Contagious Culture

In this episode, Kyle S. King explores how to discipline kids without undermining their confidence, contrasting punitive approaches with restorative practices that build accountability and resilience.

Using real-world examples from the classroom, he discusses how distractions, peer competition, and the leap from 3rd to 4th grade can challenge students, and shares practical strategies for helping kids stay focused, redefine what it ...

First impressions aren’t just important, they’re transformative. In this episode, Kyle King dives into a real-world story from his time as a Sales Manager at Orange Theory Fitness, where a simple, intentional process helped the studio generate $18,000 in just seven days.

Kyle breaks down the power of the intro session, the step-by-step process that moves prospects from curiosity to commitment, and the psychology behind choice archi...

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Ja’net Bishop-Nesbit, veteran Army officer, former school counselor, retired high school principal, and founder of Thrive Well Consulting LLC. Dr. Ja’net is an expert in fostering well-being and emotional resilience for educational leaders, helping them combat burnout while creating supportive school cultures that improve both staff and student outcomes.

We dive into her L.E.A.D.E.R. Framework a...

Turnover isn’t just a budget issue, it’s a culture killer. In this episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle S. King unpacks the hidden cost of staff burnout and constant churn, and reveals why clarity is the most powerful retention strategy an organization can have.

From the danger of “chasing two rabbits” to the leadership shift required to move from consumer to producer, Kyle shows how schools and organizations can stop re...

In this episode, I sit down with James O’Neal, Jr. National Board-Certified educator, speaker, and founder of Mastery For All, LLC. With over 15 years of experience in math education, James is on a mission to help educators unlock the brilliance in every student, with a particular focus on empowering Black boys.

We explore how schools can shift mindsets, strengthen instruction, and build cultures of excellence that move beyond surf...

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 hi...

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 creat...

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 prof...

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 moti...

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 leader...

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 b...

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 ...

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, sk...

What does the data really show about literacy in America? Nearly 14% of adults can’t read beyond a fifth-grade level, and half of U.S. adults struggle with books written at an eighth-grade level. Among students, only about 30% are reading proficiently and recent scores reveal the lowest performance in three decades.

In this episode, Kyle S. King unpacks the crisis behind the numbers and shares practical, inspiring ways to build a t...

Fundraising isn’t about transactions it’s about transformation. In this episode, Dr. Dan Freeman joins us to unpack the true heart of fundraising: relationships. Together, we explore how authentic connection, trust, and storytelling drive impact far more than numbers on a spreadsheet.

Dr. Freeman shares lessons from his years of experience in philanthropy and higher education, offering practical strategies for cultivating donors, s...

In this episode, Kyle unpacks the tension so many of us feel between who we are and what we do. From titles and paychecks to cars, clothes, and neighborhoods, it’s easy to let our identity get tied to performance and possessions. But what happens when all of that disappears?

Kyle shares his personal journey of navigating career transitions, hitting rock bottom, and rebuilding with accountability. He reflects on the identity crisis ...

Failure is often seen as the end of the road, but what if it’s the very spark that ignites growth, resilience, and success? In this powerful conversation, Jacob Brown joins Kyle to unpack how setbacks can become setups for something greater. Together, they explore the lessons hidden in loss, the mindset shifts that turn obstacles into opportunities, and the practical steps anyone can take to transform failure into fuel.

Whether you...

What does it really mean to lead with presence? In this episode of Contagious Culture, Kyle sits down with Christian Johnson for a conversation that goes beyond titles and tasks to uncover the deeper impact of showing up fully in leadership. Christian shares how presence, being grounded, authentic, and intentional, can transform not only how leaders carry themselves, but also how teams, families, and communities respond.

Together, ...

What if the difference between being remembered and being overlooked came down to the experiences you create in everyday moments?

In this episode of Contagious Culture, Kyle sits down with Dan Gingiss, international keynote speaker, customer experience expert, and author of The Experience Maker, to explore how leaders, educators, and organizations can stand out by making small, intentional choices that leave a lasting impact.

Dan s...