Taking Back Monday

Alyssa Nolte
  • 5.0 (11)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Real stories from entrepreneurs about what they're building, why it matters, and how they're reclaiming their work on their own terms.

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

    4D AGO

    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/alyssanoltehttps://rss.com/podcasts/thegrowthsignal/

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

    JAN 19

    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 SinekKevin McLeodGrand Designs

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

    12/08/2025

    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 DilemmaShare 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

    24 min

  4. 12/04/2025 · BONUS

    Field Notes: The Comfort Zone That Makes You Less

    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 Alyssa LinkedIn: 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/@TakingBackMondayPod Follow the show on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takingbackmondaypod

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

    12/01/2025

    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 Alyssa LinkedIn: 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/@TakingBackMondayPod Follow the show on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takingbackmondaypod

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

    11/24/2025

    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 BurrFilms to Be Buried With (podcast)Brett Goldstein / Ted LassoSesame Street / Muppetsbutterflygoobook.netShare your thoughts - send us a text It's time to say "goodbye" to the Sunday Scaries. Connect with Alyssa LinkedIn: 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/@TakingBackMondayPod Follow the show on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takingbackmondaypod

    25 min
  7. Redefining "Having It All" feat. Mireia Mujika

    11/17/2025

    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 Alyssa LinkedIn: 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/@TakingBackMondayPod Follow the show on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takingbackmondaypod

    24 min

  8. 11/10/2025 · BONUS

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

    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 conversationThis 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 Alyssa LinkedIn: 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/@TakingBackMondayPod Follow the show on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takingbackmondaypod

    4 min
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About

Real stories from entrepreneurs about what they're building, why it matters, and how they're reclaiming their work on their own terms.

Information

  • Creator
    Alyssa Nolte
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    83
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Taking Back Monday
  • Show Website
    Taking Back Monday