{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Seismic Shift with Michelle K. Johnston","title":"Transforming Stress Into Fuel, featuring Dr. Rebecca Heiss","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1953,"description":"Stress is not the enemy, and trying to calm down may be making things worse. Dr. Rebecca Heiss joins Michelle Johnston to unpack the science behind stress, why uncertainty pushes leaders toward control, and how reframing fear can improve performance. Their conversation moves from boardrooms to classrooms to basketball courts, showing how stress can become useful energy instead of a barrier. Rebecca shares practical tools for public speaking, leadership, and self-talk, including her “coach voice,” emotional distancing, and curiosity as an antidote to fear. The result is a fresh, hopeful framework for using pressure as momentum.This episode is a strong reminder that meaningful work often comes with elevated stress, and that pressure does not have to mean panic. It can be reframed as purpose, momentum, and forward motion.CHAPTERS:00:00 Welcome and meeting Dr. Rebecca Heiss00:26 What a stress physiologist actually does02:13 Stress, uncertainty, and the shift in leadership04:59 Why controlling leaders create more disconnection05:21 Invite the tiger in for tea07:09 Act as if it is an adventure08:18 Why “just calm down” does not work10:08 Service to others as a stress intervention10:48 Public speaking fear and performance anxiety11:46 Stress as proof that something matters13:23 Self-talk, storytelling, and presentation confidence15:24 Coaching yourself in the third person17:30 Why acting as if can change physiology19:19 What students can do before presenting20:29 Meet the inner critic and coach voice21:56 Stress lessons from basketball23:04 What leaders can do before a tough meeting25:27 Rebecca’s new book, *Springboard*27:48 Who the book is for29:07 Using stress in service to others30:33 Closing reflections and thanksSpecial thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!Track Title: My Heart's On FireFollow Michelle for more inspiring content:Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSeismicShiftwithMichelle LinkedIn:...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/D2tDe0ZtfMCZ3nv5_47QQlEf1P6XT2RPjkWueECFh4E/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9mYjQ5/ODU0NmEzNGRhZjE0/ZWUzMjNmMmJlN2E5/NzE5ZC5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}