This Contagious Culture Podcast session takes a deep dive into relationship-based fundraising and the art of transforming early interest into long-term, values-aligned partnership. Somer Saunders and Aneesah Bray unpack how to recognize partners who truly align with your mission, nurture authentic and reciprocal relationships, and design engagement strategies that build trust, resonance, and staying power.

Together, they explore how shifting from transactional giving to genuine investment creates sustainable support, shared purpose, and a culture of impact that lasts.

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This Contagious Culture Podcast session dives into the art of confidently and authentically making major gift requests. Kari McCormick and Lakisha Rios break down how to prepare for a high-stakes ask, assess donor readiness, and personalize conversations in ways that honor both the relationship and the mission.

They unpack the emotional barriers, fear, hesitation, self-doubt, that often hold fundraisers back, and offer practical strategies for moving through them with clarity and courage. Together, they reveal how intentional preparation and authentic connection can turn strong relationships into truly transformative contributions.

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This Contagious Culture Podcast session centers on one of the most overlooked yet powerful stages of fundraising: stewardship. Ana Marte and Brooklyn Stanfill unpack what happens after the gift is made, how to personalize stewardship at scale, communicate impact in meaningful ways, and create follow-up systems that deepen trust rather than drain capacity.

They explore how thoughtful, consistent stewardship builds long-term donor loyalty, strengthens organizational culture, and turns supporters into true partners in the mission.

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In Episode 122 of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Myreesha Franklin joins Kyle to unpack the mindset, grit, and inner strength required to rise above life’s toughest moments. From personal setbacks to professional reinvention, Myreesha reveals how perseverance became her superpower and how anyone can cultivate the same resilience.

This conversation is raw, uplifting, and filled with practical wisdom for anyone determined to grow, heal, and keep moving forward.

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In this inspiring episode of The Contagious Culture Podcast, Dr. Dexter Shorter breaks down the true art and power of positive thinking, far beyond clichés or motivational quotes. He explores how mindset shapes identity, influences behavior, and determines the opportunities we allow ourselves to see. Drawing from his personal journey and years of leadership experience, Dr. Shorter shares how intentional thinking can transform the way we show up in our families, our careers, and our communities. He explains why positivity is not pretending, but a disciplined practice of choosing growth over comfort, perspective over pressure, and purpose over fear.

Dr. Shorter unpacks the internal battles we all face, the stories we tell ourselves, and the barriers that keep so many people from achieving their next level. With warmth, clarity, and conviction, he offers a blueprint for shifting your mindset, elevating your actions, and aligning your life with the person you were created to become. If you’re ready to break old patterns, embrace growth, and step boldly into your potential, this episode will give you the tools and the push to get there.

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Janice M. Coleman joins The Contagious Culture Podcast for a transformative conversation about alignment, authenticity, and building a career that truly reflects who you are. With nearly three decades in Corporate America leading rooms, coaching teams, and elevating leaders, Janice opens up about her journey from IT into career coaching and leadership development. She breaks down the power of congruency, the danger of operating from a false sense of self, and how the lies we tell ourselves become liabilities that limit our potential. Growing up in a challenging environment shaped her relentless pursuit of excellence, and today she uses that same drive to help people discover who they are, what they’re gifted at, and how to step into careers they love, careers that also love them back.

Renowned as a keynote speaker and guided by mentors like Zig Ziglar, Janice is more than thought-provoking, she is action-provoking. She brings intelligence, compassion, and high standards of excellence into every space she enters, serving as the silent partner in the workplace who helps individuals and organizations align from the inside out. In this powerful episode, she unpacks the importance of self-awareness, the lifelong process of developing your gifts, and the freedom that comes from living and leading in full alignment. This is an essential listen for anyone seeking clarity, purpose, or a path toward the next level of their career.

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In this powerful and timely episode, Kyle sits down with Natalie Paramenter, a fearless advocate for families and students in Charlotte, to unpack one of the most urgent crises the community has faced this year. With ICE presence disrupting neighborhoods and nearly 30,000 students absent from school in a single day, Natalie and Kyle dive into the real consequences families are navigating and why education must remain a protected right for every child.

They explore the current assault on Charlotte’s immigrant communities and how ICE activity is impacting school attendance, access, and family safety. The conversation moves into the heart and character of great schools, what it looks like to be a braver parent in moments of uncertainty, and why struggling before succeeding is such an important part of a child’s development. Throughout the episode, Natalie brings clarity and conviction to a moment when parents need both information and courage.

The two also dig into how everyone in the community can do their part. Natalie shares her mission-driven commitment to advocacy, fundraising, and amplifying the work that matters most. She talks about her 20–30 minute YouTube literacy sessions designed to help close the growing reading gap, and the work she does to help parents navigate school options so their children land in environments where they can truly thrive.

This conversation is raw, inspiring, and anchored in purpose. If you care about schools, families, justice, or the future of Charlotte’s children, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

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In this powerful episode of The Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Damon Watson, a Harvard-educated attorney whose journey defies every expectation. Once on top of the world, Damon fell into addiction, lost his career, and found himself homeless and behind bars. But instead of letting his past define him, he rebuilt his life from the inside out—spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.

Today, Damon uses his story to mentor inmates, restore dignity to the forgotten, and remind the world that redemption is always possible. This conversation explores what it really means to start over, how shame can evolve into strength, and why grace is often the most contagious form of culture there is. If you’ve ever hit rock bottom or watched someone you love fight to rise again, this is the story you need to hear.

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What happens when you climb to the top of corporate America, only to realize you’re ready to redefine what success looks like?

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What separates a good fundraiser from a truly transformative one? In this episode, Kyle sits down with Rachel Simon, MBA, MS, CFRE , a powerhouse in the world of community impact and philanthropy, to unpack how authentic relationships, deep trust, and shared purpose can turn fundraising into a movement for change.

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