Contagious Culture

#144 | Stop Calling It Burnout: The Systems Behind Disengagement w/ Dr. Michelle Singh

Burnout is often the symptom, not the root cause.
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Michelle Singh for a powerful reframe that challenges how leaders talk about burnout and disengagement. Instead of blaming individuals for being “overwhelmed” or “unmotivated,” we unpack the systems, structures, and leadership behaviors that quietly create disengagement long before people check out.
Dr. Singh shares research-backed insights on how unclear roles, misaligned expectations, constant urgency, and lack of psychological safety drain energy and commitment, especially in mission-driven organizations. More importantly, we explore what leaders can actually change to rebuild trust, focus, and sustainable performance.
If you’re tired of surface-level wellness conversations and ready to address what’s really driving disengagement, this episode will push you to stop treating burnout as a personal issue—and start fixing the systems that cause it.
🌍 Community Invitation + Access to Resources: https://connectwithmichelle.com
🫱🏿‍🫲🏻 Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lctelearning
📺 Subscribe to Michelle's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lctelearning
📝 Explore Michelle's Thought Leadership: https://michelle-singh.mykajabi.com/thoughtleadership
🔴 Wath Michelle's TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0b9WJvn3T0c
🌐 Learn More About Michelle’s Work: https://lctelearning.com
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#143 | Nontoxic Nonprofits: Fixing Broken Systems Before They Break Your People w/ Kate Viana

Burnout isn’t a personal failure, it’s often a systems failure.
In this episode, I’m joined by Kate Viana for an honest, much-needed conversation about toxic nonprofit dynamics and why so many well-intentioned organizations are unintentionally harming the very people doing the work. We dig into how broken systems, unclear expectations, under-resourced teams, and unhealthy leadership norms quietly erode trust, morale, and impact.
Kate challenges the narrative that sacrifice and exhaustion are badges of honor in mission-driven work and offers practical insight on how nonprofit leaders can redesign structures, workflows, and cultures that support people, not drain them. This episode is about accountability, sustainability, and building organizations where passion doesn’t come at the cost of well-being.
If you care about your mission and your people, this conversation will push you to fix what’s broken, before it breaks your team.
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#142 | Belonging Is Leadership Infrastructure (Not a Buzzword) w/ Amy E. Hull

Belonging isn’t a slogan. It’s not a DEI checkbox. And it’s definitely not optional.
In this episode, I’m joined by Amy E. Hull for a powerful conversation that reframes belonging as core leadership infrastructure, the foundation that determines whether teams merely function or truly flourish. We unpack why leaders who ignore belonging eventually pay the price through burnout, disengagement, turnover, and broken trust.
Amy shares practical insights on how leaders can intentionally design environments where people feel seen, valued, and safe enough to contribute fully, without relying on trendy language or performative gestures. This conversation goes beyond theory and into what belonging actually looks like in day-to-day leadership decisions, systems, and behaviors.
If you’re serious about culture, retention, and sustainable impact, this episode will challenge you to stop treating belonging like a buzzword—and start leading like it matters.
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#141 | The Power of "Being Audacious" W/ Dethra Giles

What does it really mean to be audacious, not loud, not reckless, but boldly rooted in purpose?
In this episode, I sit down with Dethra Giles for a powerful conversation about reclaiming your voice, standing firmly in your value, and making courageous moves even when fear, doubt, or systems try to keep you small. Dethra breaks down why audacity isn’t arrogance, it’s alignment and how leaders, especially mission-driven leaders, must stop waiting for permission to lead fully.
We explore what it looks like to show up unapologetically, advocate for yourself and others, and make decisions that honor your calling, not just your comfort. This episode is a reminder that the impact you’re meant to make often lives on the other side of bold action.
If you’ve been playing safe, shrinking your vision, or second-guessing your worth, this conversation is for you.
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#140 | How Leaders Can Build and Establish a Health Grief Culture W/ Dr. Darlene Williams

In Episode #140, Kyle sits down with Dr. Darlene Williams for a powerful, honest conversation about something leaders are often unprepared for—but inevitably face: grief in the workplace. From personal loss to collective trauma, this episode explores why grief doesn’t stop at the office door and how leaders can respond with clarity, compassion, and strength.
Together, they unpack what a healthy grief culture actually looks like—beyond platitudes and performative empathy. Dr. Williams shares practical guidance on how leaders can acknowledge loss, create psychological safety, and support their teams without trying to “fix” what needs to be felt. This is about leading humans, not just managing performance.
If you’re a leader, founder, educator, or culture-builder who wants to show up better during moments of loss, transition, and change, this conversation will challenge you and equip you. Grief-aware leadership isn’t a soft skill, it’s a necessary one.
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#139 | Stop Running on Vibes… Build a Weekly Operating System

Too many leaders are exhausted not because they lack passion, but because they’re leading without a system.
In this episode, I break down why “running on vibes” eventually leads to burnout, missed priorities, and constant reaction mode. Mission-driven leaders don’t fail because they don’t care; they struggle because they never built a weekly operating system that protects their time, energy, and focus.
I walk you through how to design a simple, repeatable weekly rhythm that helps you lead with clarity instead of chaos, covering priorities, decision-making, accountability, and recovery. This isn’t about doing more. It’s about building structure that allows you to lead sustainably.
If you feel busy but not effective, tired but still behind, this episode will help you stop winging leadership and start operating with intention.
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#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.
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
🖥️ Claim Your FREE 5-Day Fundraising + Leadership Course
👉🏽 Claim the 3 Emails For Non Profit Leaders to Send Before 31st
👉🏽 Connect with Kyle on LinkedIn