The Growth Signal

AI is not a shortcut. It will not fix broken systems or replace real human trust. Alyssa Nolte and Dusty Gulleson dig into why so many leaders get this wrong, and what it really takes to build a customer relationship that lasts.This episode is for you if you’re trying to use AI to speed things up, clean things up, or automate the “hard parts” of customer work... and it’s not working. Dusty challenges the idea that AI can replace people, and Alyssa pushes on what leaders miss when they rush into new tools without fixing the core problems first.Why listen? You’ll walk away rethinking what tech can and cannot do for your team, your sales cycles, and your customer experience.Key takeaways:AI works best when it supports people, not when it replaces them.Most companies collect too much data and act on almost none of it.Real growth comes from clear processes and strong relationships, not new tools.People and resources mentioned: Tracy Barrett, Navigate the Journey The Paradox of Choice (book)

Autonomous AI? Not even close. Chris Hood joins Alyssa Nolte to break down why “agentic AI” is more hype than truth and what it really means for teams trying to serve real customers. If you care about rethinking the future of customer relationships, this conversation hits hard and clears the fog.Alyssa and Chris talk about the big claims companies make, why true autonomy isn’t here, and how sloppy AI use can actually push customers away. This is a sharp, practical look at what AI can do right now... and what it absolutely cannot.Why listen: You’ll walk away clearer, smarter, and far less likely to fall for the next shiny promise about “fully autonomous” systems. Chris pushes back on the hype. Alyssa brings real-world customer insight. Together they show what leaders are missing.3 key takeaways: Most “autonomous” AI is just automation with better marketing.Companies risk real harm when they force AI on customers without choice. Customer centricity is a mindset, not a buzzword, and most teams don’t truly have it.Mentioned: Gary Marra Discover Card’s “talk to a human” positioning Taco Bell and Chick-fil-A checkout experiences Chris Hood’s site: chrishood.com

Alyssa Nolte and Melih Oztalay rethink what it takes to lead in a world that never slows down.Change moves fast. Most teams can’t keep up. Alyssa Nolte and Melih Oztalay break down why the speed of innovation is overwhelming even early adopters, and what leaders can do to stay grounded while everything shifts around them. If you’re trying to make smart choices about new tech, AI, or customer needs without burning out, this conversation will help you rethink your approach.Why listen: Melih shares a clear way to decide which changes matter, which you can ignore, and how to avoid fear-based leadership that slows companies down. Alyssa brings it back to real customer relationships and the choices teams make every day.Key takeaways:The rate of change is past human capacity, so leaders need a simple way to evaluate new ideas.Fear-based leadership slows companies down and hurts customer trust.AI is a tool for smarter decisions, not a shortcut. You still need the right foundation.People and resources mentioned: Jeffrey Moore’s “Crossing the Chasm” Neil Patel Google Hummingbird algorithm AI agents and generative AI tools

Learn how to show up as a real human behind the screen and build trust in a world where so much connection happens through Zoom. Alyssa Nolte and Russell Van Brocklen rethink what it means to make people feel seen, even when you’re miles apart.Alyssa and Russell break down why most digital communication falls flat and what actually creates connection. Russell shares the method he uses to help people show up with clarity, confidence, and a sense of self that cuts through the noise. If you work with customers, sell, or lead online, this will rewire how you think about presence.Why you should listen: this conversation shows how simple tweaks can help you connect in a more human way, deepen relationships, and make your message stick.Key takeaways» Universal themes make connection easier and more authentic» Real preparation builds trust and sets you apart from everyone else» Confidence grows when you know the feeling you want your customer to haveResources mentionedPeter ZeihanOvercoming Dyslexia by Dr. Sally ShaywitzBloom Energy Drink (crisp apple)dyslexiaclasses.com

Your customer experience isn't about your customer. It's about you. Demo videos behind form fills. Sales stages built for your forecast calls. Onboarding is designed for your analytics. Renewals focused on proving your value instead of delivering theirs.In this mini field notes episode, I break down how the entire organization is guilty of "Me-X"...customer experience that's really just self-serving strategy in disguise. From marketing's gated content to sales processes to CS renewals, we're designing for internal metrics while missing what customers actually need to choose us.Your customer chose you. Did you deserve it?Subscribe to my Substack for more: alyssanolte.substack.com

