Picture this: You're crushing it in business. Your leadership skills are on point. You're the person everyone comes to when sh*t hits the fan. 

Then your phone rings with news that changes everything—and suddenly, you're the one who needs to lead yourself through the unthinkable.

That's exactly what happened to executive coach Joelle Kaufman. 

One minute she's teaching CEOs how to handle their worst days, the next she's staring down a cancer diagnosis thinking, "Am I gonna die?"

But here's where it gets interesting for us entrepreneurs...

Instead of falling apart, Joelle did something brilliant. 

She applied every leadership principle she'd been teaching to her own crisis.

And what she discovered will change how you think about running your business—and your life.

We dive deep into:

• The "Curveball Method"—why most entrepreneurs get blindsided by challenges they should see coming
• How to build a support team that actually shows up (hint: it's not who you think)
• Why "I've got this" mentality will kill you—and what successful leaders do instead
• The communication strategy that kept her sane while her world was falling apart
• How practicing leadership when things are good saves your ass when they're not

Joelle gets brutally honest about the moment she realised she wasn't just coaching leadership—she was about to live it.

If you're the person everyone depends on but you're not sure who's got your back when you need it most... This one's going to hit home hard.

CONNECT WITH MONICA KADE

Follow on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/monicakadeWebsite – www.monicakade.comLeaders Lane on YouTube – youtube.com/channel/UCmMz5gF55YIizWH_pJJxiowInstagram – www.instagram.com/leaderslanepodcast

CONNECT WITH JOELLE KAUFMAN

Follow on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/joellekaufman
Instagram — www.instagram.com/gritgrowthresilience

Grab the FREE TRAINING: It's based on over 50 years of research and applies across industries and roles.

15-minute free training to change how you approach your careers and work. 

Phil Portman had the six-figure job. The respect. The routine.

But somewhere between morning meetings and endless emails, he realised:

He was succeeding at a life he didn’t want.

In this episode, we dig into what no one talks about:
How success—when misaligned—can be its own kind of failure.

We talk about:

• The identity crisis that hit after Phil “made it”
• Why building a business just to escape a job will still leave you empty
• The lie productivity sells us about purpose and freedom
• And what it really takes to take your time, energy, and life back

Phil shares how he rebuilt his relationship with ambition, rewrote his story, and created a framework for success that includes his family, his freedom—and himself.

If you’re grinding your way to a version of success that feels more draining than fulfilling…
This conversation will hit home.

Now live on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.

CONNECT WITH MONICA KADE

Follow on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/monicakadeWebsite – www.monicakade.comLeaders Lane on YouTube – youtube.com/channel/UCmMz5gF55YIizWH_pJJxiowInstagram – www.instagram.com/leaderslanepodcast

CONNECT WITH PHIL PORTMAN

Follow on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/philportman/
Twitter — https://x.com/philportman 
Website — https://philportman.com/YouTube – youtube.com/@mjdigeronimoBuy Phil’s book:   https://a.co/d/11hVist

I didn’t expect a conversation about submarines to change how I think about leadership — but that’s exactly what happened.

Matt DiGeronimo spent years submerged beneath the surface as a nuclear submarine officer in the US Navy.

Tight quarters. High stakes. Zero room for ego.
Now, he brings that same level of clarity and pressure-tested insight into his work as a writer, executive, and leadership voice.

In this conversation, Matt and I talk about what leadership really looks like when you strip away the buzzwords.

We explore how identity, communication, and motivation show up under pressure — and how the words we choose (and how we use them) matter more than we think.

Inside the episode:

• The surprising leadership lessons from submarine life
• Why conversations are never just about the topic — they're about identity
• How writing became Matt’s personal path to reflection and growth
• The problem with trying to "win" in communication
• Why focusing on strengths beats fixing weaknesses
• How to use language that actually motivates your team
• What AI still can’t capture about the human voice
• The ripple effect of leadership on people you may never meet
• And why authenticity is still the most underrated leadership skill

If you’ve ever wanted to be a better leader, communicator, or writer — this is the conversation to start with.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and now on YouTube.

CONNECT WITH MONICA KADE

Follow on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/monicakadeWebsite – www.monicakade.comLeaders Lane on YouTube – youtube.com/channel/UCmMz5gF55YIizWH_pJJxiowInstagram – www.instagram.com/leaderslanepodcast

CONNECT WITH MATT DIGERONIMO

Follow on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjdigeronimo/
Substack — beyondplatitudes.substack.comYouTube – youtube.com/@mjdigeronimo

Buy Matt’s books:  https://www.amazon.com/stores/Matt-DiGeronimo/author/B08YWZ6CYZ

I invited branding expert Versaviya Despars onto Leaders Lane because she’s one of the few creatives who doesn’t just make things look good—she makes them work. 

