Contagious Culture

In this solo episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle S. King reflects on leadership, burnout, capacity, and the hidden cost of building something that matters. Kyle shares why many leaders are not struggling because they lack ability, but because they are carrying too much. He opens up about moving the Contagious Culture Conference to 2027, simplifying organizational priorities, and learning to build a company that fits within his life instead of consuming it. This episode challenges leaders to stop adding more and start asking what needs to be removed, realigned, or rebuilt. Key Takeaways Leaders often break because they are carrying too much. Growth sometimes requires removing, not adding. You cannot scale culture if you are losing yourself. Alignment matters more than activity. Teams should be built around needed skills, not comfort. Strong leaders tell the truth, even when decisions are hard. Your organization should fit inside your life, not become your life. Episode History 00:00 — Welcome and Episode #209 milestone 01:50 — Leaders are carrying too much 03:45 — Success, wholeness, and unbecoming 06:00 — Why the conference moved to 2027 08:00 — Leaders default under pressure 10:30 — Combining Growth Lab and Growth Alliance 11:00 — Capacity challenges and founder limits 12:45 — Identifying team skill gaps 14:30 — Aligning podcast, community, and offers 15:30 — Playing defense through processes, personnel, and systems 19:10 — You cannot scale culture if you are losing yourself 21:30 — Let the company fit inside your life 22:50 — Final challenge and closing - 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle S. King sits down with Maxie Gluckman, executive director of Friends of Fundesur, to explore leadership, global service, education, migration, and the power of listening. Maxie shares how her journey as a teacher, researcher, and global citizen led her to support communities in southern Honduras through a foundation connected to the shrimp industry. They discuss how environmental and economic changes affect families, why storytelling must center dignity instead of trauma, and how leadership often begins with one small act of courage and kindness. The message is simple: you do not have to change the entire world at once. You can listen, take action, and create meaningful change one person at a time. Episode History  00:00 — Introduction 01:00 — Maxie’s walkout song and educational journey 02:30 — Growing up as a first-generation American 03:30 — Teaching and learning from immigrant families 04:50 — The work of Friends of Fundesur 05:45 — Why shrimp farming has become more difficult 07:00 — How supply-chain changes affect children and families 07:30 — Why this work became Maxie’s calling 08:45 — Leadership through action 09:15 — A small act of kindness after a fundraiser 11:00 — Stories from migrant families 13:15 — Identity beyond professional titles 14:30 — Running toward motherhood and greater equity 16:30 — How listeners can support the mission 17:30 — Maxie’s slingshot moments 18:30 — Identity, allyship, and community work 19:30 — Reconnecting a mother and daughter 21:30 — Advice for sustaining meaningful work 22:30 — Where to connect with Friends of Fundesur Key Takeaways Listening to communities should come before designing solutions for them. Leadership is choosing to act when doing nothing would be easier. Small moments of kindness can hold as much meaning as large-scale initiatives. Stories should highlight resilience, learning, and dignity, not only trauma. Access and privilege create a responsibility to build bridges for others. Community work requires humility, self-awareness, and a willingness to question your role. Caring for yourself is necessary if you want to continue caring for others. Relationships and introductions can be just as valuable as financial donations. - 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with nonprofit strategy and execution advisor Kelly Beeland to explore why so many strategic plans stall after they are approved. Kelly shares how boards and executive directors can create clarity, assess capacity, define roles, strengthen governance, and move from endless conversation to meaningful execution. The message is clear: strategy only creates impact when people understand the plan, know their responsibilities, and have the capacity to act. Episode History 00:00 — Introduction 02:30 — Kelly’s journey into change management 04:00 — Lessons from large-scale transformation 06:00 — Governance and nonprofit board leadership 09:00 — Seeing both systems and people 10:30 — Where struggling boards should begin 12:30 — Getting everyone on the same page 14:30 — Creating a culture of execution 17:00 — Capacity, alignment, and role clarity 19:30 — Building the right board 22:00 — The value of serving on an emerging board 24:00 — Developing high-performing boards 25:30 — Planning board development across the year 28:00 — What is next for Kelly 31:00 — Supporting burned-out executive directors Key Takeaways A strategic plan is only useful when it includes clear ownership, timing, and execution. Boards often struggle because members do not understand their role or expectations. Alignment and role clarity are different from capacity, but all three affect performance. Boards should plan for the full year instead of moving from one meeting agenda to the next. Committees need defined responsibilities, deadlines, and reporting structures. Executive directors must honestly assess what their organization can accomplish with its current resources. A strong relationship between the board chair and executive director is essential. -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Frank Velásquez Jr. for a powerful conversation about authenticity, courage, joy, and reclaiming the stories that shape who we are. Frank shares how values-aligned leadership can help people become more confident, lead with greater intention, and create environments where others feel seen, supported, and empowered. The message is clear: meaningful leadership begins when you stop hiding, own your story, and give yourself permission to lead unapologetically. Episode History 00:00 — Introduction 01:15 — Meet Frank Velásquez Jr. 03:30 — Frank’s origin story and leadership journey 06:45 — Reclaiming your personal story 10:00 — Authenticity and values-aligned leadership 14:30 — Leading with courage 18:00 — Practicing joy unapologetically 22:00 — Creating spaces where people can show up fully 26:00 — The leadership program and its impact 30:00 — Why Frank is determined to restart the program 33:00 — Advice for leaders who are hiding parts of themselves 36:00 — How to connect with and support Frank 38:00 — Final reflections Key Takeaways Authentic leadership requires the courage to be fully seen. Your values should shape the way you lead. Joy is not separate from serious leadership. It can strengthen your impact. Your story can become a source of connection, purpose, and confidence. Transformational programs give people space to discover who they are and how they want to lead. Reclaiming your story allows you to lead without apology. -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with RJ Caswell, a Charlotte-based social impact leader with a heart for connecting people to purpose and helping organizations grow stronger. RJ shares his perspective on leadership, collaboration, nonprofit sustainability, and the importance of building real infrastructure behind mission-driven work. He also discusses the role of Mission Charlotte, the challenges many nonprofit leaders face, and why organizations need systems, relationships, strategy, and support to create lasting impact. Kyle and RJ explore the messy middle of social impact, the importance of cross-generational learning, and why collaboration requires leaders to set aside ego, logo, and competition for the sake of the mission. Episode History 00:00 — Introduction 00:12 — Meet RJ Caswell 01:10 — RJ’s mission beyond titles 02:30 — What keeps RJ energized 03:40 — Learning from the next generation 05:15 — Innovation, earned revenue, and new nonprofit models 06:25 — How Mission Charlotte supports nonprofit leaders 08:15 — Sustainability, systems, and organizational development 09:50 — Where nonprofits should begin 10:55 — Collaboration versus competition 13:20 — Putting mission above ego and logo 14:00 — RJ’s 25-year leadership journey 16:20 — Advice for young purpose-driven leaders 17:30 — The power of mentorship 18:00 — Mark Hoffman’s impact on RJ’s leadership 21:15 — Personal clarity and understanding how you’re wired -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Dr. Patrick Graham, CEO of We Build Concord, nonprofit and public leader, and architect of economic and social justice initiatives. Dr. Graham shares how his upbringing in Long Island, his Southern roots, hip-hop, church, and his mother’s role in a federal housing discrimination case shaped his passion for justice, housing, and community transformation. He explains why housing does not exist in a vacuum and why leaders must connect affordable housing to workforce development, economic mobility, public policy, and community trust. Kyle and Dr. Graham also discuss systems change, community land trusts, down payment assistance, regional housing solutions, public-private partnerships, and why leaders must have courage, adaptability, resilience, and respect to create lasting change. Key Topics: Dr. Graham’s roots in Long Island, Southern culture, and hip-hop How his mother’s housing discrimination work shaped his calling Why equity and systems change must move beyond theory How housing, workforce, policy, and economic development connect Why you cannot build your way out of the housing crisis alone Community land trusts and creative affordability models The role of grants, public funding, and private partnerships Why organizations must go into communities, not expect people to come to them The L.O.V.E.R. framework for community engagement Courage, adaptability, and resilience as leadership essentials Episode History 00:00 — Introduction 00:15 — Meet Dr. Patrick Graham 01:15 — Growing up on hip-hop and grits 02:30 — Long Island, Southern roots, and the Great Migration 03:30 — Community institutions and early leadership experiences 04:30 — Dr. Graham’s mother and housing discrimination advocacy 05:00 — Defining equity and systems change 06:00 — Working outside traditional systems 06:30 — Community land trusts and permanent affordability 07:00 — Loaned equity and down payment assistance 08:00 — Building a sustainable affordable housing business model 09:00 — Using public dollars and partnerships to create savings 10:00 — Advice for leaders building nontraditional impact models 11:00 — Learning the craft while staying open to innovation 12:00 — Can affordable housing challenges be solved? 12:30 — Why housing does not live in a vacuum 13:00 — Building people and building homes at the same time 14:00 — Economic development must include housing 15:00 — Going into communities with trust and respect 16:00 — Exposure as the father of innovation 17:00 — The L.O.V.E.R. framework 18:00 — Why respect is the foundation of community love 19:00 — Courage, adaptability, and resilience in leadership 21:30 — Teaching young leaders patience, grit, and experience 24:30 — Going through the fire before leading the charge Guest Bio Dr. Patrick Graham is the CEO of We Build Concord, a nonprofit and public leader, and a strategist working at the intersection of affordable housing, workforce development, economic mobility, equity, and systems change. His career has focused on building stronger communities through housing stability, policy innovation, wealth-building strategies, and cross-sector partnerships that create long-term opportunity for individuals and families. -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Erin Peshoff, chief curator of Vivid Operational Advisors for a practical conversation on systems, operations, infrastructure, and what it really takes for nonprofits to grow well. Erin explains why organizations cannot scale if they are not optimized for growth. She shares how strong systems create predictability, reduce friction, support team clarity, and help people show up with more joy in their work. Kyle and Erin also discuss why most nonprofit “emergencies” are created by poor systems, the importance of documentation, handoffs, project management, password management, board alignment, and why leaders must be willing to edit operations instead of simply organizing clutter. Key Topics: Why systems create predictability and safety How joy can become an economic metric Why most nonprofit emergencies are self-created The difference between organizing operations and editing them Why documentation matters during staff turnover How poor handoffs create confusion and frustration Password management, CRM issues, and hidden system gaps Why leaders should not