Critical Victories
CRITICAL VICTORIES is a webcast for leaders, experts, and professionals who carry real responsibility—and understand that authority is not granted by title alone, but earned through sound judgment, competence, and trust. In an era that rewards showmanship over preparation and credibility, Critical Victories explores what it actually takes to lead, decide, and influence when the stakes are high. Hosted by John Morrey Collins—author, forensic scientist, leadership coach, and advisor to professionals in authoritative roles—Critical Victories examines authority as a serious social function rather than a personality trait. Each episode offers practical insights, grounded analysis, and hard-earned perspective on how authority works, how it fails, and how it can be exercised responsibly. Topics range from subject-matter expertise and organizational leadership to public trust, decision-making under pressure, professional judgment, and the ethical weight of leadership. The conversations are shaped by real-world experience in high-consequence environments, not theory alone. The goal of Critical Victories is straightforward: to share insights, strategies, and opportunities that help serious people become more effective—and more trusted—in authoritative roles. Whether you are leading a team, advising institutions, testifying as an expert, managing risk, or shaping public outcomes, this podcast is designed to strengthen how you think about responsibility, credibility, and influence. This is a show for and about thoughtful professionals who want to carry authority well, earn trust deliberately, and contribute meaningfully to the institutions and communities that depend on them. If you believe leadership is a responsibility and more than status or rank, that expertise is a form of authority that must be earned, and that trust is fragile, Critical Victories is for you.
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#6: Is there really a shortage of critical thinking skills?
09/01/2026
#6: Is there really a shortage of critical thinking skills?
EPISODE SUMMARY A familiar complaint echoes through high-responsibility organizations: young employees lack critical thinking skills and hesitate to take initiative. In this episode, John Morrey Collins challenges that assumption directly. Drawing on years of executive coaching experience, he argues that the real problem isn't the capability of early-career professionals — it's the reluctance of their managers to extend trust. Micromanagement and control, however well-intentioned, suppress the very qualities leaders claim to want: independent judgment, ownership, and initiative. Collins examines the data on employee engagement and explains why so many workers would vote against their own supervisors if given the chance. He makes the case that trust is not a soft skill but a structural requirement of effective leadership, and that meaningful change starts with managers developing genuine self-awareness about their own need for control. ABOUT YOUR HOST John Morrey Collins is a leadership and expertise coach specializing in working with clients in authoritative, high-stakes occupations, but with a primary emphasis on serving leaders, professionals, and organizations that support our complicated systems of criminal and civil justice. John started his private practice, Critical Victories, in 2013 after retiring his award-winning, 20-year career as a forensic laboratory scientist and executive administrator, having served as the Director of Forensic Science for the State of Michigan. His forensic technical expertise was in the examination and testing of firearms and firearm-related evidence, having provided expert courtroom testimony in approximately 130 criminal trials, including death penalty cases and Daubert hearings. John is also the author of three books on forensic science and criminal justice reform. In 2022, he released his fourth book, “The New Superior – A Better Way to Be the One in Charge,” which is available in print and audio. John’s many career highlights include his part in the forensic investigation of the Atlanta serial bombings, which included the bombing of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, as well as his 2013 participation in a historic meeting with the US Attorney General and other firearm experts to discuss the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. John has a master’s degree in organizational management and is formally certified as a Senior HR Professional by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). In 2012, John was trained as a professional coach by the College of Executive Coaching, and he became certified as a Gallup Strengths Coach in 2022. He lives and works near Detroit, Michigan. For more books and other information, please visit johnmorreycollins.com/webcast. There you can subscribe to receive new episodes, updates, or information.