Her story starts where many of ours do: with rejection.

She didn’t land her dream job.

So she built her own studio instead.

We talked about that pivotal moment, and how it taught her the most important skill in branding: saying one clear thing, and saying it well.
Versaviya shares how she helps founders go from:

1. overwhelmed to razor-sharp in their messaging, 2. why great design is never just about how it looks, 3. and how the rhythm of music shapes memorable storytelling.

We also dive into the brutal truth most people avoid:If your audience is confused, they’re gone.

This is a conversation about storytelling, editing, ownership—and learning to “kill your darlings” for the sake of clarity, connection, and growth.

What we covered:

• Turning rejection into creative freedom
• Why most brands try to say too much—and lose everyone
• How storytelling shapes perception
• The connection between music, rhythm, and brand recall
• Why simplicity is your superpower
• Editing your message (and ego)
• Making design and copy say the same thing
• The psychology of layout and visual hierarchy

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify + YouTube.

CONNECT WITH MONICA KADE

Follow on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/monicakadeWebsite – www.monicakade.comLeaders Lane on YouTube – youtube.com/channel/UCmMz5gF55YIizWH_pJJxiowInstagram – www.instagram.com/leaderslanepodcast

CONNECT WITH VERSAVIYA DESPARS

Follow on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/versaviya-despars/
Website — https://www.pivotbranding.co/ 

What if your biggest wins don’t follow the timeline you imagined?

In this episode of Leaders Lane, I chat with Connor Treacy — a cultural strategist and entrepreneur whose story proves that success rarely shows up on schedule, but often in ways you never saw coming.

At just 19, Connor orchestrated a “Project X”–style party that caught national media attention — a wild event that became the launchpad into LA’s elite circles. 

By 24, he co-founded OffSunset, a West Hollywood nightclub that pulled in $4M+ in its first year, drawing the attention of A-list celebrities and major industry players.

But Connor’s path wasn’t as polished as his résumé.

We dive into:

• How letting go of rigid timelines opened him up to game-changing opportunities
• The emotional weight of family expectations on young founders
• What it’s really like working at Universal Music Group on Grammy-winning albums
• Why getting sober changed everything — his focus, relationships, and leadership style
• The balance of instinct vs. strategy when you're building something that doesn’t yet exist
• What it takes to succeed in nightlife, music, and media — industries where hype is high and burnout is real

Connor's story is gritty, refreshing, and a must-listen if you’ve ever questioned whether you’re “on time.”

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and now on YouTube.

CONNECT WITH MONICA KADE

Follow on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/monicakadeWebsite – www.monicakade.comLeaders Lane on YouTube – youtube.com/channel/UCmMz5gF55YIizWH_pJJxiowInstagram – www.instagram.com/leaderslanepodcast

CONNECT WITH CONNOR TREACY

Follow on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/connortreacy/
Website — https://connortreacy.com/
Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/theconnortreacy

What happens when the business takes off faster than you expected—but the weight of success feels just as heavy as failure?

In this episode of Leaders Lane, I chat with Mia Plecic, founder of Slick Hair, whose viral growth story during the pandemic made headlines… but what followed rarely gets talked about.

Mia built a beauty brand in lockdown, scaled it through TikTok, landed in retail stores, and created a cult following in record time. But behind the growth? Pressure. Loneliness. Decision fatigue. And a hard-won lesson: you can’t do it all—and you shouldn’t try to.

This conversation is honest, real, and a must-listen for any e-comm or beauty brand founder navigating high growth and high expectations.

Together, we dive into:

• Going viral on TikTok—and how to turn buzz into real business
• Why community isn’t a marketing tool, it’s a survival mechanism
• How motherhood reshaped Mia’s approach to leadership
• The pressure to "have it all" and what it really costs
• Retail wins, team building, and what founders don’t say out loud

This episode won’t just motivate you—it’ll make you pause and reconsider how you’re building.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.

CONNECT WITH MONICA KADE

Follow on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/monicakadeWebsite – www.monicakade.com
Leaders Lane on YouTube – youtube.com/channel/UCmMz5gF55YIizWH_pJJxiow
Instagram – www.instagram.com/leaderslanepodcast

CONNECT WITH MIA PLECIC

Follow on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/miaplecic/
SLICKHAIR — https://slickhair.com/
Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/slickhairco
TikTok — https://www.tiktok.com/@slickhairco
Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/slickhairco 

When I sat down with Larry Namer, co-founder of E! Entertainment Television, I didn’t expect to walk away with a masterclass in reinvention, resilience, and real leadership.

Larry grew up in Coney Island, fixing cables and dreaming big—but he didn’t just climb the ladder. He rebuilt the whole thing.

