In Episode 179 of the Contagious Culture Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Michelle Chanda Singh, known as the Disengagement Doctor, an award-winning educator and curriculum strategist who challenges how we think about learning, leadership, and belonging.

This conversation goes deeper than engagement strategies and gets to the root of the issue: disengagement isn’t a motivation problem, it’s often a design problem. Dr. Singh shares how many systems unintentionally push people into autopilot and survival mode, where compliance is rewarded, silence is normalized, and identity is left out of the learning experience.

Together, we explore how curriculum shapes culture, why voice and belonging matter more than ever, and what it takes to design environments that honor humanity while driving real impact.

If you lead people in any capacity, this episode will challenge what you’ve accepted and invite you to build something better.

Charlotte runs on relationships, and few people understand that better than Maddie Myers, SVP and Director of Client and Community Relations at PNC.

In this energizing conversation, Maddie shares how she blends corporate strategy with authentic community impact across Charlotte and the Western Carolinas. From arts and culture to early childhood literacy, and from economic development to nonprofit leadership, she operates at the intersection of business growth and community good.

We explore the human side of corporate leadership and what meaningful sponsorship and partnership really look like. Maddie breaks down why early childhood and literacy are not just social priorities but economic ones, and how trust is built across corporate, civic, and nonprofit spaces. She also reflects on what it means to show up fully as a leader, a mom, and a neighbor.

Maddie’s journey from nonprofit fundraising to executive banking leadership proves that community work is business work, and that the strongest brands are built through service, presence, and purpose.

If you care about leadership, civic impact, or the future of Charlotte, this episode is for you.

What happens when clinical expertise meets creativity and calling?

In this episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle sits down with Charlotte-based changemaker Leanna Calvin, Founder and Executive Director of Exposure Project.

A Licensed Clinical Social Worker with degrees from Tuskegee University and Fordham University, Leanna has worked with youth across the country. But her proudest achievement isn’t a title, it’s impact. After years in mental health and youth development, she noticed a pattern: young people lacked exposure to career possibilities and struggled to see the value in their own uniqueness.

So she built the solution.

Exposure Project is now transforming lives across Charlotte through hands-on career exploration and character development, serving 124 students, engaging 80 families, delivering 277 hours of programming, and introducing youth to 70 career fields.

This conversation explores purpose, leadership, resilience, and what it really takes to build something that changes lives.

If you care about culture, youth empowerment, and legacy-driven leadership, this one is for you.

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What does it really take to lead with confidence and build a culture where people can thrive?

In this episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, host Kyle King sits down with Lisa Tarkington, keynote speaker, leadership coach, and founder of the nonprofit Lead. Lisa has spent more than a decade helping leaders overcome self-doubt, discover their zone of genius, and create environments where people feel empowered to grow.

Lisa shares her journey from corporate communications at Dow to becoming a nationally recognized coach and speaker. Together, Kyle and Lisa explore the connection between confidence and culture, why many high performers feel stuck in the wrong “zone,” and how leaders can align their strengths, behaviors, and environment for sustainable success.

This conversation is filled with practical insights for leaders who want to stop performing leadership and start truly living it.

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In this episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle sits down with leadership expert Tracy Solarek to explore one of the most important and often overlooked, skills in leadership: emotional intelligence.

While many leaders focus on strategy, execution, and results, Tracy explains why the ability to understand emotions, both your own and others’, is what truly separates good leaders from great ones.

Kyle and Tracy discuss how emotional intelligence shapes team culture, improves communication, and helps leaders navigate difficult conversations with confidence and clarity. They also dive into practical ways leaders can strengthen their self-awareness, build stronger relationships with their teams, and create workplaces where people feel seen, valued, and motivated to perform at their best.

If you want to lead with greater awareness, strengthen trust with your team, and build a culture where people thrive, this conversation will give you the insights to start today.

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Building relationships in the nonprofit world is often treated like a necessary evil, awkward networking events, forced conversations, and transactional asks. But what if it didn’t have to feel that way?

In this episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle breaks down why nonprofit relationship building doesn’t have to suck and why the most successful leaders approach it completely differently.

Instead of chasing donations or trying to “work the room,” Kyle shares how authentic connection, shared purpose, and genuine curiosity create stronger partnerships and more sustainable impact. From community leaders and donors to volunteers and board members, the most powerful nonprofit relationships are built on trust, not transactions.

You’ll learn practical ways to shift your mindset around networking, create meaningful connections that last, and build a culture where people actually want to support the work you’re doing.

If you’re tired of forced networking and ready to build relationships that truly matter, this episode is for you.

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In this powerful episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle sits down with keynote speaker, construction industry leader, and bestselling author Erika Rothenberger to talk about resilience, leadership, and what it truly means to live with audacity.

Erika’s story took a dramatic turn in 2022 when she survived a brutal assault that forced her to confront fear, vulnerability, and the fragility of life. Instead of retreating, she made the bold decision to expand. In her new book, Audacious Expansion, Erika shares how adversity can become the catalyst for growth, purpose, and leadership.

Together, Kyle and Erika explore the mindset behind her BOLD Leadership Framework, the power of meaningful connections, and why the strongest leaders choose courage over comfort. Erika also shares how community, resilience, and authenticity can transform even the most difficult moments into opportunities for impact.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that our greatest struggles often hold the potential for our greatest breakthroughs.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, underestimated, or ready for your next level, this episode will challenge you to step forward with courage and expand boldly.

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What does it really take to become the kind of leader people choose to follow?

In this episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, Kyle King explores the difference between leadership that is assigned and leadership that is earned. Titles may give someone authority, but influence, trust, and credibility are what inspire people to truly follow.

Kyle breaks down the key behaviors that define impactful leaders, leaders who create clarity, build strong relationships, and cultivate cultures where people feel motivated to contribute their best work. He also challenges common leadership myths and explains why leadership is less about control and more about consistency, character, and connection.

If you want to grow your influence, strengthen your leadership presence, and build a culture where people feel inspired to move the mission forward, this episode will give you practical insights on how to become the leader others willingly follow.

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Learn More About the Contagious Culture Conference

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