Tales From The Lane

Welcome to Tales from The Lane—the podcast for high performers who are ready to build a life that's not just impressive on paper, but deeply fulfilling.I'm your host, Kate Kayaian—former professional cellist turned writer, coach, and strategist for people who've already achieved a lot… and are now asking, What's next?Each week, we dive into the mindset, habits, and strategies of high-achieving creatives, entrepreneurs, athletes, and leaders who are committed to playing at the top of their game without burning out, selling out, or slowing down their growth.You'll hear solo episodes packed with insights and tools, candid conversations with industry trailblazers, and the kind of honest talk most successful people don't get to have anywhere else.If you're here to pursue excellence on your terms—to lead, to grow, and to thrive—this is your show.Subscribe to Tales from The Lane and join a global community of high performers building meaningful, sustainable success.

Tales From The Lane is a business podcast hosted by Kate Kayaian, with 126 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Kate Kayaian hosts Tales From The Lane, a business show with 126 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  Episode #126

  Episode 126: What Nature Can Teach Us About How We Work, with Mary Cay Durrant

  Aug 16, 202649 minS3

  This week on Tales from The Lane , I'm joined by speaker, facilitator, and transformational leadership guide Mary Cay Durrant , whose work has touched thousands of senior leaders at more than 100 organizations, including Deloitte, Pepsi, KPMG, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, and Seattle Children's Hospital. Mary Cay spent years succeeding inside the corporate world while privately realizing that something was missing: joy, wonder, and a sense of being fully alive. An unexpected experience with horses changed the way she thought about leadership, work, and transformation and eventually led her to develop her Vibrant W.O.R.K. model , a framework inspired by living systems, neuroscience, and the patterns we see everywhere in nature. In this conversation, we explore: Why successful people can become disconnected from their own sense of aliveness What nature can teach us about careers, change, and letting go Why telling yourself the truth is often the beginning of transformation Mary Cay's four-part Vibrant W.O.R.K. model How to distinguish hard work that's draining you from hard work that's growing you Why relationships matter even more when you're becoming someone new The fascinating transformation of a caterpillar and what its "imaginal cells" can teach us about reinvention Why Mary Cay thinks we should pay more attention to ROE: Return on Energy How wonder, play, curiosity, and experimentation can change the way we experience work And perhaps most importantly, we talk about something that so many mid-career high achievers need to hear: Sometimes transformation really does feel like beating your wings against the inside of a cocoon. You can't see what's waiting on the other side yet. But that doesn't mean the work isn't working. Follow Mary Cay Durrant on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marycaydurrant/ Check out her website: MaryCayDurrant.com Get my book Beyond Potential Interested in a 90-minute Strategy Session ? or DM me "Strategy" Subscribe to my weekly newsletter, The Weekend List Instagram: @kkayaian

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #123

  Episode 125: What Waiting One More Year Really Costs You

  Aug 9, 202634 minS3

  What if waiting one more year to pursue the thing you really want isn't as harmless as it seems? Most people don't consciously give up on their dreams. They postpone them. Work is busy. The timing isn't ideal. The kids need them. The economy feels uncertain. Maybe next year will be better. But one year has a funny way of becoming five. In this episode of Tales from The Lane , Kate explores the hidden costs of postponing the projects, career moves, businesses, books, creative ideas, and life changes that keep calling to us. You'll hear why waiting can make starting harder, how staying in the same role reinforces an identity you may already be outgrowing, and why starting earlier gives your work, skills, relationships, and opportunities more time to compound. Kate also explores one of the most overlooked costs of waiting: you delay the learning that can only happen once your idea enters the real world. As she says in the episode, "Most of the knowledge you need is waiting on the other side of the very action you're putting off." And perhaps most importantly, every year you postpone something that matters, you risk collecting evidence that you're someone who doesn't follow through, even when the real issue has nothing to do with your ability. By the end of the episode, Kate will ask you to imagine yourself one year from now and answer one uncomfortable question: If absolutely nothing has changed, how will you explain that to yourself? Then, she'll help you identify the first step you can take now to make sure next August tells a different story. Ready to stop carrying the same dream into another year? The Creators Leadership Mastermind is designed for people with a meaningful project, goal, or next chapter they're ready to actually follow through on. Book a short call with Kate to learn more and see whether the room is right for you.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #124

