The Seismic Shift with Michelle K. Johnston

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

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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/ 

What is The Seismic Shift with Michelle K. Johnston?

Welcome to Seismic Shift - a leadership podcast that focuses on connection. I’m your host, Michelle K. Johnston: management professor, executive coach, and leadership expert. I believe that today’s leaders need more than power and control to get the best from their teams; they need connection. Through interviews with some of today’s top business leaders, we are going to explore how leaders' ability to connect with themselves, their teams, and their organizations defines their ultimate success or failure. This podcast runs in close parallel to my new book, The Seismic Shift in Leadership, where you can find even more insights from me and the brilliant leaders I interviewed this season. So let's set our sights on connection and get ready to take on the daunting, yet exciting, challenge of this Seismic Shift.