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#5: Crying in the Workplace and How to Show Up for It
08/12/2026
#5: Crying in the Workplace and How to Show Up for It
EPISODE SUMMARY Working for a difficult supervisor can drain your energy, undermine your confidence, and make even meaningful work difficult to enjoy. But trying to change that supervisor is usually the wrong place to focus your attention. In this episode, John Collins shares a practical strategy for dealing with an “impossible” supervisor while protecting your professionalism, reputation, and ability to do your job effectively. He explains why the first step is accepting the person as they actually present themselves, taking an honest look at your own performance, and giving your supervisor a genuine opportunity to provide feedback. John then offers a framework for asserting yourself when a supervisor becomes excessively critical, withholds information, plays favorites, excludes you from important decisions, or fails to hold others accountable. Although some form of confrontation may arise, the ultimate goal is to stand your ground professionally, ask better questions, and protect your confidence and effectiveness—even when the person you report to makes that difficult. ABOUT YOUR HOST John Morrey Collins is a leadership and expertise coach specializing in working with clients in authoritative, high-stakes occupations, but with a primary emphasis on serving leaders, professionals, and organizations that support our complicated systems of criminal and civil justice. John started his private practice, Critical Victories, in 2013 after retiring his award-winning, 20-year career as a forensic laboratory scientist and executive administrator, having served as the Director of Forensic Science for the State of Michigan. His forensic technical expertise was in the examination and testing of firearms and firearm-related evidence, having provided expert courtroom testimony in approximately 130 criminal trials, including death penalty cases and Daubert hearings. John is also the author of three books on forensic science and criminal justice reform. In 2022, he released his fourth book, “The New Superior – A Better Way to Be the One in Charge,” which is available in print and audio. John’s many career highlights include his part in the forensic investigation of the Atlanta serial bombings, which included the bombing of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, as well as his 2013 participation in a historic meeting with the US Attorney General and other firearm experts to discuss the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. John has a master’s degree in organizational management and is formally certified as a Senior HR Professional by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). In 2012, John was trained as a professional coach by the College of Executive Coaching, and he became certified as a Gallup Strengths Coach in 2022. He lives and works near Detroit, Michigan. For more books and other information, please visit johnmorreycollins.com. There you can subscribe to receive new episodes, updates, or information.
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#4: How to Confront an Impossible Supervisor
08/10/2026
#4: How to Confront an Impossible Supervisor
Working for a difficult supervisor can drain your energy, undermine your confidence, and make even meaningful work difficult to enjoy. But trying to change that supervisor is usually the wrong place to focus your attention. In this episode, John Collins shares a practical strategy for dealing with an “impossible” supervisor while protecting your professionalism, reputation, and ability to do your job effectively. He explains why the first step is accepting the person as they actually present themselves, taking an honest look at your own performance, and giving your supervisor a genuine opportunity to provide feedback. John then offers a framework for asserting yourself when a supervisor becomes excessively critical, withholds information, plays favorites, excludes you from important decisions, or fails to hold others accountable. Although some form of confrontation may arise, the ultimate goal is to stand your ground professionally, ask better questions, and protect your confidence and effectiveness—even when the person you report to makes that difficult.
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#3: You Want to Manage Your Time Better? Really?
07/29/2026
#3: You Want to Manage Your Time Better? Really?