force old tools into new organizations How boards can create chaos when they do not speak with one voice Why organizations must slow down before they can scale Episode History 00:00 — Introduction 00:20 — Meet Erin Peshoff 01:15 — What is giving Erin energy right now 02:00 — Hope, glimmers, and positive graffiti 02:30 — Personal systems and morning routines 03:00 — Why systems matter personally and professionally 03:30 — Systems create predictability and safety 04:00 — Joy as an economic metric 04:30 — Are there real emergencies in nonprofit work? 05:30 — How poor planning creates urgency 06:00 — Defining what a system really is 07:00 — CRM, reporting, and campaign tracking examples 08:00 — Why systems should feel like habits 08:45 — Editing operations instead of organizing them 09:30 — Pulling everything out before rebuilding 10:00 — Letting go of systems that no longer work 11:00 — Common system gaps in nonprofits 11:30 — Documentation and turnover 12:00 — Handoffs between development and finance 13:00 — Ownership, integrations, and broken workflows 14:00 — Passwords, shared accounts, and system access 15:00 — Why leaders should not force their favorite tools 16:00 — Clear expectations and team preferences 17:00 — Erin’s diagnostic process with organizations 18:00 — Listening to staff before changing systems 19:00 — Boards, alignment, and speaking with one voice Guest Bio Erin Peshoff is the chief curator of Vivid Operational Advisors, where she helps nonprofit leaders reduce friction, cut through clutter, and build operational infrastructure that actually supports growth. With experience across fundraising, customer experience, operations strategy, and AI-enabled workflows, Erin helps organizations strengthen systems, improve handoffs, document processes, and create healthier environments where people can do their best work. -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Dr. Joel Pérez, PCC, award-winning author, executive coach, belonging consultant, Gallup Strengths coach, IDI Qualified Administrator, and author of Dear White Leader: How to Achieve Organizational Excellence Through Cultural Humility. Joel Pérez, PCC shares how leaders can create cultures of belonging by practicing cultural humility, leading with clarity, and learning to operate in ambiguity. He explains why leadership begins with self-awareness but must move beyond the individual into the organization, community, and systems leaders influence. Kyle and Dr. Joel Pérez, PCC also discuss work-life integration, cultural humility, psychological safety, identity as a leadership superpower, mental health, intent versus impact, leading across difference, and what it takes to become a belonging-centered leader in a turbulent world. Key Topics: Why leadership requires comfort with ambiguity The difference between work-life balance and work-life integration What cultural humility looks like in practice Why leaders must look in the mirror first Leading with clarity and self-awareness The four dimensions of a belonging-centered organization Psychological safety and healthy conflict Systems that work for everyone Accountable leadership and daily habits that build belonging How identity can become a leadership superpower Why mental health matters for exceptional leadership Intent versus impact in leadership Leading across difference with curiosity instead of judgment Episode History 00:00 — Introduction 00:15 — Meet Dr. Joel Pérez, PCC 01:00 — Dear White Leader and award recognition 01:30 — Balancing multiple roles and work-life integration 02:30 — Holding things loosely and living in the gray 03:30 — Why better people lead better teams 04:00 — How leaders can operate in ambiguity 04:30 — Leading with clarity 05:30 — Cultural humility and nonprofit leadership 06:30 — Looking in the mirror as a leader and organization 07:30 — Turning philosophy into practical frameworks 08:00 — The belonging-centered organizational framework 08:30 — Psychological safety 09:00 — Systems that work for everyone 09:30 — Accountable leadership 10:00 — Daily habits that build belonging 10:30 — Exceptional leadership in a turbulent world 11:00 — Identity as a leadership superpower 11:30 — Mental health and leadership 12:00 — Nostalgia is not a strategy 12:30 — Leading through turbulence 14:00 — Dr. Perez’s first-generation college story 15:00 — Growing up as the son of Mexican immigrants 16:00 — Learning to lead across difference 17:00 — Cultural humility coaching 18:00 — Identity, code switching, and belonging 19:30 — What belonging-centered leadership means 21:30 — Intent versus impact 22:30 — Apologies, accountability, and leadership repair 23:30 — Why belonging is both moral and strategic Guest Bio Dr. Joel Pérez, PCC is an award-winning author, executive coach, belonging consultant, Gallup Strengths coach, IDI Qualified Administrator, and founder of a coaching and consulting practice focused on helping leaders and organizations create cultures of belonging. He is the author of Dear White Leader: How to Achieve Organizational Excellence Through Cultural Humility, which was recognized with the Silver Award for Best New Voice Nonfiction by the Independent Book Publishers Association. Through his work, Dr. Joel Pérez, PCC helps leaders practice cultural humility, lead across difference, build psychological safety, and create organizations where people can thrive. -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Mark Maynard, keynote speaker, author, advisor, coach, and former managing partner at Union Square Hospitality Group. Mark shares how hospitality, clarity, purpose, and community shape unforgettable customer and team experiences. He explains why great service is not just about a product, meal, or transaction. It is about helping people feel like they belong to something bigger. Kyle and Mark also discuss why service teams need clarity, how purpose creates buy-in, why complaints are gifts, and how leaders can build organizations where every action connects back to the mission. Episode History 00:00 — Introduction 00:26 — Meet Mark Maynard 01:30 — Mark’s connection to hospitality and service 03:00 — Why entertaining and hosting matter 04:00 — Customers versus guests 05:35 — Why your product is community 07:30 — Building loyalty through belonging 08:45 — Mark’s journey into hospitality 10:00 — Why teams need clarity, not another pep talk 12:25 — Purpose, buy-in, and shared direction 15:25 — Where leaders should begin 17:30 — Why complaints are gifts 19:30 — Receiving feedback with humility 21:30 — What extraordinary service teams do differently 23:00 — Connecting people to purpose -- 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 solo episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle S. King challenges leaders to reflect on the setbacks they have survived, the character they are building, and the future they are intentionally creating. Drawing from the wisdom of Maya Angelou, personal leadership experiences, and stories about trust, courage, and perseverance, Kyle reminds listeners that experiencing defeat does not mean they have been defeated. He introduces a practical four-part framework for personal and professional growth: Learn constantly Build meaningful relationships Add measurable value Develop other people This episode is a call to stop measuring leadership only by titles, recognition, or achievement. Sustainable success is built through character, consistency, service, and the willingness to lift others while you climb. Episode Action Items Write down the phrase “I am still standing.” Define what you want to be known for by June 2027. Identify one skill you need to develop before your next opportunity. Schedule a conversation with your manager about your professional goals. Identify three relationships that could support your development. Solve one meaningful problem without waiting to be asked. Choose one colleague or emerging leader to mentor. Create a 30-day plan for learning, relationship-building, value creation, and developing others. Reflection Questions What challenge have you survived that once made you question whether you could continue? What does your response to pressure reveal about your character? Would people trust you to lead them through uncertainty? What do you want to be known for one year from now? What problem can you solve for your team today? Who are you intentionally helping grow? Are you climbing alone, or are you lifting others with 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 👉🏽Connect with Kyle S. King

In this episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Dara Ashley, founding executive director of the Dara Ashley Foundation, researcher, and nonprofit leader working to close the access and exposure gap for underrepresented college students. Dara shares how her own experiences, mentorship, and time at Howard University shaped her passion for helping students see what is possible. She explains why exposure matters, why students cannot pursue opportunities they have never seen, and how mentorship can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. Kyle and Dara also discuss the difference between access and ability, the power of one-on-one mentorship, data-driven program design, Leadership U, and what it means to build an organization that helps students gain the skills, networks, and confidence they need for life after college. Episode History 00:00 — Introduction 00:40 — Meet Dara Ashley 01:00 — Dara’s mission and infectious spirit 01:30 — Closing the access and exposure gap 02:30 — Helping students identify what they do not know 03:15 — The power of exposure 04:00 — Dara’s origin story and early mentorship experience 05:00 — Where to start if you want to serve your community 06:00 — Former mentees returning as mentors 07:15 — Access versus ability 08:45 — Why exposure also shows students what they do not want 10:00 — Dara’s path into research 11:00 — Why leaders must mentor and reach back 12:00 — Staying connected to the audience you serve 13:00 — What Dara saw missing in the system 14:30 — What leaders get wrong about mentorship 15:30 — The power of one-on-one mentorship 16:00 — What success looks like for Dara 17:00 — The ten-year vision for the Dara Ashley Foundation 18:00 — Growing into 42 states and going deeper locally 19:00 — Leadership U and student-centered program design 20:00 — Using data to measure and build impact 21:00 — Turning vision into systems and deliverables   -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Pedro Jose Rivera, a nonprofit fundraising strategist working at the intersection of law, philanthropy, wealth management, and nonprofit leadership. Pedro shares how Latino-led nonprofits can move from grant dependency to deeper financial independence by building diversified fundraising systems. He explains why organizations need to focus on individual giving, planned giving, corporate support, board engagement, and community-based fundraising instead of relying only on restricted grants. Kyle and Pedro also discuss the role of faith, family, generosity, board responsibility, peer-to-peer fundraising, and why asking for support is not begging. It is inviting people to invest in the mission. Episode History 00:00 — Introduction 00:45 — Meet Pedro Jose Rivera 01:30 — Pedro’s Puerto Rican roots, family, faith, and education 03:40 — How generosity was modeled in Pedro’s childhood 06:00 — What Pedro hopes to give through his work 06:45 — Moving Latino-led nonprofits beyond grant dependency 07:40 — Understanding individual giving, planned giving, grants, and events 09:15 — Where new nonprofits should start fundraising 10:15 — Why nonprofits must think like entrepreneurs 11:30 — Why organizations become grant dependent 13:30 — Creative funding strategies and peer-to-peer fundraising 15:30 — What executive directors often overlook 16:50 — The role of the board in fundraising 18:45 — Why passion without systems is dangerous 20:30 — The fundraising truth leaders need to hear -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Whitney Siders, executive team advisor, coach, speaker, offsite facilitator, and founder of The Modern Inc. Whitney helps leaders and teams get beneath the surface of what is really happening so they can strengthen alignment, accelerate action, and lead with greater clarity. She shares why fear, resistance, avoided conversations, and unclear first steps often keep leaders and teams stuck. Kyle and Whitney also discuss emotional intelligence, leadership awareness, hard conversations, team patterns, real alignment, and why creating space to pause can help teams move forward with more honesty and effectiveness. Episode History 00:00 — Introduction 00:18 — Meet Whitney Siders 01:10 — Why Whitney does not love being called fearless 02:15 — Fear, resistance, and clarity 03:20 — Avoiding hard conversations 05:00 — Solving symptoms instead of root issues 06:10 — Awareness, clarity, and emotional intelligence 08:45 — Looking at