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Captivate the Mic: Master Public Speaking & Video, Build Confidence and Boost Visibility
ABOUT THIS PODCAST 🔗
Captivate the Mic with Elaine Williams is THE podcast for coaches, speakers, authors, lawyers and really anyone who speaks under pressure who wants to master the art of captivating speaking.
This podcast is for you if you are looking to craft compelling stories, develop a charismatic voice, expand your executive stage presence and have fun while doing it!
Our multiple award-winning host and her guests will give you, the aspiring captivating speaker, the tools you need to maximize your creativity and breakthrough mindset barriers surrounding your speaking and on camera skills. You will get tips and insider secrets we have learned to raise the power of your content and the quality of your performance and delivery.
This podcast focuses on strategies that will help you to:
-Become a masterful story teller
-Boost your confidence on stage and on camera
-Be able to create vivid pictures for your audiences
-Craft stories that are compelling and have people leaning in for more
-Learn how to use your voice to have more vocal variety & charisma
-Authentically connect with any audience fast
-Always be entertaining, educational and inspiring
-Learn how to use humor to get more related
-Know the pro tips to be ready for lights, camera, action
Your award-winning host, Elaine Williams shares her professional speaker and performer insights with fun banter and energy. She was recently nominated for Speaker of the Year.
Elaine is a video performance coach, keynote speaker, speaker coach, best-selling author and comedian who has over a decade of experience working with entrepreneurs to build confidence and a captivating presence on camera and with public speaking to get their message out in the world with authenticity, ease and humor.
In this podcast, you will hear interviews with expert guests who share how they started on their business and creative journeys and the important lessons they learned to get where they are today. You will hear from experts who have been in business for over a decade, experts who have turned their creativity into successful businesses, and experts who have overcome incredible obstacles and have lived to laugh and talk about it.
After each guest expert shares their captivating story, together we will review the nuances of what really worked during their delivery so that the listener will walk away with writing and performance tips.
There will be inspiring takeaways from every interview that you can immediately apply to your speaking and on-camera journey. We dive into mindset lessons as well as practical growth strategy lessons.
Be ready to get powerful, actionable tips, and strategies that you can use to grow your presence in your niche. Through this podcast, you will grow your skills as a storyteller, writer, performer, content creator, interviewer, and business person.
We believe your voice is powerful, your story needs to be told, and there is someone out there who will be inspired because you dared to share your story!
If you are looking for a community of like-minded, mission driven people, come join our Free Facebook group: Captivate the Crowd!
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Captivate the Mic: Master Public Speaking & Video, Build Confidence and Boost Visibility
How Early Speaking Experience Shapes Confident Leaders with Mickey Fitch-Collins
In this episode of Captivate the Mic, Elaine Williams sits down with Mickey Fitch-Collins, a leadership development expert, professional facilitator, and former teenage professional bass fisher whose unconventional journey shaped her powerful voice on stage.
Mickey shares how becoming the youngest professional bass fisherman in the U.S. at just 14 years old unexpectedly launched her into public speaking—teaching rooms full of men twice her age. That early stage experience built confidence, resilience, and a deep understanding of storytelling that still fuels her work today.
The conversation weaves through:
- Finding confidence through early stage time
- Why authenticity matters more than polish in speaking
- How storytelling creates real human connection
- Using AI as a modern presentation coach
- Preventing burnout through leadership and feedback
- Why everyone has a voice worth hearing
Mickey also reflects on her transition from higher education leadership into corporate learning and development, her work at Learn It, and why owning your narrative is the foundation of impactful communication.
This episode is a powerful reminder that confidence isn’t born — it’s built, and the sooner you step on stage, the faster you grow.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Stage time builds confidence faster than theory
Speaking early—even imperfectly—creates resilience you can’t learn from books. - Authenticity beats polish every time
Audiences connect with real humans, not rehearsed facades. - Storytelling is the fastest way to build trust
Facts inform, but stories move people emotionally. - Confidence comes from competence
When you know your material deeply, nerves become excitement instead of fear. - AI can be a powerful speaking coach
Recording yourself and using AI feedback accelerates growth. - Feedback is fuel, not criticism
Regular positive feedback prevents burnout and strengthens teams. - Your background is your advantage
What makes you “different” is often what makes you memorable.
👤 Guest Bio — Mickey Fitch-Collins
Mickey Fitch-Collins, PhD, is a leadership development expert, professional facilitator, and human skills trainer at Learn It. She began public speaking at just 14 years old as the youngest professional bass fisherman in the U.S., teaching packed rooms of seasoned anglers and industry leaders.
After earning her PhD in leadership and spending over 20 years in higher education administration, Mickey transitioned into corporate learning and development, where she now helps professionals strengthen communication, prevent burnout, and lead with authenticity.
She is also the host of The Learn It Lounge Podcast, where she explores learning, leadership, and human connection at work.
🔗 Guest Links & Contact
- LinkedIn: Mickey Fitch-Collins
- Learn It Page: https://www.learnit.com/author/mi
Connect with your Host, Elaine Williams:
Check out Captivate the Mic Podcast on Elaine's YouTube Channel
Check out the Captivate the Crowd Website
Follow Elaine on Social- LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok
Want to schedule a free chat with Elaine? Click here to book a zoom date!