#206 | Reclaim Your Story and Lead Unapologetically W/ Frank Velásquez Jr.

#208 | The Power of Shrimp to Change Lives W/ Maxie Gluckman, Ph.D.

In this episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle S. King [https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamkylesking/] sits down with Maxie Gluckman [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxiegluckman/], [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxiegluckman/] executive director of Friends of Fundesur, to explore leadership, global service, education, migration, and the power of listening. Maxie shares how her journey as a teacher, researcher, and global citizen led her to support communities in southern Honduras through a foundation connected to the shrimp industry. They discuss how environmental and economic changes affect families, why storytelling must center dignity instead of trauma, and how leadership often begins with one small act of courage and kindness. The message is simple: you do not have to change the entire world at once. You can listen, take action, and create meaningful change one person at a time. Episode History  00:00 — Introduction 01:00 — Maxie’s walkout song and educational journey 02:30 — Growing up as a first-generation American 03:30 — Teaching and learning from immigrant families 04:50 — The work of Friends of Fundesur 05:45 — Why shrimp farming has become more difficult 07:00 — How supply-chain changes affect children and families 07:30 — Why this work became Maxie’s calling 08:45 — Leadership through action 09:15 — A small act of kindness after a fundraiser 11:00 — Stories from migrant families 13:15 — Identity beyond professional titles 14:30 — Running toward motherhood and greater equity 16:30 — How listeners can support the mission 17:30 — Maxie’s slingshot moments 18:30 — Identity, allyship, and community work 19:30 — Reconnecting a mother and daughter 21:30 — Advice for sustaining meaningful work 22:30 — Where to connect with Friends of Fundesur Key Takeaways * Listening to communities should come before designing solutions for them. * Leadership is choosing to act when doing nothing would be easier. * Small moments of kindness can hold as much meaning as large-scale initiatives. * Stories should highlight resilience, learning, and dignity, not only trauma. * Access and privilege create a responsibility to build bridges for others. * Community work requires humility, self-awareness, and a willingness to question your role. * Caring for yourself is necessary if you want to continue caring for others. * Relationships and introductions can be just as valuable as financial donations. - Learn More About the Contagious Culture Conference [https://spreadcontagiousculture.com/] Subscribe & Leave a Review to The Contagious Culture Podcast Subscribe to Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contagious-culture/id1829207363] 📞 Schedule Your Call Here [https://links.theculturelab.org/widget/booking/DmipbO4FF6aXtbSgzwlQ] 🖥️ Join the #1 Community for Leaders and Change Makers [https://the-growth-lab-community.lovable.app/] 👉🏽 Apply to Be in the Growth Alliance [https://growth-alliance-2026.lovable.app/] 👉🏽Connect with Kyle S. King [https://meet-kyle-s-king.lovable.app/]

#207 | From Boardroom Ideas to Meaningful Action W/ Kelly Beeland

In this episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King [https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamkylesking/]sits down with nonprofit strategy and execution advisor Kelly Beeland [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellybeeland/] to explore why so many strategic plans stall after they are approved. Kelly shares how boards and executive directors can create clarity, assess capacity, define roles, strengthen governance, and move from endless conversation to meaningful execution. The message is clear: strategy only creates impact when people understand the plan, know their responsibilities, and have the capacity to act. Episode History 00:00 — Introduction 02:30 — Kelly’s journey into change management 04:00 — Lessons from large-scale transformation 06:00 — Governance and nonprofit board leadership 09:00 — Seeing both systems and people 10:30 — Where struggling boards should begin 12:30 — Getting everyone on the same page 14:30 — Creating a culture of execution 17:00 — Capacity, alignment, and role clarity 19:30 — Building the right board 22:00 — The value of serving on an emerging board 24:00 — Developing high-performing boards 25:30 — Planning board development across the year 28:00 — What is next for Kelly 31:00 — Supporting burned-out executive directors Key Takeaways * A strategic plan is only useful when it includes clear ownership, timing, and execution. * Boards often struggle because members do not understand their role or expectations. * Alignment and role clarity are different from capacity, but all three affect performance. * Boards should plan for the full year instead of moving from one meeting agenda to the next. * Committees need defined responsibilities, deadlines, and reporting structures. * Executive directors must honestly assess what their organization can accomplish with its current resources. * A strong relationship between the board chair and executive director is essential. -- Learn More About the Contagious Culture Conference [https://spreadcontagiousculture.com/] Subscribe & Leave a Review to The Contagious Culture Podcast Subscribe to Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contagious-culture/id1829207363] 📞 Schedule Your Call Here [https://links.theculturelab.org/widget/booking/DmipbO4FF6aXtbSgzwlQ] 🖥️ Join the #1 Community for Leaders and Change Makers [https://the-growth-lab-community.lovable.app/] 👉🏽 Apply to Be in the Growth Alliance [https://growth-alliance-2026.lovable.app/] 👉🏽Connect with Kyle S. King [https://meet-kyle-s-king.lovable.app/]