patterns under pressure 09:30 — Caretaker leadership and avoided feedback 10:50 — Creating space to pause 12:45 — Why teams solve surface-level problems 13:20 — The problem with fake alignment 14:30 — Building tools, language, and accountability 16:15 — Whitney’s slingshot moment 17:00 — The accident that changed her life 20:30 — Recovery, mindset, and small goals 22:45 — Choosing work that helps people show up fully -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Andrea Mancuso, trauma-informed leadership and emotional intelligence coach, licensed mental health counselor, and founder of Intentional Healing and Wellness. Andrea shares why healthy, high-performing teams cannot exist if leaders have not done their own internal work. She explains how burnout, avoidance, people-pleasing, hustle culture, and emotional disconnection show up in leaders, teams, schools, and organizations. Kyle and Andrea also discuss trauma-informed leadership, psychological safety, emotional capacity, rest, self-awareness, and why leaders must learn to slow down, disconnect, and lead from a healthier place. Episode History 00:00 — Introduction 00:15 — Meet Andrea Mancuso 01:15 — Andrea’s work and mission 02:00 — Who Andrea is beyond the titles 03:30 — Mental health, trauma, and what leaders misunderstand 04:45 — Why society is navigating a mental health crisis 06:30 — Technology, overstimulation, and exposure 07:00 — What trauma-informed leadership really requires 08:00 — The power of awareness 09:30 — Patterns that lead to burnout 10:00 — Busyness and the inability to slow down 11:30 — Avoidance and why healing matters 13:00 — People-pleasing as a leadership pattern 14:30 — Unsubscribing from hustle culture 16:30 — Rest, fear, and trust 18:30 — Why there are no real emergencies in most businesses 20:30 — Scheduling focused time and creating boundaries 23:00 — Competent leaders versus emotionally equipped leaders -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Dayana Kiblids, strategist, speaker, co-author of Mailed It, and higher education communication expert. Dayana shares why simplicity is one of the most powerful tools leaders can use to help people take action. She explains how complex language, unclear systems, and academic jargon often create barriers for students, families, and communities, especially in higher education. Kyle and Dayana also discuss portfolio careers, saying yes to new opportunities, writing a memoir, translating complicated systems into clear steps, and why spoken language can help leaders communicate in a more human and accessible way. Episode History 00:00 — Introduction 00:15 — Meet Dayana Kiblids 01:00 — What is giving Dayana energy right now 02:00 — Writing a memoir and building a keynote 03:00 — Saying yes to unexpected opportunities 03:45 — Discovering the idea of a portfolio career 05:30 — Balancing employment and entrepreneurship 06:30 — Knowing what action to take next 07:30 — Getting unstuck through new conversations 09:30 — Who Dayana is beyond her job title 10:30 — Living as a chameleon across cultures 11:00 — Translating complex systems into simple steps 12:00 — Dayana’s framework for strategy and translation 14:30 — Why language becomes a barrier in higher education 16:00 — Academic language, privilege, and access 18:30 — Where leaders should begin simplifying communication 19:00 — Using spoken language as a clarity tool 20:30 — Why simplicity creates more access 21:30 — The danger of editing simplicity out of the message -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Brad Ton, a nonprofit technology leader, former rapper, father of six, and someone who brings honesty, humor, and heart into every room. Brad shares his journey from working in professional sports, to pursuing hip-hop, to finding purpose in nonprofit technology. He opens up about reinvention, anxiety, recovery, fatherhood, and learning how to live with more honesty, presence, and purpose.   Kyle and Brad also discuss what it means to bet on yourself, let go of outside validation, pursue your “infinite why,” and build a life aligned with who you really are.   Episode History 00:00 — Introduction 00:24 — Meet Brad Ton 01:15 — Leading with heart and honesty 02:15 — From sports management to hip-hop 04:20 — Betting on himself and learning through the process 05:15 — Performing with major artists and building confidence 06:10 — Goals versus an infinite why 08:15 — Choosing passion, joy, and alignment 09:30 — Fatherhood, anxiety, and life transitions 10:35 — Recovery, addiction, and getting help 12:00 — Finding purpose in nonprofit technology 14:20 — How life experiences shape leadership 15:20 — Presence as the key to life 18:20 — Letting go, growth, and subtraction 19:00 — Honesty, accountability, and self-confidence -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Jaimi Cortes, philanthropic strategist with COR Philanthropic Strategies, who has spent more than 20 years helping individuals, families, foundations, and organizations move resources in thoughtful, values-aligned, and community-centered ways. Jaimi shares how her early experiences in philanthropy shaped her belief that giving should begin with community, trust, and listening. She explains why philanthropy must move beyond traditional check-writing and toward more collaborative, strategic, and equity-centered approaches. Kyle and Jaimi also discuss donor intent versus meaningful impact, giving circles, collaborative philanthropy, donor-advised funds, impact investing, nonprofit relationship-building, and how both donors and nonprofit leaders can build stronger partnerships that lead to real transformation. Key Topics: How Jaimi found her way into philanthropy Why community should come first in giving The evolution of philanthropy over the last 20 years Moving from charitable intent to meaningful impact How donors can give more strategically The power of collaborative philanthropy and giving circles Using the five T’s of philanthropy Why values alignment matters before giving How donors can build trust with nonprofits Why impact conversations should happen at the beginning How nonprofits can build relationships with donor advisors Why capital campaign relationships should start years before the ask Impact investing and using money for double good Episode History 00:00 — Introduction 00:20 — Meet Jaimi Cortes 01:00 — Moving from good intentions to meaningful impact 01:45 — Jaimi’s entry point into philanthropy 02:30 — Learning community-first philanthropy 03:00 — What Jaimi believed early in her career 03:45 — Corporate social responsibility and early inspiration 04:45 — Working directly with donors 05:30 — Gender lens, race equity lens, and equity frameworks 06:00 — Collaborative philanthropy and giving circles 06:45 — Where new donors should begin 07:00 — The five T’s of philanthropy 08:00 — Volunteering, social capital, and family giving 09:00 — Strategic giving for donors with significant wealth 09:45 — Charitable intent versus meaningful impact 10:30 — Why donors get stuck after setting aside money 11:00 — Building impact conversations at the beginning 12:00 — Trust-based giving and nonprofit relationships 13:00 — How organizations can showcase impact up front 14:00 — Making an impact inside large organizations 15:00 — Case managers, mental health, and targeted giving 16:00 — Questions donors should ask themselves before giving 17:00 — Values alignment and philanthropic priorities 18:00 — Impact investing and donor-advised funds 19:30 — How nonprofits can build relationships with donors and advisors 20:30 — Donor-advised funds and philanthropic advisors 21:30 — Why capital campaign relationships must start early Jaimi's Bio Jaimi Cortes is a philanthropic strategist with COR Philanthropic Strategies, where she helps individuals, families, foundations, and organizations move resources in ways that are thoughtful, values-aligned, and community-centered. With more than 20 years of experience in philanthropy, Jaimi has helped facilitate over $200 million in charitable gifts, manage major philanthropic portfolios, design grant-making models, support impact investing opportunities, and guide donors from good intentions to meaningful impact. -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Vu Le, writer, speaker, nonprofit thought leader, and author of Reimagining Nonprofits and Philanthropy. Vu brings his signature honesty, humor, and boldness to a conversation about power, philanthropy, donor dynamics, systemic change, and what the nonprofit sector must be willing to confront. He challenges traditional ideas around fundraising, donor-centered models, wealth, gratitude, and why nonprofits often focus on treating symptoms instead of solving root problems. Kyle and Vu also discuss what real impact looks like, why philanthropy must be reimagined, how funders shape nonprofit priorities, and why leaders with privilege must be willing to use their voice, even when it costs them. Episode Highlights 00:00 — Introduction 00:15 — Meet Vu Le 01:00 — Holding joy during difficult times 02:30 — Vu describes himself as a rabble-rouser 03:30 — Writing boldly about the nonprofit sector 04:15 — The problem with donor-centered fundraising 05:30 — Is philanthropy helping or maintaining control? 06:00 — Redefining philanthropy as love of humanity 07:00 — How wealth can distort giving 08:00 — Who holds power in the nonprofit ecosystem 09:15 — What nonprofit leaders should do differently 10:00 — Solving root causes instead of managing symptoms 11:30 — Why organizations should aim to solve themselves out of existence 12:00 — Advocacy, politics, and systems change 13:00 — Defining true impact 14:00 — What progressive movements can learn from conservative strategy 15:00 — Building institutions and funding long-term work 17:00 — White moderation and nonprofit ineffectiveness 18:30 — The cost of being bold 20:00 — Using privilege to speak up 21:00 — Vu’s journey into nonprofit leadership and social work -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Kathy Klotz-Guest, keynote speaker, author, comedian, LinkedIn Learning instructor, and creator of BoldNet. Kathy shares how humor, improv, and authenticity can help leaders build trust, reduce fear, and create cultures where people feel safe enough to take risks. She explains why many organizations get stuck in “innovation theater,” where teams talk about innovation but never create the conditions for real creativity, experimentation, or change. Kyle and Kathy also discuss psychological safety, leadership vulnerability, positive humor, the power of “yes, and,” and why leaders must model the courage they want to see in their teams. Key Topics: Why humor builds trust and psychological safety What “innovation theater” looks like inside organizations How fear blocks creativity and risk-taking Why leaders must model vulnerability and experimentation The role of laughter in healthy team culture How improv principles like “yes, and” strengthen collaboration Why teams need support systems to be bold How leaders can become one percent bolder every day Episode History 00:00 — Introduction 00:18 — Meet Kathy Klotz-Guest 01:22 — Who Kathy is beyond the titles 02:48 — Reclaiming humanity inside corporate spaces 03:00 — How Kathy’s work began 05:45 — Moving from fragmentation to integration 06:20 — Courage, comedy, and stepping outside your comfort zone 08:40 — What innovation theater means 10:44 — Fear, support, and the role of humor 12:45 — Laughter as a measure of trust 13:30 — How leaders can model psychological safety 15:00 — Ritualizing mistakes and learning from failure 16:20 — Building the ensemble through “yes, and” 18:00 — Why old leadership models no longer work 20:00 — Becoming one percent bolder every day 21:45 — The meaning of “yes, and 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 this episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Naomi Hattaway, founder of Leaving Well, for a timely conversation on workplace transitions, succession planning, board leadership, and what it means to leave an organization with intention. Naomi shares why organizations often talk about hiring, growth, and vision, but avoid the harder conversations around departure, transition, termination, retirement, and succession. She explains why leaving well is not just about the person leaving. It is about protecting the mission, honoring the people, and creating continuity for the organization. Kyle and Naomi also discuss board responsibility, documenting systems, proactive succession planning, interim leadership, and how organizations can create more humanity, clarity, and even joy in the process of transition.   