The digital world is loud. Your customers are drowning in content. Alyssa Nolte and Mark Stern break down why physical experiences cut through the noise.Mark argues that digital distrust is growing fast. People question what they see online, and most brands look the same. His take is simple but bold… the most underrated way to stand out is to add something real and tactile back into your customer journey. Touch, sight, sound… real-world signals that your brand is worth their trust.This conversation is all about rethinking how we build customer relationships. If you’ve felt the squeeze of sameness in your market, you’ll walk away with practical ways to use physical moments to create clarity, momentum, and loyalty.Why listen Alyssa Nolte and Mark Stern show how physical products help customers stay engaged, take action, and feel connected. They also explain how small, smart touches can fix the biggest gaps in onboarding, retention, and customer trust.3 key takeaways » Digital distrust is rising fast. Real objects build real trust. » Physical tools remove friction and help customers get results sooner. » You don’t need swag… you need a journey that feels human and easy to follow.People and resources mentioned Dan Martel Joey Coleman Marisa Ro P90X / Beachbody 57hats.com customboxagency.com

Most business owners think they have a sales problem. They actually have a message that no longer fits the stage of business they’re in. Alyssa Nolte and M. Shannon Hernandez break down why your message is the real engine behind trust, relevance, and revenue... and what happens when it stops landing.This episode is for anyone rethinking their customer relationships, rebuilding their brand, or trying to figure out why the things that used to work just don’t anymore.Why listenShannon gives a clear, honest look at why conversion problems are rarely about conversion. They’re about communication. She explains how to spot a message that has gone stale, how to rebuild it, and why authenticity beats every tactic built on fake urgency or manufactured hype.3 Key Takeaways» If your message doesn’t match your current stage of growth, nothing else works.» Most “conversion problems” are actually messaging problems. Your message is leaking trust.» AI can help you polish, but it cannot revive a dead message. Your point of view and lived story still matter most.MentionedAlicia KeysJoyful Business RevolutionProfit Driven Messaging Ecosystem (Shannon’s resource)

Most authors don’t realize they’re paying twice for their own book. Alyssa Nolte sits down with Michele DeFilippo to rethink what real self-publishing should look like and why so many authors fall into costly traps without even knowing it.Michele has been in publishing for more than 50 years, and she breaks down the truth behind hybrid models, print-on-demand myths, and why “just write a good book” is not a marketing strategy. If you’re dreaming about writing a book, building your brand, or using a book to grow your business, this episode shows you how to avoid the expensive mistakes that sink most first-time authors.Why listen: This conversation gives a simple, honest look at how publishing really works. Alyssa and Michele explain how to protect your rights, keep control, and publish a book that actually helps your business, not hurts it.Key Takeaways: » Real self-publishing means you keep control and the revenue. Many “hybrid” deals do not. » A book will not sell itself. You need a clear audience and a message that solves a real problem. » A pro-level cover, edit, and interior design are not optional if you want readers to trust you.Mentioned in this episode: 1106Design.com KDP.com IngramSpark.com “Publish Like the Pros” (Michele’s free book)

The web looks fine on the surface, but falls apart under the hood.Matt Dorman joins Alyssa Nolte to unpack why so many sites feel like they’re held together with duct tape and what it takes to build something stable, fast, and easy to maintain. If your site loads slow, breaks when you update it, or feels messy after years of “just add this one thing,” this episode will feel uncomfortably familiar in the best way.Matt explains why teams keep patching their sites instead of fixing the real issues, and Alyssa pushes on how this hurts trust, first impressions, and the full customer journey. Together they rethink what a modern website should do for your brand and why clean systems matter more than flashy design.Key takeawaysA slow or broken site is killing trust before a customer ever fills out a formMost “bad” websites come from small changes stacked over time without a holistic checkYou can stop the duct tape cycle by reviewing your whole site each time you add new featuresPeople and resources mentionedMatt Dorman on LinkedInNDEVR.io

Sales teams miss deals because they treat every call like a gamble. Jonny Holsten says the fix is simple: rethink the sales call as a clean, repeatable system that works every time. Alyssa Nolte sits down with Jonny to break down why most close rates stall and what to do about it.If you want sales that feel predictable, not chaotic, this conversation will hit hard.Why listen: Jonny shows how structure can beat luck, how to escape “bluebird thinking,” and how to turn every call into a clear path forward.Key takeaways:Most reps run calls with no plan, which leads to luck instead of resultsA simple process can boost close rates and cut wasted timeScoring each call helps you see real progress and know when a deal is donePeople and resources mentioned:Scott GallowayStoryBrandBridge SellingThe Missing Sales Metric by Jonny Holsten