Taking Back Monday

What if the key to better leadership isn’t another tool or framework, but your own nervous system? In this episode of Taking Back Monday, Natalie Alesi unpacks the science behind heart-brain coherence and how leaders can use it to build trust, reduce stress, and create more connected, high-performing teams. We talk about neuroscience in plain English, why consistency matters more than charisma, an...

What if your customer growth problem isn’t a product issue but a people one? In this episode, Alyssa Nolte sits down with leadership strategist Charles Browne to unpack why so many organizations chase the wrong customers, build bloated offerings, and burn out their best people in the process. From his early days in martial arts and the Navy’s nuclear program to leading transformational change at L...

What do falling holiday decorations, dirty dishes, and single parenthood have in common? For Rebecca Link, they became unexpected metaphors for letting go of perfection, surviving the unimaginable, and rewriting the rules of leadership. In this episode, Rebecca gets real about grief, toxic positivity, and what it actually takes to rebuild after everything changes. From therapy breakthroughs to the...

Tom Whalen didn’t set out to be in sales - he just needed a job. Fast forward a few decades, and he’s built his entire career (and even a college course) around it. In this episode, we talk about how modern sales has evolved past cheesy scripts and high-pressure tactics. From building trust with customers to staying human in hybrid teams, Tom shares real stories and practical wisdom on what it mea...

What do immigration law, spiritual awakenings, and Zoom meetings have in common? For Luisa Anderson, they all revealed one truth: we’re not meant to live fragmented lives. In this episode of Taking Back Monday , we talk about what it means to live and work in purpose - not just have purpose at work. From translating legalese for her immigrant community to launching a podcast after the end of a dec...

What does it take to build a workplace people actually want to be part of? Dr. Tajiri Brackens - aka the Workplace Wizard - joins us to unpack the underrated power of soft skills, intentional energy, and relationship-driven leadership. From decades of experience across industries (and a surprisingly brilliant take on The Wiz), Tajiri shares how simplicity, storytelling, and self-awareness can driv...

What do hostage negotiation and leadership have in common? A lot more than you'd think. In this episode of Taking Back Monday, Scott Harvey shares what 20 years in law enforcement taught him about communication, influence, and why good leadership starts with listening - not talking. Whether you’re leading a team, managing tough conversations, or just trying to show your people you give a damn, thi...

In this episode, Pamela Dale and Alyssa Nolte dive into why the dreaded “Sunday Scaries” are just a symptom of a larger problem: a work-life system that values conformity over individual fulfillment. Pamela shares her journey—from teaching ESL in Korea and struggling with self-doubt to building million-dollar funnels and becoming a sought-after coach. The conversation challenges the traditional mi...

In this episode of Taking Back Monday, Alyssa sits down with Bob Mathers—Customer Success coach, keynote speaker, and host of The Growth Mixtape—to talk about what happens when life forces you to rethink work. From personal wake-up calls to the everyday burnout creeping into modern careers, they unpack how to set boundaries, protect your energy, and find meaning in what you do (without losing your...

In this episode of Taking Back Monday, host Alyssa Nolte sits down with transformation strategist Dawn Holly Johnson to unpack why traditional hierarchies are crushing innovation—and what to build instead. With over 20 years of experience across industries, Dawn shares how she helps companies design for value, scale with purpose, and create cultures that don’t just talk about empowerment—they live...

Customer Success isn’t dying—it’s evolving. In this episode of Taking Back Monday, host Alyssa Nolte sits down with Sabina Pons, CEO of Growth Molecules, to explore the shifting role of Customer Success in today’s business landscape. They discuss why Customer Success professionals need to embrace their role as revenue drivers, the power of storytelling in leadership, and how building strong relati...

CS teams are stuck in a cycle of busy work, but what if the real problem isn’t the workload - it’s how they work? Alyssa Nolte and Alex Turkovic break down the one shift that can transform Customer Success: taking control of your workflow. They dive into the power of templatization, leveraging AI for efficiency, and why the best CS pros don’t wait for tools...they build their own. If you’re tired...

You wouldn’t sit at a blackjack table, ignore the odds, and hope for the best—so why do leaders do that with their teams? Employee disengagement, customer churn, and burnout don’t happen overnight. The signs are there… if you’re paying attention. In this episode, Alyssa Nolte and Danielle Roberts break down why companies gamble with their people, customers, and bottom line—and always lose. We’ll c...