Episode History 00:00 — Introduction 00:39 — Meet Naomi Hattaway and Leaving Well 01:00 — Can workplace transitions include joy? 02:00 — Why people leaving should not surprise us 03:00 — Practical ways to add humanity to departures 04:30 — How personal history shapes our relationship with transition 05:00 — Hattaway’s background and personal connection to leaving well 06:00 — Moving, change, and learning how to say goodbye 06:45 — Interim leadership, succession planning, and board development 08:45 — Why succession planning matters in nonprofits 09:45 — Defining what it means to leave well 10:45 — Leaving a legacy through documentation 12:00 — Why organizations struggle to document processes 13:00 — The value of after-action reviews 14:00 — Creating transition binders and archives 15:45 — Where boards and leaders should begin 17:30 — How to introduce succession planning without creating fear 18:30 — The danger of starting from scratch after a leader leaves -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Shola Richards, international keynote speaker, founder of Go Together Global, bestselling author, and host of the Kindness Extremist Podcast. Shola shares the personal story behind his work and explains why kindness is not weakness. He opens up about pain, depression, imposter syndrome, and how his own wounds became the foundation for a global movement rooted in kindness, courage, and humanity. Kyle and Shola also discuss the difference between being nice and being kind, why kindness requires boundaries and difficult conversations, and how leaders can create cultures where people feel safe, seen, and valued. Episode History 00:00 — Introduction 00:24 — Meet Shola Richards 03:25 — The person behind the platform 06:30 — Why Shola does this work 08:30 — Pain, depression, and choosing kindness 10:54 — Why perfection is not required to lead 12:07 — Nice vs. kind 15:20 — How to embody kindness daily 16:24 — Boundaries, behavior, and difficult conversations 18:32 — Finding your voice through pain and healing 20:00 — Practical tools for the inner critic -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Natalie Brown, Head of Strategic Workforce Partnership at Ally Financial, for a conversation on leadership, workforce development, strategic partnerships, and preparing the next generation for success. Natalie shares how her work connects business goals, community priorities, and talent pipelines to create real opportunities for students, professionals, and future leaders. She also discusses the importance of mentorship, relationship-building, financial education, AI readiness, and partnerships rooted in shared values. Kyle and Natalie explore what meaningful partnerships look like, why relationships matter in career growth, and how companies can build ecosystems that help people thrive. Key Topics: What strategic workforce partnerships really mean How companies can build stronger talent pipelines Why partnerships must be rooted in shared values Preparing students for corporate America The role of AI skills in the future workforce Why mentorship and relationships matter How young professionals can build meaningful networks The importance of excellence, trust, and paying it forward Episode History 00:00 — Introduction 00:12 — Meet Natalie Brown 01:30 — Who Natalie is beyond the title 03:10 — What keeps Natalie excited about the work 04:34 — Defining strategic workforce partnerships 06:20 — What meaningful partnerships look like 09:17 — Preparing students for future opportunities 11:20 — AI, prompting, and workforce readiness 13:20 — Why partnerships sometimes fail 16:30 — Mentorship, leadership, and advice that shaped Natalie 19:30 — The leadership traits young professionals need 21:30 — How to build and nurture relationships   -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Lindsey Fuller, Executive Director of The Teaching Well, leadership coach, keynote speaker, and organizational wellness consultant. Lindsey shares why strong adult culture is the engine of strong student outcomes. She explains why schools cannot expect students to regulate, learn, and thrive if the adults leading them are burned out, unsupported, and disconnected from their own wellness. Kyle and Lindsey also discuss educator burnout, adult behavior in schools, restorative leadership, the need to invest in teachers and school leaders, and what it would take to build school systems that are more human-centered, healing-centered, and sustainable. Key Topics: Why adult culture shapes student outcomes How educator burnout impacts school communities Why schools need to invest in adults, not just programs The difference between a broken system and a sick system Why most school problems are adult problems Restorative leadership and repairing relationships The importance of therapy, coaching, and stronger benefits for educators Why school leaders need support, training, and accountability How philanthropy can better support educator wellness Building schools where adults stay whole so students can thrive Episode History 00:00 — Introduction 00:20 — Meet Lindsey Fuller 01:15 — Lindsey’s background and love of learning 02:30 — Childhood, trauma, and becoming a leader 03:30 — Teaching as inheritance 04:30 — School as both sanctuary and harm 05:30 — What it means to build human-centered schools 06:00 — Why the education system is sick, not broken 07:30 — What practices need to be preserved or reimagined 08:45 — Critical hope and why children keep Lindsey hopeful 09:30 — Where school change begins 10:30 — Why most school problems are adult problems 11:30 — Adult behavior, regulation, and school culture 13:00 — Why schools must invest in educators 14:30 — Educator mental health as a public health crisis 16:30 — Caring for the caregivers 17:00 — What Lindsey would change if she had the keys 18:00 — Coaching, therapy, benefits, and professional development 19:30 — Funding, accountability, and philanthropy 20:30 — Why teachers and school leaders are the key levers 21:30 — Seeing the full puzzle of school transformation Lindsey Fuller is the Executive Director of The Teaching Well, a leadership coach, keynote speaker, and organizational wellness consultant. Her work focuses on helping schools and districts build strong adult culture, improve educator wellness, strengthen leadership practices, and create environments where adults can stay whole so students can thrive.   -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Olivia Jefferson, VP of Social Impact at Best Buy and a leader helping drive the vision of the Best Buy Foundation. Olivia shares how her personal story, her mother’s resilience after a life-changing accident, and her early exposure to philanthropy shaped her purpose and commitment to community impact. She explains why philanthropy is not just about moving dollars, but about stewarding resources in ways that change lives, open doors, and create lasting opportunity. Kyle and Olivia also discuss corporate philanthropy, authentic partnership, youth workforce development, durable skills, AI, mentorship, accountability, skills-first hiring, and how the Best Buy Foundation is helping young people move from access to technology toward economic opportunity and mobility. Key Topics: Olivia’s journey into philanthropy and social impact How her mother’s resilience shaped her purpose Why corporate philanthropy can drive meaningful community change The weight of leading impact work from inside a corporation What Olivia had to unlearn to become the leader she is today Trusting yourself as a leader The importance of coaching, accountability, and repair Why durable skills matter in the future of work How AI is changing workforce preparation Why relationships, curiosity, and critical thinking still matter What strong partnership looks like beyond the grant dollar How funders can reduce friction for nonprofit partners Best Buy Foundation’s work around technology, mentorship, and economic mobility Episode History 00:00 — Introduction 00:30 — Meet Olivia Jefferson 01:15 — Kyle shares Olivia’s impact on his leadership 02:00 — Who Olivia is outside of work 03:00 — Family, friendship, mentorship, and community service 04:30 — The journey that shaped Olivia’s values 05:30 — Olivia’s mother’s accident and resilience 07:00 — Learning the power of grants and philanthropy 08:30 — Discovering philanthropy through the Kresge Foundation 09:45 — Purpose and corporate philanthropy 11:00 — Carrying the weight of impact work 12:30 — Why people like Olivia need to be in corporate spaces 14:30 — Unlearning ego in impact work 15:15 — Learning to trust yourself as a leader 16:30 — Leading young and growing through responsibility 18:30 — The importance of coaches, sponsors, and advocates 20:00 — Accountability, repair, and leadership growth 22:00 — Are young people ready for the workforce? 23:00 — Skills-first hiring and economic mobility 24:30 — Durable skills and the automation of entry-level work 27:30 — Where jobs are going and how young people can prepare 28:30 — Relationships, curiosity, communication, and critical thinking 30:30 — AI as a resource, not a replacement 31:00 — What real partnership looks like 32:00 — Supporting nonprofits beyond the grant dollar 35:30 — Vetting partnerships and reducing wasted time 38:00 — Why nonprofits should not shape-shift for funding 40:30 — Best Buy Foundation’s work in community 41:30 — Tech-reliant careers, skills, and credentials 43:00 — Teen Tech Centers and preparing young people early 44:30 — The next generation of community impact leaders 46:30 — Corporate philanthropy aligned with business strategy 48:00 — Where to connect with Olivia and Best Buy Foundation Guest Bio Olivia Jefferson is the VP of Social Impact at Best Buy and a leader helping drive the vision of the Best Buy Foundation. Her work sits at the intersection of corporate citizenship, community partnership, youth opportunity, technology access, mentorship, and workforce development. Through her leadership, Olivia helps create pathways that support young people as they move from access to technology toward economic opportunity, mobility, and real-world career exposure. -- 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 episode of Contagious Culture, Kyle S. King sits down with Claire Masikewich, founder of the Strong Like Sloan Foundation, for a powerful conversation about purpose, adversity, storytelling, community, and turning pain into impact. After her daughter Sloan was diagnosed with stage four cancer at five and a half years old, Claire’s life and work shifted. What started as a way to cope became a foundation raising money, awareness, and advocacy for pediatric cancer research. Claire shares how her family navigated treatment, relapse, remission, and hope while building a nonprofit that has raised nearly $400,000 in less than three years. This episode is for nonprofit leaders, parents, founders, and changemakers who are trying to build something meaningful while carrying the weight of real life. Episode Highlights 00:00 — Welcome to the Contagious Culture Podcast 01:00 — Claire Masikewich’s background in marketing and communications 02:30 — Sloan’s diagnosis and the start of Strong Like Sloan 05:00 — Finding purpose without forcing purpose 07:00 — The vision: a world where pediatric cancer is cured 09:30 — Why nonprofits should focus on solving root problems 12:00 — The challenge of funding pediatric cancer research 14:30 — Raising nearly $400,000 through community and storytelling 17:00 — How to tell powerful stories when the story is not your own 19:00 — Turning adversity into action 21:00 — “What if it all works out?” 23:00 — What kept Claire going during the hardest seasons 25:00 — The lesson of capability: we are stronger than we think 27:00 — The role of community in survival and impact 29:00 — Letting go of what you cannot control 30:30 — Boundaries, balance, and learning to say no 31:30 — Claire’s message to leaders and changemakers 32:00 — Closing: What type of culture are you spreading? Connect with Claire Strong Like Sloan Foundation Instagram: @stronglikesloane Claire Masikewich Instagram: @therealclairem -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Lauren Riley, Executive Director of Gratitude Network, to talk about nonprofit leadership, culture, sustainability, and scaling impact. Lauren shares why passion alone is not enough to grow an organization. Nonprofits need clear systems, aligned messaging, strong leadership, and a value proposition that everyone on the team can communicate. Kyle and Lauren also discuss why values are not culture, why organizations cannot scale what is not sustainable, and how nonprofit leaders can build systems that outlast the founder or executive director. Episode Highlights 00:00 — Introduction 01:16 — What keeps Lauren’s fire burning 02:00 — What Gratitude Network does 03:10 — What nonprofits often get wrong 04:44 — Building systems beyond the leader 06:18 — Why behaviors define culture 10:32 — Coaching, mentorship, and performance 13:15 — Recovering from disruption and defeat 15:48 — Moving beyond grants and donor dependency 18:26 — Training your team to communicate value 28:36 — Product, distribution, and financial sustainability 30:03 — Closing reflections -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Peggy Doherty DeLong, Psy.D., a psychologist, speaker, and educator who teaches practical tools for gratitude, well-being, and personal fulfillment. Peggy shares how gratitude helped her through deep grief after losing her fiancé and father within weeks of each other. She explains the science behind gratitude, why it is most powerful on our hardest days, and how simple daily practices can improve our mental health, relationships, and sense of meaning.   