Why I Started a Podcast About Unlocking Human Potential (And Why You Should Listen)

For 25 years, I've been asking one fundamental question on stages across 35 countries: What does it take to lead yourself before you can lead others?

But lately, a second question has become equally urgent: In an age where AI can outthink us, what becomes possible when we unlock the fullest expression of our humanity?

This intersection is exactly why I launched The Self Leadership to Potenta-ize Podcast. The intention is not to be just another leadership podcast but a deep dive into the stories of people who've discovered what they're truly capable of, often through the most unexpected circumstances.

From Philosophy to Practice: Real Stories of Transformation

I've written extensively about self-leadership as the practice of intentionally influencing your thinking, feeling, and actions toward your objectives. But nothing illustrates this concept more powerfully than hearing directly from people who've lived it.

Take Aaron Phipps, Paralympic gold medalist and wheelchair rugby champion, who literally crawled to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro on his hands and knees. As Aaron says in Episode 3, "You can either let your circumstance define you, or you can duct-tape knee pads to your legs and climb."

That's not motivational fluff. That's the raw reality of self-leadership in action.

Or consider Jessica Fontana, who walked away from a successful management role at Meta to found the Women Leaders Circle. Her journey exemplifies what I've long believed: true leadership starts with the courage to align with your purpose, even when it means embracing uncertainty.

The AI Question We Can't Ignore

Throughout my blog, I've explored how AI is transforming the landscape of work and leadership. In my recent post on the philosophy behind "Potentialize," I argued that companies are missing the point by viewing AI as simply an efficiency tool rather than an opportunity for human flourishing.

On the podcast, this isn't just theory. In Episode 1, Brooks Cole, entrepreneur and philosopher, compares AI to a dragon: "something powerful, intimidating, but ultimately rideable if we learn how." Together, we explore how AI can actually enhance our capacity for self-awareness and emotional maturity, not replace our humanity.

Episode 4 takes this further with creativity expert James Taylor, examining what he calls "super collaboration," where AI becomes not just a tool but a teammate. As James warns, "AI will outpace us in intelligence. But the real question is: can our humanity keep up?"

This is the central challenge of our time, and it requires more than blog posts or keynotes. It demands ongoing conversation with people who are navigating this transformation firsthand.

Why Conversations, Not Monologues

I've spoken to thousands from stages worldwide, sharing frameworks for self-leadership and executive presence. I've written about stoicism, body hacking, and the failure of traditional hierarchical management. I've coached HR leadership teams and facilitated executive presence workshops.

But a podcast allows something different: the space for nuanced exploration, for following tangents that reveal deeper truths, for letting stories breathe and insights emerge organically.

When I ask my guests about potential, I'm not looking for neat soundbites. I want to understand the messy middle, the moments of doubt, the specific decisions that changed everything. I want listeners to hear not just what's possible, but how it actually feels to push beyond your perceived limits.

What You'll Discover

Each episode of The Potentials Podcast explores a different dimension of human capability:

From adversity to achievement: How do people transform trauma into triumph? What does it take to redefine what's possible after life fundamentally changes?

From corporate to calling: What does courage look like when you leave security for purpose? How do leaders navigate the gap between who they are and who they're becoming?

From human versus machine to human plus machine: How do we collaborate with AI rather than compete against it? What new forms of creativity and leadership emerge when we embrace technological partnership?

From individual excellence to collective impact: How does unlocking your own potential create ripple effects that elevate entire communities?

These aren't abstract concepts. They're lived experiences from Paralympic athletes, entrepreneurs, AI experts, and leaders who've discovered something essential about what it means to be fully human.

The Self-Leadership Connection

Everything I've written about self-leadership, from managing identity through adversity (as Victor Frankl taught us) to practicing intentional influence over your thoughts and actions, finds expression in these conversations.

The podcast isn't replacing what I share through speaking and writing. It's deepening it. Each guest embodies different aspects of self-leadership, showing us what becomes possible when you take radical responsibility for your growth, your mindset, and your impact.

As I often say from the stage: "I would never wish adversity upon anyone, but also I wouldn't deny anyone tough times." Through challenge, we discover what we're capable of. Through conversation, we learn how others navigated their own discoveries.

Your Invitation to Unlock Potential

Whether you're an executive trying to lead through AI disruption, an entrepreneur building something from scratch, or simply someone committed to becoming the best version of yourself, these conversations will challenge and inspire you.

Each episode asks: What becomes possible when you stop playing small? When you face your fears? When you align with purpose rather than settle for security? When you embrace both your humanity and emerging technology?

The answers aren't prescriptive. They're provocative, personal, and powerful.

Listen to The Potentials Podcast and discover what's possible when ordinary people make extraordinary choices.

Subscribe, rate, and share. Because potential isn't just something you have, it's something you unlock, and that journey is always better together.

Andrew Bryant is a global speaker and author on self-leadership and the human edge in the age of AI. For 25 years, he has spoken on stages in 35 countries across 5 continents, helping leaders discover what's possible when they lead from the inside out.