This is the story of how a kid from Brooklyn helped launch one of the most iconic media brands in the world. How he pushed through rejection, broke rules (and rewrote a few), and used curiosity, creativity, and collaboration to turn a wild idea into a global phenomenon.

We talk about:

1. Reinventing your career (more than once)
2. Staying sharp through curiosity + collaboration
3. Why negotiation is the #1 leadership skill
4. And how balance keeps your brilliance alive

Larry’s story is a reminder: You don’t need to play by the rules to change the game.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to shape culture, lead with heart, or start over without losing yourself—this one’s for you.

CONNECT WITH MONICA KADE

Follow on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/monicakade
Website – www.monicakade.com
Leaders Lane on YouTube – youtube.com/channel/UCmMz5gF55YIizWH_pJJxiow
Instagram – www.instagram.com/leaderslanepodcast

CONNECT WITH LARRY NAMER

Follow on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-namer/
Buy Larry’s book, Offscript: https://a.co/d/7A09GXP 

What happens when your identity is so wrapped up in your job title… and then everything shifts?

In this episode of Leaders Lane, I chat with Melissa Cohen, who left behind a high-flying fashion career and found herself rebuilding from scratch—on LinkedIn of all places.

We dive into:

• Why your headline really matters
• The balance between being personal and professional online
• How commenting (yes, commenting!) can grow your brand
• And why engagement beats going viral—every time

As a LinkedIn Top Voice, Melissa doesn’t just talk about building a personal brand—she lives it. 

So, if you’re at a career crossroad …
If your job title just took an undesirable plunge into the abyss

If LinkedIn feels like a mystery or your content's getting crickets, this one’s for you.

👉 Tune in on Spotify, Apple—and now YouTube.

CONNECT WITH MONICA KADE

Follow on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/monicakadeWebsite – www.monicakade.com
Leaders Lane on YouTube – youtube.com/channel/UCmMz5gF55YIizWH_pJJxiow
Instagram – www.instagram.com/leaderslanepodcast

CONNECT WITH MELISSA COHEN

Follow on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-beth-cohen/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/melissabethcohen/
Buy Melissa’s book: https://a.co/d/1J8ztQ1

Building Better: How Lil McAvaney is Changing the Clean Beauty Game.

What happens when you stop waiting for perfect conditions—and just start?

In this episode of Leaders Lane, I chat with Lil McAvaney, founder of Summer Skin, a clean and conscious self-tanning and skincare brand rewriting the rules of beauty.

Lil shares the raw, behind-the-scenes reality of bringing products to life—from spending over a year formulating a natural deodorant to building a supportive community that shapes what she creates.

We dive into what it really takes to be a founder today:
→ Why involving your community leads to better launches
→ The pressure of being a present parent and a business owner
→ What it means to stay hands-on and trust the slow build
→ And how to adapt your vision when things don’t go to plan

This episode is packed with insights on product development, branding, and staying grounded in your values—even when the journey takes unexpected turns.

🎧 Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch on YouTube. Just search Leaders Lane.

CONNECT WITH MONICA KADE

Follow on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/monicakade

Website – www.monicakade.com

Leaders Lane on YouTube – youtube.com/channel/UCmMz5gF55YIizWH_pJJxiow

Instagram – www.instagram.com/leaderslanepodcast

CONNECT WITH LIL MCAVANEY

Follow on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/lil-mcavaney
Website – https://summerskinau.com/ 
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/summerskinau/ 

What do elevator sales, the United Nations, and authentic leadership have in common?

In this episode of Leaders Lane, I sit down with Erin Herman—keynote speaker, consultant, and all-round powerhouse—to explore the often messy, yet incredibly human side of leadership.

We talk about what happens when we ditch perfection, lean into resistance (instead of running from it), and start leading with purpose, not ego.

Erin shares what it really looks like to go from corporate suits to global impact—and how courage, empathy, and growth aren't just buzzwords, but tools for real change.

This one’s for the leaders tired of the façade—who want to make space for vulnerability, voice, and bold growth.

In this episode, we unpack:✨ Why resistance is actually an invitation✨ How confidence is built in the doing—not just the knowing✨ The courage to lead with empathy✨ The real reason groupthink can damage teams✨ And how reconnecting to purpose reinvigorates not just people—but whole organisations

Ready to create real impact—and get a little uncomfortable in the process?

Tune in!

CONNECT WITH MONICA KADE

Follow on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/monicakade

Website – www.monicakade.com

Leaders Lane on YouTube – youtube.com/channel/UCmMz5gF55YIizWH_pJJxiow

Instagram – www.instagram.com/leaderslanepodcast

CONNECT WITH ERIN HERMAN

Follow on LinkedIn –  https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-herman-97832217/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/erin.beaton.18/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@_erin111?lang=en

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/eebherm