Mark Thompson, the #1 CEO coach globally, joins Michelle Johnston to unpack what it truly means to be “CEO Ready” amid today’s relentless pace of seismic change. Recorded in the bustling backdrop of Amsterdam Airport, Mark shares real-world insights from coaching high-profile leaders across the world’s most transformative organizations, including Amazon, Virgin, Google, Schwab, and Zoox.

With charm, candor, and clarity, Mark dives into what makes great leaders stand out: emotional connection, relentless learning, and a clear sense of service. He unpacks the concept of driverless leadership—both metaphorically and literally—as he reflects on his work with Zoox and the societal shift from control to connection. Michelle and Mark explore how AI is reshaping our lives, why CEOs must now lead with humanity, and how leaders must give up independence to gain greater impact through collaboration.

You’ll hear stories featuring Jeff Bezos, Richard Branson, Arthur Levinson, and even astronaut training on the Zero-G “vomit comet.” Mark also reveals his latest personal challenge: completing his doctoral degree and writing his new book, CEO Readiness, for Harvard Business Review Press. He outlines the R.E.A.D.Y. model—Relationships, External perspective, Agility, Differentiation, and Your Why—providing a practical roadmap for anyone aspiring to lead with purpose.

This episode is a masterclass in modern leadership. It's about redefining success, reimagining influence, and remembering what matters most: human connection, legacy, and the courage to evolve.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Letting Go of the Old Paradigm
00:24 Michelle Introduces Mark Thompson
02:46 Mark Reflects on Coaching Top CEOs
03:29 The Secret Sauce of Coaching Success
05:49 Why Alignment and Commitment Matter
06:48 Seismic Shifts in Leadership
07:33 Navigating Constant Change
08:40 Zoox, AI, and Driverless Culture
11:38 From Drivers to Passengers
12:27 Reclaiming Connection Over Control
14:29 Letting Robots Handle the Risk
15:23 Redefining Leadership in the AI Era
16:01 Richard Branson, Bezos & Launching Ventures
19:24 Marshall Goldsmith’s Advice and Legacy
21:15 Leaving Schwab to Fund the Future
23:20 The Journey Toward Space
25:59 Inside the Making of CEO Readiness
29:15 Should You Even Be a CEO?
32:13 Legacy, Impact, and Purpose
32:53 Lessons from the All-Star Team
36:59 Best Practices for Leadership Excellence
37:18 The R.E.A.D.Y. Framework for CEO Success
39:53 Final Thoughts and Takeaways
40:17 Gratitude and Book Launch Celebration

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/

Leadership today demands more than command and control. In this powerful conversation between Michelle and bestselling author Selena Rezvani, the two explore what it takes to lead in a way that’s sustainable, human, and effective in the modern workplace. Selena shares the deeply personal story behind her passion for people-first leadership—losing her father at 13 due to work-induced stress—and how that moment shaped her mission to reduce suffering at work. Her new book, Quick Leadership, is a practical guide for leaders who want to build trust, empower teams, and lead with compassion, all without sacrificing performance. Michelle and Selena explore specific, tactical leadership advice and emphasize the need for psychological safety, authentic storytelling, and co-creation, especially as Gen Z emerges as a significant force in the workforce. If you're a manager, team leader, or aspiring changemaker, this episode will leave you equipped and inspired to show up differently—smarter, more human, and more effective.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Welcome & Selena's Book Launch
01:00 The Personal Story Behind Selena's Mission
03:00 What It Means to Reduce Suffering at Work
05:00 Quick Leadership Tip: Ask 3 Before You Answer
07:30 Give Praise Like Confetti
10:00 Why Leaders Resist Human-Centered Leadership
12:30 Vulnerability and Authenticity in Leadership
14:00 Why Selena's TikToks Go Viral
16:00 Seismic Shifts: Leadership's Impact on Mental Health
18:00 Skepticism and the Return of Command & Control
20:30 Building Exciting, Innovative Work Cultures
22:00 The Power of Psychological Safety
24:00 Understanding Gen Z’s Expectations
26:00 Practical Ways to Co-Create with Gen Z
29:00 Shared Leadership Opportunities in Meetings
31:00 Summary of Quick Leadership & Final Thoughts

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/

Chief Heart Officer Claude Silver (VaynerMedia/VaynerX) joins Michelle to unpack why the real “seismic shift” at work is bringing our humanity back. From emotional intelligence and psychological safety to trust, belonging, and authentic leadership, Claude lays out a practical roadmap leaders can use today—especially with Gen Z and Gen Alpha demanding purpose, flexibility, and voice. Claude shares her non-linear journey to becoming a Chief Heart Officer, the three-part structure of her book Be Yourself at Work (you → team → culture), and tangible moves to show up with heart—starting with knowing your non-negotiables and strengths. If you’re trying to attract and retain top talent, reduce burnout, and build a culture where people actually want to stay, this conversation is your playbook.

Chapters
00:01 — Welcome & You → Team → Culture Framework
02:49 — Gen Z & Gen Alpha at Work
05:06 — Why Old Playbooks Fail
05:57 — The Splinter Analogy
06:52 — Building Trust & Belonging
07:19 — Psychological Safety in Hybrid Work
10:36 — Autonomy, Flexibility & Hybrid
10:45 — Feedback Without Fear
12:01 — Emotional Optimism: The Success Recipe
14:40 — Self-Awareness as a Leader
32:01 — Closing Takeaways from Claude

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/

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.

World-renowned executive coach Marshall Goldsmith joins 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