Leaders Lane™

Monica Kade

Learn, unlearn, and lead differently. Leaders Lane gives founders and startup minds the tools to think sharper, act faster, and build brands that stand out. Bold ideas, clear takeaways, and real talk—so you can grow a business that actually works. Get access to entrepreneurial powerhouses sharing practical strategies—drenched in leadership wisdom. Each conversation helps you create a business and life with depth, clarity, and impact. I’m your host, Monica Kade—brand strategist and aerobatic pilot. Strap in. It's time for take-off in the Leaders Lane.

  1. Ep 149. Executive Presence Tips: Command The Room & Lead With Confidence | Dr. Laura Sicola

    SEP 1

    Ep 149. Executive Presence Tips: Command The Room & Lead With Confidence | Dr. Laura Sicola

    Struggling to speak with confidence in high-stakes moments? Want to lead meetings, conversations — even your career — with more influence and clarity? In this episode of Leaders Lane, I speak with Dr. Laura Sicola, a global expert in leadership communication and executive presence. Whether you're leading a team, pitching an idea, or stepping into the next level of your career, how you show up verbally and non-verbally matters. Together, we unpack:→ How to command the room — even before you speak→ What it really takes to connect with your audience (clients, teams, execs)→ Why most leaders hit a “linguistic glass ceiling” — and how to break it→ Simple mindset shifts to overcome fear of public speaking→ The three C’s of leadership communication: Command, Connect, Close This conversation is packed with actionable tips, relatable stories, and fresh ways to build your confidence and credibility — so you can stop holding back and start leading with impact. If you’ve ever thought, “I know what I want to say, but I’m not sure how to say it so it lands,” — this one’s for you. 🔗 Stay Connected With Me. Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/leaderslanepodcast  LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/monicakade  Website: http://www.monicakade.com/  Connect with Dr Laura Sicola Laura’s TEDx talk with nearly 7,000,000 views: "Want to Sound like a Leader? Start by Saying Your name Right" Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlaurasicola/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LauraSicola Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlaurasicola/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWri2F_hhGQpMcD97DctJwA LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurasicola CTA -  Get 2 free chapters of my book: https://speakingtoinfluence.com/2free-chapters/ Whole book link: Speaking to Influence: Mastering Your Leadership Voice or listen Speaking to Influence on Audible

    55 min
  2. Ep 148. She Quit Corporate To Lead With Love | Life-Changing Story Of Purpose & Pajamas

    AUG 25

    Ep 148. She Quit Corporate To Lead With Love | Life-Changing Story Of Purpose & Pajamas

    In this episode of Leaders Lane, I sit down with Genevieve Piturro — a woman who walked away from a high-powered TV marketing career and found her true purpose in pajamas. After a life-changing moment and a quiet question from within — “If this is the next 30 years of your life... is this enough?” — Genevieve left corporate life behind to found the Pajama Program, a nonprofit delivering pajamas and books to children in need across America. We talk about what it really means to lead with love, how hard it can be to ask for help, and why listening to your heart voice is often the bravest step of all.  Genevieve shares the four truths of heart-led leadership, and how transformation isn’t always graceful — but always worth it. In our Leaders Lane conversation, Genevieve shared:→ Why she left a “perfect” career to start a nonprofit→ How asking for help became her superpower→ The four truths of leading with love→ And why the world needs heart-led leaders now more than ever! If you’ve ever felt called to something more meaningful, but weren’t sure how to begin — this episode will speak directly to you. 🔗 Stay Connected With Me. Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/leaderslanepodcast  LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/monicakade  Website: http://www.monicakade.com/  CONNECT WITH GENEVIEVE PITURO Website: https://www.genevievepiturro.com/ LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/genevievepiturro/ Substack: https://genevievepiturro.substack.com/?utm_campaign=email-home&r=ti2xu  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GenevievePajama Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genevievepiturro/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@genevievepiturro9950

    39 min
  3. Ep 147. From Military Grit to AI Innovation: Mike Thompson’s Epic Entrepreneur Journey

    AUG 18

    Ep 147. From Military Grit to AI Innovation: Mike Thompson’s Epic Entrepreneur Journey

