Season 4 of the Seismic Shift podcast is here—and it’s all about the seismic shifts in you. Host Michelle Johnston tees up a season packed with practical tips you can use right away to create more connection and drive better results at work and in life. Expect candid insights, actionable takeaways, and stories that challenge how you lead, communicate, and collaborate.
This season, she's joined by some incredible voices, including Marshall Goldsmith (co-author of her latest book, The Seismic Shift in You), Mita Mallick (author of The Devil Emails at Midnight), and Claude Silver, the first-ever Chief Heart Officer at Vayner Media, to name a few. From leadership habits to culture-building and human-centered performance, each conversation zeroes in on what actually moves the needle—so you can grow yourself and your team. Special thanks to Loyola University New Orleans for their generous support.
Season 4 begins with world-renowned executive coach Marshall Goldsmith joining Michelle Johnston to discuss the groundbreaking leadership insights behind their co-authored book, The Seismic Shift in You. Broadcasting from their experience at Thinkers50 in London, they share the seven critical shifts every leader must embrace to stay relevant in a world reshaped by AI, remote work, and cultural transformation. With stories from Alan Mulally, Frances Hesselbein, and Gary Ridge, the conversation dives into practical ways to foster connection, reshape meetings, manage calendars, and elevate energy. Goldsmith also reveals how AI, including his own MarshallBot, is redefining coaching and thought leadership. This is not soft leadership. These are hard skills that generate hard results. You'll walk away inspired to lead differently—more connected, more human, and more effective.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction to Marshall Goldsmith
01:00 Birth of the Book at Thinkers50
02:30 Seismic Shifts Facing Leaders Today
04:00 Connection as a Leadership Imperative
05:20 Embracing AI: MarshallBot and the Future of Coaching
07:00 Michelle Learns Prompt Engineering from Marshall
10:00 Free Coaching: The Gift of MarshallBot
11:30 AI’s Role in Leadership Development
14:00 The Seven Seismic Shifts Overview
15:00 Transforming Meetings into Conversations
18:00 Reshaping Your Calendar to Reflect Priorities
21:00 Making Virtual Meetings More Human
23:00 How to End Meetings with Impact
25:00 Alan Mulally and the Power of Red-Yellow-Green
27:00 Gary Ridge and Creating Meaning at WD-40
29:30 Energy as a Leadership Asset
33:30 Final Thoughts from Marshall & Michelle
Special thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!
Track Title: My Heart's On Fire
Follow Michelle for more inspiring content:
Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSeismicShiftwithMichelle
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michelle-johnston-0264b5b
Instagram: instagram.com/michellekjohnston
Website: https://michellekjohnston.com/
Bestselling author and renowned communication strategist Sam Horn joins Michelle on this week’s episode of The Seismic Shift to share the transformative power of language in leadership and life. Drawing from her latest book Talking on Eggshells, Sam walks listeners through a series of seismic shifts in language that will help reduce tension, boost connection, and strengthen leadership presence.
From hospitals to boardrooms, Sam shares real world stories that highlight how common phrases like “you need to,” “should,” or “no, we can’t” often backfire, eroding relationships and escalating conflict. In their place she offers alternative language that frames requests positively, fosters cooperation, and helps leaders connect rather than command.
Whether you're dealing with difficult conversations, wanting to craft more positive internal dialogue, or working to create a healthier culture, this episode provides a roadmap to better communication. Michelle and Sam also discuss the link between communication and connection, and how words can create emotional safety in personal and professional settings. This episode isn’t just about semantics—it’s about reshaping your conversations to shape your results. Sam’s insights are simple to implement, and will no doubt leave a lasting difference on how people lead, relate, and live.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Words to Lose, Words to Use
01:17 Meet Sam Horn
03:55 Seismic Shifts in Communication
06:05 Replacing “Should” with “Next Time”
07:12 Avoiding “No” and “Can’t Because”
08:02 Power of Reframing Apologies
11:28 Situational Awareness in Communication
13:35 Ditch the Word “But”
17:14 Shift “There’s Nothing” to “There’s Something”
19:51 The Impact of “You Have To” vs. Courtesy
22:41 Ordering at Home and Work
24:46 Deny vs. Reframe in Accusations
25:21 Communicating the Vision
27:03 Words That Shape Environments
29:09 Banning the Word “Problem”
29:48 Return on Connection Through Language
30:20 Final Thoughts from Sam Horn
31:17 Closing and Gratitude
Special thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!
