Looking to turn generative AI from a looming threat into your next L&D superpower?

In this high-energy episode of the Learnit Lounge Podcast, host Mickey Fitch-Collins, PhD, unpacks the real and present revolution that generative AI is bringing to learning and development. Mickey dives straight into the hopes—and the fears—swirling through L&D, sharing his own journey from skeptical experimenter to AI enthusiast who now considers these tools his “superpower.”

With real-world stories, tactical use cases, and concrete strategies, Mickey reveals how forward-thinking L&D pros are leveraging AI as a creative partner rather than a competitor. From custom GPT tools to actionable client insights, Mickey details practical ways to use AI for stakeholder prep, data analytics, storytelling, and more—while emphasizing that the ultimate differentiator will always be your human expertise. If you’re ready to shift from apprehension to action and reimagine your L&D practice, this episode is for you.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. How the L&D field can move past AI fear and turn new tools into an integrated advantage
2. The four practical use cases for generative AI that are already leveling up learning teams
3. Why stakeholder preparation is being transformed by AI-powered research and data
4. How generative AI can generate stories and diagnostic prompts to spark better conversations
5. Ways AI is revolutionizing analytics and measurement for learning programs
6. The mindset shift L&D leaders need: why experimentation, not perfection, is the new must-have skill.

Timestamps:

00:01 – Welcome to The Learnit Lounge Podcast and Mickey’s introduction

00:44 – Where L&D stands in the AI timeline: not too late, not too early

01:02 – Common fears: Will AI replace instructional designers?

01:13 – The critical distinction: AI won’t replace you, but someone using it well might

01:33 – The opportunity: Integrating AI as today’s “collaboration layer”

02:07 – Real-life AI use cases now—not the future

02:25 – Four game-changing use cases for generative AI in L&D

02:34 – Stakeholder preparation: using AI for deep client insights

03:13 – Diagnostic design: better prompts for deeper learning conversations

03:37 – AI-generated storytelling as a tool for learning experiences

03:47 – Measurement & analytics: turning a mountain range of data into action

04:19 – Mickey’s personal AI “origin story”—from bedtime books to business superpower

05:22 – Using AI to prep for client meetings and simulate learner personas

06:00 – It’s about multiplying your capability, not just saving time

06:26 – The big takeaway: don’t wait to be “ready”—jump in and experiment

07:01 – L&D as the bridge between tech and talent

07:44 – It’s not AI versus L&D—it’s AI + L&D that wins

About Mickey Fitch-Collins, PhD

Mickey Fitch-Collins, PhD, helps people lead like humans first. As a Human Skills Facilitator at Learnit, she designs and leads workshops that turn everyday challenges—like feedback, burnout, and prioritization—into practical, people-centered skills. Her workshops are equal parts research, real talk, and humor, creating learning experiences that actually stick.

Before joining Learnit, Mickey spent two decades in higher education leadership,...

The world of corporate learning is transforming fast—and nobody knows it better than this week’s guest, Thomas Fenstermacher. On this episode of The Learnit Lounge Podcast, host Mickey Fitch-Collins chats with Thomas about the seismic shifts facing Learning & Development (L&D) professionals today, from the rise of data-driven training to the power (and pitfalls) of AI. Whether you’re an experienced instructional designer or exploring a new L&D career, this is your backstage pass to what’s changing, what’s trending, and what actually works inside organizations.

From first-generation college struggles to facilitating executive workshops, Thomas shares his candid perspective on why human skills, curiosity, and improv might be your best assets in an age obsessed with metrics. If you want to be a strategic learning leader—not just a trainer—this episode will help you spot new opportunities, navigate digital-first cultures, and rethink how you measure success. You’ll walk away inspired to lead with more connection, adaptability, and business acumen—while avoiding the most common industry traps.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. The surprising evolution of L&D roles: Why in-person “soft skills” are missing from today’s job descriptions—and why that’s a problem for organizations.
2. What makes a true strategic business partner: How to move beyond “smile sheets” and deliver real impact for your organization.
3. The myth (and reality) of “AI Ready” workplaces: What AI tools mean for training, and how to balance tech with human connection.
4. Metrics that matter: How to report outcomes leaders actually care about—and why aligning with business goals is non-negotiable.
5. Essential skills for modern L&D pros: The role of improv, theater, and lifelong curiosity in engaging learners and embracing change.
6. Hard truths about leadership: Why failure is more valuable than success, and how outdated management styles persist (plus what you can do about it)

