In this episode, I sit down with Qiana Daniels, an inspiring educational and spiritual leader, to unpack the anatomy of an educator. We dive into what it truly takes to impact students, build meaningful relationships, and create environments where learners can thrive.

From strategies for classroom success to the mindset and heart of a teacher who transforms lives, Qiana shares candid insights, personal stories, and actionable advice for educators at every stage of their journey. Whether you’re in the classroom, leading a school, or supporting education in any capacity, this conversation will leave you motivated, challenged, and inspired to elevate your impact.

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On this episode of the Contagious Culture Podcast, host Kyle S. King talks with Kurtis Hewson, Lead Learner at Jigsaw Learning and author of Collaborative Response: A School-Wide Model for Addressing Individual Needs. They discuss the importance of collaboration in schools, strategies for addressing individual student needs, and how to create systems where every learner thrives. Hewson shares practical insights from their book, including how schools can implement collaborative structures, leverage data, and provide a continuum of supports to ensure equity and academic success for all students.

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When’s the last time you had a craving? Maybe it was for a piece of cake, your favorite restaurant, or meeting someone you’ve always admired. You thought about it, dreamed about it and once you got it, the satisfaction was undeniable. Imagine if donors and fundraisers felt that same way about your school.

In this episode, we break down the CRAVE Method, a step-by-step framework to attract, engage, and close supporters who are eager to invest in your mission. Fundraising isn’t just about asking for money; it’s about creating trust, building systems that deliver results, and celebrating impact like we celebrate superheroes.

We’ll explore how to:

• Connect by starting with the personal and building authentic trust

• Reveal your donor’s goals, timeline, and motivations so you know what matters most

• Affirm their wants by showing you’ve truly listened and aligned with their vision

• Value the partnership by highlighting both the cost of inaction and the impact of support

• Execute & Close with clarity, confidence, and commitment to shared success

Whether you’re leading a school, managing a campaign, or building long-term donor relationships, this episode will help you create the kind of fundraising culture people can’t resist.

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In this value packed episode, I sit down with Qiana Daniels, an educational and spiritual leader, high school English teacher, and force of nature whose work has impacted people worldwide. Qiana has built a reputation for raising standards and refusing to settle for mediocrity, while at the same time designing environments where students feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Her leadership extends beyond the classroom, blending academic excellence with spiritual grounding, and her results speak for themselves, she has transformed student lives, equipped families, and inspired communities across the globe. In our conversation, Qiana shares how educators can create cultures of high expectation and high support, overcome obstacles with resilience, and unlock the potential in every student.

If you’re looking for a roadmap to lasting impact, whether as a teacher, leader, or mentor, this episode will leave you energized and ready to take action.

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Every organization has a culture, whether it’s built by design or by default. But make no mistake: culture doesn’t start with a mission statement, it starts with leadership. The way leaders show up, speak, set boundaries, and make decisions creates the invisible atmosphere everyone else breathes.

In this episode, we unpack the truth that how you show up sets the tone, in your family, your classroom, or your team. Just as my son watches how I respond, your people are watching you. Leadership is about modeling growth, reflecting honestly, and mapping the way forward.

We’ll dive into:

• The “Models, Mirrors, and Maps” every leader needs to grow and guide others

• The Keep, Start, Stop framework for removing what no longer serves your leadership

• Why boundaries are best enforced through behavior, not just words

• The rocket ship principle: what must fall away for you to reach orbit

• How understanding people’s history and toolbox builds trust and connection

• The mindset shifts, systems, and disciplines leaders must embrace to solve problems they’re seasoned in

Culture isn’t accidental, it’s created in every choice leaders make. Tune in to discover how to refine your leadership, remove outdated norms, and design a culture that elevates everyone.

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The first 10 days can make or break a school year. For leaders, it’s the critical window to set the tone, establish systems, and build the culture that will carry a school forward.

In this episode, Lisa Norwood joins us to share her insights on what effective leaders do in those pivotal early days. From building trust with staff and families to creating systems that promote sustainability rather than burnout, Lisa breaks down practical strategies that every school leader can implement right away.

We explore how intentional leadership, clear structures, and a focus on people over paperwork create schools that thrive long after the first bell.

If you’re a leader striving to build a sustainable school culture where both educators and students succeed, this conversation is a blueprint you don’t want to miss.

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What separates good teams from truly excellent ones? In this episode, we break down the principles of building a culture of excellence, lessons drawn from experiences with Orange Theory, ranked the #1 fitness studio in the U.S. by USA Today.

Excellence always starts with the personal. Do you really know your team members—their stories, milestones, and what drives them? Stories bind us together, and trust is built when leaders share and connect authentically. From there, standards, systems, and accountability do the heavy lifting.

We’ll explore:

• Why stories, not just strategy, are the glue that holds teams together

• How gossip and negativity destroy culture and what to do instead

• The importance of clear standards and systems for hiring, evaluation, and even firing

• How to celebrate progress, build confidence, and create space for people to win

• Why trust, flexibility, and freedom are the foundation of high-performing teams

Excellence is never an accident. It’s the result of intentional leadership, disciplined systems, and an unwavering commitment to both people and product. Whether you’re in fitness, education, or business, this episode will equip you to lead teams where excellence isn’t just expected, it’s contagious.

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

Subscribe & Leave a Review to The Contagious Culture Podcast

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📞 Schedule Your Call Here

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In this episode, I sit down with Nicole Smith, a dynamic leader, coach, and culture shifter, to explore what it truly means to transform leadership from the inside out. Nicole shares her journey of self-discovery and growth, offering powerful insights on how authenticity, resilience, and intentional reflection shape effective leadership. Together, we unpack strategies leaders can use to build trust, empower their teams, and create environments where people thrive.

Whether you’re leading in education, business, or your community, this conversation will challenge you to look inward, align your values with your actions, and step into leadership that is both contagious and transformative.

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

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📞 Schedule Your Call Here

🖥️ Visit The Website

👉🏽 Connect with Kyle on LinkedIn