Contagious Culture

Welcome to Contagious Culture with Kyle S. King, a podcast for leaders, educators, and changemakers who want to build thriving environments where people grow, belong, and perform. Each episode offers real talk, actionable strategies, and inspiring stories to help you create a culture that spreads purpose, trust, and excellence.

Contagious Culture is a business podcast hosted by Kyle S. King, with 100 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Kyle S. King hosts Contagious Culture, a business show with 100 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #214

  #210 | When Purpose Meets Process with Heather Shafter

  Aug 13, 202633 min

  In this episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle sits down with Heather Shafter , COO, keynote speaker, author, and operations consultant, for a conversation on purpose, process, leadership, and healthy organizational culture. Heather shares how purpose-driven organizations can move from big vision to clear execution, why leaders need curiosity in difficult conversations, and how strong processes help teams avoid burnout, confusion, and mission drift. This episode is a reminder that passion alone is not enough. To build something sustainable, leaders need clarity, communication, accountability, and systems that support the mission. Key Topics Purpose-driven leadership Difficult conversations and curiosity Bias, identity, and respectful dialogue People problems vs. process problems Role clarity and accountability Healthy organizational culture Mission alignment Strategic planning and execution The Entrepreneurial Operating System and Traction Building sustainable teams and organizations Key Takeaways Difficult conversations become easier when leaders stay curious. Many “people problems” are actually process problems. Healthy culture shows up in how people communicate, help one another, and make decisions. Purpose-driven organizations need systems to sustain their mission. A strategic plan only works when it is used consistently. Leaders must identify the work that creates the greatest mission impact. Culture is what people consistently experience, not just what leaders say. Episode History 00:00 — Kyle introduces Heather and the focus of the conversation 02:00 — Heather shares what is inspiring her right now 04:00 — Difficult conversations, curiosity, and respectful disagreement 08:00 — Bias, humanity, and learning from people with different views 12:00 — Leadership lessons from mentorship and operations 15:00 — People problems vs. process problems 18:00 — What healthy culture looks like behind the scenes 22:00 — Aligning daily work with mission 26:00 — Strategic planning and choosing quarterly priorities 30:00 — Heather shares why justice and purpose drive her work 34:00 — Final leadership 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

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  Episode #213

  #209 | You Can’t Scale Culture If You’re Losing Yourself W/ Kyle S. King

  Jul 10, 202626 min

  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

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  Episode #210

  #208 | The Power of Shrimp to Change Lives W/ Maxie Gluckman, Ph.D.

  Jul 9, 202628 min

  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

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  Episode #209

  #207 | From Boardroom Ideas to Meaningful Action W/ Kelly Beeland

  Jul 8, 202639 min

  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

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  Episode #211

  #206 | Reclaim Your Story and Lead Unapologetically W/ Frank Velásquez Jr.

  Jul 7, 202633 min

  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

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