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introducing The Learnit Lounge and Mickey Fitch-Collins

02:01 – Why “what’s next” in L&D matters now

03:05 – How L&D roles have shifted: Data vs. connection

04:37 – The lost art of facilitation (and why it still matters)

06:44 – Personal stories: Overcoming bad teaching and building skills

10:12 – What future L&D leaders really need to know

12:08 – Improv and theater: The secret sauce for engagement

16:13 – Becoming a strategic partner, not just a trainer

20:42 – AI-ready organizations: What’s real and what’s hype

26:47 – Which metrics matter most—and which don’t

30:15 – Aligning metrics with business priorities

32:38 – Leadership lessons from failure

34:29 – The uncomfortable truth about senior leaders

36:41 – Where to find Thomas online

37:31 – Mickey’s closing thoughts and calls to action

About Thomas Fenstermacher

Thomas Fenstermacher is a passionate educator, facilitator, and L&D thought leader with experience across higher ed, healthcare, and corporate training. As a first-generation college grad with degrees from both coasts, Thomas overcame personal and academic obstacles to become a dynamic speaker and workshop instructor. He’s delivered training sessions nationwide—including at the Training Industry Strategy Summit—and is known for his...

Winning teams don’t move forward on metrics alone—they move with compelling stories that spark action. In this energizing solo episode of the Learnit Lounge Podcast, host Mickey Fitch-Collins, PhD, reveals the secret to making dashboards and data come alive for executives and stakeholders. If you’ve ever sweated over a report only to have it fall flat in the boardroom, this episode will change the way you communicate impact. Mickey walks you through turning data into narratives that influence decisions, drive business outcomes, and inspire real organizational change.

You’ll hear why storytelling trumps spreadsheets, how to tailor your message for different leaders, and the three questions every dashboard should answer. If your dashboards don’t spark action, Mickey tells you why—and exactly what to do about it.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Why executives don’t care about your completion rates (and what they actually want instead)
2. How to use the “What happened / So what / Now what?” framework to turn dashboards into stories
3. The surprising metric that matters most: trust and confidence, not just outputs
4. How segmenting your audience (CFOs vs. sales leaders) maximizes impact
5. What Mickey learned from distilling 15 metrics into 1 powerful slide—and what changed after
6. Why leading with narrative sparks action, while leading with spreadsheets leaves people cold

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome to The Learnit Lounge Podcast, and this week’s topic

00:43 – Why executives need stories, not just reports

01:12 – The limits of Kirkpatrick, NPS, and completion rates

01:33 – What leaders really want to know from your data

01:38 – The power of trust and confidence as a learning metric

01:52 – Storytelling as an “engine of change” (Keith Ferrazzi’s Open360 model)

02:09 – Building dashboards with narrative first

02:15 – The “What happened / So what / Now what?” framework

02:33 – Segmenting your dashboard for different leadership roles

02:42 – Mickey’s pivotal dashboard moment: From overload to clarity

03:12 – The three questions every story-driven dashboard answers

03:20 – What happened once Mickey changed her storytelling approach

03:40 – Why great dashboards catalyze action, not just analysis

03:48 – If your dashboard isn’t sparking action, it isn’t done

04:01 – The ultimate goal: Drive the business forward, not build reports

04:10 – Closing: How to tell better stories and spread the impact

About Mickey Fitch-Collins

Mickey Fitch-Collins, PhD helps people lead like humans first. As a Human Skills Facilitator at Learnit, she designs and leads workshops that turn everyday challenges—like feedback, burnout, and prioritization—into practical, people-centered skills. Her workshops are equal parts research, real talk, and humor, creating learning experiences that actually stick.

Before joining Learnit, Mickey spent two decades in higher education leadership, where she coached and supervised hundreds of professionals through growth, change, and conflict while helping students graduate. That experience fuels her belief that strong leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about building trust, curiosity, and connection.

Whether she’s facilitating a workshop, hosting The Learnit Lounge podcast, leading a panel, or sharing insights on LinkedIn, her goal stays the...

Winning cultures aren’t built with big budgets—they’re built on creativity, partnership, and a deep belief in people.

In this idea-packed episode of the Learnit Lounge Podcast, host Mickey Fitch-Collins, PhD, dives deep with nonprofit learning strategist Rachel Walerstein, who unpacks how organizations can design powerful learning programs—even when resources are scarce. From navigating outdated tech and low-risk tolerance to advocating for staff development in grant applications, Rachel shares real stories, honest struggles, and actionable strategies for anyone designing training in the nonprofit sector. Discover how to build ecosystems (not just events) that nurture growth, drive impact, and put people first—no matter your budget.

