The Learnit Lounge

Learning strategy isn't about checking boxes. It's about driving real impact. In this episode of The Learnit Lounge , host Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins sits down with Loren Sanders , VP of Learning Strategy and Consulting at WeLearn Learning Services and co-founder of Roxlo Coaching and Consulting, to redefine what it means to build credibility as a learning strategist. Loren doesn't pull punches. She...

Creativity isn’t just for artists. It’s the secret ingredient behind teams that actually engage, retain, and perform. In this energizing episode of The Learnit Lounge , host Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins sits down with Van Lai-DuMone , creative keynote speaker and CEO of Work Smart Advantage, to explore how creative tools supercharge workplace learning. Discover why traditional engagement strategies mi...

Talent isn’t just about filling seats; it’s about growing, empowering, and future-proofing your organization. In this episode of The Learnit Lounge podcast, host Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins sits down with Tina Linder, Vice President of Talent Management and Program Management at a major regional bank, to decode what strategic talent management really means. Tina shares why most companies are stuck pl...

AI isn't just a cheat code; it's changing the rules of the game." In this episode of The Learnit Lounge , host Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins sits down with Gabe Aponte, HR Division Manager for the County of San Mateo, to decode how AI is disrupting learning and development. Together, they dig into the real meaning of “democratizing knowledge,” reveal how AI is shifting the role of instructional designe...

AI is transforming performance management, but it’s not about robots replacing people. It’s about making feedback faster, development more relevant, and performance reviews finally… human. In this episode of The Learnit Lounge , host Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins sits down with Ash Hynie , CEO and founder of ManageUp, to dig into how AI is streamlining performance management and coaching without losing...

Progress updates aren’t just for checking boxes; they’re your secret weapon for building trust, driving alignment, and moving projects forward. In this solo episode of The Learnit Lounge , Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins demystifies the art of progress reporting, turning stale business updates into sharp moments of influence. Drawing on years of leadership experience and Learnit’s signature frameworks, M...

Sometimes, the biggest transformations in business start with one uncomfortable question: What if L&D stopped “taking orders” and started leading change? On this energizing episode of The Learnit Lounge , host Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins sits down with Jess Almlie —author, consultant, and champion for L&D professionals who want more influence and impact. Together, they peel back the curtain o...

If your engagement, wellness, and workplace culture programs feel a bit stale, this episode is your wake-up call. Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins sits down with Michele Lau Torres , Chief Learning Officer for the City of Austin, for a candid, energetic conversation on how learning and development can go from “order-taker” to strategic engine, fueling not just performance, but authentic well-being, retent...

Change isn’t just a buzzword. It’s the engine behind growth, leadership, and resilience. In this energizing episode of The Learnit Lounge , host Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins sits down with executive coach and EverLeader founder Megan Galloway for a candid, science-backed discussion on the realities of change. Drawing on practical neuroscience, personal breakthroughs, and her upcoming book Who Are You...

Feedback isn’t just a checkbox; it’s your most powerful tool for building trust, breaking down barriers, and accelerating team growth. In this energizing episode of The Learnit Lounge , host Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins sits down with bestselling author and feedback expert Dr. Joe Hirsch for a candid dive into the art (and science) of fearless feedback. From redefining feedback as an act of service to...

Strengths-based leadership isn’t just a buzzword done right; it’s a radical shift in how teams unlock energy, growth, and world-class results. In this thought-provoking episode of The Learnit Lounge , Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins sits down with executive coach and leadership strategist Ellin Sidell to demystify the real science, daily habits, and honest truths behind strengths-driven leadership. Ellin...

Emotional intelligence isn’t just a feel-good buzzword. It’s a genuine leadership superpower that shapes culture, engagement, and business results. In this galvanizing episode of The Learnit Lounge , host Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins sits down with Jevon Wooden , CEO of BrightMind Consulting Group and Army veteran, to unpack what authentic emotional intelligence really looks like at work. From the dif...

