Contagious Culture

#138 | The Power of Purpose-Driven Partnerships w/ Stacy Baum

In this episode of The Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle is joined by Stacy Baum to explore what makes partnerships truly purpose-driven and why alignment, trust, and shared values matter more than logos or funding alone.
Together, they unpack:
The difference between sponsorships and real partnerships
How misaligned partnerships drain culture and mission
What leaders should clarify before saying “yes” to collaboration
Building long-term relationships that create shared impact
This conversation is packed with insight for nonprofit leaders, school executives, founders, and community leaders looking to move beyond surface-level collaboration and into partnerships that actually move the mission forward.
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#137 | How Storytelling Shapes Culture and Who Gets to Belong W/ Ali Jackson-Jolley

Culture is built by the stories we tell,and just as powerfully, by the ones we ignore.
In this episode of The Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle sits down with Ali Jackson-Jolley, a leader, strategist, and storyteller who explores how narrative shapes culture, identity, and belonging inside organizations, schools, and communities.
This conversation unpacks:
Why storytelling is never neutral, it always includes and excludes
How dominant narratives shape who feels seen, valued, and safe
The role leaders play in amplifying or silencing voices
Building cultures where belonging is practiced, not promised
Turning lived experience into strategic advantage
Ali challenges listeners to rethink whose stories are centered, whose are systemically sidelined, and how leaders can use storytelling as a tool for connection, equity, and culture-building rather than control.
If you’re a leader, educator, culture builder, or change-maker committed to creating environments where people don’t just perform, but belong, this episode will stretch your thinking and sharpen your leadership.
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#136 | Closing the Gap: Sales Secrets w/ Deborah Newton

Most leaders don’t struggle with ideas.They struggle with closing the gap between value and action.
In this episode of The Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle sits down with Deborah Newton, a sales strategist and trusted advisor to mission-driven leaders, to unpack what really moves people from interest to yes, without pressure, manipulation, or sleazy tactics.
This conversation dives into:
Why most sales stall long before the ask
The difference between connection and conversion
How clarity, confidence, and timing drive decisions
Sales mistakes even experienced leaders keep making
Reframing sales as service, not persuasion
Deborah shares practical, immediately usable insights that help leaders align their message, understand buyer psychology, and close with integrity, whether they’re selling an idea, a service, or a vision.
If you’re a founder, nonprofit leader, educator, consultant, or entrepreneur who knows your work creates value but struggles to convert conversations into commitments, this episode will give you language, mindset shifts, and tools you can apply right away.
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#135 | Grants Aren’t the Problem, Unprepared Organizations Are W/ Jessica Wright

Too many organizations say, “Grants don’t work for us.”But what if the real issue isn’t the funding, it’s the foundation?
In this episode of The Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle connects with Jessica Wright, a grants expert and strategist who pulls back the curtain on why so many nonprofits and schools struggle to secure grant funding and how to change that.
This conversation unpacks:
The biggest myths leaders believe about grants
Why strategy and infrastructure matter more than perfect writing
What funders are actually looking for beyond a strong mission
How unprepared organizations unintentionally disqualify themselves
The systems, clarity, and culture needed to become grant-ready
Jessica shares practical insights leaders can act on immediately, helping organizations move from reaction to readiness, and from chasing dollars to building sustainable funding ecosystems.
If you’re a founder, executive director, school leader, or board member who wants to stop blaming the grant process and start strengthening your organization, this episode will reframe everything you think you know about funding.
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#134 | Where Strategy Meets Heart: Transforming SPED & School Culture with Olavee Williams

What happens when strategy and heart finally stop competing and start working together?
In this episode of The Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle sits down with Olavee Williams, a leader and advocate reshaping how schools think about Special Education, equity, and culture. Together, they explore what it really takes to build environments where every student is seen, supported, and set up to thrive.
Olavee shares powerful insights on:
Why SPED should be embedded into school culture, not isolated from it
How compliance-driven systems fail students when heart is missing
What culturally responsive leadership looks like in real schools
Bridging the gap between systems, staff, families, and student voice
Designing environments where neurodiversity is valued, not managed
This conversation is both practical and deeply human, challenging leaders to rethink how policy, practice, and compassion intersect in their schools.
If you’re a school leader, educator, district professional, or culture builder looking to lead with clarity and care, this episode will leave you both grounded and inspired.
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#133 | How Empathy and Power Can Heal American Organizations | Podcastathon 2025

This Contagious Culture Podcast session explores how leaders can blend empathy with authority to cultivate organizational cultures grounded in trust, stability, and accountability. Amy Hull and Deborah Newton share how balanced leadership transforms team dynamics, drives better outcomes, and helps organizations recover from cultural fractures.
They provide practical strategies that leaders at any level can apply to build cultures that are firm, fair, and deeply human, where people feel both supported and empowered to do their best work.
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#132 | Smarter Fundraising: Leveraging AI to Maximize Your Impact | Podcastathon 2025

This Contagious Culture Podcast session dives into how artificial intelligence can simplify, strengthen, and scale modern fundraising. Cynthia Respert explores practical tools that help fundraisers prioritize leads, predict donor behavior, automate outreach, and make smarter, data-informed decisions.
She also examines both the opportunities and the boundaries of AI in philanthropy, providing listeners with a clear framework for using technology responsibly to maximize impact and deepen donor relationships.
Order Your Copy of Contagious Culture: Creating an Ecosystem of Academic Excellence
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📞 Schedule Your Call Here
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#131 | AI for Impact: Using Artificial Intelligence to Drive Social Good | Podcastathon 2025

This Contagious Culture Podcast session explores how artificial intelligence can be harnessed to tackle real social challenges and accelerate mission-driven work. Scott Rosenkrans and Dr. Daniel Freeman discuss practical applications, ethical considerations, and the strategic alignment needed to implement AI responsibly in the social impact sector.
They share actionable frameworks that help organizations adopt AI with clarity, purpose, and intentionality, ensuring technology amplifies impact while staying true to mission and values.
Order Your Copy of Contagious Culture: Creating an Ecosystem of Academic Excellence
Subscribe & Leave a Review to The Contagious Culture Podcast
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📞 Schedule Your Call Here
🖥️  Join The Growth Lab Community
🖥️ Claim Your FREE 5-Day Fundraising + Leadership Course
👉🏽 Connect with Kyle on LinkedIn