Track Title: My Hearts On Fire
Follow Michelle for more inspiring content:
Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSeismicShiftwithMichelle
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michelle-johnston-0264b5b
Instagram: instagram.com/michellekjohnston
Website: https://michellekjohnston.com/
Global connection strategist Andy Lopata joins Michelle for an eye-opening conversation about the true meaning of networking and why it's undergoing a seismic shift right now. Far from the outdated perception of awkward meet-and-greets and LinkedIn ads, Andy reframes networking as “professional relationship strategy,” a shift that has not only elevated his own career but is also transforming how leaders approach connection.
Andy shares how his years of building networking businesses evolved into a calling to help others understand the deep value of intentional relationships. He and Michelle then dive into the seven stages of professional relationships, the "Four I’s" model, and take a look at why knowing how people can help is just as important as who you know.
Michelle and Andy also tackle the loneliness epidemic and discuss why in-person connection—whether it’s a business cruise, a coffee catch-up, or a spontaneous detour through the English countryside—is vital for personal and professional well-being. Packed with practical insights and real-life examples, this conversation will inspire listeners to rethink their calendars, prioritize “connection cadences,” and rediscover the value of showing up—not just on Zoom, but at your next team meet-up.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 The cost of losing eye contact in virtual connection
02:25 Andy's story: From family business to global strategist
04:55 The seismic shift in global work and mentoring
08:06 Hybrid work: Productivity vs. connection
10:01 From networking to professional relationship strategy
13:05 Why redefining networking changed everything
15:05 Peaks in popularity: Why connection matters more in uncertain times
18:37 The ROI of in-person interaction
22:41 Snorkeling, business retreats & seeing beneath the surface
24:59 The “Connection Espresso” principle
27:50 Generational gaps and the reality of remote work
30:45 Andy’s relationship strategy: Build, nurture, leverage
31:33 Curiosity, vulnerability, and asking for help
32:17 Connection, energy, and gratitude
Special thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!
Track Title: My Hearts On Fire
On today’s episode of The Seismic Shift, Michelle welcomes Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett, a leading organizational psychologist and authority on workplace wellness, for a candid conversation about toxic leadership and the damage it inflicts on individuals and companies alike. With decades of experience helping people and organizations flourish, Dr. Laura explains how innovation, productivity, and mental well-being all suffer under toxic leadership.
During their candid conversation listeners will learn how to distinguish between a "difficult" and a "toxic" boss—a crucial insight that determines whether a leader can be coached or must be removed. Dr. Laura introduces her original research outlining eight toxic boss personas, ranging from the egomaniac to the gaslighter, shedding light on behaviors that erode trust, cause burnout, and lead to lasting psychological harm.
Michelle also talks about her own professional journey, including the cost of mimicking authoritarian leadership early in her career, and the relief and success that came when she led with authenticity and empathy. This powerful episode serves as a rallying cry to eradicate toxic leadership and prioritize workplace cultures where people can thrive. Whether you’re in HR, leading a team, or simply trying to survive a harmful boss, Dr. Laura’s research and Michelle’s wisdom offer critical insight and a way forward.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Innovation Needs Healthy Leadership
01:32 Meet Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett
02:20 Her Path to Becoming “Dr. Laura”
04:42 Human-Centric Workplaces Post-Pandemic
07:08 Seismic Shifts & Toxic Hotspots
09:57 Difficult vs. Toxic Bosses
13:41 The 8 Toxic Boss Personas
16:24 Health Impacts of Toxic Leadership
19:45 Why People Stay Too Long
21:53 A Vision for Healthy Workplaces
24:32 Why CEOs Must Take This Seriously
28:05 Metrics to Detect Toxic Leadership
31:26 Advice for Vetting Future Bosses
33:22 Final Words: “I Wish I’d Quit Sooner”
Special thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!
