Contagious Culture

#71 | What Is the Cost Costing You? — Values, Vulnerability, and Freedom

In this episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle S. King gets personal about values, vulnerability, and the hidden costs we often overlook in pursuit of success. From missing small but meaningful family moments to confronting the price of peace, presence, and alignment, Kyle shares his own breaking points and the lessons that reshaped how he lives and leads.
Through real conversations, with mentors, with his son, and with himself, Kyle unpacks the power of vulnerability, the courage it takes to set boundaries, and the boldness required to ask for what you need. Along the way, he offers a practical framework you can apply right now to realign your life and leadership with what matters most.
If you’ve ever felt the weight of compromise, or questioned whether the cost you’re paying is really worth it, this episode is for you.
Listen in and ask yourself: What is the cost costing you?
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#70 | If Walls Could Talk, How Physical Spaces Shape School Culture with Dr. Letishia Seabrook Jones

What if your school’s walls could tell a story?
In this episode, Dr. Letishia Seabrook Jones explores how physical spaces influence culture, learning, and connection in schools.
We dive into the subtle and powerful ways classroom design, common areas, and school environments impact student engagement, teacher collaboration, and community identity.
Dr. Seabrook Jones shares research-backed insights and practical strategies for creating spaces that reflect your values, inspire learning, and support a thriving school culture.
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#69 | Goals, Grit and the Power of Why

In this episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle shares a powerful story about helping his 9-year-old son, Carter, set six goals and then digging deeper to uncover the why behind them. From late-night workouts to uncomfortable moments of leadership, Kyle shows how real growth happens when we combine high expectations, accountability, and support.
Drawing from personal experiences, sacrificing for his dream of becoming a professional speaker, and even nearly collapsing during his first ultramarathon, Kyle breaks down what it truly takes to move from setting goals to actually achieving them.
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#68 | Engaging Every Student, Strategies for Classroom and Student Success W/ Patti Massullo

Every student deserves to feel seen, valued, and inspired to learn.
In this episode, Patti Massullo joins us to share practical strategies for engaging every student while fostering meaningful connections and promoting academic success.
From building authentic relationships to designing lessons that captivate and challenge, Patti offers actionable insights for teachers and school leaders to create classrooms where students are motivated, confident, and empowered to reach their full potential.
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#67 | Customer Service vs. Customer Experience: Lessons from a Terrible AT&T Store Visit

We’ve all had a frustrating customer service moment, but what happens when that one interaction defines how you see an entire brand? In this episode, I share a recent experience at an AT&T store that highlighted the critical difference between customer service, the individual interactions we have and customer experience the overall journey a customer takes with your organization.
I unpack why this distinction matters for leaders in every industry, from schools to corporations, and how one poorly handled moment can erase years of trust, loyalty, and investment. You’ll hear practical strategies to turn ordinary service into extraordinary experiences, how to empower your team to represent your culture at every touchpoint, and why leaders must be intentional about designing experiences that match their mission.
This isn’t just about AT&T, it’s about the lessons we can all learn to ensure that our customers, clients, students, or families walk away feeling valued, respected, and eager to return.

#66 | Restoring Clarity, Strengthening Connection, Creating Leaders W/ Tawana Wiggins

Leadership starts from the inside out. In this episode, Tawana Wiggins joins us to explore how restoring clarity, strengthening connection, and cultivating leadership at every level can transform teams and organizations.
We dive into practical strategies for helping individuals overcome overwhelm, build trust, and step confidently into their influence.
Tawana shares stories and actionable insights for leaders, educators, and team builders who want to create environments where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.
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#65 | The Price of Neglect: How Culture Choices Bankrupt Schools

When schools fail, it’s rarely because of one big mistake, it’s the daily choices, the silence, and the neglected culture that lead to collapse. In this episode, Kyle shares the story of a school facing a $4 million deficit and massive layoffs, unpacking how leadership missteps, poor board decisions, and toxic management companies create an environment where students, teachers, and parents all lose.
You’ll learn:
Why culture is created daily and how inaction speaks just as loudly as action.
The hidden consequences of broken trust between leaders, teachers, parents, and students.
Four anchors every school must secure to avoid financial and cultural disaster.
A real-world case study on how culture breakdown shows up long before the numbers do.
This episode is both a warning and a roadmap. If you’re a leader, board member, or educator, the question isn’t if you’re creating culture, it’s what kind of culture you’re creating.
Order Your Copy of Contagious Culture: Creating an Ecosystem of Academic Excellence
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📞 Schedule Your Call Here
🖥️  Visit The Website
👉🏽 Connect with Kyle on LinkedIn

#64 | Transformative Leadership in Action: Driving Student Growth with Vernon-James Riley

In this episode, Kyle sits down with Vernon-James Riley, Ed.L.D., Founder and Chief Education Officer of VJR Consulting Firm, and a nationally recognized leader in instructional leadership and school transformation. With decades of experience as a teacher, principal, and district leader, Vernon-James has trained and coached over 10,000 educators across the U.S. and the U.K., equipping school and system leaders with the mindsets, skills, and systems needed to drive measurable student success.
Together, they unpack what it truly takes to build a culture of excellence, accelerate teacher development, and transform schools at scale. Vernon-James also shares lessons from leading nationally scaled leadership programs at Relay Graduate School of Education and his work turning North Star Academy West Side Park Middle School into a National Blue Ribbon School.
If you’re an educator, administrator, or aspiring leader, this conversation is packed with practical strategies and powerful insights to help you maximize impact, strengthen instructional leadership, and create schools where both teachers and students thrive.
Reaching out now with links to associate with the episode:
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