Contagious Culture

#171 | Unleashing Everyday Creativity with Caroline Brookfield

What if the secret to thriving at work and in life, wasn’t just strategy or skill, but courage, curiosity, and a willingness to embrace the messy middle? On this episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, I talk with Dr. Caroline Brookfield, veterinarian, entrepreneur, researcher, stand-up comic, and self-proclaimed “Professional Cat Herder.”
Caroline has spent nearly 30 years making high-stakes decisions in unpredictable environments, from saving animals in the ER to running businesses and speaking on global stages. She shares her personal journey of leaning into uncertainty, finding joy in failure, and cultivating creativity in herself and her teams.
In this episode, Caroline opens up about:
Her “messy middle” moments that shaped her resilience and perspective
How her childhood curiosities and quirks influenced her career path
The personal habits and mindsets that help her thrive in ambiguity
Why letting your inner “Todd” (your inner critic) take a break is key to growth
The moments she’s laughed, failed, and learned, sometimes all at once
Whether you’re leading a team, facing uncertainty, or just trying to get through your day with your creativity intact, Caroline’s stories will inspire you to embrace your originality, trust yourself, and laugh along the way.
Links & Resources Mentioned:
The Reluctant Creative – https://lnkd.in/g-8wKrWp
Creative Breakthrough Workbook – https://lnkd.in/gW6jp33P
Connect with Caroline – hello@carolinebrookfield.com
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#170 | Networking is NOT Competition, You're Just Doing it wrong

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.
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# 169 | Possibility Thinking: The Secret to Confidence, Career Clarity, and Better Leadership

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.
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#168 | Intentional. Thoughtful. Unstoppable.

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.
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#167 | Stop Reacting...You’re Killing Innovation

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.
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#166 | From Buzzwords to Action: Building a Smarter, More Sustainable Charlotte

On this episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle sits down with Amy Aussieker, Executive Director of Envision Charlotte, sustainability strategist, partnership builder, and one of the bold voices helping Charlotte rethink what’s possible.
Amy has spent years turning big ideas into practical action — leading fundraising, building cross-sector partnerships, launching innovative zero-waste and circular economy initiatives, and helping transform Charlotte into a living lab for sustainability. Through Envision Charlotte and the Innovation Barn, she is showing what it looks like to move beyond conversations and create systems that actually work for people, cities, and the planet.
In this conversation, Amy shares how she has raised millions for climate-focused initiatives, what it takes to bring public and private partners together around a shared vision, why innovation often requires iteration and discomfort, and how sustainability connects to leadership, equity, education, and community impact.
This episode is for leaders, changemakers, and builders who want to create solutions that are not just inspiring in theory, but measurable in practice.
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#165 | The ROI of Empathy with Patricia Bravo

On this episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle sits down with Patricia Bravo, leadership development consultant, speaker, author, and founder of Bravo For You, to explore the real power of empathetic leadership in today’s workplace.
Patricia shares why empathy is often misunderstood, how leaders can balance care with accountability, and why understanding people is essential to building trust, strengthening culture, and improving performance.
They also discuss the hidden dynamics that shape teams, why so-called soft skills matter more than ever, and what leadership must look like in an increasingly AI-driven world.
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#164 | Steps to Building A Network of Donors for Your NonProfit

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!
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