Whether you’re in a nonprofit, small business, or just want your learning programs to stick, this episode delivers human-centered tips and hard-won wisdom you won’t want to miss.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. The unique challenges nonprofits face in designing learning programs with limited budgets—and creative ways to overcome them
2. Why investing in employee development (not just compliance training) matters for organizational impact
3. How to become a true strategic partner—and get the L&D team into budget conversations
4. The power of partnerships: designing learning with, not for, your people
5. How to scope, launch, and adapt training when funding and priorities can shift overnight
6. The uncomfortable truths (and myths) about leadership development—and what’s missing from most programs

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome to the Learnit Lounge Podcast, & episode intro

00:48 – Meet Rachel Walerstein and her nonprofit learning journey

02:57 – The biggest challenges in nonprofit L&D: outdated systems and risk aversion

05:47 – Why culture and ethos matter before you design anything

07:07 – How budgets reflect values—and why L&D needs a seat at the table

08:58 – Rachel’s “hot take”: Learning teams should consult on grant writing and budgets

11:12 – Common myths about nonprofit training (and why “one and done” never works)

12:44 – The critical role of managers and peers as learning partners

15:45 – Why ecosystem thinking changes everything in nonprofit L&D

19:00 – How learning initiatives get scoped out (and how it’s different from corporate)

21:13 – The power—and limits—of participatory design in nonprofits

24:10 – How delays and funding uncertainties shape nonprofit L&D

25:43 – The role of partnerships: Internal, external, and advocacy

29:33 – Rachel’s top leadership lesson: Talk less, listen more

33:20 – The uncomfortable truth about leadership development and emotional intelligence

35:55 – Mickey’s wrap-up and where to connect with Rachel

About Rachel Walerstein

Rachel Walerstein is a learning strategist, facilitator, and Director of Professional Learning at UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago, where she leads innovative programs to grow nonprofit talent and build thriving, inclusive cultures. With a PhD in English from the University of Iowa and roots in education, Rachel brings a human-centered approach to L&D—including deep engagement with Chicago’s nonprofit and arts communities. She’s served on multiple boards including the Center on Halsted Auxiliary Board and the Guild Literary...

Learning isn’t just about skills. It’s about confidence, belief, and the stories that shape us. In this energizing solo episode of The Learnit Lounge Podcast, host Mickey Fitch-Collins, PhD, dives into why confidence is the most overlooked—and powerful—outcome of any learning program. Drawing on research, real-life examples, and memorable stories, Mickey explores how learning builds not just know-how, but true belief in yourself and your peers. You’ll hear how fostering agency, psychological safety, and storytelling can create a ripple effect of change in teams and organizations. Plus, Mickey shares practical tools for measuring belief, designing for confidence, and making learning stick—so you can turn insight into action, and action into impact.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Why belief and confidence are foundational to real learning—not just traditional metrics like ROI
2. How storytelling captures the true impact of learning and makes growth visible
3. The importance of psychological safety and peer feedback in building “Teamship” and collective confidence
4. Why measuring confidence (not just skills) is a leading indicator for performance and retention
5. Actionable ways to design learning experiences that foster trust, agency, and growth mindset
6. How to collect and leverage stories to sustain a culture of learning and transformation

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome to The Learnit Lounge: big picture of learning transformation

00:42 – Why belief is the true outcome of learning

01:13 – The critical role of confidence as a lever for change

01:43 – How agency and psychological safety unlock transformation

02:28 – Building collective confidence through “Teamship”

02:56 – Real stories vs. testimonials: how change really happens

03:30 – A powerful story of learning, self-belief, and tough conversations

04:45 – The “aha” moment: belief in action

05:10 – How to start measuring belief and designing for confidence

05:39 – Tools to build a culture of storytelling and agency

06:08 – Why confidence predicts performance—and why it keeps people from leaving

06:29 – A call to share your stories and be part of The Learnit Lounge community

06:41 – Connect with Mickey Fitch-Collins on LinkedIn

About Mickey Fitch-Collins

Mickey Fitch-Collins, PhD helps people lead like humans first. As a Human Skills Facilitator at Learnit, she designs and leads workshops that turn everyday challenges—like feedback, burnout, and prioritization—into practical, people-centered skills. Her workshops are equal parts research, real talk, and humor, creating learning experiences that actually stick.

