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.

Hello, Everyone! 

Welcome to a special, new episode after a long time away. I’m your host, Dr. Lee Koles, and this episode is going to be very different from anything else you’ve heard from me. I’m going to get really personal with you here. It has been a while since we’ve talked and I want to let you know what has been going on with me.

Also, today isn’t just another episode; it’s a farewell… but also a new beginning.

Just over three years ago, I hit pause on this podcast. 

One of my mantras has always been that your job should fit your life. And at that time, I had some big developments that changed my life. My dad had been battling Alzheimer’s for years and the love of his life, my mom, was caring for him and keeping him engaged and thriving. Dad also had a blood cancer, which was being monitored and was holding steady - until three years ago.

I was at the doctor’s appointment in January 2023 when the doctor said that Dad’s cancer was going full force and that his time was up.

So I started traveling to Nebraska (from Ohio) every three weeks to help my mom and be there for my dad. And this took a toll. Something had to give - and I knew it wasn’t going to be my clients, or my family, or the work that grounds me. 

So, I stepped away from social media. I stopped posting on LinkedIn. And, in February of 2023, I stopped recording the podcast.

I didn’t plan a graceful exit. I didn’t record a heartfelt goodbye episode like this one. I just… stopped. I just didn’t have the bandwidth. And that made me feel like crap. I missed showing up here. I missed you—the listener on the other side of this mic. I missed having the opportunity to share insights and help you feel just a little more confident, a little more clear, a little more ready to take on what’s next.

Instead, I focused on my family and I focused on my clients. Many of my clients who I met with over Zoom got to see the inside of my childhood bedroom in Nebraska. I’d coach them and then I’d help my mom and soak up all the time I could with my dad. 

Dad died a little over two years ago - two Decembers ago. 

And for two years I’ve thought of all of you and I’ve wanted to get back to the mic and talk to you - and I just couldn’t. I felt lost. Destroyed, actually. I couldn’t pick myself up - or pick that microphone up - until now. Today. 

And I want to thank you. Every week, for the past 3 years, I’d get my podcast data report and see that you've been downloading, listening to and sharing my podcast episodes. You put in your airpods and took me on walks with your dog. You reached out to me on LinkedIn; you shared your stories. It has meant so much to me to be able to keep that connection with you.

And, finally, I’d like to share some good news: I’m back. Kind of. I’m not returning to CareerSequel. Instead, I’m stepping into something new, something that feels even more aligned with where I am now and where I believe we can go together.

You may have noticed that this episode was released under a different name. Now, when you see me pop up on your phone and in your car, it will be as The Potentialist Podcast.

My friends, I am so excited about this. It has taken me three years of healing, researching, learning and growing - not just for me, but for you. This isn’t just a rebrand. It’s a renewal. It’s our sequel. This is a fresh chapter where we dive even deeper into the power of possibility—how to unlock your strengths, lean into your purpose, and create a life and career that lights you up.

I’ll still be here, your same host—Dr. Lee Koles—with the same voice in your ear. But the conversations will be bigger. The tools will be sharper. And the impact? It’s going to reach even further.

So, consider this episode both a thank you and an invitation.

First of all, you may be wondering, “Lee, what exactly is a Potentialist?”

It’s a lightbulb moment when your ideal career path presents itself (at last!). My former client, Nihal Kattar, shares his career story that began with doubt and worry and ended with a dream job as a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator at the Promedica Health Care System. 

Nihal and I discuss:

* The trap of taking the first job that falls into your lap

* The secret of Intentionality

* How identifying your strengths and core values can unveil career options

* How to break into the DEI industry

* The variety of DEI career opportunities

In this episode of the CareerSequel podcast, guest Laurie Halter and I get real about the challenges of work-life balance. We discuss:

• Authenticity as your secret weapon
• Navigating your career through divorce
• The gifts of being a single working parent
• Strategies for managing children during remote work 
• Confronting your fears

Laurie Halter is the founder of the automobile PR firm, Charisma! Communications, and host of the Carearing Podcast.

Today’s episode eliminates the stress and mystery from writing a cover letter. I answer the pressing question, “Do I HAVE to write one?” (Spoiler Alert: Yes, you (nearly always) do.)

I give you my 3 rules for writing a winning cover letter and walk you through my cover letter recipe. You’ll learn exactly what to say to get yourself noticed and called in for an interview.

Now you can exhale. You’ve got this!

Take a peek into the brain of a hiring manager. In this episode I reveal the 5 interview red flags that will eliminate a job candidate from the running. Get set: they’re not what you think they are. In fact, you’re likely going into an interview stressing about circumstances that don’t even matter! Don’t worry - you’ll learn about the 3 factors that actually AREN’T red flags…so you can confidently ace your interviews.

You've been waiting for this: my #1 episode in my "BEST OF 2022 SERIES" countdown, where I unveil the most downloaded, shared and discussed podcast episodes of the year!

In my most listened to episode of 2022, coach Sari Kimbell and I discuss what it means to chase after and find your purpose. Sari has an incredible career story that's going to have you on the edge of your seat wondering, "what is this woman going to do next?" Sari's skills and experiences fell into place and now she has a business helping food entrepreneurs make their delicious dreams a reality.

Join me for the third episode in my “BEST OF 2022” Series where I count down the most downloaded, shared and discussed episodes of the year.

This episode is about a very twisty, curvy career path that ends in a dream job. It’s the story of my guest, Enith Williams, with chapters that include moving back and forth between Jamaica and NYC. Working in both the nonprofit sector and on Wall Street. Enith threw a career break into the mix, and finally, a leap from the banking industry to the world of reparative justice. 

Enith used her financial industry expertise to found the Reparations Finance Lab. The RFL is dedicated to researching innovative solutions to racial disparities that stem from an era of enslavement and continue to this day. It works with financial institutions and city authorities to develop programs to address the needs of communities of color.