Too many organizations say, “Grants don’t work for us.” But what if the real issue isn’t the funding, it’s the foundation?

In this episode of The Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle connects with Jessica Wright, a grants expert and strategist who pulls back the curtain on why so many nonprofits and schools struggle to secure grant funding and how to change that.

This conversation unpacks:

• The biggest myths leaders believe about grants

• Why strategy and infrastructure matter more than perfect writing

• What funders are actually looking for beyond a strong mission

• How unprepared organizations unintentionally disqualify themselves

• The systems, clarity, and culture needed to become grant-ready

Jessica shares practical insights leaders can act on immediately, helping organizations move from reaction to readiness, and from chasing dollars to building sustainable funding ecosystems.

If you’re a founder, executive director, school leader, or board member who wants to stop blaming the grant process and start strengthening your organization, this episode will reframe everything you think you know about funding.

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What happens when strategy and heart finally stop competing and start working together?

In this episode of The Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle sits down with Olavee Williams, a leader and advocate reshaping how schools think about Special Education, equity, and culture. Together, they explore what it really takes to build environments where every student is seen, supported, and set up to thrive.

Olavee shares powerful insights on:

• Why SPED should be embedded into school culture, not isolated from it

• How compliance-driven systems fail students when heart is missing

• What culturally responsive leadership looks like in real schools

• Bridging the gap between systems, staff, families, and student voice

• Designing environments where neurodiversity is valued, not managed

This conversation is both practical and deeply human, challenging leaders to rethink how policy, practice, and compassion intersect in their schools.

If you’re a school leader, educator, district professional, or culture builder looking to lead with clarity and care, this episode will leave you both grounded and inspired.

Order Your Copy of Contagious Culture: Creating an Ecosystem of Academic Excellence

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📞 Schedule Your Call Here

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👉🏽 Claim the 3 Emails For Non Profit Leaders to Send Before 31st

👉🏽 Connect with Kyle on LinkedIn

This Contagious Culture Podcast session explores how leaders can blend empathy with authority to cultivate organizational cultures grounded in trust, stability, and accountability. Amy Hull and Deborah Newton share how balanced leadership transforms team dynamics, drives better outcomes, and helps organizations recover from cultural fractures.

They provide practical strategies that leaders at any level can apply to build cultures that are firm, fair, and deeply human, where people feel both supported and empowered to do their best work.

Order Your Copy of Contagious Culture: Creating an Ecosystem of Academic Excellence

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📞 Schedule Your Call Here

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This Contagious Culture Podcast session dives into how artificial intelligence can simplify, strengthen, and scale modern fundraising. Cynthia Respert explores practical tools that help fundraisers prioritize leads, predict donor behavior, automate outreach, and make smarter, data-informed decisions.

She also examines both the opportunities and the boundaries of AI in philanthropy, providing listeners with a clear framework for using technology responsibly to maximize impact and deepen donor relationships.

Order Your Copy of Contagious Culture: Creating an Ecosystem of Academic Excellence

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📞 Schedule Your Call Here

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👉🏽 Connect with Kyle on LinkedIn

This Contagious Culture Podcast session explores how artificial intelligence can be harnessed to tackle real social challenges and accelerate mission-driven work. Scott Rosenkrans and Dr. Daniel Freeman discuss practical applications, ethical considerations, and the strategic alignment needed to implement AI responsibly in the social impact sector.

They share actionable frameworks that help organizations adopt AI with clarity, purpose, and intentionality, ensuring technology amplifies impact while staying true to mission and values.

Order Your Copy of Contagious Culture: Creating an Ecosystem of Academic Excellence

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📞 Schedule Your Call Here

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This Contagious Culture Podcast session explores the transformative power of storytelling in shaping brand identity and attracting the right audience. Sharee Allen and Nicole Smith share how organizations can craft narratives that foster emotional connection, clearly communicate value, and inspire meaningful engagement.

They highlight real-world strategies and campaigns that demonstrate how authentic storytelling not only builds trust and loyalty but also drives organizational growth and impact.

Order Your Copy of Contagious Culture: Creating an Ecosystem of Academic Excellence

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Are you frustrated that your team isn’t responding the way you hoped, despite your hard work and good intentions? In this episode of The Contagious Culture Podcast, Dr. Daniel Freeman breaks down the common leadership missteps that quietly undermine influence, engagement, and results. Kyle and Dr. Freeman explore practical strategies to recalibrate your approach, strengthen trust, and create a culture where people want to follow your lead.

Tune in to uncover the blind spots holding your leadership back and leave with actionable steps to turn frustration into impact.

Order Your Copy of Contagious Culture: Creating an Ecosystem of Academic Excellence

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📞 Schedule Your Call Here

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This Contagious Culture Podcast session explores how organizations can leverage artificial intelligence not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for cultural transformation. Coretta Dixon and Myreesha Franklin discuss how AI can enhance human thinking, spark innovation, and support equitable practices when implemented thoughtfully.

They dive into strategies for creating organizational cultures where humans and AI collaborate seamlessly, driving creativity, inclusion, and performance without compromising the human touch.

Order Your Copy of Contagious Culture: Creating an Ecosystem of Academic Excellence

Subscribe & Leave a Review to The Contagious Culture Podcast

Subscribe to Apple Podcasts

📞 Schedule Your Call Here

🖥️ Join The Growth Lab Community

🖥️ Claim Your FREE 5-Day Fundraising + Leadership Course

👉🏽 Connect with Kyle on LinkedIn