We have more information at our fingertips than ever. So why is it getting harder to hold our attention, know what to trust, and stay connected?

In this episode of The Seismic Shift Podcast, Dr. Michelle Johnston sits down with Kevin Hall to explore how changes in media consumption are reshaping the way we learn, work, and lead.

Kevin is Publisher of The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com, The Advocate, and Georges Media Group’s family of news and media brands across Louisiana. Passionate about local journalism and the communities it serves, he brings a firsthand perspective on growing audiences, developing leaders, and moving the media business forward.

Kevin shares what he’s seeing as audiences move quickly through content, turn increasingly to video, and seek information across multiple platforms. Michelle and Kevin explore why some stories capture only seconds of attention while educational and community-focused content can inspire people to stay longer.

Their conversation also tackles the power and danger of AI-generated content, the responsibility of journalism to build trust, and the enduring role of print in a digital world. As technology changes how information reaches us, how do we determine what deserves our confidence?

Beyond media, Michelle and Kevin discuss the value of gathering in person, the challenges of building relationships through virtual meetings, and how leaders can create opportunities for mentorship across generations. Kevin also shares his perspective on managing time, working from your strengths, and making room for life outside of work.

For executives, emerging leaders, and anyone navigating today’s constant flow of information, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at earning attention, building trust, and leading through change.

CHAPTERS

(00:00) Introduction and guest background
(01:01) Kevin Hall’s role and the changing media landscape
(02:01) Media consumption and attention spans
(03:49) In-depth content and reading habits
(06:07) Louisiana’s iconic media brands and their history
(07:59) Reconnecting in a post-pandemic world
(10:01) In-person events and community engagement
(12:05) Virtual meetings and the need for interaction
(13:47) Gen Z, remote work, and the future of mentorship
(15:57) AI, misinformation, and video trends
(20:05) The audience’s appetite for multimedia content
(21:58) Louisiana’s economic growth and community resilience
(24:08) Journalism’s role in trust and truth
(25:50) Leadership advice: time, strengths, and self-care
(32:01) Kevin Hall’s legacy and closing 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/channel/UCpUMBnlJWdCRgj1GMOTjymQ
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/michelle-johnston-0264b5b
Instagram: https://instagram.com/michellekjohnston
Website: https://michellekjohnston.com/

If your team needs you to solve every problem, is that a sign of your success as a leader? Or a sign that something needs to shift?

On this episode of The Seismic Shift Podcast, Dr. Michelle K. Johnston sits down with Bill Flynn, author of The Hero Trap, to explore how being the person with all the answers can hold your team back, and what it takes to break that pattern.

Bill, with a rich background in startups and coaching, shares his journey of transforming from a successful operator to a mentor who empowers leaders to break free from outdated paradigms.

With insights drawn from decades of experience, Bill shares a transformative approach to feedback that fosters psychological safety and enhances team dynamics. Learn the strategies that can help cultivate exceptional companies that not only survive but thrive—like Toyota, the gold standard of continuous improvement.

This episode is perfect for entrepreneurs, executives, and emerging leaders, it offers a fresh perspective on creating impactful change within organizations. This enlightening conversation will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about leadership.

CHAPTERS

(1:05) Bill’s path through 10 startups, two IPOs, and seven acquisitions
(2:48) Why Bill keeps writing books and why The Hero Trap matters now
(4:18) Why leadership development has not produced enough great companies
(6:56) The brain, threat mode, and why feedback often backfires
(7:41) A feedback example that puts people into survival mode
(10:15) Why “radical candor” can create fear-based cultures
(12:16) Trust, human connection, and why leaders have to start there
(13:12) “Trust arrives on foot and leaves in a Ferrari”
(15:26) Why leadership behavior and leadership messaging often do not match
(16:27) Bill’s own hero-phase and how the book’s protagonist Alex reflects real leaders
(17:55) Learning from mistakes instead of pretending leaders are perfect
(19:36) The hero trap as the paradox of success
(20:32) How the hero role creates burnout and dependency
(21:35) The two quick tests to see how deep you are in the trap
(23:01) The vacation test and how absence exposes weak systems
(24:24) How leaders can start stepping back without abandoning the team
(26:19) Why delegating tasks is not the same as delegating authority
(27:35) Southwest Airlines, divergence, and why leaders should not converge too soon
(29:18) General Motors, NUMMI, and why copied systems often revert
(30:14) What really makes Toyota work underneath the visible practices
(31:57) The biggest seismic shift: we know what to do and still are not doing it
(32:25) What leaders should stop doing, start doing, and build instead
(33:26) Bill’s legacy: bend the curve

Special thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!
Track Title: My Heart's On Fire

Watch the podcast on YouTube:youtube.com/@TheSeismicShiftwithMichelle

Follow Michelle for more inspiring content:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michelle-johnston-0264b5b
Instagram: instagram.com/michellekjohnston
Website: https://michellekjohnston.com/

Former NASA astronaut Charlie Camarda reveals the leadership mistake that can turn a warning sign into a catastrophe: smart people convincing themselves they already understand the problem. If you lead in a high-stakes environment, this conversation will change how you think about decision-making, dissent, and psychological safety. Michelle Johnston sits down with Charlie to unpack the seismic shifts that shaped his career, from NASA research centers to the Columbia disaster and beyond. What started as a deep technical career in hypersonic flight became a mission to understand why brilliant organizations make dangerous calls, and how to build teams that catch failure before it becomes irreversible.

Charlie shares the hard-won lessons behind Mission Out of Control, including why NASA’s recovery windows were missed for years, how bad analysis can create false confidence, and why speaking up can be career-threatening even when you’re right. He also explains how his team helped create a repair capability for shuttle damage and how that same mindset could transform industries far beyond aerospace.This episode is especially valuable for leaders, engineers, founders, safety professionals, and anyone responsible for decisions where being wrong is not an option.

CHAPTERS
00:11 Introduction to Charlie Camarda and seismic shifts
01:04 Columbia and NASA's Culture
01:16 The Columbia accident and its impact on Charlie
02:13 Analyzing decision-making failures at NASA
03:59 The importance of technical rigor and analysis
04:41 Recovery Windows and Psychological Safety
06:08 Confirmatory vs. exploratory decision modes
07:20 Psychological safety and organizational culture
08:36 Challenger's Real Root Cause
09:31 The Challenger disaster and decision-making culture
11:38 The Columbia foam strike and recovery window
12:32 EPIC and High-Performing Teams
13:50 The Epic education program for solving complex problems
14:54 Mission Out of Control
15:55 Mission Out of Control: organizational culture and safety
18:58 NASA's safety culture and Charlie’s courageous voice
19:48 Speaking Up at NASA
21:08 Silencing and listening in high-stakes organizations
22:08 NASA’s ongoing culture challenges and Charlie’s advocacy
22:41 Artemis and Heat Shield Risks
24:14 The Artemis missions and transparency issues
26:29 Lessons on decision-making and risk management in space
28:28 Leadership: Listen to Dissent
30:01 The Legacy of Safer Organizations
32:14 A Critical Decision in Space
33:33 The overview effect and critical in-space decisions
35:15 The importance of leadership and listening in space missions
36:09 Final thoughts: culture, safety, and seismic shifts
36:22 Navigating NASA's Challenges

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: / @theseismicshiftwithmichelle
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michelle-johnston-0264b5b
Instagram: instagram.com/michellekjohnston
Website: https://michellekjohnston.com/