Track Title: My Hearts On Fire
From being cut in Spain to coaching in the NBA, and from writing cold letters to becoming a bestselling author and global speaker, David Nurse's path defies traditional success playbooks. In this episode, David Nurse, a former professional basketball player and NBA coach turned elite performance strategist, bestselling author, and one of the top 50 keynote speakers in the world, sits down with host Michelle Johnston to unpack the mindset tools and energetic strategies that elevate leaders beyond grind culture into a sustainable rhythm of achievement and joy.
David Nurse is known for his transformative approach to mindset. He has trained over 150 NBA players and works with top executives and organizations to unlock next-level leadership and peak performance. He is the author of several acclaimed books including Pivot & Go and Breakthrough, and is the host of The David Nurse Show. With a blend of athletic rigor and psychological insight, David inspires global audiences to shift perspectives, harness energy, and lead lives rooted in joy, connection, and purpose.
In this episode, David reveals how pivotal moments—like being released from a pro team or getting fired from an NBA coaching job—became catalysts for reinvention. With wisdom born from real-world setbacks, he emphasizes that doors don’t close, they pivot into patios. He shares how his mom’s metaphor about beachfront opportunities reshaped his worldview and lit the path forward.
He speaks candidly about what’s holding most high performers back: not time, but energy and attentionality. He outlines systems for daily success, including morning routines, the power of perspective, flow state optimization, and intentional end-of-day rituals. David's life is living proof that discipline creates freedom, and he empowers listeners with tools like the “bucket of lies vs truths,” “mental dictatorship,” and “the SNAP method” to shift from stress to strategy.
Michelle and David explore the seismic shifts in leadership culture, away from hustle-as-worth and toward holistic, human-centered performance. Whether you’re a CEO, an emerging leader, or just seeking more purpose in your day, this conversation offers a blueprint for living and leading with presence, positivity, and possibility.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Meet David Nurse: From Pro Ball to Performance Coach
03:02 The Spain Cut & The Beachfront Metaphor
07:45 Handwritten Letters and NBA Coaching Dreams
12:18 Fired & Pivoting to Purpose
16:00 The Energy Shift: Beyond Hustle Culture
20:11 Routines, Flow State & the SNAP Technique
24:39 Time Bucketing, Big 3s & Daily Resets
29:13 Leading with Energy & Intentional Recharge
32:00 Mindset Tools: Lies, Truths, and Crushing Ants
34:26 The Flow Code Project & What’s Next for David
Special thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!
Track Title: My Hearts On Fire
After a seismic career and life shift, Todd Vande Hei reemerged with a revolutionary take on health. In this powerful conversation, Todd opens up about losing everything during the 2008 economic collapse and how that dark season became the unlikely foundation of his life’s work—building Stark, a human optimization company for elite professionals.
Todd discusses the health challenges that plagued him for decades: seizures, chronic migraines, joint pain, and a state of perpetual burnout fueled by overachievement and hyper-vigilance. These challenges prompted him to reject fragmented healthcare and build a team-based, metrics-driven model inspired by business strategy. He explains how viewing the body like a company—complete with KPIs, quarterly goals, and aligned functional teams—can transform even the busiest executive’s approach to wellness.
You'll gain practical strategies for reclaiming your health, including how to implement “walking meetings,” protein-first nutrition, strength and mobility routines, and advanced sleep hygiene. Todd also unpacks why most high achievers resist lifestyle changes—and how to design wellness tactics that blend into real life without requiring more time.
Michelle and Todd explore what it means to evolve from grinding effort into wisdom-based leadership, and how emotional health is essential for long-term performance. For leaders stuck on the hamster wheel, this episode is an invitation to rethink success—and embrace health as a strategic advantage.
Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or simply trying to regain balance, Todd’s story and science-backed advice will resonate deeply and inspire immediate action.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction to Todd VandeHei
02:15 From Carpet Industry to Health Transformation
05:20 Starting Stark During Personal Crisis
08:45 Health Breakdown: Seizures, Migraines, Chronic Issues
13:00 Frustrations with Traditional Healthcare
15:30 Creating a Holistic Health Team
19:00 Type A Burnout and Hyper-Vigilance
23:15 Turning Health into a Measurable Strategy
26:00 Walking Meetings & Leveraging Tech
28:30 Weekly Routine: Strength, Cardio, Mobility
31:00 Mobility Training & Permanent Gains
33:00 The 3 Health Shifts: Sleep, Walk, Protein
35:00 Final Advice for Executives on Reclaiming Health
Special thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!
Track Title: My Hearts On Fire
Michael Bungay Stanier doesn’t just write books—he starts movements. In this energizing conversation with Michelle, the celebrated author of The Coaching Habit and How to Work with Almost Anyone shares the seismic shifts that changed how we lead, connect, and collaborate at work.
Together, they discuss how effective leadership is moving away from advice-giving toward deeper connection, and why asking the right questions upfront can make or break a relationship. Michael explains the origin of his latest book—sparked from a “failed” manuscript and refined into a transformative guide—and details the five questions that form what he calls a “Keystone Conversation.” From stories of co-authoring challenges to funny missteps in innovation consulting, Michael blends humor, vulnerability, and wisdom in a way that only he can and listeners will learn how understanding each other’s best, preferences, and past patterns can elevate a project from stressful to successful.
Michelle also shares her own leadership practices—like her "connection walks" and reflections from co-writing her new book with Marshall Goldsmith. They unpack how small shifts in how we begin working relationships can result in massive gains in trust, productivity, and joy. Whether you're leading a team, co-authoring a book, or collaborating on a project, this episode offers rich, immediately applicable takeaways for working better—with just about anyone.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction to Michael Bungay Stanier
02:30 Michael’s journey from Oxford to bestselling author
07:50 From innovation consultant to self-published success
10:25 The Coaching Habit and shifting away from advice-giving
13:00 Why connection is the foundation of leadership
15:10 The origin of How to Work with Almost Anyone
18:45 The Keystone Conversation: five essential questions
23:40 Designing relationships, not just doing the work
27:10 Vulnerability, repair, and preventing misalignment
30:00 Upcoming seismic shift: improving how change happens
32:30 Final thoughts and thank you
Special thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!
Track Title: My Hearts On Fire
What’s your next move? Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer joins this week’s episode of The Seismic Shift to help mid-career professionals, especially women, become more intentional about their career paths. In today’s conversation with Michelle, Cynthia shares her journey from corporate leadership to executive coaching, highlighting some key shifts in the modern workplace.
Drawing from over 30 years in corporate leadership, Cynthia walks us through her insights on overcoming workplace biases, advocating for oneself, and creating opportunities for advancement. Together Cynthia and Michelle emphasize the power of connection, energy management, and setting boundaries to ensure women actively shape their professional futures rather than waiting to be noticed.
Towards the end of their conversation Cynthia also introduces the concept of "zeal"—bringing energy and intentionality to personal and professional growth. If you’re ready to stop waiting and start actively shaping your career, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you move forward with confidence.
Check out Cynthia’s book—Now, Near, Next here: https://www.amazon.com/Now-Near-Next-Professional-Serendipity/dp/1637558937.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 The Power of Intentionality
02:08 Cynthia’s Journey from Corporate Leadership to Coaching
06:09 The Hidden Risks of Remote Work for Women
10:10 Why Intentional Connection is Crucial
16:38 Energy Management and Finding Your Strengths
19:56 The Importance of Self-Advocacy
24:08 Setting Boundaries and Prioritizing Yourself
31:27 Three Steps to Advance Your Career
Special thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!
