The Growth Signal

Publicity isn’t just for celebrities - it’s the fastest way to build trust, visibility, and real business growth. Jill Lublin joins Alyssa Nolte to rethink what “getting noticed” means for entrepreneurs today. From local news to podcasts, Jill shows how showing up in the right places can move you from hidden to hired. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn attention into income (or why credibility ma...

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 “Alys...

AI isn’t coming for your job...it’s coming for your busywork. Eric Turney joins Alyssa Nolte to talk about how small businesses can rethink automation, save time, and use AI to do the work that actually matters. Eric shares how his team transformed a 30-year-old company into a tech-driven, customer-focused business without losing the human touch. Alyssa pushes back on the hype, digging into where...

The future of business is still human. Gary Pageau says real growth doesn’t come from AI - it comes from trust, relationships, and connection. Alyssa Nolte sits down with Gary to rethink what “personal” means in a world run by algorithms. Together they explore why the most powerful technology can’t replace the value of showing up, listening, and building something real. If you’ve been wondering ho...

What happens when humans and AI truly work together ? Joanna Zhang believes the future of business depends on it. She joins Alyssa Nolte to rethink how technology and human connection can power growth - without losing empathy, creativity, or heart. Joanna shares how she built a business that blends automation with authenticity, and why the smartest teams of tomorrow will be part human, part AI, an...

Referrals won’t build your business. Rethinking how growth really works. James Donovan says relying on word of mouth and referrals isn’t a strategy - it’s a gamble. Alyssa Nolte digs in with him on what it means to actually own your growth instead of hoping someone else sends it your way. Together they talk about why so many small business owners wear “I’ve never spent a dollar on marketing” like...

Most companies think they know what their customers are buying...but they’re wrong. Sean Shannon joins Alyssa Nolte to rethink what drives real purchase decisions. It’s not your product, your features, or even your pricing. It’s the job your customer is hiring you to do… and most businesses haven’t figured that out yet. Sean shares how understanding this simple idea can change everything - from ho...

AI won’t replace you… it’ll expose you. That’s the bold take from Wes Towers, a designer and marketing strategist who learned firsthand what happens when automation outpaces human connection. Alyssa Nolte and Wes dig into how AI is changing the way we build trust, deliver value, and stay relevant in a world where anyone can “DIY” their way to average. If you’ve ever worried about being replaced by...

Branding isn’t just marketing... it’s your unfair advantage. T. Christian Helms believes that the most powerful brands come from people brave enough to be fully themselves. Alyssa Nolte and T. Christian dig into what it really means to build a brand that feels human, not performative... and how that authenticity can completely change how customers connect with you. If you’ve ever felt pressure to...

What if your LinkedIn profile could work for you... even while you sleep? Al Kushner joins Alyssa Nolte to rethink how AI can help you stand out, attract real opportunities, and build a brand that feels human...not robotic. Whether you’re trying to grow your business, land your next role, or finally get noticed online, this conversation will change how you think about LinkedIn. You’ll learn: How t...

Most founders don’t fail because of bad products… they fail because they never learned how to sell. John Lester joins Alyssa Nolte to rethink what selling really means, and why so many entrepreneurs get it wrong. This episode is for anyone who’s ever said, “I hate sales” or wondered why customers aren’t buying what seems like a great idea. John breaks down how fear, mindset, and blind spots hold b...

Tired of the same copy-paste “professional” posts on LinkedIn? Jason Clark says it’s time to own your weird. In this conversation with Alyssa Nolte, they rethink what it means to show up as your real self in business and why being a little strange might actually be your greatest advantage. Jason shares stories from his wild career path (from rave promoter to agency owner) and how hiding his quirks...

What happens when people start preferring AI over humans? Raj Singh joins Alyssa Nolte to explore a bold idea...that we may soon have more AI friends, coworkers, and companions than human ones. Together, they rethink what it means to build relationships, do meaningful work, and stay relevant in an AI-powered world. This conversation challenges everything we assume about technology, connection, and...

