The Growth Signal

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

AI can speed you up, but it can’t replace real human connection.Craig Andrews joins Alyssa Nolte to rethink why customer relationships break when companies hand them to AI. Craig’s hot take is sharp and a little uncomfortable, and it sparks a real conversation about what AI can do and what it absolutely cannot touch. If you care about trust, sales, or customer experience, this one hits fast.Craig shares stories from his life, his work, and even his time recovering from a coma. Alyssa reacts in real time. Together they pull apart the myth that AI can deliver human warmth, surprise, or delight. This is a reset for anyone who wants AI in their workflow without losing what makes your brand feel alive.Why listen:You’ll walk away rethinking how you sell, how you market, and how you build real relationships in a world that wants shortcuts.3 key takeaways:AI can scale tasks, but it cannot create the surprise and delight that drive real trust.Companies risk sounding identical because their AI tools all draw from the same playbook.Human stories, emotion, and context still win in sales, service, and branding.Resources mentioned:William Attaway and the Catalytic Leadership podcastCraig’s books: Hope That Won’t Die and Make Sales MagicalCraig’s site and free course: allies4me.com/fto23

Customer success owning a revenue number is a bold move. Amber Monroe argues it is the only move.Her take challenges the old line between sales and success, and it forces a rethink of how growth really happens.Amber Monroe joins Alyssa Nolte for a direct, practical talk on what it takes for CS teams to drive revenue without feeling like sales, how incentives change behavior, and why culture matters more than any playbook. If you lead a CS team, work with one, or rely on one to hit your number, this conversation will hit home.Key takeaways» Why customer success teams are often closer to real revenue signals than sales» How to train CS teams to sell without feeling pushy or “salesy”» What happens when CS and sales share incentives and stop fighting for creditPeople and resources mentionedCy Wakeman, “Reality-Based Leadership”Aspireship (sales and CS training)

When everyone else is chasing the next big AI breakthrough, Alison Dixon says the real advantage comes from something much simpler - being human. She joins Alyssa Nolte to talk about why smaller companies actually have the upper hand right now and how “doing the basics well” can set you apart in a world obsessed with automation.This conversation will make you rethink what customer experience really means in the age of AI.3 Key Takeaways: » Big companies are rushing to use AI, but it’s often making their customer experience worse, not better. » Small businesses can win by staying personal, responsive, and focused on real human connection.» The smartest use of AI is giving customers choice - when to use automation and when to reach a person.Mentioned in this episode: Cal Newport – author of Deep Work and Digital MinimalismWherever you’re rethinking the future of customer relationships, this one will remind you why people still matter most.

What if the best salespeople aren’t really selling at all? Joe Candido says true sales success starts with leadership - not quotas. Alyssa Nolte and Joe rethink what it means to sell, lead, and build trust in a world where closing fast often matters more than doing what’s right for the customer.Joe shares why leadership culture drives every good sales outcome, how incentives shape behavior, and why putting the customer first always wins in the long run. Alyssa brings her own experience from years of customer research and dives into the gap between what companies say they value and what they actually reward.Listen if you want to:See how leadership and culture shape the way your team sellsRethink how compensation plans can create or kill collaborationLearn how aligning vision, values, and incentives can build real customer trustMentioned in this episode:– Leadership Selling by Joe Candido– John Chambers (former Cisco CEO)– The New York Yankees example on culture and alignment– Disney’s “make people happy” vision

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 matters more than clicks), this one’s worth a listen.You’ll learn:Why publicity is more powerful (and affordable) than paid adsHow to turn visibility into real business resultsSimple steps to build relationships with local media and producersRethink what visibility means for your brand and how being seen the right way can help you get paid for what you do best.Resources & People Mentioned: Rhea AllenJumpstart Your Publicity: https://jilllublin.com/guide

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

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 AI helps, where it still hallucinates, and how to start small without getting overwhelmed.Why listen: This conversation will change how you think about AI, efficiency, and what it really means to grow smarter...not just faster.Key takeaways: AI isn’t replacing people, it’s freeing them up for more meaningful work. Start simple: one automation can save hours every week.The future belongs to businesses that combine human creativity with smart systems.