Track Title: My Hearts On Fire
What if the key to success, happiness, and fulfillment lies in designing a life filled with connection? Dr. Ruth Gotian and Ayse Birsel bring their expertise in high performance and human-centered design to this episode of The Seismic Shift—exploring the shifts that redefine leadership, collaboration, and friendship.
Along with Michelle, Ruth and Ayse recount their journey of meeting through the 100 Coaches group, their mutual mentor Marshall Goldsmith, and how their shared passion for mentorship and collaboration led them to co-author insightful articles on connection-driven workplaces. Together they introduce the concept of “Friendship Factories” and explain how leaders can foster environments where trust and relationships thrive.
This conversation is filled with wisdom on trust, leadership, and the power of human connection. Whether you're a leader looking to create a more connected workplace or simply someone seeking to strengthen personal relationships, you’ll undoubtedly leave with valuable takeaways!
Learn more about Ruth on her website: https://ruthgotian.com/.
Connect with Ayse on her website: https://www.aysebirsel.com/.
CHAPTERS
00:00 - The Power of Positive Intent & Trust
01:15 - Introducing Dr. Ruth Gotian & Ayse Birsel
02:51 - How Ayse’s Design Thinking Shaped Her Career
05:05 - The Origin of 100 Coaches & Knowledge Philanthropy
10:44 - Finding Connection in Times of Loss
13:10 - Why Disconnection is Killing Us
15:14 - The Concept of “Friendship Factories”
18:23 - The Importance of Laughter and Levity at Work
20:33 - Trust, Superpowers & Workplace Friendships
26:39 - Designing Workspaces for Connection & Collaboration
32:40 - The Seismic Shift Moments of Ruth & Ayse
Special thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!
Track Title: My Hearts On Fire
AI is transforming the workplace, and leaders must adapt—or risk becoming obsolete. In this episode, Ted Elliott, CEO of Capado, shares how AI is reshaping DevOps, business strategy, and workplace culture. He explains how Capado’s "AI-first" approach helped the company turn a financial deficit into growth, and why AI should be embraced rather than feared.
Ted discusses how AI can help leaders become better listeners by summarizing key insights from meetings, ensuring follow-ups, and fostering psychological safety. He shares how Capado’s AI-driven approach has helped teams work more efficiently while reducing burnout.
Ted also reveals how Capado made a bold statement at Dreamforce with an AI-generated children’s book and a wrapped Cybertruck that turned heads across San Francisco. He explains how effective messaging, clear communication, and a focus on the "why" help companies differentiate themselves and build stronger connections.
If you're a leader navigating AI, this episode is for you. Learn how to stay ahead of the curve, create an engaged workforce, and harness AI to drive success.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Welcome to The Seismic Shift
02:30 Ted Elliott’s Journey into DevOps
05:45 The Seismic Shifts in the Tech Industry
10:20 AI’s Impact on Workforce Efficiency
14:15 Why Leaders Must Adapt or Risk Obsolescence
17:40 AI-Driven Listening & Psychological Safety
22:30 How Capado Uses AI for Business Growth
26:45 Creative Messaging at Dreamforce
30:10 The Importance of Connection & Community
34:20 Closing Thoughts & Call to Action
Special thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!
Track Title: My Hearts On Fire
The Super Bowl is more than a game—it’s an opportunity to bring people together and showcase the culture, resilience, and vibrancy of an entire region. In our final Super Bowl episode of the week leading up to the game, Michelle is joined by some of Louisiana’s top leaders who are working behind the scenes to ensure that this event is a success for their entire state.
Jill Kidder of Visit Baton Rouge, along with Ben Berthelot (Lafayette Travel), Kyle Edmiston (Visit Lake Charles), and Alana Cooper (Monroe-West Monroe Convention & Visitors Bureau), share insights on how their cities are contributing to the Super Bowl experience. From tourism efforts to safety measures, they explore how this event is about more than just football—it’s about connection, culture, and community.
The discussion also touches on the recent tragic events in New Orleans, how local leaders are rallying to ensure safety, and why the Super Bowl will be one of the most secure events in the nation. With a focus on resilience and unity, this special panel episode highlights why Louisiana is unlike anywhere else in the country.
