Tim Williamson—founder and CEO of NewCo—maps the seismic shift he’s watching unfold: AI accelerating change while humans decide whether to lean in or lock down. He and Dr. Michelle K. Johnston trace how New Orleans’ superpower—real connection—can become a competitive advantage in the next innovation cycle. Tim unpacks why most new ideas die at the “Thanksgiving table,” how supportive ecosystems keep curiosity alive, and why rhythms and rituals are more than fun—they’re civic glue that helps communities recover from shocks. The conversation lands on a bold vision: AI freeing time, humans reconnecting, and creativity surging into a new renaissance.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Welcome + meet Tim Williamson and NewCo
01:35 The seismic shift: AI, fear, excitement, and disruption cycles
03:43 “AI is connection” and getting off the scary cliff
04:08 Why new ideas need a safe community to survive
06:49 The “Thanksgiving table” where ideas go to die
08:15 New Orleans as a front-porch city built for connection
10:02 What NewCo is and why it’s a home base for new ideas
12:46 AI that helps leaders connect people at scale
16:07 Connection dinners: designing belonging on purpose
20:01 Why connection drives trust, innovation, and performance
20:52 Rhythms and rituals: the civic cadence that holds a city together
26:19 Katrina lessons: how rituals helped New Orleans come back
29:44 AI frees time—what if it triggers a creative renaissance?
33:13 Closing: calendar, connection, and choosing deeper humanity

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/

Molly Tschang doesn’t sugarcoat it: most workplaces don’t suffer from a lack of talent—they suffer from people holding back what they really think. In this episode, host Dr. Michelle K. Johnston sits down with Molly—co-author of Say It Skillfully with Marshall Goldsmith—to talk about the real reason teams stall: disconnection, fear, and leaders who unknowingly make it unsafe to speak up. Michelle and Molly also explore seismic shifts in leadership: the rise of leaders willing to lead when it’s inconvenient, and the growing urgency for workplaces where truth can be spoken without punishment. Molly ends with a mic-drop reminder for anyone feeling stuck: you have choices—find environments that deserve you, then bring your full voice to the table.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Welcome + meet Molly Tschang and Say It Skillfully
01:28 Molly’s origin story: belonging, shyness, and finding her voice
03:45 Cornell, chemical engineering, and early identity pressure
05:40 The IBM pivot: choosing growth over the bigger paycheck
07:35 Deloitte consulting + the power of learning through people
08:30 U.S. Filter: integrating acquisitions and leading through change
10:02 Burnout, “In Transition,” and getting connected to yourself
11:01 Cisco’s heyday: high trust teams and “set the container”
13:22 Philanthropy, Ethiopia/Uganda, and a perspective-reset on work
16:39 Relationship systems coaching and the role of vulnerability
18:10 Abella Consulting: helping senior teams “Win as One”
18:26 Meeting Marshall Goldsmith + the videos that took off
23:03 Radio show to podcast: reverse-engineering the skillful model
26:32 Connection, empathy, and why it starts within
29:10 When it isn’t safe: choosing workplaces that deserve you
32:41 Seismic shifts in leadership + courage at every level
37:14 Final advice: the energy you bring is the message
39:00 Wrap + where to find the book

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/

Visual leadership is having a moment—and Todd Cherches explains why. From our dopamine-driven obsession with images to the loneliness epidemic, Todd and Dr. Michelle Johnston connect the dots between how we communicate and how we belong. Todd shares his “three V’s” (visibility, voice, value), why knowing someone’s name changes everything, and how leaders can help people see what they’re saying. You’ll also get practical guidance for presentations (goodbye bullet-point “slideuments”), meetings that feel co-owned, and a simple learning model (VARK) leaders can use to boost attention, comprehension, and retention.

CHAPTERS

01:41 Why visual leadership is “having its moment”
04:58 The 3 V’s: visibility, voice, value
08:46 Todd’s story: introvert to TEDx + prog Visual Leadership + the four buckets
15:01 Presenting now: WSIC + WIFM (make it about them)
17:29 Slide design: “let your slide be your guide”
21:28 Rethinking academia + building learning together
24:40 VARK explained (with the IKEA example)
25:49 Fixing meetings: engagement, ownership, shared journey
30:03 Closing takeaways: reflection, introspection, connection

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/