Taking Back Monday

Taking Back Monday

by Alyssa Nolte
Business
Season 3

Failure Fireside Chats and Pitch Reps: Two Ideas to Bring Back Taking Back Monday

Hey friend, It's been a minute. Taking Back Monday went quiet because life got busy (the good kind of busy). Client work, my team, all the things with someone chasing me for them. This show didn't have anyone chasing it but me... so it slipped. But I miss it. So I recorded this one on my phone while doing my makeup. No fancy mic. Just me, thinking out loud about where this show could go next. I have two ideas, and both are about entrepreneurship. The first is Failure Fireside Chats. I'd bring on successful founders, but they don't get to tell the shiny version. They tell the real one. What went wrong. When they almost quit. What they learned the hard way. And I want to do these live, so you can be part of the conversation. The second is a pay-it-forward series for people just getting started. You come on, pitch your business in plain words, and we work on it together. Who do you serve? Who don't you serve? What are you really trying to do? If you're not ready to pitch out loud yet, you can listen in and learn right along with them. I also get into why starting a business can feel so lonely, why I "bully" my friends into starting their own, and how my dad cheered me on when I took a big risk on a startup. Now I need your help. Is this a good idea? A dumb idea? Would you come on the show, or do you know someone who should? Tell me what you really think. "Maybe someday" and "maybe never" are fair answers too. Thanks for letting me ramble. I appreciate you. Alyssa LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alyssanolte Substack: alyssanolte.substack.com Website: alyssanolte.com
S3 · E3
Sep 23, 2026
10:33

How Businesses Accidentally Train Customers to Lie

You can’t build great AI on top of bad customer behavior. And sometimes… businesses are the ones creating the behavior. After a frustrating moment in a dentist waiting room, Alyssa unpacks how outdated systems, unnecessary friction, and “required” fields are quietly training customers to give incomplete, inaccurate, or fake information. Because when the process feels like busy work, people stop trying to help you. This Field Note explores the connection between customer experience, operational design, and the future of AI powered businesses. What happens when the systems designed to collect better data are actually making your data worse?
S3 · E2
May 13, 2026
8:24

Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself: Inside the Messy Middle of Building in Public

This is not a rebrand. It is a reset. Alyssa Nolte is changing the direction of Taking Back Monday. What started as conversations about entrepreneurship, leadership, and people strategy is becoming something more raw. Less theory. More action. This next phase pulls you into the messy middle of building a business in real time. If you are tired of polished advice and want to see what it actually looks like to build, pivot, and figure things out as you go, this episode is for you. This is about doing the work, not just talking about it. Alyssa shares why she stepped back, what she realized after clearing her interview backlog, and why now is the time to move from post corporate therapy to real execution. She is still hosting interviews on The Growth Signal, but Taking Back Monday is becoming a behind the scenes look at entrepreneurship in motion. 3 Key Takeaways: Clarity comes when you pause. Clearing the backlog created space to rethink the future of the podcast. Talking about change is not the same as making change. This next chapter is about action, not theory. The messy middle matters. Growth does not happen in highlight reels. It happens in the uncertain in between. If you want to build something meaningful, lead better, and truly take back your Monday, follow along. Resources and Links: alyssanolte.substack.com linkedin.com/in/alyssanolte https://rss.com/podcasts/thegrowthsignal/
S3 · E1
Feb 17, 2026
4:47
Season 2

Why KPIs Break Teams and What Actually Motivates People feat. Tim Townsend

In this episode, Alyssa Nolte talks with Tim Townsend about leadership, motivation, and what actually drives people at work. They dig into why KPIs often fail, how fear shows up inside big organizations, and what gets lost when work becomes impersonal. Why You Should Listen This conversation cuts through corporate theory and gets real about human behavior at work. If you lead teams, work inside large organizations, or feel frustrated by politics and misaligned incentives, this episode gives language and perspective for what you are seeing every day and how to think about it differently. 3 Key Takeaways KPIs can backfire when they reward the wrong behavior and disconnect people from the bigger goal. As teams grow, individual accountability often shrinks unless leaders actively reinforce shared purpose. Personal connection and belief in the work drive better outcomes than measurement alone. People and Resources Mentioned Simon Sinek Kevin McLeod Grand Designs
S2 · E43
Jan 19, 2026
23:57

Rethinking How We Build: Craft, Risk, and Real Collaboration feat. Beau Dromiack

This episode looks at how teams actually build things together... and why so many groups still protect their own turf. Alyssa and Beau talk about architecture, construction, leadership, and how shared risk can transform the way people work. Beau explains why craft, coordination, and empathy matter more than ever, especially as AI begins reshaping technical work. This conversation is worth a listen if you work on any team where silos slow things down. Beau breaks down the real reasons teams clash and offers practical ways to build trust and make collaboration easier. Key takeaways: Better buildings start with better teamwork. You can’t improve outcomes without understanding each person’s risks. Craft matters. When quality drops, trust erodes and silos harden. When craft rises, collaboration gets easier. AI will reshape the profession. Teams that work with shared values and strong coordination will have a major advantage. People and resources mentioned: Norman Foster The Toyota Way The Innovator’s Dilemma Share your thoughts - send us a text It's time to say "goodbye" to the Sunday Scaries.Connect with AlyssaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssanolte/Subscribe to the Taking Back Monday Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7158635254474272768/Follow the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TakingBackMondayPodFollow the show on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takingbackmondaypod
S2 · E41
Dec 8, 2025
24:18

