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. 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
  2. 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

  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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

  7. 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
  8. Redefining Success: Choosing Joy Over Burnout feat. Eric Nehrlich

    11/10/2025

    Redefining Success: Choosing Joy Over Burnout feat. Eric Nehrlich

    What happens when the thing you’ve been chasing suddenly doesn’t feel worth it anymore? In this conversation, Alyssa Nolte and Eric Nehrlich unpack the pressure to achieve constantly and the freedom that comes from saying no. Eric shares the story of how working 100-hour weeks at Google led to a total collapse and a life-changing realization: success means nothing if it costs your health, joy, and relationships. Alyssa reflects on her own “mirror moment,” realizing she’d been modeling the same burnout cycle for her kids. This episode is a must-listen if you’ve ever asked yourself, is it worth it? or felt trapped by the pace of your own ambition. Key takeaways:  Saying no is a skill and it’s one that can change your life. Energy audits help you find what fuels you and what drains you. The best leaders set clear expectations and model the balance they want for their teams.Mentioned in this episode:  TooManyTrees.com (Eric’s coaching site) LinkedIn – Eric Nehrlich Google, Apple (referenced in Eric’s story)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

    26 min
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5
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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
    82
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Taking Back Monday
  • Show Website
    Taking Back Monday