Authentic Leadership Podcast

About Authentic Leadership Podcast

🌟 Authentic Leadership Podcast: Who We Are 🎙️ We share real conversations about what it means to lead with honesty, courage, and heart. Our guests are people who’ve faced challenges and stayed true to themselves, showing that leadership is about being real—not about titles or roles. 💬 What You’ll Hear ✨ Staying True: Stories of courage in the face of struggle. 💛 Healing Stories: How lived experiences like grief, recovery, or identity shape us. 🤝 Real Connection: Why kindness and empathy matter more than quick fixes. 🌿 System & Spirit: Finding balance between institutions and our deeper humanity. 🏡 Community: The power of creating safe spaces where people feel supported. 📚 Beyond the Podcast Alongside the podcast, we also share The Boy Who Wanted to Be Cinderella 🏳️🌈 — a queer fairytale I created for the gay community. It’s a story of courage, love, and being true to yourself, offering representation and hope for those who grew up not seeing their stories reflected in the world around them. authenticitystudio.substack.com (https://authenticitystudio.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

we honour those who lead not through role or recognition, but through essence

Category

education · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

10 Jun 2025

Latest episode

18 Feb 2026

Latest episodes

13 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   18 Feb 2026

   Finding the Shy Kid in the World — One Show at a Time | Michael Sanders After 100+ Shows

   Authentic Leadership Podcast is proud to honour a very special guest in celebration of Pride Month. Michael Sanders’ journey is one of courage and transformation. From a shy child to someone who could walk confidently onto a theatre stage and deliver performances that changed his life, Michael has dedicated himself to the arts with heart and authenticity. With more than 100 productions to his name—spanning acting and directing—Michael has devoted much of his life to theatre and has inspired countless individuals to pursue their talents. In a world where men are often stigmatised for expressing themselves through dance and performance, Michael has stood as a powerful example of self-expression and leadership. Join us for this meaningful conversation at the CentreStage as we celebrate this remarkable human being and his incredible journey. Watch the full episode now. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authenticitystudio.substack.com (https://authenticitystudio.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

2. 

   14 Feb 2026

   Success Was Survival

   What is success? In his journey of recovery from mental health challenges and addiction, Shelwin Khan reminds us that recovery is neither linear nor easy. Sometimes, success is as simple as getting out of bed in the morning — or simply surviving the day. On the Authentic Leadership Podcast, there were no pre-prepared questions. The narrative is driven entirely by the guest, not the host. Listen to the full conversation with Shelwin Khan, hosted by Ivan Yeo (He/Him), now available on YouTube This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authenticitystudio.substack.com (https://authenticitystudio.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

3. 

   22 Sept 2025

   💔✨ A Boy with a Big Red Heart ✨💔

   Sean was once a boy who carried his heart proudly — big, red, and full of innocence. But after years of hurt and rejection, he stitched it back together and hid it away, too afraid to show the world its cracks. Then he met Amory, a florist with a smile that felt like sunlight. Through kindness, laughter, and unconditional love, Amory awakens something Sean thought was lost forever — the power to heal, the courage to love, and the journey back to his true self. This is not just a love story. It’s a story about shame, hope, healing, and discovering that the scars we carry can become part of our beauty. 🌹 Watch the story unfold now on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQOvWyzk2Ndy26HB_idd_PfhZhOhxDY5D This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authenticitystudio.substack.com (https://authenticitystudio.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

4. 

   11 Sept 2025

   Meet the Characters | A Boy Who Wanted to Be a Cinderella (Anime Intro)

   Step into the world of A Boy Who Wanted to Be a Cinderella. In this short anime intro, meet the characters who bring this queer fairytale to life. Each character holds a piece of Ivo’s journey—his courage, his heartbreak, and his dream of love. This series reimagines the classic fairytale through new eyes: what if Cinderella was a boy longing for a prince? Follow along as we introduce the cast that makes this story unforgettable. A Boy Who Wanted To Be A Cinderella (Anime) (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQOvWyzk2NdwPGw3neQrtSESsjJU5t_ms) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authenticitystudio.substack.com (https://authenticitystudio.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

5. 

   28 Aug 2025

   A Boy Who Wanted to Be Cinderella

   This is a retelling of a fairytale I wrote for my younger self — the boy who never dreamed of rescuing a princess, but quietly longed for a prince. A boy who was misunderstood, who spent years trying to find where he belonged in a world that told him to hide.How do you make choices when social pressure demands that you conform? When every “no,” every “you shouldn’t,” every “this is wrong” tries to drown out your truth?This story is about choosing to live authentically — even when it costs everything. It’s about walking through silence, rejection, and loneliness, brushing off the dust of shame, and continuing to walk forward, even when no one else understands the weight you carry.The Boy Who Wanted to Be Cinderella is for every boy who, like me, was told they were wrong for loving differently. For anyone who has ever felt unseen, unheard, or unloved. And for anyone who still dares to dream of love, truth, and belonging. “A Boy Who Wanted to Be Cinderella is the heartfelt story of Ivo — a gentle and courageous young man who dares to dream of true love, even in a world that tells him boys shouldn’t. When he meets George, a kind soul who quietly returns his feelings, Ivo feels hope for the first time. But George, bound by family tradition and expectations, struggles to express what his heart truly feels. Despite loving Ivo deeply, George hides behind duty — until the night of the royal ball, when he is finally confronted by the one person who sees him for who he really is. It’s in this moment that George realises no tradition, no expectation, can replace the ache of a silenced heart. To live authentically and love freely may sound simple, but what happens when the weight of obligation buries the truth? This story explores the quiet bravery it takes to reveal one’s real heart — and the deep yearning to be seen, chosen, and loved for who we are”.If someone you know might be going through something similar, share this story with them. You never know — it might be the light they need to keep going. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authenticitystudio.substack.com (https://authenticitystudio.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

6. 

