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