Join us for an uplifting conversation about leadership, collaboration, and what makes Louisiana special!
CHAPTERS
00:00 - Todd Graves Opens the Show
00:14 - Michelle Johnston Introduces the Panel
01:56 - Jill Kidder on Baton Rouge’s Role in the Super Bowl
04:56 - Ben Berthelot’s Journey to Leading Lafayette
07:19 - What Makes Lafayette Unique?
08:24 - How Lafayette is Supporting the Super Bowl
10:48 - Kyle Edmiston on Lake Charles as “Louisiana’s Playground”
14:38 - Alana Cooper on Monroe & North Louisiana’s Culture
17:50 - Addressing the New Year’s Day Terrorist Attack
21:39 - How Louisiana is Ensuring Super Bowl Safety
27:16 - How to Make the Super Bowl a Statewide Celebration
32:42 - What Panelists Are Most Excited About for the Super Bowl
Special thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!
Track Title: My Hearts On Fire
New Orleans isn’t just hosting the Super Bowl—it’s creating an experience like no other. In our second Super Bowl episode of the week, Michelle welcomes Sandra Lindquist, CEO of the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, to talk about what makes New Orleans "built to host." The conversation touches on the city’s unique ability to bring people together, the impact of small businesses, and the spirit of resilience following recent challenges.
Sandra opens the conversation by sharing her journey to leading the Chamber, the explosive growth of the business community, and how the city is preparing for the economic boom that comes with the Super Bowl. The two also explore the magic of New Orleans—the vibrant culture, the immersive experience for visitors, and the way businesses organically rally around major events.
Whether you have a ticket to the big game or not, this conversation will give you just a taste of the energy happening this week in New Orleans.
Learn more about Sandra and her role with the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce on their website: https://www.neworleanschamber.org/.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Welcome & Introduction
01:44 Reflecting on Recent Tragedies & the City's Resilience
04:02 The Sugar Bowl & New Orleans' Unbreakable Spirit
06:47 Sandra Lindquist’s Journey to CEO of the Chamber
09:22 The Power of Small Businesses in New Orleans
12:26 Why New Orleans is Built to Host the Super Bowl
15:04 The Walkability & Cultural Experience of the City
19:15 The Taylor Swift Effect & Creating a Super Bowl Atmosphere
23:48 The Half-Billion Dollar Economic Impact of the Super Bowl
27:04 Why You Should Experience the Super Bowl in New Orleans
Special thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!
Track Title: My Hearts On Fire
Todd Graves, founder of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, joins Michelle on one of this week’s special Super Bowl episodes of The Seismic Shift! As the King of the Super Bowl Host Committee Parade, Todd is embracing the opportunity to highlight Louisiana as a great place to live, work, and grow a business. During his conversation with Michelle, he discusses his leadership philosophy, the power of connection in business, and how he disrupted the fast-food industry. From launching Raising Cane’s to investing in entrepreneurs on Shark Tank, Todd’s journey is one of resilience, passion, and community impact.
We’ll be celebrating the Super Bowl and highlighting Louisiana/New Orleans' role in the event all week long—subscribe and follow along to not miss a thing leading up to the big game!
Learn more about Todd and his role with Raising Cane’s on their website: https://raisingcanes.com/who-we-are/.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Louisiana Roots and Building a Business
01:02 Becoming King of the Super Bowl Parade
03:16 The First-Ever Super Bowl Parade in New Orleans
05:24 Disrupting Fast Food with Raising Cane’s
07:09 Growing to 1,000 Locations Internationally
09:19 Leadership, Love, and Business Success
10:59 Competing as a Shark on Shark Tank
12:00 Why Louisiana is a Great Place for Business
14:47 The Future of Louisiana’s Economy
Special thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!
