Contagious Culture

#155 | Ethical Marketing That Actually Works: How to Build Trust Without Manipulation

In a world where marketing is often built on pressure, fear, and “gotcha” tactics, this episode is a reset.
I’m joined by Chelsea Burns, The Marketing Psychologist™ and Brand Ethicist, for a conversation about ethical marketing that actually works. Not the fluffy kind. The kind that builds real trust, creates long-term customers, and protects your reputation while still driving growth.
We break down how manipulation shows up in modern marketing (even when people don’t mean harm), why “high-converting” isn’t always healthy, and what it looks like to build a brand people choose because they feel respected, not cornered. If you’re a founder, nonprofit leader, or marketer who wants to grow without selling your soul, this one will give you language, clarity, and a better way forward.
In this episode, we cover:
The difference between persuasion and manipulation (and why it matters)
Common “trust leaks” in messaging, offers, and funnels
How to market with integrity while still hitting revenue goals
What ethical urgency looks like, without guilt or pressure
Simple trust-building changes you can make today in your copy and content
If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t want to sound salesy, but I do want to grow,” press play. This is how you build trust and still win.
--
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
 

#154 | From Relationships to Revenue: Turning Donor Trust Into Commitments

In fundraising, most leaders are strong at building relationships… but far fewer know how to turn trust into a clear commitment without feeling pushy.
In Episode #154 (Power Session), Dr. Daniel Freeman and I break down how to go from connection to closing, by building the kind of trust that makes donors feel confident saying yes. We talk about what donors are really listening for, why “checking in” conversations stall out, and how to lead a donor journey that’s relational and decisive.
This isn’t about pressure tactics. It’s about clarity, confidence, and creating a path where the next step feels natural, for you and the donor.
In this episode, we cover:
The difference between relationship-building and deal-moving
The trust signals donors need before they commit
How to transition from “great conversation” to “here’s the ask”
What to say when donors are interested but hesitant
Simple follow-up moves that create momentum (without chasing)
If you’ve got strong donor relationships but you’re not closing at the level you need, this Power Session will help you tighten the process and increase commitments, while staying fully aligned with your values.
--
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
 

#153 | From Compliance to Conviction: Leading SPED Systems That Actually Work W/ Diana Williams

In special education, it’s possible to have every box checked and still have students who aren’t getting what they need. That’s the gap Diana Williams is here to close.
In Episode #153, I’m joined by Diana, SPED leader, consultant, and Founder of The SPEDucated Leader, for a real conversation about moving schools from compliance to conviction. We unpack why so many systems become paperwork-driven instead of instruction-driven, and what it looks like to build SPED structures that actually improve teaching and learning.
Because students with disabilities don’t experience our systems as policies. They experience instruction, whether lessons are accessible, supports are proactive, and adults know how to adapt in real time.
In this episode, we cover:
The compliance vs. outcomes trap (and how to lead beyond it)
What strong SPED systems look like day-to-day
Aligning MTSS + SPED so supports drive learning
Accountability without fear, burnout, or blame
Practical moves leaders can make in 30–60 days
If your school is ready to stop chasing checklists and start building systems that change outcomes, this episode is for you.
--
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
 

#152 | Readiness Before Results: The “Prepare” Step Explained

In Episode #152 (Power Session), Dr. Daniel Freeman and I kick off the first step of our nonprofit transformation framework: Prepare.
Because most organizations don’t struggle from a lack of passion, they struggle from a lack of readiness. And when you skip preparation, everything downstream gets messy: the strategy, the messaging, the fundraising, the partnerships, and even the internal culture.
In this short, high-impact episode, we break down what it actually means to get prepared, before you launch the campaign, before you pitch the funder, before you scale the program. We talk about the clarity, alignment, and infrastructure nonprofits need so they’re not constantly reacting… they’re building with intention.
In this episode, we cover:
What “Prepare” really means (and what most leaders confuse it with)
The few foundational decisions that unlock momentum fast
How to align your team, mission, and message before you ask for support
The readiness gaps that silently block funding and growth
Simple next steps you can take this week to get prepared, without overwhelm
If you’re ready to stop winging it and start building a nonprofit that’s positioned to win, this is your first step.
--
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
 

#151 | Known > Best: The Real Reason Great Businesses Stay Invisible W/ Yanna Williams

Known > Best is a hard truth for leaders who pride themselves on excellence: you can be the best in the room and still lose, because the market doesn’t reward what’s best, it rewards what’s trusted, clear, and visible.
In this episode, I sit down with Kalyanna Williams (“Yanna”) to unpack why so many great businesses stay invisible, even when the product is strong, the mission is real, and the results are undeniable. We talk about the hidden “visibility blocks” that keep founders playing small (perfectionism, fear of being misunderstood, waiting for the right time, overbuilding behind the scenes) and the mindset shift required to move from quiet excellence to public impact.
You’ll hear how to stop confusing “being busy” with “being known,” and how to build credibility without turning into a content machine. Yanna breaks down what visibility actually is (and what it isn’t), how to communicate your value in a way people instantly get, and why consistency beats intensity every time. If you’ve ever thought, “Once I perfect it, then I’ll promote it,” this conversation will help you flip that script.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why “best” is not a strategy—and “known” is a multiplier
The difference between attention, authority, and trust (and which one drives revenue)
How to make your message simpler, sharper, and easier to repeat
What to post and say when you feel stuck, skeptical, or tired of “marketing”
A practical approach to visibility that still feels ethical, human, and aligned
If you’re building something meaningful and you’re ready for people to actually find it, talk about it, and choose it, this episode is your push to get out of the shadows and into the spotlight with conviction.
--
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
 

# 150 | Growth Alliance, Nonprofit Leadership, and the Gaps No One Talks About

In this power session, Kyle King and Dr. Daniel Freeman dive into the real state of nonprofit leadership, where it’s falling short, why growth is stalling, and what leaders must do differently to scale impact. They unpack the philosophy behind the Growth Alliance and challenge leaders to rethink capacity, accountability, and what effective leadership actually requires today.
--
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
 

# 149 | Why We’re Building the Contagious Culture Conference

In this power session, Kyle King and Dr. Daniel Freeman—co-founders of the Contagious Culture Conference, pull back the curtain on why this conference exists, what problem it’s solving, and what attendees can expect from the experience. This episode is all about vision, urgency, and building something that actually moves leaders from inspiration to execution.
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

#148 | How to Build Belonging That Lasts: Community Engagement in Schools W/ Sarah Sooklal

What if we stopped treating community as a “nice-to-have”… and started building it like the foundation it really is?
In this episode, Kyle sits down with Sarah Sooklal, Director of Community Engagement at Cannon School, to talk about the real work behind thriving school communities, where parents, alumni, grandparents, board members, and friends don’t just show up… they feel seen, heard, and valued.
Sarah shares how her journey from the classroom (and the art room) shaped her empathetic, creative approach to engagement, and why community building isn’t just an outcome of good work—it’s the heartbeat of meaningful advancement.
You’ll learn:
How to turn events into relationships (not just attendance)
The difference between participation and belonging
How to navigate difficult stakeholder moments with trust and calm leadership
What strong volunteer and alumni engagement systems actually look like
Why storytelling and stewardship are the bridge between connection and long-term support
Whether you lead a school, nonprofit, or community-driven organization, this conversation will give you both inspiration and practical strategies to build community that lasts.
--
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