Before joining Learnit, Mickey spent two decades in higher education leadership, where she coached and supervised hundreds of professionals through growth, change, and conflict while helping students graduate. That experience fuels her belief that strong leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about building trust, curiosity, and connection.

Whether she’s facilitating a workshop, hosting The Learnit Lounge podcast, leading a panel, or sharing insights on LinkedIn, her goal stays the same: make professional development feel less like a checkbox and more like a conversation worth having.

Resources & Mentions:

1. Learnit:

Winning teams—and learning cultures—aren’t built on checklists. They’re built on curiosity, clarity, and intentional design. In this energizing episode of The Learnit Lounge Podcast, host Mickey Fitch-Collins, PhD. is joined by Sarah Lundy, seasoned L&D leader and “forever learner,” for a candid look at what it takes to make blended learning programs that actually work. Together, they unpack today’s most common pitfalls (hello, box-checking and “smile sheets”), explore what alignment with business goals really feels like, and share the human-centered tactics that make digital, in-person, and on-the-job learning click—for any industry.

From manufacturing floors with zero laptops to hybrid cohorts craving belonging, this episode brims with real stories, practical tools, and fresh thinking for L&D pros, people leaders, and anyone intent on making learning stick.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. How the definition of “blended learning” has evolved—and why the old classroom vs. eLearning debate misses the mark
2. The keys (and warning signs) for evaluating if your learning programs are truly working—or if you’re just “training for training’s sake”
3. Why defining success upfront is essential for behavior change, not just satisfaction surveys
4. Creative strategies for making virtual, digital, and in-person experiences truly equitable—even for remote or non-desk teams
5. The crucial role of leaders in championing (and measuring) learning outcomes on the job
6. Insider advice for new L&D leaders about audience research, accessibility, and what shortcuts to avoid

Timestamps:

00:01 – Welcome to The Learnit Lounge, today’s topic and guest intro

02:36 – Defining blended learning: past vs. present

04:39 – How to spot when blended learning is working (or not)

06:18 – Why alignment with the business is non-negotiable

08:35 – The high cost of unchecked, misaligned training

09:41 – Measuring learning: Beyond smile sheets, toward behavior change

12:14 – Why (and how) to involve leaders post-training

14:13 – Applying the 70-20-10 model… and why it may need an update

16:44 – Making digital/virtual training feel human, especially for non-office teams

19:39 – How manufacturing and “deskless” workforces demand creative L&D

22:23 – Are we overestimating people’s self-directed learning ability?

23:43 – Is in-person learning a “luxury” now? Considering fairness and equity

25:36 – Masterclass: How to facilitate hybrid training that feels inclusive

28:23 – Sarah’s best advice for first-time blended learning designers

30:36 – Leadership lesson: trust and relationships move mountains

31:59 – The uncomfortable truths and hidden biases in leadership development

34:33 – Connect with Sarah Lundy and episode wrap-up

About Sarah Lundy

Sarah Lundy is a passionate learning and development leader with a decade of experience designing impactful programs across multiple industries, most recently manufacturing. A self-described “forever learner,” Sarah is pursuing her master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology while bringing fresh curiosity and human-centered thinking to every audience she serves. Her approach blends research, real talk, and a deep belief in putting people—and their lived realities—at the center of professional growth. Sarah lives in Northern Nevada with her...

Catalogs stuffed with good intentions don’t drive real learning–context does. In this solo, insight-packed episode of The Learnit Lounge Podcast, host Mickey Fitch-Collins, PhD, breaks down why the most effective L&D strategies happen in and around actual work—not inside a rigid course directory. Mickey draws on her experience as a human skills facilitator and learning designer to debunk the myth that content is king, and show why supporting real decisions in real workflows is the secret to powerful learning.