Track Title: My Hearts On Fire
For 25 years Bridgett Brown embodied what it meant to be beautiful according to society’s standards. A former Ford model, Bridgett appeared perfect, but in reality she was struggling with everything from eating disorders to suicidal ideation. On today’s powerful episode of The Seismic Shift, Michelle sits down with Bridgett to talk about how this former “it” girl went from the top of the beauty industry to redefining what it actually means to be beautiful through her organization The Beyond Beauty Project.
As a model, Bridgett was told she had to be perfect, and it turned her life upside down (and not in a good way). Together Michelle and Bridgett unpack what that drive for perfectionism looked like in Bridgett’s life and career, how to let go of unrealistic expectations, and why true connection is only found when we let people see the real version of us, flaws and all. Toward the end of the episode Bridgett shares how each of us can redefine the ideals of beauty and perfectionism in our own lives, plus her best advice on how to connect with ourselves in a kinder way.
Learn more about Bridgett and The Beyond Beauty Project on their website: https://www.beyondbeautyproject.com/.
Follow Bridgett on Instagram at @beyond.beauty.project.
CHAPTERS
00:00 The Importance of Connection
01:50 Bridgett's Journey: From Model to Advocate
10:08 Perfectionism and Disconnection
15:47 Redefining Beauty and Self-Compassion
21:21 The Power of Kindness and Authenticity
Special thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!
Track Title: My Hearts On Fire
Welcome to a whole new year and another truly impactful episode of The Seismic Shift. We’re starting off 2025 strong, talking with serial healthcare entrepreneur, Chantell Preston, all about how to actually achieve that always-elusive work-life integration. Let’s dive in!
Chantell has been starting her own companies since she was 27 years-old, and in that time she’s learned a thing or two about what it takes to find fulfillment both at work and at home through building connection with the entirety of your employee—not just their work identity or ability to produce results. During her candid conversation with Michelle, Chantell vulnerably shares her own story of finding a work-life integration that fulfilled her, plus the two also talk females in leadership, how they would define personal success, and their best advice for managing your time and priorities in a way that’s life-giving, not draining.
Chantell’s is a story that will empower you to get up and make your goals happen! Don’t miss this incredible kickoff to a whole new year on The Seismic Shift!
Learn more about Chantell and her podcast, Get Real, Get Results here: https://chantellpreston.com/.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Embracing Imposter Syndrome
01:20 Chantell's Entrepreneurial Journey
05:51 Seismic Shifts in Leadership
12:44 Creating Cultures of Connection
18:19 Lessons Learned from Stumbles
21:35 Empowering Female Leaders
24:41 Defining Personal Success
28:40 Managing Time and Priorities
Special thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!
Track Title: My Hearts On Fire
How do we find that fire in our belly to do something truly revolutionary with our lives? Silicon Valley disruptor and current CEO of Corent Technology, Feyzi Fatehi, knows a thing or two when it comes to answering that question. For today’s episode of The Seismic Shift, Michelle sits down with Feyzi to take a look at his meteoric rise through some of the world’s top technology companies—outlining the biggest lessons he’s learned along the way.
From spearheading Hewlett-Packard’s global alliances in his 20s to getting his MBA from Stanford and going on to lead from the C-suite, Feyzi has had a front row seat to the seismic shifts happening in Silicon Valley over the last few decades. Together he and Michelle discuss the evolution of leadership practices in the tech industry, the motivation behind Feyzi’s book—Democratizing SaaS, and his best advice for finding that fire in your belly to do great things with your life and talents.
Don’t miss this inspiring conversation!
Purchase Democratizing SaaS here: https://www.corenttech.com/democratizing-saas-testimonials.html.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Transforming Questions for Better Understanding
01:50 Feyzi Fatehi: A Journey of Meaning and Curiosity
06:09 Cultural Shifts in Silicon Valley Leadership
11:49 From Transactional to Inspirational Leadership
18:03 Democratizing SaaS: A Vision for the Future
24:14 Finding Your Fire: Tips for Success
Special thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!
Track Title: My Hearts On Fire
As leaders, it’s essential that we master the art of the delicate conversation to foster connection among the people we lead. But delicate conversations are just that … delicate, and it’s tempting to put them off. Today on The Seismic Shift, Michelle sits down with the world’s no. 1 startup coach, Alisa Cohn, to dive into how to have those delicate conversations we all dread, and how to have them well.