Kyle and Peggy also discuss the power of handwritten notes, awe, nature, human connection, the PEACE Method, and how high achievers can redefine success without burning out. Episode Highlights 00:00 — Introduction 00:55 — Peggy’s story and work with gratitude 02:35 — The science behind gratitude 04:29 — Daily gratitude practices 06:20 — The power of handwritten letters 08:00 — Gratitude, simplicity, and emotional blocks 10:21 — Starting the day with simple practices 11:21 — Finding awe in everyday life 13:14 — Nature, healing, and mental health 15:00 — Man’s Search for Meaning and resilience 16:48 — Defining meaning through connection 17:16 — The PEACE Method 20:08 — Redefining achievement 21:36 — The three P’s: pleasure, present, purpose -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Christine Robertson, a nonprofit technology and data professional with more than 20 years of experience helping mission-driven organizations strengthen their impact through better systems, strategy, and technology. Christine explains why nonprofit data should not be treated as administrative busywork. When managed well, a CRM can preserve donor relationships, strengthen fundraising, improve communication, protect institutional knowledge, and give organizations a clearer picture of the people who support their mission. Kyle and Christine also discuss data security, clean data, selecting the right technology, consolidating information into one source of truth, maximizing the tools an organization already owns, and why buying new software will not solve a broken process. Key Topics: How technology can strengthen donor relationships Why every organization needs one source of truth The danger of keeping donor information in inboxes and spreadsheets How staff turnover can disrupt donor relationships Choosing technology based on organizational priorities Why organizations often underuse the tools they already have Training problems versus software problems Why a new tool cannot fix a broken system Treating database professionals as fundraisers Protecting donor information and maintaining trust What clean data actually means Where organizations should begin cleaning their data Using email engagement data to improve communication Starting with small, strategic steps instead of fixing everything at once Episode History 00:00 — Introduction 00:15 — Meet Christine Robertson 00:55 — What is exciting Christine about technology 01:45 — Technology, fundraising, and relationships 02:30 — How the nonprofit technology landscape is changing 03:00 — Why donor information cannot live in one person’s head 03:30 — Using a CRM to preserve organizational relationships 04:00 — The first step toward better data management 04:30 — Creating one consolidated source of truth 05:00 — The problem with disconnected email, event, and donation tools 06:00 — Documenting every donor interaction 06:45 — Why CRM work is not busywork 07:00 — Technology options for grassroots organizations 08:00 — Choosing software based on priorities 09:30 — Integrations, email tools, and non-negotiable features 10:00 — Why organizations underuse the software they own 10:30 — Training problems versus system design problems 11:30 — When it may actually be time to change tools 12:00 — A new tool will not fix a broken system 12:30 — The people behind the technology 13:00 — Treating data professionals as fundraisers 13:30 — Why data management should not be an afterthought 14:30 — Donor data security and organizational responsibility 15:00 — Protecting donor trust and sensitive information 16:00 — Guarding donor information like your own 16:30 — What clean data really means 17:30 — Why clean data does not mean perfect data 18:00 — Starting with the pain point that hurts the most 18:30 — Building weekly, monthly, and annual data routines 20:00 — Recognizing when your organization needs help 21:30 — Why nonprofit strategy often lives in the gray 22:00 — The myth that some people cannot learn technology 23:30 — Why data is the foundation of nonprofit growth 24:30 — Using donor behavior to personalize relationships 25:00 — Underused email marketing insights 26:30 — How often leaders should review their data 27:30 — Asking the right questions before analyzing data 28:30 — Avoiding overwhelm and running your own race 29:30 — Practical advice for leaders who want to scale 30:00 — Documenting organizational pain points 30:30 — Making time to improve systems 31:00 — Fixing problems one at a time 32:30 — Where to connect with Christine 33:00 — Humanitru and supporter management Christine's Bio Christine Robertson is a nonprofit technology and data professional with more than 20 years of experience helping mission-driven organizations strengthen fundraising, improve donor relationships, and build better systems. She began her career as a nonprofit database manager and has since worked inside organizations and as a consultant, helping teams use data, strategy, and technology to amplify their impact. Christine also works with Humanitru, a supporter management platform designed to help nonprofits consolidate donor, event, membership, email, and engagement information into one place. -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Lina AbiRafeh, activist, author, global women’s rights leader, and founder of Better for Women. Lina explains why activism does not have to begin with a massive platform, a global campaign, or a major financial investment. It begins by looking around, caring about what is broken, and taking one meaningful action where you currently stand. Kyle and Lina also discuss gender equality, women’s rights, global injustice, apathy, the failures of traditional development funding, listening to women on the ground, unrestricted support, activist burnout, self-care, and how ordinary people can use their voices, resources, and influence to create change. Key Topics: Why the first three letters of activist are “act” How small actions can create meaningful change Why people become overwhelmed by global injustice Choosing progress even when change feels microscopic What leaders misunderstand about gender equality Why women’s rights are treated as optional The danger of turning human rights on and off Why leaders must listen to women on the ground The need for unrestricted funding and community agency How traditional funding models restrict local leaders Why apathy is more dangerous than opposition Keeping your fire alive in difficult times Activism, burnout, grief, and self-care Using your words, access, and influence responsibly The meaning behind “start where you stand” Why people do not need a voice, they need a microphone Episode History 00:00 — Introduction 00:40 — Meet Lina AbiRafeh 00:50 — Activism and building a better world 01:35 — What it means to be an activist 01:45 — The first three letters of activist are “act” 02:00 — Why the most powerful activism is often small 03:00 — Moving beyond massive goals and movements 03:30 — Making activism actionable and sustainable 04:30 — Why behavior is contagious 05:15 — What Lina cares about most 05:30 — War, poverty, access, freedom, and injustice 06:20 — Losing ground on women’s rights 07:00 — Why fighting still matters 07:30 — The greater good benefits everyone 08:30 — What are you fighting for? 09:30 — Misconceptions about gender equality 10:00 — Why gender equality is considered too difficult or already complete 10:45 — Why women’s rights are funded last and cut first 12:00 — Women’s rights are not a light switch 12:30 — Rights are not negotiable 13:30 — What leaders with power and resources must do 13:45 — Listening to women on the ground 14:30 — Redirecting resources to local women leaders 15:00 — The failures of restrictive and colonial funding models 16:00 — Trusting communities to make their own decisions 16:45 — Encouragement for leaders facing resistance 17:00 — Feminist Firestarter: Activism for an Unraveling World 17:30 — Why apathy is our greatest enemy 18:15 — Identifying the issue that crosses your line 19:00 — A story of practical activism in Kenya 19:30 — Education, menstrual products, and listening to real needs 20:30 — The emotional weight of global activism 21:00 — Lina’s Palestinian and Lebanese identity 21:45 — Speaking when silence would be easier 22:15 — Using words as a weapon for change 23:00 — Activism, exhaustion, and self-care 24:00 — The advice that changed Lina’s life 24:30 — Street art, Nepal, and activist burnout 26:00 — “Start where you stand” 27:30 — How the world would be different for women 28:00 — Dignity, respect, boundaries, and empathy 29:30 — Encouragement for new changemakers 30:15 — Start with the injustice you cannot ignore 31:00 — Listening before creating solutions 31:30 — The question Lina asked women in crisis 32:00 — Safety, freedom, and bringing women’s voices into powerful spaces 32:30 — People do not need a voice, they need a microphone 33:15 — Better for Women and Lina’s upcoming books Lina's Bio Lina AbiRafeh is a global women’s rights activist, author, speaker, and founder of Better for Women. Her career has focused on advancing gender equality, preventing violence against women, supporting women in humanitarian crises, and challenging systems that restrict women’s safety, freedom, access, and opportunity. Lina has worked across countries and crisis settings around the world, including conflict zones and communities recovering from natural disasters. She is also the author of Feminist Firestarter: Activism for an Unraveling World, a book focused on helping people identify the issues they care about, take meaningful action, and continue fighting for change in overwhelming times. -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Denise Brown, caregiving educator, community builder, and founder of Caring Our Way. Denise shares how a “flashlight moment” more than three decades ago led her into the caregiving field and shaped her commitment to supporting both family caregivers and direct care professionals. She explains why caregiving is not simply about meeting one person’s needs. It requires navigating complicated systems, managing emotional stress, coordinating resources, and carrying responsibilities that are often invisible to everyone else. Kyle and Denise also discuss the lack of career pathways for direct care professionals, the importance of emergency planning, turning lived experience into service, the need for trained listeners, and how the right support can reduce stress, improve quality of life, and help caregivers avoid future regret. Key Topics: Denise’s “flashlight moment” and entry into caregiving Why family caregivers and direct care workers both need support The lack of career pathways for direct care professionals What happens when a caregiver’s body ages out of the work Turning caregiving experience into coaching and leadership Recognizing the talent and soft skills in direct care work Why family caregivers navigate so many disconnected systems The need for community-based caregiving infrastructure Emergency planning for families during weather events Turning lived experience into a career or volunteer opportunity Why caregivers need a good listener How support reduces stress and improves quality of life Preventing regret during and after the caregiving experience Misconceptions about who becomes a caregiver Why “everything else” often creates more stress than the diagnosis The Caregiving Listener Project and Giving Thursday Episode History 00:00 — Introduction 00:15 — Meet Denise Brown 01:15 — Denise’s mission and caregiving work 01:50 — The “flashlight moment” that changed her career 02:30 — Starting at a congregate meal site 03:30 — Aging forward and supporting older adults 04:00 — The two sides of caregiving support 04:30 — Why direct care work lacks a career ladder 05:00 — Moving direct care professionals into coaching roles 05:30 — What happens when the body ages out of caregiving work 06:30 — Creating meaningful next steps for caregivers 07:15 — What social impact leaders can do 08:00 — Recognizing the talent inside the direct care workforce 08:45 — The soft skills required to enter someone’s home and care well 09:30 — Why caregivers should become navigators and guides 10:00 — Building community infrastructure for family caregivers 10:30 — Emergency planning during weather events 11:30 — Creating community-based caregiving support 12:30 — The exact work Denise is leading 13:00 — Turning lived experience into training 13:30 — Helping former caregivers become