The Potentialist Podcast with Dr. Lee Koles

Most of us spend far too much time waiting: Waiting until we're more confident. Until we know exactly what we're doing. Until we feel ready.

The problem? The feeling of readiness usually arrives after we take the first step, not before.

In this episode of The Potentialist Podcast, I sit down with Chantée Christian, best-selling author and founder of the Conscious Leadership Summit, to explore why growth begins when we stop hiding, start showing up and take action before we have all the answers.

Drawing from her own journey from working behind the scenes to becoming a visible leader, Chantée shares how discomfort, authenticity and meaningful connections open doors you never imagined.

Listen in and discover:

• Why waiting to feel ready may be preventing you from pursuing opportunities that matter

• How one small act of courage can create ripple effects far beyond what you expect

• How to recognize when an idea, dream or opportunity is calling you forward

If you've been sitting on an idea, hesitating to make a connection or wondering whether you're qualified enough, experienced enough or ready enough, this episode is your invitation to take the next step.

Your potential doesn’t unlock when you finally feel ready.

It unlocks when you begin.

What if the very thing you've been apologizing for is actually your greatest advantage?

Maybe you've changed industries. Switched directions. Collected experiences that don't seem to fit neatly together on a resume. While specialists often have a clear roadmap, many of us have careers that look more like a winding trail with unexpected turns along the way.

In this episode of The Potentialist Podcast, I sit down with coach, leadership consultant and author Siobhán O'Riordan to explore why nonlinear career paths may be exactly what today's world needs. Drawing from her book, Reframe: How Generalists Thrive in a Changing World, Siobhán makes the case that generalists aren't scattered or unfocused. They're often the people connecting ideas, solving complex problems and helping organizations navigate change.

In our conversation, you'll discover:

• Why generalists make up nearly half the workforce, yet often feel invisible

• How "looking around the corner" helps leaders spot opportunities others miss

• How to tell your career story with confidence, even if your path doesn't look linear

• What generalists need from managers, mentors and workplaces to do their best work

If you've ever wondered how to explain your twists, turns, pivots or unexpected detours, this conversation will help you see them through a completely different lens.

Your career path may not be messy after all. It might just be evidence that you're built to connect dots others can't see.

What does it take to step into the unknown, embrace opportunity and discover what you're truly capable of? → Just say, “yes.”

In this episode of The Potentialist Podcast, Dr. Lee Koles sits down with Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medalist Alena Olsen to explore the mindset, habits and decisions that helped her reach the highest level of competition. While Alena's story unfolds on the rugby field, her lessons apply to anyone looking to unlock greatness.

Together, they discuss the importance of saying yes to new opportunities, building confidence through evidence of past success and staying grounded in your values when the pressure is on. Alena also shares practical leadership strategies for helping teams stay connected and focused, along with why cultivating purpose beyond work or sport is essential for long-term resilience.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why stepping outside your comfort zone is often the first step toward uncovering hidden potential

• How to create a personal archive of wins to strengthen confidence during challenging moments

• A simple leadership practice that helps teams stay present and engaged

• How to translate values into specific behaviors that guide everyday decisions

• Why a well-rounded life supports sustained performance and fulfillment

Whether you're leading a team, navigating change or working toward a personal goal, this conversation offers practical insights for turning potential into action.

Listen in and discover how small decisions, consistent effort and a willingness to embrace opportunity can open doors you never imagined.

What does it take to live and lead with unshakable confidence? In this episode of The Potentialist Podcast, Dr. Lee Koles is joined by Nayshondra Mercer, best-selling author and leadership coach who specializes in helping others live unapologetically. 

Nayshondra shares her roadmap for self-discovery and professional growth, diving  into how she overcame personal challenges to evolve into a magnetic presence onstage.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why facing the “uncomfortable” parts of your story is the first step toward healing and presenting yourself with integrity
• How to identify your deepest innermost values so you can build your life, brand, and career on a solid foundation
• Practical advice for moving forward when you feel stuck, including why a step forward can sometimes feel like a step back
• Why embracing your unique self is your greatest asset in leadership and life

Your potential is a journey of becoming. Stop waiting for permission and start taking the steps to become the leader you were meant to be.

Work stress is common. Constant anxiety, overwhelm and emotional exhaustion don’t have to be.

In this episode of The Potentialist Podcast Dr. Lee Koles breaks down the science behind workplace anxiety and shares practical, research-backed strategies to help you feel calmer, clearer and more in control at work.