In this episode of The Learnit Lounge , Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins interviews Tara Hesson , a seasoned leadership coach, about the critical shift from traditional supervision to a coaching-centered approach in leadership. Discover how embracing coaching can unlock team potential, enhance organizational culture, and impact bottom-line results. What You’ll Learn: The distinctions between supervision a...

Behind every trusted leader is a person who had to trust themselves first. In this refreshingly honest episode of The Learnit Lounge , host Mickey Fitch-Collins dives deep with brand strategist, speaker, and bestselling author Mike Kim on the real work of building self-trust as a leader—beyond the Instagram theater and high-achiever hustle. Together, they unravel why self-trust is rarely just a “g...

When it comes to getting things done, most of us focus on managing our time, but what if that’s not enough? In this energizing solo episode of The Learnit Lounge , host Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins flips the productivity script, showing why energy, not time, is your true leadership currency. Discover practical strategies, mindset shifts, and real-life stories as Mickey breaks down how to map your ener...

When high performers hit a wall, is it time to work harder—or work differently? On this episode of The Learnit Lounge podcast, host Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins sits down with master coach Luann Horobin for coffee, candor, and a game-changing conversation about “vertical development.” Together, they explore what it takes to upgrade your internal operating system, not just your skills, and why traditio...

Visual leadership isn’t just about slides or whiteboards. It’s a set of mindsets and methods that can make your ideas stick and your teams move. In this energizing episode of The Learnit Lounge , Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins sits down with Todd Cherches —NYU professor, bestselling author, global management thinker, and CEO of Big Blue Gumball—to explore the transformative power of visual thinking for...

The untold truth about leadership is that it’s challenging, messy, and sometimes even isolating—but it’s also one of the most deeply human jobs out there. In this episode of The Learnit Lounge , host Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins sits down with leadership advisor Craig LaFargue to pull back the curtain on what really makes or breaks effective leaders. Together, they explore why leadership looks easy fr...

Career alignment isn’t just about liking your job—it’s about understanding who you are at your core, what drives you, and how you show up in the world. In this lively deep-dive on The Learnit Lounge, host Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins welcomes powerhouse recruiter and coach Casey Hasten for a cup of coffee and a candid conversation. Together, they rip apart common myths about career advancement, reveal...

When your to-do list feels like a tidal wave and everything screams “urgent!”, how do you decide what deserves your focus, and what really moves the needle? In this tactical solo episode, Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins breaks through the noise of modern work to deliver a masterclass on professional prioritization. She exposes the myth that better time management alone will cure overwhelm, arguing instea...

When it comes to high-performing teams, we talk about skills, but what about character? In this episode of The Learnit Lounge , host Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins sits down with Meredith Bell —author, leadership expert, and host of the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast —to tackle the question: what does it really mean to have strong character at work? Meredith unpacks the difference between character and per...

This week on The Learnit Lounge , host Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins sits down with seasoned HR leader Waylen Leopoldino to unpack one of the most vital, and elusive, topics in work today: meaning. From public sector lessons to actionable frameworks, Waylen and Mickey dig into how the workplace has shifted from a transaction to a source of purpose, and what organizations and individuals can do to culti...

What happens when our attention, choices, and sense of self are shaped—not by conscious intention—but by invisible digital forces? In this eye-opening episode of The Learnit Lounge , host Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins sits down with MaryLou Kayser, author of It’s Not You, It’s the Algorithm , to explore how algorithms are subtly scripting our lives and what it really takes to reclaim our humanity (and...

Ever wish feedback felt less like friction—and more like a springboard? In this energizing solo episode of The Learnit Lounge podcast, Mickey Fitch-Collins, PhD, breaks down how to turn even the toughest feedback into forward momentum. Drawing from research and her own leadership journey, Mickey reframes feedback as a tool for development, not a verdict. Learn how to invite feedback before you nee...

When it comes to learning that actually changes how we work—not just what we know—how do you move from “theory” to habit? In this energizing episode of The Learnit Lounge, host Mickey Fitch-Collins, PHD, sits down with Shandretta Solomon, veteran State of California training leader and manager of the Emerging Professional Program, for a candid look at how to make learning truly stick. They unpack...