coaches and support-group leaders 14:30 — Turning pain into purpose and service 15:00 — Measuring impact through stress and quality of life 15:30 — Why every caregiver needs a good listener 16:30 — How support changes the way caregivers show up 17:00 — Preventing regret after a caregiving experience 17:30 — Misconceptions about who caregivers are 18:00 — Caregiving across age, gender, and life stage 18:30 — The question Denise wishes people asked 19:00 — What really causes caregiver stress 19:30 — Insurance, scheduling, resources, and family expectations 20:00 — Navigating 19 different systems 20:45 — Why the caregiving ecosystem is so complex 21:15 — Caring Our Way 21:30 — The Caregiving Listener Project 22:00 — Giving Thursday and other initiatives Denise's Bio Denise Brown is a caregiving educator, community builder, trainer, and founder of Caring Our Way, an online community that supports family caregivers and direct care professionals. For more than three decades, Denise has worked to educate, support, and equip people navigating caregiving experiences. Her work focuses on turning lived experience into coaching, mentoring, support-group leadership, and volunteer opportunities that help others feel less isolated and more prepared. Through initiatives such as the Caregiving Listener Project and Giving Thursday, Denise helps caregivers access emotional support, community, training, and practical resources. -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Dr. Michelle Chanda Singh, educator, professor, researcher, consultant, and creator of the EQUAL Methodology. Michelle shares her journey from high-performing educator and lifelong achiever to a leader learning how to separate her identity from productivity, accomplishment, and constant busyness. She opens up about burnout, motherhood, immigration, perfectionism, therapy, and the pressure to prove herself through degrees, credentials, and professional success. Kyle and Michelle also discuss disengagement as a form of self-protection, the importance of emotional safety and belonging, and how leaders can create healthier learning and workplace environments through clarity, courage, care, collaboration, and evidence. Key Topics: Who we were before we became busy Why high-functioning leaders often ignore their own needs The connection between productivity, perfectionism, and identity Michelle’s experience as a first-generation immigrant and educator How motherhood shaped her drive to prove herself The danger of attaching worth to accomplishments Why rest helps leaders show up better Therapy, coaching, community, and healing Redefining productivity through connection, presence, and wholeness Why disengagement is often self-protection How emotional safety and belonging affect performance The three leadership principles of clarity, courage, and care The five dimensions of the EQUAL Methodology Why leaders must look beneath behavior Creating collaborative communities of care Using reflection, feedback, and data to sustain progress Suggested Timestamps 00:00 — Introduction 00:15 — Meet Dr. Michelle Chanda Singh 00:30 — Rooted and Ready 01:00 — Creating space for accomplished women to pause 01:45 — Who were you before you were busy? 02:15 — Carrying the weight of being first-generation 03:00 — Remembering the person beneath the productivity 03:30 — Childhood in Jamaica, freedom, and creativity 04:30 — Presence, playfulness, and listening to yourself 05:30 — Kyle’s experience choosing rest over work 06:15 — Why slowing down makes us feel lighter 07:00 — The act of being busy 07:30 — Why leaders ignore their bodies 08:15 — Burnout, unused leave, and working on autopilot 09:00 — Disconnection, disengagement, and emotional numbness 09:30 — The unhealthy attachment to work 10:00 — Were the unused days worth the payout? 11:00 — Why rest would have improved Michelle’s leadership 11:30 — Recognizing burnout after leaving the system 12:00 — Empty nesting, entrepreneurship, and rediscovering identity 12:30 — The retreat that changed Michelle’s perspective 13:00 — Designing days around rest, learning, and community 14:00 — Why community, therapy, and coaching matter 15:00 — Accomplishments without identity 15:30 — Who are you without your title? 16:00 — Learning to introduce yourself as a human being 17:00 — Patterns of producing, performing, and perfecting 17:30 — Detaching your worth from the outcome 18:30 — Creating spaces for safe and honest conversation 19:15 — The childhood weight Michelle carried 20:00 — Being the first in the family 20:30 — Pregnancy, shame, and the pressure to prove everyone wrong 22:00 — Turning shame into testimony 23:00 — Senior year of college and fear of disappointing her family 24:00 — Hiding pain behind strength and achievement 25:00 — Collecting degrees to prove she was not a failure 26:00 — Moving from performance to healing 26:30 — How therapy changed Michelle’s perspective 27:30 — Therapy as part of a healthy routine 28:00 — Redefining strength and asking for help 29:00 — Why inner work improves professional performance 30:00 — Choosing rest without guilt 30:30 — Me Time Mondays 31:00 — Freedom Fridays 32:30 — Filling your own cup before serving others 33:15 — Michelle’s current work 33:30 — Disengagement as a system signal 34:00 — Clarity, courage, and care 35:00 — Introducing the EQUAL Methodology 36:30 — E: Evaluate context 37:00 — Looking beneath disengaged behavior 37:15 — Q: Qualify the learning environment 37:45 — Rigor, relevance, and responsiveness 38:00 — U: Uplift belonging 38:15 — Disengagement is self-protection 39:00 — A: Activate collaboration 39:30 — Creating a success team of stakeholders 40:00 — L: Leverage evidence 40:30 — Using feedback, reflection, and data 41:15 — Applying the framework beyond education 42:00 — Where to connect with Michelle 43:00 — Encouragement for leaders facing disengagement 44:00 — Redesigning environments around people 46:00 — Rooted and Ready 47:00 — Productivity as connection, presence, and wholeness 48:00 — Humanity before performance Dr. Singh's Bio Dr. Michelle Chanda Singh is an educator, professor, researcher, consultant, and creator of the EQUAL Methodology, a human-centered framework designed to help educators and organizational leaders understand and disrupt disengagement. With more than 20 years of experience in education, Michelle has worked across classrooms, school systems, higher education, nonprofit organizations, and corporate environments. Her work focuses on belonging, emotional safety, relevance, collaboration, leadership, and designing environments where people can learn, work, and thrive. She is also the creator of Rooted and Ready, a quarterly gathering designed to give accomplished women space to pause, reconnect, reflect, and remember who they are beyond productivity and performance. -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Maddie Myers, Senior Vice President and Director of Client and Community Relations at PNC for the Western Carolinas. Maddie shares how her career evolved from nonprofit fundraising into corporate philanthropy and community investment. She explains what makes an organization ready to receive funding, why relationships matter, and why nonprofits should never create programs simply to match a funder’s priorities. Kyle and Maddie also discuss mission drift, early childhood education, community collaboration, listening as a leadership skill, and how small operational details can shape meaningful impact. Maddie also opens up about her husband’s cancer diagnosis, how that experience changed her perspective, and why leaders should never underestimate what someone else may be carrying. Key Topics What makes a nonprofit ready to receive funding Building relationships and listening to funder priorities Avoiding mission drift and remaining focused Early childhood education and community collaboration Finding strength and perspective during difficult seasons Episode History 00:00 — Introduction and meeting Maddie Myers 02:30 — Maddie’s journey into nonprofit and community work 04:15 — Moving from fundraising to corporate funding 05:00 — What makes a nonprofit ready for investment 07:00 — Mission drift, relationships, and saying no to money 09:00 — Listening as a leadership and fundraising skill 14:15 — Early childhood education and community impact 32:00 — Maddie’s slingshot moment and finding your rock Maddie's Bio Maddie Myers is Senior Vice President and Director of Client and Community Relations at PNC for the Western Carolinas. Her work brings together corporate leadership, philanthropy, nonprofit partnerships, early childhood education, arts and culture, and community engagement. Before moving into corporate community relations, Maddie began her career in the nonprofit sector, including work with the Livestrong Foundation. Her experience on both the fundraising and funding sides gives her a valuable perspective on what makes partnerships effective, what funders look for, and how organizations can remain focused on their mission while building long-term relationships. Maddie also serves on nonprofit boards and committees and is deeply involved in efforts supporting early childhood education, literacy, and community development throughout Charlotte and the Western Carolinas. -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Leanna Calvin, founder and executive director of Exposure Project, an innovative youth development organization helping middle and high school students explore careers, build character, and develop practical skills through hands-on experiences. Leanna shares how her natural curiosity, social work background, and connection with young people led her to launch Exposure Project. She also offers an honest look behind the scenes of nonprofit leadership, including funding challenges, team development, governance, marketing, program evaluation, and the infrastructure required to build a sustainable organization. Kyle and Leanna also discuss why young people need exposure beyond traditional career paths, how parents can cultivate curiosity, and why meaningful youth development requires more than simply keeping children occupied after school. Key Topics How career exposure can change a young person’s future Building sustainable nonprofit infrastructure The realities of funding, volunteers, boards, and team development Listening to young people and cultivating their curiosity Turning hands-on experiences into practical career skills Episode History 00:00 — Introduction and meeting Leanna Calvin 02:00 — Curiosity, boldness, and Leanna’s calling to serve youth 06:00 — Building Exposure Project and navigating early challenges 11:30 — Why nonprofit leadership is business leadership 14:15 — The infrastructure every nonprofit needs 18:15 — Where overwhelmed nonprofit founders should begin 25:30 — Why youth development deserves greater respect 31:00 — Career exposure, the food truck initiative, and future growth Leanna's Bio Leanna Calvin is the founder and executive director of Exposure Project, a youth development organization that helps middle and high school students explore career pathways, build character, and gain hands-on professional experience. She is also a licensed clinical social worker with a background in mental health, youth development, foster care prevention, therapeutic services, and community programming. Leanna holds degrees from Tuskegee University and Fordham University and has served young people and families across multiple states. Through Exposure Project, Leanna connects students with professionals, businesses, career experiences, entrepreneurship opportunities, and practical learning. The organization’s initiatives include career exposure trips, experiential programming, an annual youth summit, and a youth-led food truck initiative that teaches business development, marketing, financial literacy, culinary skills, photography, and graphic design. -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Lisa Tarkington, keynote speaker, leadership coach, entrepreneur, and founder of Lead, formerly known as Self Love Beauty. Lisa shares how her personal struggle with confidence and belonging inspired her to begin a blog that eventually became a nonprofit focused on helping people strengthen their self-esteem, leadership, and sense of identity. Kyle and Lisa also discuss self-awareness, receiving feedback, building strong teams, developing confidence, and the uncomfortable internal work required to become a healthier leader. Lisa reflects on her transition from founder to exited founder and explains why growth often requires leaders to listen, adapt, and remain committed to becoming the next best version of themselves. Key Topics Turning personal struggles into meaningful impact Self-awareness and receiving honest feedback Building a leadership identity without losing yourself Developing strong teams through clarity and communication Knowing when to transition into your next season Episode History 00:00 — Introduction and meeting Lisa Tarkington 01:40 — How Lisa’s confidence journey inspired her organization 03:15 — The pivotal moments that kept her moving forward 06:00 — Building something that lasts and preparing to exit 12:00 — Understanding yourself and your leadership style 19:30 — Self-awareness, mistakes, and receiving feedback 24:45 — The transformation that happens when leaders do the work 30:00 — Do not lose your voice and becoming your best self Lisa's Bio Lisa Tarkington is a keynote speaker, business and leadership coach, entrepreneur, and founder of Lead, formerly known as Self Love Beauty. For more than a decade, Lisa has helped individuals and organizations build confidence, strengthen leadership, and create cultures where people feel empowered to thrive. What began as a college blog inspired by her personal journey with self-esteem grew into a nonprofit organization serving individuals across generations. Lisa is now entering a new chapter as an exited founder, expanding her work through keynote speaking, coaching, leadership development, and new programming designed to help people become the next best version of themselves. -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Tracy Solarek, emotional intelligence coach, keynote speaker, trainer, and founder of Optymum Potential. Tracy explains how emotional intelligence helps leaders better understand themselves, strengthen relationships, build trust, and create environments where people feel valued and motivated. She breaks down the role of assessments, coaching, empathy, self-awareness, interpersonal skills, and feedback in developing healthier leaders and stronger organizations. Kyle and Tracy also discuss the difference between coaching and therapy, why many leaders are unaware of how others perceive them, and how daily habits such as reflection, reading, journaling, and intentional pauses can improve the way leaders show up. Key Topics Using emotional intelligence to uncover leadership potential Why empathy and self-awareness strengthen workplace culture Understanding how others experience your leadership Creating psychologically safe, people-centered organizations Daily habits that help leaders become more grounded and effective Episode History 00:00 — Introduction and meeting Tracy Solarek 01:30 — Unveiling potential and building confidence 03:30 — Emotional intelligence assessments and coaching 06:30 — Empathy, retention, and stronger leadership 08:30 — Coaching, therapy, and personal development 10:00 — Why organizations neglect emotional intelligence 16:45 — Self-awareness, personal brand, and leadership perception 20:15 — Daily habits for becoming a more grounded leader Tracy's Bio Tracy Solarek is an emotional intelligence coach, keynote speaker, trainer, and founder of Optymum Potential. Through coaching, assessments, keynotes, and professional development workshops, Tracy helps leaders and organizations strengthen emotional intelligence, improve self-awareness, build confidence, and create more productive and people-centered cultures. Her work focuses on empathy, interpersonal relationships, emotional expression, impulse control, leadership presence, and helping people understand how they are perceived by others. Tracy also guides organizations through emotional intelligence assessments and 360-degree feedback to identify strengths, blind spots, and opportunities for growth. -- 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

Building relationships in the nonprofit world is often treated like a necessary evil, awkward networking events, forced conversations, and transactional asks. But what if it didn’t have to feel that way? In this episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle breaks down why nonprofit relationship building doesn’t have to suck and why the most successful leaders approach it completely differently. Instead of chasing donations or trying to “work the room,” Kyle shares how authentic connection, shared purpose, and genuine curiosity create stronger partnerships and more sustainable impact. From community leaders and donors to volunteers and board members, the most powerful nonprofit relationships are built on trust, not transactions. You’ll learn practical ways to shift your mindset around networking, create meaningful connections that last, and build a culture where people actually want to support the work you’re doing. If you’re tired of forced networking and ready to build relationships that truly matter, 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 this episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Erika Rothenberger, keynote speaker, construction industry leader, podcast host, and bestselling author of Audacious Expansion. Erika shares how surviving a violent assault in 2022 became the catalyst for a new chapter of courage, advocacy, service, and personal expansion. Rather than allowing the experience to define her as a victim, she made the difficult decision to heal, use her voice, and turn her pain into purpose. Kyle and Erika also discuss the quiet work behind bold accomplishments, the role community plays in recovery, confronting unresolved trauma, building confidence, and taking action before feeling completely ready. Erika also introduces her BOLD Framework, a practical approach for believing in yourself, building consistency, leaning on others, and developing the people around you. Key Topics Turning trauma and adversity into purpose and action Why audacity is often built through quiet, consistent choices The role of community, therapy, and meaningful connection Using the BOLD Framework to create personal expansion Building confidence and taking action before feeling ready Episode History 00:00 — Introduction and meeting Erika Rothenberger 02:45 — What it means to live and lead audaciously 05:00 — The assault that changed Erika’s life 08:30 — Choosing courage, healing, and a new legacy 12:30 — Confronting trauma and recognizing past resilience 16:30 — The power of community and leaning on others 19:30 — Erika’s BOLD Framework for audacious expansion 34:30 — The message behind Audacious Expansion Erika's Bio Erika Rothenberger is a keynote speaker, construction industry leader, podcast host, and bestselling author of Audacious Expansion. After surviving a violent assault in 2022, Erika transformed her recovery into a mission to help others turn adversity into courage, connection, and bold leadership. Her work focuses on resilience, confidence, meaningful relationships, mindset, personal development, and taking action even when the path feels uncertain. Erika has spent more than two decades working in the construction industry and uses lessons from that experience to help people build stronger foundations in their lives and careers. She is also the creator of the BOLD Framework and the founder of the Audacious Woman Summit, which brings women together to grow, connect, and expand into their next level. -- 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 does it really take to become the kind of leader people choose to follow? In this episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King explores the difference between leadership that is assigned and leadership that is earned. Titles may give someone authority, but influence, trust, and credibility are what inspire people to truly follow. Kyle breaks down the key behaviors that define impactful leaders, leaders who create clarity, build strong relationships, and cultivate cultures where people feel motivated to contribute their best work. He also challenges common leadership myths and explains why leadership is less about control and more about consistency, character, and connection. If you want to grow your influence, strengthen your leadership presence, and build a culture where people feel inspired to move the mission forward, this episode will give you practical insights on how to become the leader others willingly follow. -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Dr. Caroline Brookfield, veterinarian, speaker, consultant, comedian, and self-described professional cat herder. Caroline explains how creativity and mindfulness help leaders navigate ambiguity, respond to change, and make better decisions without becoming overwhelmed by uncertainty. She introduces the DANCE Framework, a practical approach that encourages daydreaming, curiosity, novelty, comfort with ambiguity, and delaying judgment during the creative process. Kyle and Caroline also discuss why leaders often say they want creativity while unconsciously rejecting unfamiliar ideas, how psychological safety allows teams to contribute more fully, and why sometimes the best response to change is not to fight harder, but to pause, observe, and consider new possibilities. Key Topics Using creativity and mindfulness to navigate uncertainty Why leaders unconsciously resist unfamiliar ideas Creating psychological safety for curiosity and innovation The DANCE Framework for developing creative thinking Pausing, adapting, and responding differently to change Episode History 00:00 — Introduction and meeting Dr. Caroline Brookfield 01:00 — What it means to be a professional cat herder 02:30 — Creativity, mindfulness, and tolerance for ambiguity 04:00 — The DANCE Framework for stronger creative thinking 06:00 — Why leaders should stop editing ideas too early 09:00 — Why leaders resist creativity and protect the status quo 12:00 — The riptide lesson for navigating change 14:00 — Pausing, curiosity, and building psychological safety Dr. Brookfield's Bio Dr. Caroline Brookfield is a veterinarian, professional speaker, consultant, comedian, and self-described professional cat herder. Her work focuses on helping leaders and organizations build creativity, adaptability, and confidence during periods of uncertainty and change. Drawing from her experiences in veterinary medicine, emergency care, wildlife health, stand-up comedy, and organizational consulting, Caroline teaches people how to think differently, manage ambiguity, and create environments where new ideas can thrive. She is also the creator of the DANCE Framework, which gives leaders and teams practical habits for strengthening creativity and navigating uncertainty. -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, we tackle one of the biggest misconceptions in professional growth: networking is not a competition. Too often, people approach networking like a race for attention, influence, or opportunity. But the most impactful relationships are built through curiosity, generosity, and genuine connection, not comparison. Kyle King explores why many professionals struggle with networking, how the wrong mindset can create unnecessary pressure, and what it looks like to approach relationship-building in a more authentic and strategic way. You’ll learn how to shift from transactional interactions to meaningful conversations, build trust within your network, and create opportunities through collaboration rather than competition. If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable with networking events, unsure how to follow up with new connections, or like you’re “doing networking wrong,” this episode will help you rethink the entire approach and start building relationships that truly matter. -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, host Kyle King sits down with organizational psychologist, executive coach, and Harvard Business Review contributor Irina Cozma to explore the power of Possibility Thinking and how expanding our options can transform careers, leadership, and workplace culture. With more than 20 years of global consulting experience across startups and Fortune 100 companies, Irina has coached hundreds of professionals to move from feeling stuck to becoming more confident, decisive, and impactful leaders. Together, Kyle and Irina discuss why so many professionals dread Monday mornings, how leaders unintentionally shrink or expand the possibilities for their teams, and why confidence isn’t about knowing everything, it’s about trusting your ability to figure things out. Irina also shares insights from her upcoming book on Possibility Thinking, explains why workplaces should operate more like training environments rather than constant performance arenas, and offers practical strategies for leaders who want to create cultures where people grow, experiment, and thrive. If you're a leader, entrepreneur, educator, or professional who wants to expand your thinking and create more options for yourself and your team, this episode will give you powerful tools to rethink how growth and success actually happen. -- 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  