#206 | Reclaim Your Story and Lead Unapologetically W/ Frank Velásquez Jr.

In this episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King [https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamkylesking/]sits down with Frank Velásquez Jr. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/fvelasquezjr/] for a powerful conversation about authenticity, courage, joy, and reclaiming the stories that shape who we are. Frank shares how values-aligned leadership can help people become more confident, lead with greater intention, and create environments where others feel seen, supported, and empowered. The message is clear: meaningful leadership begins when you stop hiding, own your story, and give yourself permission to lead unapologetically. Episode History 00:00 — Introduction 01:15 — Meet Frank Velásquez Jr. 03:30 — Frank’s origin story and leadership journey 06:45 — Reclaiming your personal story 10:00 — Authenticity and values-aligned leadership 14:30 — Leading with courage 18:00 — Practicing joy unapologetically 22:00 — Creating spaces where people can show up fully 26:00 — The leadership program and its impact 30:00 — Why Frank is determined to restart the program 33:00 — Advice for leaders who are hiding parts of themselves 36:00 — How to connect with and support Frank 38:00 — Final reflections Key Takeaways * Authentic leadership requires the courage to be fully seen. * Your values should shape the way you lead. * Joy is not separate from serious leadership. It can strengthen your impact. * Your story can become a source of connection, purpose, and confidence. * Transformational programs give people space to discover who they are and how they want to lead. * Reclaiming your story allows you to lead without apology. -- Learn More About the Contagious Culture Conference [https://spreadcontagiousculture.com/] Subscribe & Leave a Review to The Contagious Culture Podcast Subscribe to Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contagious-culture/id1829207363] 📞 Schedule Your Call Here [https://links.theculturelab.org/widget/booking/DmipbO4FF6aXtbSgzwlQ] 🖥️ Join the #1 Community for Leaders and Change Makers [https://the-growth-lab-community.lovable.app/] 👉🏽 Apply to Be in the Growth Alliance [https://growth-alliance-2026.lovable.app/] 👉🏽Connect with Kyle S. King [https://meet-kyle-s-king.lovable.app/]

#205 | Why Nonprofits Need Infrastructure, Collaboration, and Clarity With RJ Caswell

In this episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with RJ Caswell, [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rj-caswell-704/] a Charlotte-based social impact leader with a heart for connecting people to purpose and helping organizations grow stronger. RJ shares his perspective on leadership, collaboration, nonprofit sustainability, and the importance of building real infrastructure behind mission-driven work. He also discusses the role of Mission Charlotte, the challenges many nonprofit leaders face, and why organizations need systems, relationships, strategy, and support to create lasting impact. Kyle and RJ explore the messy middle of social impact, the importance of cross-generational learning, and why collaboration requires leaders to set aside ego, logo, and competition for the sake of the mission. Episode History 00:00 — Introduction 00:12 — Meet RJ Caswell 01:10 — RJ’s mission beyond titles 02:30 — What keeps RJ energized 03:40 — Learning from the next generation 05:15 — Innovation, earned revenue, and new nonprofit models 06:25 — How Mission Charlotte supports nonprofit leaders 08:15 — Sustainability, systems, and organizational development 09:50 — Where nonprofits should begin 10:55 — Collaboration versus competition 13:20 — Putting mission above ego and logo 14:00 — RJ’s 25-year leadership journey 16:20 — Advice for young purpose-driven leaders 17:30 — The power of mentorship 18:00 — Mark Hoffman’s impact on RJ’s leadership 21:15 — Personal clarity and understanding how you’re wired -- Learn More About the Contagious Culture Conference [https://spreadcontagiousculture.com/] Subscribe & Leave a Review to The Contagious Culture Podcast Subscribe to Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contagious-culture/id1829207363] 📞 Schedule Your Call Here [https://links.theculturelab.org/widget/booking/DmipbO4FF6aXtbSgzwlQ] 🖥️ Join the #1 Community for Leaders and Change Makers [https://the-growth-lab-community.lovable.app/] 👉🏽 Apply to Be in the Growth Alliance [https://growth-alliance-2026.lovable.app/] 👉🏽Connect with Kyle S. King [https://meet-kyle-s-king.lovable.app/]