Field Notes: The Comfort Zone That Makes You Less

Bonus
I've lived by "be all in or be all out" for years. Then I realized I was the half-in person I couldn't stand. In this micro episode, I'm reflecting on my recent conversation with Rachel Burr, author of "Butterfly Goo," and something she said that stopped me mid-sentence: "When we choose to stay stuck, it is still a choice." I'm unpacking what that forced me to confront. Why comfort zones aren't neutral. What it means to build your path instead of find it. And what I'm choosing now. For all of my latest posts, musings and more…subscribe to my substack: https://alyssanolte.substack.com/ Share your thoughts - send us a text It's time to say "goodbye" to the Sunday Scaries.Connect with AlyssaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssanolte/Subscribe to the Taking Back Monday Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7158635254474272768/Follow the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TakingBackMondayPodFollow the show on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takingbackmondaypod
Dec 4, 2025
4:41
Season 2

How to Build Black-Belt Leadership Instincts feat. Aslak de Silva

This episode goes deep into what it takes to grow as a leader. Alyssa talks with Aslak de Silva about how lessons from martial arts can shape the way we lead, recover, and build trust with our teams. Aslak shares how he went from world champion fighter to CEO and why the habits he built in the dojo still drive his success today. This is a great listen if you want to lead with intention, handle pressure with more control, and build instincts that help you show up better for your team. 3 takeaways » Leadership instincts come from repetition and feedback, not theory. » Recovery is part of performance. You can’t lead well if you never reset. » Owning your mistakes is the fastest way to rebuild trust and grow your influence. Mentioned Josh Kosnik The Black Belt in Leadership (book) The Black Belt in Leadership podcast Share your thoughts - send us a text It's time to say "goodbye" to the Sunday Scaries.Connect with AlyssaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssanolte/Subscribe to the Taking Back Monday Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7158635254474272768/Follow the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TakingBackMondayPodFollow the show on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takingbackmondaypod
S2 · E40
Dec 1, 2025
21:10

Escaping the Wrong Path and Building the Right One feat. Rachel Burr

Alyssa and Rachel Burr talk about what real transformation looks like, far beyond the feel good quotes online. Rachel shares the story behind her book Butterfly Goo and explains why change often starts the moment you admit you are on the wrong path. This episode is worth a listen if you feel stuck, half committed, or unsure how to take the first step toward something new. Key takeaways Transformation is messy, but the mess is part of the process. You can leave any path, even if you have invested years into it. You build your path by knowing your values, not by waiting for perfect timing. Mentioned Butterfly Goo by Rachel Burr Films to Be Buried With (podcast) Brett Goldstein / Ted Lasso Sesame Street / Muppets butterflygoobook.net Share your thoughts - send us a text It's time to say "goodbye" to the Sunday Scaries.Connect with AlyssaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssanolte/Subscribe to the Taking Back Monday Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7158635254474272768/Follow the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TakingBackMondayPodFollow the show on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takingbackmondaypod
S2 · E39
Nov 24, 2025
25:00

Redefining "Having It All" feat. Mireia Mujika

When Mireia became a mother, everything changed. What started as a struggle to balance work and family became the spark for an entirely new path—one built around authenticity, courage, and redefining what “having it all” really means. In this conversation, Alyssa and Mireia talk about the moment when life forces you to pause and ask, is this really what I want? They share honest stories about identity, motherhood, and how to rebuild a life that fits the person you’ve become—not the one you used to be. Why listen: If you’ve ever felt stuck between who you were and who you’re becoming, this episode will remind you that change isn’t failure—it’s growth. Key takeaways: → “Having it all” only matters if you define what “all” means for you. → Sometimes clarity starts by asking what you don’t want anymore. → Courageous authenticity makes life and leadership lighter, not harder. People and resources mentioned: Stephen Bartlett – Diary of a CEO podcast Bare and Brave – Mireia’s coaching company Share your thoughts - send us a text It's time to say "goodbye" to the Sunday Scaries.Connect with AlyssaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssanolte/Subscribe to the Taking Back Monday Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7158635254474272768/Follow the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TakingBackMondayPodFollow the show on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takingbackmondaypod
S2 · E38
Nov 17, 2025
24:01

Alyssa Likes to Talk (and That’s the Whole Point)

Bonus
When your high school coach tries to sum you up in a few words, "Alyssa likes to talk," it can feel like a punchline. But what if that label was actually the throughline? In this Field Note, Alyssa shares the story behind her umbrella brand, Alyssa Likes to Talk - a home for every conversation, project, and lesson that’s shaped how she builds, leads, and learns. She reflects on: The moment “Alyssa likes to talk” stopped being embarrassing and started making sense Why she’s never fit neatly into one lane (and why that’s the point) How all her worlds (podcasts, consulting, software, and story-gathering) connect through curiosity and conversation This isn’t another podcast. It’s the superfeed where it all comes together. Subscribe on Substack to listen, read, and join the conversation: alyssanolte.substack.com Share your thoughts - send us a text It's time to say "goodbye" to the Sunday Scaries.Connect with AlyssaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssanolte/Subscribe to the Taking Back Monday Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7158635254474272768/Follow the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TakingBackMondayPodFollow the show on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takingbackmondaypod
Nov 10, 2025
4:27
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