The Michelle McCullough Show

Episode Summary In today's episode, I'm diving into something that affects every leader—broken trust. We all know trust can snap in an instant, but rebuilding it? That takes real intention. I'll walk you through the Trust Reset framework I've developed to help leaders repair relationships and reengage their teams without blame or burnout. Here's what you'll take away from this episode: Why trust erodes so quickly and how to rebuild it faster The 4-step Trust Reset framework for one-on-one or team settings How a clear commitment and plan leads to higher employee engagement Real-world examples from corporate leadership missteps and repairs Why trust is a productivity multiplier in high-stakes environments If you've ever asked yourself, "How do I rebuild trust when things feel off?"—this one's for you. Let's stretch together without snapping. Time Stamps 00:00 Introduction to Trust and Organizational Culture 00:46 Personal Corporate Experience and Trust Challenges 03:33 Modern Trust Issues in Remote and Technological Environments 04:58 Steps to a Trust Reset 06:54 Example of a Trust Reset in Action 08:45 Final Thoughts on Trust Reset 09:53 Conclusion and Further Resources Stay Connected If trust feels a little shaky on your team right now—you're not alone. Whether it's been chipped away by shifting goals, remote work, or miscommunication, it can be rebuilt. Start with the Trust Reset. Ready to restore confidence and reengage your team? Let's keep this conversation going. Tune in next week for more actionable strategies on trust, leadership, and team performance. Want to go deeper? Download the Leadership & Engagement Blueprint—a free guide packed with tools to strengthen trust, communication, and emotional intelligence at work. Loved this episode? Leave a rating or review, Let's connect beyond the podcast for more insights, tools, and stories: Instagram → @speakmichelle & @bethehappyistFacebook | Threads | X | LinkedIn | YouTube

Episode Summary Burnout gets a lot of attention in the workplace, but what about boredom? In this episode, I explore the other reason high performers quietly leave organizations they once loved: underutilization. I'll walk you through real stories from leaders I've worked with, share insights from my national research, and break down the Stretch Capacity™ framework to help you create growth opportunities without overwhelming your team. You'll learn: Why "not feeling stretched" can lead to disengagement and turnover How leaders can provide challenge, autonomy, and advancement (even during tough times) The link between trust, innovation, and stretch Whether you lead a team of two or two thousand, this episode will help you rethink how you support and retain your top talent. 🎧 Listen in and ask yourself: are your people truly burned out… or just bored? 00:00 Introduction to Stretch Capacity 00:27 Understanding Stretch Capacity Zones 00:46 The Importance of Stretching Even in Burnout 01:14 Real-Life Examples of Stretching at Work 02:12 The Consequences of Not Stretching Employees 03:44 Encouraging Innovation and Growth 04:19 Personal Stories of Seeking Growth 05:08 Final Thoughts on Stretch Capacity 06:16 Conclusion and Call to Action Ready to help your team grow without burning out—or fading out? If you're seeing signs of disengagement, turnover, or missed potential, it might not be burnout—it might be boredom. The right kind of stretch could make all the difference. Let's talk about how I can help your organization create a culture where people stretch, grow, and stay—through a keynote, workshop, or leadership training. Prefer to start with a resource? Download my Leadership & Engagement Blueprint—a practical, research-backed guide for helping teams thrive with trust, innovation, and stretch. And follow along for more insights on resilience, performance, and workplace happiness: Instagram @speakmichelle & @bethehappyist Facebook | Threads | X | LinkedIn | YouTube

Episode Summary: What if the reason you feel stuck isn't your circumstance—but your comparison? In this episode, I share a story about racing my young son—a moment that unexpectedly revealed how comparison can distort our vision and derail our growth. I unpack the dangers of comparison, the surprising results from my Leadership and Engagement study, and what PTSD studies taught me about the power of belief. You'll hear why so many people feel stuck at a "5," and what it really takes to build the emotional strength to move forward—regardless of what life throws your way. Whether you're a leader, a parent, or someone navigating burnout, this episode will challenge you to stop looking sideways and start investing in the one skill that matters most right now: resilience. Because you're not in a race—you're on a mission. 00:00 Stretch Capacity Story: Racing My Son 01:16 The Comparison Trap 03:06 What Leadership Research Reveals 05:39 The Danger of Measuring Against Others 07:13 The PTSD Insight That Changes Everything 08:34 You Are Not Your Circumstances 10:46 Resilience Is Essential 12:26 When Your Resilience Reserves Are Low 14:16 You're Not in a Race 15:59 Own Your Emotional Wellness 17:06 Make Resilience a Habit 18:25 Resilience Education Starts with You 20:03 Emotional Intelligence in the Age of AI 21:18 Final Thoughts & Challenge Ready to build resilience that lasts? If you're looking to strengthen your team's capacity to thrive through change, handle pressure, and stay engaged—resilience training is the next right step. Let's talk about how I can support your organization through a keynote, workshop, or leadership retreat. I'll bring research-backed strategies that help your team stretch without snapping—and perform at their best. Prefer to start with a resource? Download my Leadership and Engagement Blueprint—a practical guide to help leaders increase performance, trust, and emotional intelligence in today's fast-paced workplace. Leadership & Engagement Blueprint Ready to book me to speak? Let's connect. Find me on social media for more everyday content! Instagram @speakmichelle & @bethehappyist Facebook Threads X LinkedIn YouTube

Which generation claims to be the happiest at work? How does leadership style impact resilience across different age groups? In this episode, we reveal surprising stats from the 2025 Leadership and Engagement blueprint and explore what truly drives well-being on multi-generational teams. Tune in to find out what matters most to Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X—and why your approach to authenticity and adaptability as a leader could make all the difference. 00:00 Introduction to Generational Leadership 00:22 Key Findings from the 2025 Study 01:10 Generational Happiness and Emotional Well-being 02:23 Impact of Management on Resilience 03:19 Leadership Traits Valued by Different Generations 05:08 Balancing Authenticity and Adaptability 06:00 Final Thoughts and Statistics Stay Connected: If you're ready to cultivate better connections within your multigenerational team, start the conversation today. Tune in next week for more insights on leadership and productivity. And don't forget to Download the Workplace Research Reports Here. Loved this episode - rate and review the podcast. Your feedback helps the show grow and share more actionable content with amazing listeners like you! Find me on social media for more leadership and engagement content! Instagram @speakmichelle & @bethehappyist Facebook Threads X LinkedIn YouTube

Episode Overview: How does social media affect your well-being? Can reducing screen time boost your happiness and strengthen connections? In this MiniCast episode, I share data-backed information on the relationship between social media usage and personal happiness. I conducted a personal month-long experiment, blending research insights from my Happiness Research with actionable strategies to reduce screen time and create intentional, meaningful moments offline and I share my findings of that. Whether you're aiming to reclaim your time, foster better connections, or just learn how to balance social media and real life, this episode is packed with tips, reflections, and action items to improve your relationship with social media and your personal happiness. 00:00 Introduction and Background 00:20 The Research on Social Media 01:15 Personal Screen Time Reduction Journey 01:46 Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Goals 02:21 Tracking Happiness and Connection 02:30 Challenges of Social Media Comparison 03:04 Social Media as a Tool 03:30 Approach to Reducing Screen Time 09:34 Results and Reflections on the Journey 09:55 Encouragement for Listeners 11:54 Conclusion and Additional Resources Loved this episode? Don't forget to rate and review the podcast. Your feedback helps the show grow and share more actionable content with amazing listeners like you! Find me on social media for more everyday content! Instagram @speakmichelle & @bethehappyist Facebook Threads X LinkedIn YouTube