  Episode 124:

  Aug 2, 202617 minS3

  Ep. 124: The Projects That Change Your Life Rarely Have Deadlines Why is it so easy to finish work for someone else... but so hard to make progress on the projects that matter most to us? In this episode, I share a story from my years as a freelance musician in Boston. On paper, everything was going well. I had a thriving career, incredible opportunities, and a full calendar. But tucked away in a notebook were dozens of ambitious ideas that never became reality. Then, in March of 2020, one idea finally did. The Virtual Summer Cello Festival changed the course of my career and ultimately led me to coaching, writing Beyond Potential , and hosting this podcast. So what was different? It wasn't talent. It wasn't confidence. It was a deadline. In this episode, we'll explore why the projects that have the greatest potential to transform your career rarely come with built-in accountability—and how you can create the momentum they need. In this episode: Why meaningful projects are almost never assigned to us How urgent work crowds out important work The hidden power of public deadlines How to work backward from your launch date When to move a deadline—and when to keep going anyway Why perfectionism often disguises itself as preparation If you've been carrying around an idea for months—or years—this episode is your invitation to finally begin. Ready to work on your own career-defining project? Applications are now open for the Creators' Leadership Mastermind , where ambitious professionals come together to turn meaningful ideas into reality. Book a conversation with me Learn more about my latest book, Beyond Potential Subscribe to The Weekend List, my weekly newsletter Connect with me on Instagram: @kkayaian

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #123

  Episode 123: Why Smart People Stay Stuck for Years

  Jul 19, 202615 minS3

  Have you ever looked around at your life and thought... "Everything is fine... so why do I feel so stuck?" This week, we're exploring one of the most common challenges I hear from high-achieving professionals. They have successful careers, strong reputations, and lives that look great from the outside, but inside, they can't shake the feeling that they've been standing still. In this episode, we explore why smart, capable people often stay stuck for years, even when they know they're meant for something more. You'll learn: Why success itself can become part of the problem How our identities keep us attached to lives we've outgrown Why doing the same things produces the same thinking The trap of waiting for the "right opportunity" Why momentum always feels awkward at first How embarrassment keeps high achievers from becoming beginners again The role community plays in creating lasting change Three simple things you can do today to start building momentum If you've been telling yourself that next year will be different, this episode is for you. Get my book Beyond Potential Interested in a 90-minute Strategy Session ? or DM me "Strategy" Subscribe to my weekly newsletter, The Weekend List Instagram: @kkayaian

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #122

  Episode 122: What Could Change in the Next 90 Days?

  Jul 6, 202613 minS3

  Most people think planning season happens in January. I disagree. July might be the most powerful planning month of the entire year. By now, we have six months of evidence. We know what's working, what's draining us, and which goals still matter. Instead of waiting for another New Year, this is the perfect time to pause, reflect, and intentionally design the next 90 days. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on my own Q3 plans and sharing exactly how I approach quarterly planning. You'll hear: Why I believe 90 days is the ideal planning horizon My biggest priorities for Q3 How I'm thinking about my coaching business, speaking work, and second book Why I'm intentionally reducing some commitments The surprising power of creating assets for your future self Client stories of people who transformed their businesses, homes, and careers through focused quarterly planning The framework I'll be teaching during my Q3 Retreat Whether you're looking to launch something new, make progress on a long-delayed project, improve your systems, or simply create more intentional momentum, this episode will help you think differently about the next season of your life. Join the Q3 Retreat If you're listening in real time, registration is still open for my Q3 Retreat. Want More? If you're listening later, grab my free Quarterly Retreat Planning Guide and create your own stay-at-home retreat experience. 📚 Beyond Potential: A Guide for Creatives Who Want to Re-Assess, Re-Define, and Re-Ignite Their Careers 🎯 Interested in a 90-Minute Strategy Session? Let's talk. 📩 Subscribe to The Weekend List , my weekly newsletter 📸 Instagram: @kkayaian

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on Tales From The Lane. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.