For decades, women have been fighting for equality, breaking barriers, and proving they can do it all. But at what cost? In this powerful and eye-opening talk, Angie Besignano dives into the silent epidemic of burnout among high-achievers—why it happens, how it manifests, and what we can do about it. Drawing from her own experiences and years of coaching top executives, Angie explores the unrealis...

In this episode of Taking Back Monday, Alyssa Nolte sits down with Joanne Lockwood to tackle a hard truth...exclusion isn’t just an ethical issue; it’s a business risk. Joanne shares her journey from IT entrepreneur to inclusion advocate, breaking down what leaders think they’re getting right about DEI, and what they’re actually getting wrong. We discuss why performative diversity efforts fail, ho...

What happens when you give everything to a job—only to realize you’re working for a toxic, gaslighting boss? Lindsay White knows this story all too well. After a 20-year corporate career in HR and strategic talent management, she made the bold decision to walk away from a job that was making her miserable. In this episode, we dive into what finally pushed her over the edge, the grief that comes wi...

Is your Sunday ruined by the dread of Monday? In this episode, we’re tackling the Sunday Scaries and transforming them into an opportunity for growth and success. Join Alyssa as she chats with Lori Rogers, founder of PositiveActivity.net, about the science-backed strategies that elevate happiness, productivity, and sales performance. Lori shares her journey of shifting from negativity to abundance...

In this episode of Taking Back Monday, Jean-Pierre Dumas joins Alyssa to unpack the critical connection between employee experience (EX) and customer experience (CX). Jean-Pierre shares powerful stories from his leadership journey, including how a culture in crisis became a thriving, best-in-class team. Discover why your employees are your first—and most important—customers, and how investing in t...

In this episode of Taking Back Monday , Alyssa Nolte sits down with Sarah Ratekin, founder of Happiness is Courage , to explore how optimism and positive psychology can inspire courage, improve workplace culture, and combat the challenges of modern work. From addressing burnout and brain drain to redefining leadership accountability, Sarah shares data-backed insights and actionable strategies for...

Are you stuck in survival mode at work? In this episode of Taking Back Monday, Alyssa Nolte sits down with workplace trauma expert Rob Connelly to explore how professional environments can shape our responses to stress and adversity. Learn how trauma adaptations like fight, flight, freeze, and fawn show up in the workplace and what leaders can do to foster healthier, more productive environments....

In the Season 2 premiere of Taking Back Monday, Alyssa Nolte sits down with Elizabeth Solaru, a trailblazer whose journey spans microbiology, headhunting, and luxury cake artistry. Elizabeth shares her inspiring story of resilience, from cold-calling her way to royal connections to becoming a leading voice in luxury consulting. They explore the evolving meaning of luxury, the power of inclusivity,...

In this episode of Taking Back Monday, Alyssa sits down with career coach and former professional dancer Shaté Hayes to explore what it means to build a life and career that truly lights you up. Shaté shares her journey from the dance floor to the corporate world, uncovering her passion for helping others find alignment in their work and personal lives. Together, they discuss how leaders can creat...

In this episode of *Taking Back Monday*, Alyssa Nolte sits down with Gill Brabner, expert in workplace empathy and founder of Resound Training, to explore the transformative power of compassion in the workplace. Gill shares her ECA model—Empathy, Care, Action—and its role in improving conversations, preventing conflicts, and fostering engaged, high-performing teams. They discuss the connection bet...

In this episode of Taking Back Monday, Alyssa sits down with Sandra Possing, coach and digital nomad, to explore what it takes to thrive by embracing risk and rejecting the conventional 9-to-5. Sandra shares her personal journey of redefining success, ditching the need for perfection, and leaning into failure as a path to growth. Together, they discuss why risk-taking can be a superpower, how to o...

In this Taking Back Monday episode, Alyssa Nolte talks with Dionne Mejer about what it means to sell with integrity in the modern workplace. Dionne introduces her "Sales with Soul" methodology, which prioritizes building real connections and leaving behind the "numbers at all costs" mindset. Alyssa and Dionne dive into the friction that often arises between sales and customer success teams, emphas...