This episode of The Learnit Lounge dives deep into the evolving world of personal branding and career ownership with special guest Andy Storch—author, speaker, learning leader, and connector. Host Mickey Fitch-Collins welcomes Andy just a day after the launch of his latest book, “Own Your Brand, Own Your Career,” co-authored with personal branding expert Mike Kim. Together, they unpack why intentional personal branding is more critical than ever, common misconceptions about the topic, and actionable strategies for professionals looking to elevate their reputation at work and online. The conversation weaves together lessons on continuous learning, network-building, and creating value, while spotlighting practical tools—from the PB3 exercise to developing an authentic presence with (and without!) AI.

Whether you’re nurturing a burgeoning career, striving for your next promotion, or leading teams hungry for growth, this episode is packed with inspiring stories, hot takes, and real-world advice for thriving in the modern workplace.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The untold story behind Andy’s new book and why personal branding matters for every professional—not just influencers or entrepreneurs.
• Why “personal brand” isn’t about becoming a social media celebrity, and how reputation is formed by everyday moments at work.
• The most misunderstood (and often-feared) aspects of personal branding, plus how to own your story—inside your company and out.
• How to intentionally build and leverage your personal brand using Andy and Mike’s PB3 (“what pisses you off, what breaks your heart, what problems do you want to solve?”).
• The crucial distinction between being visible and being valuable—and why both are essential to career growth.
• How AI is reshaping personal branding and what you can do right now to stay future-ready.
• Uncomfortable truths about leadership development and why ego—not skill—is often the biggest obstacle to great management.

00:00 – Welcome to The Learnit Lounge and Andy’s bio

03:03 – Reflecting on Andy's first book and its five-year impact

03:38 – Why Andy and Mike Kim wrote “Own Your Brand, Own Your Career”

08:15 – The biggest myths and misunderstandings about personal branding

11:32 – What personal brand really means inside organizations (and a memorable “stinky feet” story)

13:42 – The benefits of employees building brands—for their careers and their companies

14:31 – What does it look like to truly “own” your personal brand?

18:53 – The PB3: Andy’s three essential questions for building an authentic brand

22:56 – Building community and finding meaning beyond titles and salaries

24:13 – Visibility vs. value: why both matter in building your reputation

28:49 – Authenticity, content creation, and being real on LinkedIn

34:23 – Integrating AI into your personal branding strategy

37:05 – The uncomfortable truth about leadership development

39:42 – Where to connect with Andy, resources, and show wrap-up

About Andy Storch

Andy Storch is a keynote speaker, consultant, and founder of the Talent Development Think Tank Conference. As the bestselling author of Own Your Career, Own Your Life and host of the Talent Development Hot Seat podcast, he's helped thousands of professionals take ownership of their careers and build the lives they want.

Resources & Mentions:

• Connect with Andy on LinkedIn
• Andy Storch’s new book: Own Your Brand, Own Your Career
• Andy’s first book: Own Your Career, Own Your Life
• Mike Kim’s book: You Are The Brand
• Liz Wiseman’s book: Multipliers and Impact Players
• Andy Storch’s podcast: Talent Development Hot Seat
• Talent Development Think Tank: tdtt.us
• Learnit Website
• Mickey Fitch-Collins on LinkedIn

Website: www.learnit.com

Email: [email protected]

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