You'll learn - 

 • Boundary-setting strategies that protect your energy
 • Why support systems matter more than most people realize
 • Four actionable ways to cope with anxiety in high-pressure work environments

And more!

Whether you’re feeling emotionally drained, overwhelmed by pressure or simply struggling to quiet your mind after work, this episode offers practical tools to help you reset and move forward with greater confidence and clarity.

Take a deep breath. Your brain may be trying to protect you, but you are more capable than your anxiety wants you to believe. 

In this FLASHBACK episode I share my favorite life coach strategies to help you make decisions. When you decide to become decisive, you open yourself up to growth, confidence and moving yourself forward so that you can achieve what you want in your career - and life.

I discuss the impact of being a good decision maker and share 7 “tricks” - questions you can ask yourself - to help make a decision. 

By the end of this episode you’ll have the knowledge and the tools you need to decide on your next move and propel yourself forward towards your goals.  

What if slowing down is the fastest way to move forward?

In this episode, I sit down with Karianne Michelle to explore the science behind doing less and why it can be the key to unlocking more focus, energy and impact. 

Karianne is an Oprah-endorsed expert who has spent two decades working with C-level leaders and their teams at companies including Google, Amazon and Lululemon. She shares simple, research-backed strategies you can use right away to reset, recharge and perform at your best. 

We explore: 

• Clear ways to set boundaries that protect your time and energy 
• Practical techniques to reset in the middle of a busy day
• The surprising role sound plays in shifting your state
• Mindfulness practices that actually work, whether you’re just starting out or refining your approach.

If you’ve been pushing harder and getting diminishing returns, this conversation will show you a different way forward.

In Part 3 of the 3-Part Unlock Your Potential series, we go from stuck to unlocked. If you’ve been feeling frozen, overwhelmed or unable to take that next step, this episode will show you exactly why and how to move forward.

In this episode, we explore:

 • Why feeling stuck isn’t a lack of motivation, it’s your brain trying to protect you
 • The hidden forces in your brain that keep you playing small, even when you want more
 • A simple shift that immediately reduces overwhelm and restores clarity
 • How one small word can reopen possibility and change how you approach challenges
 • Why small, intentional actions create real momentum and lasting change

Whether you’re thinking about making a bold career move, starting something new or simply getting unstuck in your daily life, this episode gives you practical, science-backed strategies you can use right away.

In Part 2 of the Unlock Your Potential series, Dr. Lee Koles dives into the concept of hidden potential and the subtle, science-backed signs that you’re capable of more than you’re currently experiencing.

This episode breaks down what hidden potential really is, why it often goes unrecognized, and how it shows up in ways most people overlook.

By the end of this episode, you’ll understand:

• What “hidden potential” actually means and the gap between where you are and what’s possible
 • Why that persistent inner voice keeps coming back and what it’s trying to tell you
 • How feelings like boredom, restlessness, frustration or even shame can signal untapped growth
 • The “plateau effect” and why comfort can quietly stall your progress
 • How talking about your ideas out loud increases follow-through and momentum
 • Three clear signs that you’re meant for more and how to start recognizing them in your own life

If you’ve been questioning whether you’re playing small, feeling stuck in something that looks “fine” on the surface, or sensing there’s something more for you, this episode will give you the clarity to start paying attention to what’s already there.

You are capable of far more than you realize.

In this kickoff episode of the Unlock Your Potential series, Dr. Lee Koles breaks down one of the most misunderstood concepts in leadership development, career growth and personal success: potential.

What if everything you’ve been told about potential is incomplete… or flat-out wrong?

In this episode, we challenge the hidden beliefs and assumptions that may be quietly holding you back. We take a closer look at how your definition of potential has shaped your decisions, your confidence and the opportunities you’ve pursued or avoided.

This isn’t about motivation. It’s about clarity.

Inside this episode:

•  A clear, science-backed definition of potential and where it comes from 
•  The biggest myths about potential that keep people stuck 
•  Why hard work alone isn’t the answer 
•  The role of strengths, talent and energy in unlocking success 
•  Why potential is often hard to recognize and how to start seeing it differently 

You’ll hear powerful examples and research-backed insights that shift how potential actually works and what it means for your next step.

If you’ve been questioning your next move, holding back, or wondering if you’ve missed your window, this episode will reshape how you think about what’s possible.