#204 | Building More Than Housing: Dr. Patrick Graham on Systems Change, Equity, and Community Impact

In this episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King sits down with Dr. Patrick Graham, [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drpatrickcgraham/] CEO of We Build Concord, nonprofit and public leader, and architect of economic and social justice initiatives. Dr. Graham shares how his upbringing in Long Island, his Southern roots, hip-hop, church, and his mother’s role in a federal housing discrimination case shaped his passion for justice, housing, and community transformation. He explains why housing does not exist in a vacuum and why leaders must connect affordable housing to workforce development, economic mobility, public policy, and community trust. Kyle and Dr. Graham also discuss systems change, community land trusts, down payment assistance, regional housing solutions, public-private partnerships, and why leaders must have courage, adaptability, resilience, and respect to create lasting change. Key Topics: * Dr. Graham’s roots in Long Island, Southern culture, and hip-hop * How his mother’s housing discrimination work shaped his calling * Why equity and systems change must move beyond theory * How housing, workforce, policy, and economic development connect * Why you cannot build your way out of the housing crisis alone * Community land trusts and creative affordability models * The role of grants, public funding, and private partnerships * Why organizations must go into communities, not expect people to come to them * The L.O.V.E.R. framework for community engagement * Courage, adaptability, and resilience as leadership essentials Episode History 00:00 — Introduction 00:15 — Meet Dr. Patrick Graham 01:15 — Growing up on hip-hop and grits 02:30 — Long Island, Southern roots, and the Great Migration 03:30 — Community institutions and early leadership experiences 04:30 — Dr. Graham’s mother and housing discrimination advocacy 05:00 — Defining equity and systems change 06:00 — Working outside traditional systems 06:30 — Community land trusts and permanent affordability 07:00 — Loaned equity and down payment assistance 08:00 — Building a sustainable affordable housing business model 09:00 — Using public dollars and partnerships to create savings 10:00 — Advice for leaders building nontraditional impact models 11:00 — Learning the craft while staying open to innovation 12:00 — Can affordable housing challenges be solved? 12:30 — Why housing does not live in a vacuum 13:00 — Building people and building homes at the same time 14:00 — Economic development must include housing 15:00 — Going into communities with trust and respect 16:00 — Exposure as the father of innovation 17:00 — The L.O.V.E.R. framework 18:00 — Why respect is the foundation of community love 19:00 — Courage, adaptability, and resilience in leadership 21:30 — Teaching young leaders patience, grit, and experience 24:30 — Going through the fire before leading the charge Guest Bio Dr. Patrick Graham is the CEO of We Build Concord, a nonprofit and public leader, and a strategist working at the intersection of affordable housing, workforce development, economic mobility, equity, and systems change. His career has focused on building stronger communities through housing stability, policy innovation, wealth-building strategies, and cross-sector partnerships that create long-term opportunity for individuals and families. -- Learn More About the Contagious Culture Conference [https://spreadcontagiousculture.com/] Subscribe & Leave a Review to The Contagious Culture Podcast Subscribe to Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contagious-culture/id1829207363] 📞 Schedule Your Call Here [https://links.theculturelab.org/widget/booking/DmipbO4FF6aXtbSgzwlQ] 🖥️ Join the #1 Community for Leaders and Change Makers [https://the-growth-lab-community.lovable.app/] 👉🏽 Apply to Be in the Growth Alliance [https://growth-alliance-2026.lovable.app/] 👉🏽Connect with Kyle S. King [https://meet-kyle-s-king.lovable.app/]