   9 Aug 2025

   The Story Behind The Boy Who Wanted to Be a Cinderella

   In this video, I share the deeply personal reason why I wrote The Boy Who Wanted to Be a Cinderella. Growing up, I never saw a fairytale about a boy who loved another boy. There were no stories that reflected my dreams, my heart, or my reality. This book is my way of filling that gap—telling a love story that faces societal prejudice and celebrates the courage to be true to yourself. In The Boy Who Wanted to Be a Cinderella, love must rise above social expectations and family obligations. The first step in this journey is owning your love, even in the face of intense pressure. For those living under higher social expectations, the choice is often between authenticity and obligation—a choice I explore through this story. This is Part One of my author’s journey. Watch Chapters One to Three from The Boy Who Wanted to Be a Cinderella on my YouTube channel and join me as I share the heart behind this LGBTQ+ fairytale. Watch Chapters 1–3: Chapter One: Chapter Two: Chapter Three: The Boy Who Wanted to Be a Cinderella, LGBTQ fairytale, queer love story, LGBTQ books, representation matters, own your love, stay true to yourself, gay love story, book inspiration, why I wrote this book, love is love, fairytale for everyone, LGBTQ authors, overcoming prejudice, representation in books, queer representation, gay fairytale, Asian LGBTQ story, love and authenticity, higher social pressure love story. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authenticitystudio.substack.com (https://authenticitystudio.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

7. 

   3 Aug 2025

   What Is Unconditional Love?

   In this heartfelt reflection, I explore what it means to love someone without expecting anything in return. Unconditional love is about presence, acceptance, and showing up for someone—even when it's hard, even when you're not sure how they'll receive it. It’s the kind of love we often long for, yet fear to offer. Vulnerability, courage, and patience are at the heart of it. Sometimes it feels like an ocean—beautiful, vast, and a little overwhelming. I’ve come to see that loving someone unconditionally doesn’t make you weak—it means you’re anchored in strength. You hold space not to fix or change someone, but to honour their truth while staying rooted in your own. 💬 What does unconditional love mean to you? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authenticitystudio.substack.com (https://authenticitystudio.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

8. 

   21 Jul 2025

   A Boy Who Wanted To Be A Cinderella

   The Boy Who Wanted to Be Cinderella" is a heartwarming and magical ten-part story about Ivo, a kind-hearted young man who dreams of finding his prince in a world where such love is unspoken. Growing up in a society that expects him to follow tradition, Ivo struggles with loneliness and self-doubt, longing for a fairytale that mirrors his own heart's desires. One summer, he meets George-a charming and compassionate young man-by the lake, and for the first time, Ivo feels the possibility of love. But as fate would have it, George is bound by duty to marry a woman, leaving Ivo heartbroken and questioning whether he will ever find the love he dreams of. Just as he begins to lose hope, a mysterious blue fairy appears, guiding him through a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and courage. When a grand ball is announced to find the young prince's future wife, Ivo sneaks into the palace, unaware that his final test-and his greatest transformation-awaits. This story is not just about love but about embracing one's true self despite fear, judgment, and societal expectations. With elements of fairytales and reality intertwined, The Boy Who Wanted to Be Cinderella is a tale of hope, identity, and the enduring power of dreams. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authenticitystudio.substack.com (https://authenticitystudio.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

9. 

   2 Jul 2025

   Authenticity Studio

   The host shares their personal journey of being diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and ADHD as an Asian, gay migrant, exploring the pain and longing that makes us human.

10. 

    30 Jun 2025

    Authentic Leadership Podcast

    Gary Sutcliffe shares his journey of turning personal mental health struggles into a force for change in New Zealand's mental health services, emphasizing the importance of lived experience and compassionate care in this interview.

11. 

    12 Jun 2025

    Authenticity Leadership Podcast

    Eva Chen MNZM discusses the core tenets of authentic leadership, offering insights into building trust and fostering genuine connections in professional environments in this interview.

12. 

    12 Jun 2025

    Upcoming Podcast

    Eva Chen MNZM shares her journey from humble beginnings to becoming a recognized leader, highlighting the importance of inner strength and leading from essence, in an interview with the host.

13. 

    10 Jun 2025

    Authenticity Leadership

    Eva Chen MNZM discusses authentic leadership and the unique challenges Asian women leaders encounter while championing their communities in this interview.

Podcast Authority Score: 12 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

24

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.