Dannah Vaughan believes the future of customer success depends on something AI can’t replace… human connection. Alyssa Nolte and Dannah rethink what it means to build real relationships in a world obsessed with automation and efficiency. If you’ve ever felt the tension between scaling faster and serving better, this conversation will hit home. Alyssa and Dannah talk about what happens when compani...

What if the way we talk about “scaled customer success” is all wrong? Amy Rath believes we’ve mislabeled a critical function and, by doing so, we’re creating confusion, burnout, and risk for our teams and our customers. Alyssa Nolte digs in to rethink what real customer success should look like and why redefining it could change the future of how companies grow. Amy shares how scaling the wrong wa...

Most companies make the mistake of letting customers set the rules for value. Anthony DeShazor says that’s the fastest way to lose renewals - even when you’re driving real impact. Alyssa Nolte digs in with him on how to rethink value, measure it the right way, and lead customers to see the bigger picture. Anthony shares hard-won lessons from his time as Chief Customer Officer, where improving perf...

Rich Kozak has spent nearly 50 years shaping brands, and his hot take will stop you in your tracks. He says your brand isn’t what you believe it to be - it’s the perception in the minds of the people you most want to impact. Alyssa Nolte sits down with Rich to rethink what branding really means and why most of us have been looking at it the wrong way. This conversation goes beyond logos, colors, a...

Every purchase, from a cup of coffee to a new car, is shaped by emotions first, logic second. Dr. Chris Gray joins Alyssa Nolte to unpack the hidden psychology behind why customers choose and what it means for anyone trying to build stronger relationships. This conversation is a must-listen if you want to rethink how you connect with your buyers. Alyssa brings her own background in psychology and...

Be Different or Be Dead Why blending in will kill your business... and what to do instead. Roy Osing joins Alyssa Nolte to challenge the way we think about customer relationships. He argues that most companies play it safe, repeat the same empty promises, and forget the one thing that truly matters: being different in a way customers actually care about. This isn’t theory. Roy took a startup to a...

Flying Blind with Your Data? Most businesses collect piles of numbers but never know what to do with them. Philippa Gamse calls it “flying blind.” Alyssa Nolte digs in with her to rethink how we use analytics to drive real results. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by dashboards, unsure which numbers matter, or worried you’re missing sales you can’t see... this episode is for you. Philippa shows how...

Ann Carden says the problem isn’t talent - it’s how you show up, price, and position yourself. Alyssa Nolte sits down with Ann to rethink why so many smart, skilled people are overlooked while others with less experience win the market. If you’ve ever felt invisible, underpriced, or unsure how to turn your expertise into the right kind of clients, this conversation will change how you think about...

The customer is in control. The old playbook doesn’t work. Too many companies are still surrendering instead of rethinking how they connect with buyers. Alyssa Nolte sits down with Brandi Starr to talk about why customer expectations have changed, what businesses are getting wrong, and how leaders can take back control without forcing buyers into outdated processes. If you’ve ever wondered why you...

James Mills believes growth doesn’t come from burning out. It comes from smarter systems, better strategy, and rethinking how we use our time. Alyssa Nolte and James dive into what it takes to build real customer relationships in a world that pushes us to be “always on.” This is for anyone trying to grow a business without losing themselves in the grind. Why listen: If you’ve ever felt pressure to...

Most leaders say they care about customers… but their actions tell a different story. Alyssa Nolte sits down with Ryan Rael to dig into the hard truth: many companies operate on assumptions, not real customer insight. They unpack why businesses ignore “lukewarm customers,” how assumptions kill growth, and what it really takes to build a culture that listens. If you’re rethinking how to connect wit...

AI can help brands get off the ground fast. But will it keep customers around? Matt Mullenax believes the answer is no. Retention isn’t about bots or macros...it’s about people. Alyssa Nolte sits down with Matt, founder of Huron, to rethink what keeps customers coming back in a world where everything feels automated. From one-to-one calls to brand voice, Matt shows why the human touch is more than...