1 Community for Leaders and Change Makers 👉🏽 Apply to Be in the Growth Alliance  👉🏽Connect with Kyle S. King

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 individuals feel seen, supported, and inspired to give their best. Drawing from real-world leadership moments, organizational case studies, and proven culture frameworks, participants will learn how to recognize early burnout signals, shift from transactional management to human-centered leadership, and create systems that sustain energy, trust, and performance. Leaders will leave with practical tools to strengthen relationships, align teams around purpose, and build a contagious culture that doesn’t just survive challenges, but grows stronger because of them. -- Order Your Copy of Contagious Culture: Creating an Ecosystem of Academic Excellence Subscribe & Leave a Review to The Contagious Culture Podcast Subscribe to Apple Podcasts 📞 Schedule Your Call Here 🖥️ Join the #1 Community for Leaders and Change Makers 👉🏽 Apply to Be in the Growth Alliance  👉🏽Connect with Kyle S. King

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 explore how leaders unknowingly shape culture through their internal state, not just their external actions and why energy management is one of the most overlooked leadership skills in schools, nonprofits, and organizations. You’ll learn how to recognize when your energy is leaking, how negativity quietly spreads through teams, and how disciplined leaders build contagious culture by doing the inner work first. This episode is a reminder that leadership isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being intentional. Because the culture you want on the outside can’t exist if it’s not being practiced on the inside. If you lead people, this conversation will challenge you, ground you, and call you higher. -- Order Your Copy of Contagious Culture: Creating an Ecosystem of Academic Excellence Subscribe & Leave a Review to The Contagious Culture Podcast Subscribe to Apple Podcasts 📞 Schedule Your Call Here 🖥️ Join the #1 Community for Leaders and Change Makers 👉🏽 Apply to Be in the Growth Alliance  👉🏽Connect with Kyle S. King

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 shares research-backed insights on how unclear roles, misaligned expectations, constant urgency, and lack of psychological safety drain energy and commitment, especially in mission-driven organizations. More importantly, we explore what leaders can actually change to rebuild trust, focus, and sustainable performance. If you’re tired of surface-level wellness conversations and ready to address what’s really driving disengagement, this episode will push you to stop treating burnout as a personal issue—and start fixing the systems that cause it. 🌍 Community Invitation + Access to Resources: https://connectwithmichelle.com 🫱🏿‍🫲🏻 Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lctelearning 📺 Subscribe to Michelle's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lctelearning 📝 Explore Michelle's Thought Leadership: https://michelle-singh.mykajabi.com/thoughtleadership 🔴 Wath Michelle's TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0b9WJvn3T0c 🌐 Learn More About Michelle’s Work: https://lctelearning.com -- Order Your Copy of Contagious Culture: Creating an Ecosystem of Academic Excellence Subscribe & Leave a Review to The Contagious Culture Podcast Subscribe to Apple Podcasts 📞 Schedule Your Call Here 🖥️ Join the #1 Community for Leaders and Change Makers 👉🏽 Apply to Be in the Growth Alliance  👉🏽Connect with Kyle S. King  

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 erode trust, morale, and impact. Kate challenges the narrative that sacrifice and exhaustion are badges of honor in mission-driven work and offers practical insight on how nonprofit leaders can redesign structures, workflows, and cultures that support people, not drain them. This episode is about accountability, sustainability, and building organizations where passion doesn’t come at the cost of well-being. If you care about your mission and your people, this conversation will push you to fix what’s broken, before it breaks your team. Order Your Copy of Contagious Culture: Creating an Ecosystem of Academic Excellence Subscribe & Leave a Review to The Contagious Culture Podcast Subscribe to Apple Podcasts 📞 Schedule Your Call Here 🖥️ Join the #1 Community for Leaders and Change Makers 👉🏽 Apply to Be in the Growth Alliance  👉🏽Connect with Kyle S. King  

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, turnover, and broken trust. Amy shares practical insights on how leaders can intentionally design environments where people feel seen, valued, and safe enough to contribute fully, without relying on trendy language or performative gestures. This conversation goes beyond theory and into what belonging actually looks like in day-to-day leadership decisions, systems, and behaviors. If you’re serious about culture, retention, and sustainable impact, this episode will challenge you to stop treating belonging like a buzzword—and start leading like it matters. Order Your Copy of Contagious Culture: Creating an Ecosystem of Academic Excellence Subscribe & Leave a Review to The Contagious Culture Podcast Subscribe to Apple Podcasts 📞 Schedule Your Call Here 🖥️ Join the #1 Community for Leaders and Change Makers 👉🏽 Apply to Be in the Growth Alliance  👉🏽Connect with Kyle S. King  

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, especially mission-driven leaders, must stop waiting for permission to lead fully. We explore what it looks like to show up unapologetically, advocate for yourself and others, and make decisions that honor your calling, not just your comfort. This episode is a reminder that the impact you’re meant to make often lives on the other side of bold action. If you’ve been playing safe, shrinking your vision, or second-guessing your worth, this conversation is for you. Order Your Copy of Contagious Culture: Creating an Ecosystem of Academic Excellence Subscribe & Leave a Review to The Contagious Culture Podcast Subscribe to Apple Podcasts 📞 Schedule Your Call Here 🖥️ Join the #1 Community for Leaders and Change Makers 👉🏽 Apply to Be in the Growth Alliance  👉🏽Connect with Kyle S. King    

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 grief culture actually looks like—beyond platitudes and performative empathy. Dr. Williams shares practical guidance on how leaders can acknowledge loss, create psychological safety, and support their teams without trying to “fix” what needs to be felt. This is about leading humans, not just managing performance. If you’re a leader, founder, educator, or culture-builder who wants to show up better during moments of loss, transition, and change, this conversation will challenge you and equip you. Grief-aware leadership isn’t a soft skill, it’s a necessary one. Order Your Copy of Contagious Culture: Creating an Ecosystem of Academic Excellence Subscribe & Leave a Review to The Contagious Culture Podcast Subscribe to Apple Podcasts 📞 Schedule Your Call Here 🖥️ Join the #1 Community for Leaders and Change Makers 👉🏽 Apply to Be in the Growth Alliance  👉🏽Connect with Kyle S. King  

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 focus. I walk you through how to design a simple, repeatable weekly rhythm that helps you lead with clarity instead of chaos, covering priorities, decision-making, accountability, and recovery. This isn’t about doing more. It’s about building structure that allows you to lead sustainably. If you feel busy but not effective, tired but still behind, this episode will help you stop winging leadership and start operating with intention. Order Your Copy of Contagious Culture: Creating an Ecosystem of Academic Excellence Subscribe & Leave a Review to The Contagious Culture Podcast Subscribe to Apple Podcasts 📞 Schedule Your Call Here 🖥️ Join the #1 Community for Leaders and Change Makers 👉🏽 Apply to Be in the Growth Alliance  👉🏽Connect with Kyle S. King

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 “yes” to collaboration Building long-term relationships that create shared impact This conversation is packed with insight for nonprofit leaders, school executives, founders, and community leaders looking to move beyond surface-level collaboration and into partnerships that actually move the mission forward. Order Your Copy of Contagious Culture: Creating an Ecosystem of Academic Excellence Subscribe & Leave a Review to The Contagious Culture Podcast Subscribe to Apple Podcasts 📞 Schedule Your Call Here 🖥️ Claim Your FREE 5-Day Fundraising + Leadership Course 👉🏽 Claim the 3 Emails For Non Profit Leaders to Send Before 31st 👉🏽 Connect with Kyle on LinkedIn