EPISODE SUMMARY Time management struggles are rarely about scheduling or discipline; they are rooted in the habits we have unconsciously trained ourselves to want. Drawing on a scientifically established principle of human behavior, this discussion examines why so many professionals feel disorganized, overwhelmed, or unable to keep pace with their responsibilities, and argues that the real work of change begins not with better systems but with reshaping what we actually want to do. Using examples of leaders who struggle to manage their reactions to employees, to the stark contrast between the visible satisfaction of physical trades and the often invisible, unrewarding nature of knowledge work, the conversation offers a practical way to identify the cues and rewards driving unproductive behavior and to deliberately design new habits that produce genuine satisfaction. The result is a more honest and sustainable approach to becoming a better manager of one's time, energy, career, and relationships. ABOUT YOUR HOST John Morrey Collins is a leadership and expertise coach specializing in working with clients in authoritative, high-stakes occupations, but with a primary emphasis on serving leaders, professionals, and organizations that support our complicated systems of criminal and civil justice. John started his private practice, Critical Victories, in 2013 after retiring his award-winning, 20-year career as a forensic laboratory scientist and executive administrator, having served as the Director of Forensic Science for the State of Michigan. His forensic technical expertise was in the examination and testing of firearms and firearm-related evidence, having provided expert courtroom testimony in approximately 130 criminal trials, including death penalty cases and Daubert hearings. John is also the author of three books on forensic science and criminal justice reform. In 2022, he released his fourth book, “The New Superior – A Better Way to Be the One in Charge,” which is available in print and audio. John’s many career highlights include his part in the forensic investigation of the Atlanta serial bombings, which included the bombing of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, as well as his 2013 participation in a historic meeting with the US Attorney General and other firearm experts to discuss the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. John has a master’s degree in organizational management and is formally certified as a Senior HR Professional by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). In 2012, John was trained as a professional coach by the College of Executive Coaching, and he became certified as a Gallup Strengths Coach in 2022. He lives and works near Detroit, Michigan. For more books and other information, please visit johnmorreycollins.com/webcast. There you can subscribe to receive new episodes, updates, or information.
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#2: Controlling Personalities and the Damage They Do
07/27/2026
#2: Controlling Personalities and the Damage They Do
EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Critical Victories, John Morrey Collins explores one of the most emotionally exhausting challenges people encounter in both their personal and professional lives: dealing with controlling personalities. Whether the controlling individual is a supervisor, spouse, parent, colleague, or coach, he or she has a way of eroding relationships and confidence, diminishing autonomy, and leaving people feeling drained without fully understanding why. Collins explains the psychology that often drives controlling behavior, why some people become frequent targets, and how seemingly legitimate authority can devolve into dysfunctional or even pathological behaviors. Drawing on principles from psychology, leadership, and executive coaching, Collins offers a practical framework for recognizing controlling behavior and responding to it without unnecessary conflict or emotional escalation. Rather than encouraging confrontation or avoidance, he presents thoughtful, evidence-informed strategies for protecting your confidence, preserving healthy relationships where possible, and reclaiming your independence. This episode is especially valuable for anyone who feels manipulated, micromanaged, or intimidated by someone who consistently seeks to dominate the relationship. ABOUT YOUR HOST John Morrey Collins is a leadership and expertise coach specializing in working with clients in authoritative, high-stakes occupations, but with a primary emphasis on serving leaders, professionals, and organizations that support our complicated systems of criminal and civil justice. John started his private practice, Critical Victories, in 2013 after retiring his award-winning, 20-year career as a forensic laboratory scientist and executive administrator, having served as the Director of Forensic Science for the State of Michigan. His forensic technical expertise was in the examination and testing of firearms and firearm-related evidence, having provided expert courtroom testimony in approximately 130 criminal trials, including death penalty cases and Daubert hearings. John is also the author of three books on forensic science and criminal justice reform. In 2022, he released his fourth book, “The New Superior – A Better Way to Be the One in Charge,” which is available in print and audio. John’s many career highlights include his part in the forensic investigation of the Atlanta serial bombings, which included the bombing of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, as well as his 2013 participation in a historic meeting with the US Attorney General and other firearm experts to discuss the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. John has a master’s degree in organizational management and is formally certified as a Senior HR Professional by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). In 2012, John was trained as a professional coach by the College of Executive Coaching, and he became certified as a Gallup Strengths Coach in 2022. He lives and works near Detroit, Michigan. For more books and other information, please visit johnmorreycollins.com/webcast. There you can subscribe to receive new episodes, updates, or information.