From resilience training requests that masked deeper decision fatigue, to tools like GPTs, prompts, and coaching resources built in the flow of work, this episode is a hands-on guide for HR, L&D, and people-centric leaders craving relevant, actionable impact. Discover why designing for “just-in-time” moments creates behavior change faster than traditional curriculum—and get inspired to help your people lead, act, and solve in real time.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Why course catalogs often miss the mark—and how to transform “graveyard content” into living support
2. The difference between designing for knowledge vs. designing for decisions
3. How to uncover what’s actually preventing your team’s growth (hint: it’s not always mindset)
4. What building frictionless workflows and in-context learning really looks like
5. How decision trees, GPT-powered prompts, and fast coaching tools fuel behavior change
6. Why workshops should support everyday action—not take center stage

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome to The Learnit Lounge Podcast intro

00:42 – Why great learning experiences aren’t found in catalogs

01:10 – Content isn’t king anymore—context is

01:18 – Shifting the design question: knowledge vs. decisions

01:48 – Learning’s new role: enablement at the moment of need

02:16 – Embedding learning in the workflow, not outside of it

02:28 – A real-world example: team resilience request revealed decision fatigue

03:05 – Solution: decision trees, prompts, GPTs, and speed coaching

03:17 – Informal learning = fast behavior change

03:34 – The right place for workshops in a modern learning strategy

03:54 – Context drives relevance—friction reveals opportunity

04:01 – Final takeaway: design for the moment, not the module

About Mickey Fitch-Collins, PhD

Mickey Fitch-Collins, PhD helps people lead like humans first. As a Human Skills Facilitator at Learnit, she designs and leads workshops that turn everyday challenges—like feedback, burnout, and prioritization—into practical, people-centered skills. Her workshops are equal parts research, real talk, and humor, creating learning experiences that actually stick.

Before joining Learnit, Mickey spent two decades in higher education leadership, where she coached and supervised hundreds of professionals through growth, change, and conflict while helping students graduate. That experience fuels her belief that strong leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about building trust, curiosity, and connection.

Whether she’s facilitating a workshop, hosting The Learnit Lounge podcast, leading a panel, or sharing insights on LinkedIn, her goal stays the same: make professional development feel less like a checkbox and more like a conversation worth having.

Resources & Mentions:

The future of learning and development is already here—and it’s about so much more than basic content delivery. In this dynamic episode of The Learnit Lounge, host Mickey Fitch-Collins, PhD, is joined by leadership futurist and ShiftWell AI co-founder Jordana Cole for a candid conversation on what it actually takes to move from “learning” to “doing” inside organizations. Together, they bust persistent myths about L&D, reveal why so many programs fail to drive actual behavior change, and explore how learning leaders can become true business partners. Packed with frameworks, real-life stories, and actionable strategies, this episode is your playbook for making learning stick and fueling sustainable growth.

Whether you’re ready to drop learning objectives for session goals, want tips on bridging cross-functional silos, or need new ways to measure the real ROI of your work, this is the episode for you. Expect plenty of “hot takes,” practical tools, and inspiration to shift your L&D mindset.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. How to move from a “learning” to a “doing” paradigm in L&D – and why most programs miss the mark on behavior change.
2. The biggest red flags that signal when learning won’t stick—and how to fix them with practice and true relevance.
3. Why L&D leaders must act as product owners and strategic business partners (plus, how to get into ALL the right conversations).
4. A 4-question framework to transform your program design and ensure learning meets real business outcomes.
5. The power of cross-functional cohorts, and how to drive shared accountability for learning, growth, and culture change.
6. Measures that matter: going beyond smile sheets to track real shifts in behavior, stories, and business impact.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Meet your host and today’s guest, Jordana Cole

01:41 – Shifting from training delivery to behavior change

04:07 – The “doing paradigm” explained: why knowledge isn’t enough

05:19 – How ShiftWell got its name—and the story behind it

06:10 – Why L&D programs fail to create real change

08:29 – Four essential questions to guide effective program design

09:35 – Red flags that learning won’t stick (and how to spot them)

10:57 – Why practice is non-negotiable for behavior change

13:33 – Moving L&D from order taker to business partner

14:03 – How to get a seat at the strategic table

18:15 – Building shared ownership and accountability for learning

19:45 – Using cohorts to break silos and drive alignment

23:42 – The right metrics: what to measure beyond satisfaction

27:12 – A real-world example of designing for frontline teams

31:04 – The irreplaceable value of stories and qualitative data

32:08 – Jordana’s biggest leadership lesson—and what she’s learned about influence

34:02 – The uncomfortable truth about “leadership development”

36:38 – How to connect with Jordana and learn more

About Jordana Cole

Jordana Cole, PCC, is the co-founder and Chief Product & Research Officer at ShiftWell AI, a platform blending applied positive psychology, behavior change, and AI to help every employee reach their absolute best. With more than a decade leading L&D and talent programs across nonprofits and Fortune 50 companies, Jordana’s superpower is bridging human potential research...