    From fighter jets to AI-powered learning — and the loss that changed everything. What do survival training, business culture, and AI have in common? That’s what I explored with Mike Thompson — a former military trainer, now CEO of one of America’s fastest-growing companies. Mike’s story is extraordinary. He began in advertising. Trained teams in survival with the Air Force. Became a pilot. Built a tech company revolutionizing workforce learning. But what shaped him most… was losing his son. “Life is precious — and we only get one shot to make it matter.” That loss deepened Mike’s perspective on leadership. It became the lens through which he leads his people, builds culture, and shows up with purpose. In this episode, we talk:→ The painful pivot points that shape who we become→ How quiet reflection fuels clarity and direction→ Why culture will always beat strategy→ What AI means for leadership and learning→ And how to stay human in a high-tech world Whether you're leading a team, navigating personal change, or searching for purpose — this one will stay with you. → Tune in now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube #Leadership #AI #Resilience #GriefToGrowth #PurposeDriven #ModernWorkforce #BusinessCulture From fighter jets to AI-powered learning — and the loss that changed everything. What do survival training, business culture, and AI have in common? That’s what I explored with Mike Thompson — a former military trainer, now CEO of one of America’s fastest-growing companies. Mike’s story is extraordinary. He began in advertising. Trained teams in survival with the Air Force. Became a pilot. Built a tech company revolutionizing workforce learning. But what shaped him most… was losing his son. “Life is precious — and we only get one shot to make it matter.” That loss deepened Mike’s perspective on leadership. It became the lens through which he leads his people, builds culture, and shows up with purpose. In this episode, we talk:→ The painful pivot points that shape who we become→ How quiet reflection fuels clarity and direction→ Why culture will always beat strategy→ What AI means for leadership and learning→ And how to stay human in a high-tech world Whether you're leading a team, navigating personal change, or searching for purpose — this one will stay with you. → Tune in now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube#Leadership #AI #Resilience #GriefToGrowth #PurposeDriven #ModernWorkforce #BusinessCulture 🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬. https://www.youtube.com/@LeadersLanePodcast/?sub_confirmation=1  🔗 Stay Connected With Me. Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/leaderslanepodcast  LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/monicakade  Website: http://www.monicakade.com/ 🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬. https://www.youtube.com/@LeadersLanePodcast/?sub_confirmation=1  🔗 Stay Connected With Me. Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/leaderslanepodcast  LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/monicakade  Website: http://www.monicakade.com/ CONNECT WITH MIKE THOMPSON Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-thompson-9872181/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learner-mobile/

    49 min
  4. AUG 11

    Ep 146. Life-Saving Ocean Tech & Big Wave Surfing Innovation | Dr. Rob Yonover on Shark Tank & DARPA Backed

    What if your boredom was the key to your next big idea? I spoke to a man who’s stood on volcanoes, fought for patents, and invented a device that’s saved lives at sea. Dr. Robert Yonover is a volcanologist, geochemist — and accidental entrepreneur. But his most powerful tool isn’t tech. It’s creativity. You see, he didn’t invent ocean rescue tech because he wanted to be famous. He did it because he survived a harrowing moment where he almost didn’t come home. In our conversation, he reminded me of something important: Boredom is a gateway to invention.And creativity is not just for kids. We talked on: How a brush with death at sea led to a global inventionWhat AI, survival, and kids’ boredom have in commonThe secret to long-game innovation that most quitters missWhy creativity is the ultimate leadership skillThe childhood mindset that even CEOs need to re-learnWhat nature can teach us about solving real-world problemsHow Dr. Yonover’s streamer device saves lives — and why it almost didn’t get made If you’ve ever stared at a blank page, hit a wall, or felt the tug of a crazy idea you’re not sure is worth chasing — this one’s for you. STAY CONNECTED WITH MEInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/leaderslanepodcast LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/monicakade Website: http://www.monicakade.com/ CONNECT WITH DR ROB YONOVER Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/RobYonover LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-robert-yonover-732b84/ Facebook: http://seerescuestreamer.com/ Website: http://seerescuestreamer.com/ → Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and now on YouTube#Leadership #Innovation #Creativity #ProblemSolving #OceanTechnology

    58 min
  5. Ep 145. How to Lead and Handle the Curveballs

    AUG 4

    Ep 145. How to Lead and Handle the Curveballs

    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 comingHow 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 insteadThe communication strategy that kept her sane while her world was falling apartHow 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.

    47 min
  6. Ep 143. How to Listen Like a US Navy Nuclear Submariner

    JUL 21

    Ep 143. How to Listen Like a US Navy Nuclear Submariner

    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 lifeWhy conversations are never just about the topic — they're about identityHow writing became Matt’s personal path to reflection and growthThe problem with trying to "win" in communicationWhy focusing on strengths beats fixing weaknessesHow to use language that actually motivates your teamWhat AI still can’t capture about the human voiceThe ripple effect of leadership on people you may never meetAnd 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

    54 min
5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Learn, unlearn, and lead differently. Leaders Lane gives founders and startup minds the tools to think sharper, act faster, and build brands that stand out. Bold ideas, clear takeaways, and real talk—so you can grow a business that actually works. Get access to entrepreneurial powerhouses sharing practical strategies—drenched in leadership wisdom. Each conversation helps you create a business and life with depth, clarity, and impact. I’m your host, Monica Kade—brand strategist and aerobatic pilot. Strap in. It's time for take-off in the Leaders Lane.