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#1: Welcome to Critical Victories (Show Trailer)
07/15/2026
#1: Welcome to Critical Victories (Show Trailer)
There is a big difference between holding a title and exercising trustworthy authority. One is given to you. The other has to be earned — and it has to be earned again, every day, by the judgment you exercise, the competence you demonstrate, and the trust you keep. And more than that, you have to show up strong each day ready and prepared. Getting in your own way is not an option. You have to be present, committed, and dedicated to meeting your important responsibilities. My name is John Morrey Collins. For twenty years, I worked inside federal, state, and local forensic science laboratories, including as the administrator in charge of Michigan's state crime laboratory system. I have testified many times as an expert witness, led organizations through both achievement and crisis, and I’ve been entrusted with decisions that affected the liberty and safety of real people. I have also spent the years since leaving that post coaching leaders and subject-matter experts in a variety of consequential professions who carry that same kind of weight — in forensic science, in law enforcement, in law practice, and in government to name a few. What I have learned, from both sides of that experience, is this: we live in an era that too often rewards showmanship over preparation, and confidence over competence. Authority is too often dismissed as a personality trait — something you project — rather than what it actually is: a serious social function that helps to ensure the quality and duration of people’s lives. through sound judgment and earned trust. That is the problem this podcast is built to address. Critical Victories is a show for people who carry real responsibility. Leaders. Subject-matter experts. Professionals who are asked regularly to make decisions under pressure, to keep up with the growing demand for their services, to advise institutions, to testify to what they know to be true, and to manage risk on behalf of others. In each episode, we examine how authority actually works — how it is built, how it is lost, and how it can be exercised responsibly, even when the stakes are high and the answers are not so simple. At times these conversations will seem theoretical, but most of the time they will shaped by real-world experience in high-consequence environments — the kind of environments where a wrong decision does not stay contained to a spreadsheet or a quarterly report, but reaches into a courtroom, a community, or someone's life. We will talk about professional judgment. About public trust. About the ethical weight that comes with leadership and high levels of expertise. And about what it actually takes to lead when people are depending on you to get it right. Just like the name of this show, the name of my coaching and training practice is Critical Victories because of a simple truth: the most important crises we face are not always the ones that find us. The most consequential victories in a career come from the challenges we choose to take on willingly and deliberately, because we understand that meeting them will make us — and the people who depend on us — stronger, more capable, and more trustworthy. A critical victories I more than accomplishing a goal. It is an achievement of such magnitude that it changes people forever. That idea sits at the center of this podcast, just as it sits at the center of my work with clients. My hope for this show is straightforward. I want to give serious professionals and the professionals and families who support them something they can actually use — practical insight, grounded analysis, and hard-earned perspective — so that you can carry authority well, earn trust deliberately, and contribute meaningfully to the institutions and communities that depend on you. If you believe that leadership is a responsibility and more than status or a rank. If you respect that expertise is a form of authority that has to be earned, not merely claimed. And if you understand that trust, once damaged, is difficult to recover — Then this podcast is for you. My name is John Morrey Collins and I am your coach. Welcome to Critical Victories. ABOUT YOUR HOST John Morrey Collins is a leadership and expertise coach specializing in working with clients in authoritative, high-stakes occupations, but with a primary emphasis on serving leaders, professionals, and organizations that support our complicated systems of criminal and civil justice. John started his private practice, Critical Victories, in 2013 after retiring his award-winning, 20-year career as a forensic laboratory scientist and executive administrator, having served as the Director of Forensic Science for the State of Michigan. His forensic technical expertise was in the examination and testing of firearms and firearm-related evidence, having provided expert courtroom testimony in approximately 130 criminal trials, including death penalty cases and Daubert hearings. John is also the author of three books on forensic science and criminal justice reform. In 2022, he released his fourth book, “The New Superior – A Better Way to Be the One in Charge,” which is available in print and audio. John’s many career highlights include his part in the forensic investigation of the Atlanta serial bombings, which included the bombing of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, as well as his 2013 participation in a historic meeting with the US Attorney General and other firearm experts to discuss the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. John has a master’s degree in organizational management and is formally certified as a Senior HR Professional by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). In 2012, John was trained as a professional coach by the College of Executive Coaching, and he became certified as a Gallup Strengths Coach in 2022. He lives and works near Detroit, Michigan. For more books and other information, please visit .
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