To open the episode, Michelle invites Alisa to share her incredible story of reinventing her career at 27 years-old and becoming one of the world’s most sought-after startup coaches. Michelle then pulls from the scripts Alisa outlines in her bestselling book, and together the two illustrate for us how to have some of the delicate conversations many leaders face. From delivering bad news to your staff to walking an employee through why you don’t believe they’re ready for a promotion right now, Alisa shows us how to have these delicate conversations in a way that builds trust and connection. Michelle and Alisa’s conversation concludes with Alisa sharing her insights into how managers can better connect with their employees, even in an increasingly remote work space.
Don’t miss this incredible episode of The Seismic Shift!
Check out Alisa’s book, From Start-Up to Grown-Up here: https://www.alisacohn.com/start-up/.
Chapters
00:00 The Importance of Vulnerability in Connection
02:09 Alisa Cohn's Journey to Coaching
04:51 Seismic Shifts in the Workplace
07:32 Building Connection in a Hybrid World
10:24 Navigating Delicate Conversations
20:07 Communicating Bad News Effectively
23:26 Creating a Culture of Connection
Special thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!
Track Title: My Hearts On Fire
For this week’s special, bonus episode of The Seismic Shift, Michelle has the privilege of sitting down with two of her colleagues at Loyola University New Orleans: the university’s new president—and first president of color—Dr. Xavier Cole, and Loyola’s interim dean of the College of Business, Dr. Bobby Savoie. It’s no secret that the value (and price tag) of higher education have come into question in recent years. So together these three dynamic leaders discuss some of the key seismic shifts happening in higher education right now, answering the question of if an advanced degree is still worth it in our changing job landscape.
Throughout their conversation, Dr. Cole and Dr. Savoie both share how higher education changed their career trajectories—discussing some of the ways they’re disrupting higher education as we know it, why an education that focuses on how to think critically is so vital, and how higher education is different today than it was for previous generations.
Don’t miss this insightful conversation!
Learn more about Loyola University New Orleans on their website: https://www.loyno.edu/.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Transformational Power of Education
04:32 Seismic Shifts in Higher Education
11:59 Challenges and Opportunities in Leadership
18:24 Creating Problem Solvers in Business Education
24:50 The Importance of Connection and Community
30:06 The Future of Higher Education: A Holistic Approach
Special thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!
Track Title: My Hearts On Fire
The city of New Orleans recently experienced “the Taylor Swift effect”—the whole city coming together culturally and economically for the singer’s Eras Tour weekend. Today on The Seismic Shift, Michelle sits down with GNO, Inc. President & CEO Michael Hecht to talk all about how the city can recreate that sense of joy and belonging during next year’s Super Bowl.
As New Orleans natives, Michelle and Michael are both passionate about seeing their city thrive during big events like a Taylor Swift concert and the Super Bowl, and New Orleans undoubtedly does big events very well (just look at Mardi Gras!). But how can other cities or organizations recreate the kind of weekend these two just experienced in their city—one that fostered belonging, sparked joy, and thrived on spontaneity and inclusivity? Michelle asks Michael to break it down during this conversation. Together they take a look at the practical ways Michael’s preparing for the Super Bowl next year, how other entities can foster connection around their own big events, and why the Taylor Swift effect doesn’t have to end when the Eras Tour leaves your city.
CHAPTERS
00:00 The Power of Connection in Divisive Times
03:08 Taylor Swift's Impact on New Orleans
05:51 The Role of Community in Major Events
09:12 Creating a Lasting Legacy Beyond the Super Bowl
11:56 The Joy of Freedom and Individuality
14:49 Engagement as a Key to Success
18:13 Decentralized Models of Celebration
21:00 Building Anticipation for the Super Bowl
24:08 Michael Hecht's Journey to Super Bowl Czar
Special thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!
Track Title: My Hearts On Fire