This episode dives into the power of leading with intention and moving with thoughtfulness in a world that rewards speed over substance. Real leadership is not just about making moves, it’s about making the right moves, with clarity, purpose, and alignment. We explore how intentional leaders build stronger cultures, make better decisions, and create impact that lasts far beyond the moment. -- 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 episode, we unpack how reactive leadership quietly destroys innovation, slows momentum, and keeps teams stuck in survival mode. If every challenge feels like a fire drill, creativity suffers, trust erodes, and real progress becomes harder to sustain. This conversation explores why the best leaders don’t just respond quickly, they respond strategically, creating the space, stability, and vision innovation actually needs to thrive. -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King and Dan Fisher sit down with Amy Aussieker, executive director of Envision Charlotte and the leader behind Charlotte’s Innovation Barn. Amy shares how her background in sales and fundraising helped her turn complex sustainability ideas into practical programs, partnerships, and community-based solutions. She explains the circular economy, why food waste should stay out of landfills, and how individuals can take tangible action rather than leaving environmental responsibility entirely to governments and corporations. The conversation also explores cross-sector collaboration, earned revenue for nonprofits, local innovation, diverse teams, and Amy’s vision for making Charlotte a destination for sustainability entrepreneurs, pilots, and circular economy initiatives. Key Topics Turning sustainability and circular economy concepts into practical action Building partnerships by identifying a meaningful win for everyone Creating local solutions for food waste, glass, plastics, and recycling Developing earned-revenue models for nonprofit sustainability Making Charlotte a destination for environmental innovation Episode History 00:00 — Introduction and meeting Amy Aussieker 02:45 — Why Amy chose sustainability and circular economy work 05:00 — Making climate change practical and actionable 08:00 — Collaboration, partnerships, and finding the shared win 11:30 — Innovation Barn projects and filling sustainability gaps 17:00 — Amy’s journey from design into sales and nonprofit leadership 21:00 — A vision for Charlotte as a sustainability destination 28:00 — Earned revenue, nonprofit funding, and creative business models Amy's Bio Amy Aussieker is the executive director of Envision Charlotte and a driving force behind the Innovation Barn, Charlotte’s living laboratory for sustainability, circular economy solutions, education, and cross-sector collaboration. With a professional background in sales, fundraising, business development, and community partnerships, Amy has spent more than a decade helping transform ambitious environmental ideas into practical initiatives. Her work includes advancing solutions related to food waste, glass recycling, plastics, textiles, organics, aquaponics, education, and sustainable economic development. She also connects businesses, nonprofits, entrepreneurs, government leaders, and community members to create partnerships where every participant can recognize a meaningful 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 this episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Patricia Bravo, leadership development consultant, speaker, author, and founder of Bravo For You. Patricia shares how leaders can guide organizations through disruption and transformation without losing sight of the people doing the work. She explains why empathy is not a soft leadership skill, but a practical source of human data that can improve communication, decision-making, trust, and performance. Kyle and Patricia also discuss accountability, professional intimacy, workplace grief, relationship shortcuts, and the hidden costs organizations experience when people feel unseen or left behind. The conversation offers leaders a practical challenge: measure the return they are receiving from investing in their people with the same seriousness they use to evaluate every other business investment. Key Topics Balancing organizational transformation with human needs Using empathy as data for stronger decisions Maintaining accountability without losing compassion Building professional intimacy, trust, and relational agility Recognizing workplace loss, grief, and disengagement Episode History 00:00 — Introduction and meeting Patricia Bravo 01:30 — Transformation beyond incremental change 03:00 — Why organizations lose sight of their people 04:30 — Measuring the ROI of investing in people 08:00 — Practical habits for becoming a more human leader 10:45 — Why empathy is not soft leadership 14:00 — Balancing understanding, accountability, and standards 20:00 — Workplace grief, loss, and the cost of leaving people behind Patricia's Bio Patricia Bravo is a leadership development consultant, speaker, author, and founder of Bravo For You. She helps leaders and organizations strengthen culture, accelerate growth, and produce measurable business results through empathetic leadership and human-centered strategy. Patricia has designed and delivered leadership programs for Fortune 500 companies and taught leadership and team development through institutions including the University of Washington, UCLA, and UC Irvine. Her work focuses on helping leaders uncover the unseen human dynamics that shape performance, including empathy, workplace loss, trust, communication, accountability, professional intimacy, and the return organizations receive when they intentionally invest in their people. -- 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  

Join hosts Kyle King and Daniel Freeman in this insightful episode of "Contagious Culture" as they dive into the essential steps for building and nurturing a robust network of donors for your nonprofit organization. You'll learn strategies for identifying potential donors, creating meaningful connections, and maintaining engagement. The hosts share best practices for effective communication, conveying your nonprofit's story and impact to inspire generosity.  They also discuss how to cultivate a donor-centric culture that prioritizes relationships and leverage technology to enhance outreach efforts. Whether you're a seasoned nonprofit leader or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you expand your donor network and amplify your impact. Tune in and discover how to turn your passion into a movement that inspires lasting support! -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King and Dan Fisher sit down with Catalina Parker, co-founder and CEO of Relatable Nonprofit. Catalina shares how she walked away from a successful foundation career after realizing that the version of success she had built was costing her health, peace, and time with her family. She explains how she transitioned into consulting, built a six-figure business, and eventually created a mentorship community for former nonprofit professionals building sustainable consulting careers. Kyle, Dan, and Catalina also discuss pricing, positioning, niching, sales pipelines, boundaries, client selection, and why consultants must stop confusing capability with calling. This conversation is a practical guide for anyone who wants to build meaningful work without recreating the burnout, pressure, and unhealthy patterns they were trying to leave behind. Key Topics Transitioning from nonprofit leadership into consulting Building clear offers, pricing, and a sustainable client pipeline Choosing what you should do instead of everything you can do Setting boundaries that protect your health, family, and peace Building a consulting career through courage, consistency, and community Episode History 00:00 — Introduction and meeting Catalina Parker 02:30 — When career success no longer feels successful 06:00 — Leaving safely and building the business on the side 09:30 — Niching down and creating Relatable Nonprofit 13:00 — How Catalina reached six figures through her network 17:00 — Choosing what you should do, not everything you can do 26:30 — The first steps for a new nonprofit consultant 35:00 — Doing it scared, setting boundaries, and building courage Catalina's Bio Catalina Parker is the co-founder and CEO of Relatable Nonprofit, a coaching and mentorship community that helps former nonprofit professionals build sustainable consulting businesses. After years in nonprofit leadership and private grantmaking, Catalina realized that her professional success was costing her health, peace, and time with her family. She transitioned into consulting, built a six-figure business with her co-founder, Julia Devine, and developed expertise in positioning, pricing, sales, client delivery, boundaries, and business development. Today, Catalina helps consultants build clear offers, generate predictable income, strengthen their pipelines, and create businesses that support the lives they actually want to live. -- 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 fundraising doesn’t fail because the mission isn’t strong, it fails because leaders don’t know how to navigate the conversation. In this Power Session, Kyle and Dan break down how to lead donor conversations with clarity and confidence, how to handle hesitation without getting awkward, and how to move from relationship-building to a real close. We cover simple language you can use, what to listen for, how to make the ask feel natural, and the follow-up rhythm that increases yeses. If closing gifts feels intimidating, this episode will shift the way you lead. -- 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  

Events can be a fundraising powerhouse or an expensive stress fest. In this Power Session, Kyle and Dan break down what it looks like to run events done well and how to scale them without losing the human-centered experience. We share key insights from a recent Charlotte Rescue Mission event that raised the bar in storytelling, execution, and attendee experience. You’ll learn what makes an event unforgettable, how to design moments that move people to action, and what to put in place so your team can execute with excellence year after year. -- 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 episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King and Dan Freeman sit down with Mark Dobosz, a nonprofit and philanthropic leader with more than four decades of experience across education, healthcare, senior living, small business development, and nonprofit governance. Mark shares how his mother introduced him to service, generosity, and volunteerism before he ever considered fundraising as a career. He reflects on the unexpected opportunity that launched him into development work and the leadership decisions that shaped his understanding of sacrifice, mission, and responsibility. Kyle, Dan, and Mark also discuss donor-centered fundraising, planned giving, board development, capital campaigns, succession planning, and the importance of building trust before making an ask. Throughout the conversation, Mark challenges fundraisers to move beyond transactions and become conduits between a donor’s deepest values and an organization’s mission. Key Topics Moving from transactional fundraising to transformational philanthropy Building trust and discovering a donor’s values before making an ask Leading through sacrifice, crisis, and organizational change Strengthening boards through governance, succession planning, and gap analysis Using donor history and relationships to build successful campaigns Episode History 00:00 — Introduction and meeting Mark Dobosz 01:15 — How Mark’s mother shaped his understanding of philanthropy 03:30 — The unexpected opportunity that launched his fundraising career 09:00 — Sacrificing his position to protect an organization’s mission 14:00 — Why fundraising is not about the fundraiser 25:00 — Questions that reveal what donors truly care about 28:00 — Knowing when and how to make the ask 35:30 — Boards, succession planning, and building a fundraising campaign Mark's Bio Mark Dobosz is a nonprofit executive, philanthropic leader, author, and fundraising professional with more than forty years of experience helping organizations grow, navigate change, and build long-term impact. His career spans education, healthcare, senior living, small business development, Western sports, nonprofit associations, major gifts, planned giving, organizational leadership, and board governance. Mark currently serves as a vice president of philanthropy focused on major gifts and planned giving. Throughout his career, he has led multimillion-dollar fundraising efforts, built a national foundation from the ground up, managed complex budgets, guided capital campaigns, and partnered with boards and donors to align personal values with organizational missions. He is also the author of Beyond the Ask and Beyond the Culture, which explore the shift from transactional fundraising toward transformational philanthropy and healthier organizational cultures. -- 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