The Growth Signal

Reality bends. Perception sells.Alyssa Nolte and Aviv Ben Or dig into why what people believe often matters more than what is true, and how that shapes the future of customer relationships. If you want to rethink how buyers see your brand, this conversation hits fast and hits deep.Alyssa and Aviv break down why some products win even when they’re not the best, why perception becomes reality, and how small cues shape trust, desire, and action. This episode is perfect for anyone who wants to understand the real forces behind customer behavior.Why listenYou’ll hear simple, clear examples that show how perception drives choice, how brands create meaning, and why customer research needs real conversations, not just surveys.Key takeawaysPerception is powerful… people act on the story they think is true.Strong brands guide decisions with one clear message.Talking to real customers reveals blind spots that data alone cannot.People mentionedRory Sutherland (Ogilvy)

Stop trying to close the deal. Start helping people dream.Sales is changing fast. Buyers can smell pressure a mile away, and they’re done with the old pushy playbook.Alyssa Nolte sits down with Marc Von Musser to rethink what modern selling should feel like. Marc shares how he moved from high-pressure tactics to a service-first model that leads to higher trust, higher conversions, and happier customers. If you want to sell in a way that feels real, human, and effective, this conversation hits home.Why listen: Marc has spent decades in sales leadership, and his track record shows that empathy and honesty are not “soft” skills… they are the new edge.3 TakeawaysPressure kills trust. Service builds it.People buy when they feel safe, seen, and understood.Advocacy beats old-school “closing” every time.Mentioned in this episodeJesse Torres (Fierce Grace)David Thunder (Thunder Training)Tony RobbinsClients on Demand

You are the best kept secret in your business. Here’s how to fix that fast. Alyssa Nolte and Rachel Minion break down why so many consultants stay invisible, stuck in the feast-and-famine cycle, and held back by silence about their own wins. If you want predictable growth, this conversation shows you how to rethink the way you talk about your work and the outcomes you create.Rachel shares a bold truth: people don’t buy your services, they buy the outcome. And if you never tell the story, no one knows you can deliver it. This episode is sharp, practical, and built for anyone who wants clients to find them with less grind and more clarity.Why listen: You’ll walk away with simple steps to make your wins visible, build trust faster, and turn case studies into a growth engine instead of a chore.3 key takeaways: Your client must be the hero of the story, not you. Short, clear case studies beat long PDFs every time. Wins should be part of your process… not something you scramble for later.People & resources mentioned: David Ghiyam (Kabbalah teaching on bringing more light)Rachel Minion – rachelminion.com and Rock Star & Moon

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)