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Cast Bold. Lead Bright with Mickey Fitch-Collins | Ship's Log #23

Project Candor: Ordinary People. Unexpected Stories

Chapters
0:00
Introduction & guest welcome (Mickey Fitch-Collins)
0:42
First impressions & what people get wrong
2:39
Balancing confidence & competence at a young age
4:57
Performing under pressure as a teenager
7:56
Learning as a lifelong advantage
10:10
Finding your voice in male-dominated spaces
12:50
Earning respect & creating change in tough environments
14:45
Family support & early foundations
16:14
How it all started & early recognition
17:56
9/11 and a defining leadership shift
21:34
Learning to simply be with people
24:21
Redefining leadership through relationships
26:36
Middle managers as “shock absorbers”
29:00
Burnout, isolation & lack of support
30:49
The “busy Olympics” & productivity theater
33:06
Why most work metrics miss the point
35:31
Rethinking value, impact & meaningful work
36:13
Transition to Two Truths and a Lie
37:22
Catching bass as a professional job
41:27
Getting fired & what it changed
43:53
Auditioning for Survivor
48:03
Taking a closer look
49:07
Final reflections & future possibilities
50:20
Life is short—stay awake for it
51:26
Where to connect & Learn It Lounge
52:49
Closing
Project Candor: Ordinary People. Unexpected Stories
Cast Bold. Lead Bright with Mickey Fitch-Collins | Ship's Log #23
Jun 04, 2026 Season 1 Episode 23
Jeanne Andersen

Episode Summary 

In this episode of Project Candor, host Jeanne welcomes Mickey Fitch-Collins, PhD — leadership facilitator, speaker, and host of The Learnit Lounge — for a candid conversation about what it takes to lead with both joy and depth. Mickey's story is anything but linear: she was a professional bass fisherman at 14, a college student leader when 9/11 happened, and someone who turned getting fired into a professional turning point. 

 Mickey and Jeanne dive into the hidden exhaustion of middle managers, the trap of "productivity theater" and the Busy Olympics, and what it really means to build a career on relationships — one at a time. The episode closes with a lively round of Two Truths and a Lie that will surprise you. 

Guest Bio

Mickey Fitch-Collins, PhD (she/her) is not your average leadership skills facilitator. With a PhD in Leadership in Higher Education and a career that spans academia, educational technology, and corporate training, Mickey brings a collection of L&D "goods, bads, and uglies" to the table. 

 At Learnit, she specializes in transforming human skills — like communication, empathy, and resilience — into actionable strategies that drive organizational success from the individual outward. From teaching people how to fish (literally), to helping her peers navigate 9/11, to managing diverse teams across various sectors, Mickey's career is a testament to adaptability and authentic leadership. 

 Her speaking and workshops blend scholarly insight and relatable storytelling with humor and real-world applications. She's the kind of guest who doesn't just share ideas — she sparks conversations that linger long after the episode ends. 

 Mickey is also the host of The Learnit Lounge podcast. 

Website: https://www.learnit.com/mickey 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickeyfitchcollins/ 

Podcast: The Learnit Lounge: https://www.learnit.com/podcast

Free 45-Day TeamPass: https://www.learnit.com/mickey — use code LOUNGE at checkout 

Who do you know who'd make a great guest for the show? Please let us know.
Email: info@projectcandor.com

Website:   https://www.projectcandor.com

Social Media

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ProjectCandor/
LinkedIn:     https://www.linkedin.com/company/projectcandor/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/project.candor/
YouTube:    https://www.youtube.com/@ProjectCandorPodcast