Disclosed herein are quinoline-based compounds and method for inhibiting CDK8 or CDK19 for the intervention in diseases, disorders, and conditions. The quinoline-based composition comprise substituents at quinoline ring positions 4 and 6, wherein the substituent at position 4 is selected from a substituted or unsubstituted arylalkylamine or a substituted or unsubstituted arylhetrocyclylamine. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the substituted qunioline compositions, methods of inhibiting CDK8 or CDK19, and methods of treating CDK8/19-associated diseases, disorders, or conditions are also disclosed.