Welcome to Episode 39 of the Next Level Voices Series on Kultivation w/ Kevie!
In this insightful and grounding conversation, I sit down with Mickey Fitch-Collins, PhD, a leadership skills facilitator and host of The Learn It Lounge podcast, to unpack what leadership really looks like beyond titles, roles, and expectations. Mickey’s story reminds us that leadership is about influence, confidence, and the way we choose to show up for ourselves and others.
We talk about her unconventional journey, including becoming the youngest professional bass fisherman in the country at just fourteen years old, teaching people two and three times her age, and how those formative experiences shaped her confidence, communication skills, and presence. Mickey also shares her career pivot from higher education leadership into corporate learning and development, along with the lessons she carried forward from each chapter.
Our conversation explores what the events of 9/11 taught her about community, responsibility, and leadership, as well as why leadership must be cultivated over time rather than learned through quick fixes. We discuss common leadership myths, the role of emotional intelligence, and how introverts and extroverts can lead powerfully in different ways without trying to fit into the same mold.
We also dive into the role of artificial intelligence as a tool to reclaim time, support creativity, and enhance personal and professional growth when used intentionally. This episode is for anyone who has ever questioned whether they are “leader enough” or felt the pull to try something new but hesitated. You can listen to this episode in full on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or stream it directly here on the blog.
📱 Connect with Mickey Fitch-Collins
LinkedIn
🌐 Website/Podcast
