The Growth Signal

The future of business is still human. Gary Pageau says real growth doesn’t come from AI - it comes from trust, relationships, and connection.Alyssa Nolte sits down with Gary to rethink what “personal” means in a world run by algorithms. Together they explore why the most powerful technology can’t replace the value of showing up, listening, and building something real.If you’ve been wondering how to keep your business human in an AI-driven world, this conversation will make you pause and think about what customers actually want.Key takeaways:Technology can make work faster, but it can’t replace trust.Human connection is becoming a premium experience and people will pay for it.The best businesses double down on authenticity, not automation.Whether you’re a creator, entrepreneur, or leader, this episode will help you see how staying personal can still be your biggest competitive edge.

What happens when humans and AI truly work together? Joanna Zhang believes the future of business depends on it. She joins Alyssa Nolte to rethink how technology and human connection can power growth - without losing empathy, creativity, or heart.Joanna shares how she built a business that blends automation with authenticity, and why the smartest teams of tomorrow will be part human, part AI, and all heart. This conversation is for anyone feeling overwhelmed by technology and wondering how to bring more balance, purpose, and joy back into their work.Why you should listen: Joanna and Alyssa explore how to build hybrid teams where AI boosts efficiency and people stay inspired. It’s a fresh look at leadership, burnout, and the future of work.Key takeaways:You can’t automate a broken process...AI only works when your systems and people are aligned.Overusing AI without human touch leads to overwhelm, not efficiency.Great leadership means balancing compassion with boundaries, whether you’re managing people or machines.If you’re rethinking how humans and AI can grow together, this episode will get you inspired and grounded.

Referrals won’t build your business. Rethinking how growth really works.James Donovan says relying on word of mouth and referrals isn’t a strategy - it’s a gamble. Alyssa Nolte digs in with him on what it means to actually own your growth instead of hoping someone else sends it your way. Together they talk about why so many small business owners wear “I’ve never spent a dollar on marketing” like a badge of honor—and how that mindset keeps them stuck.If you’ve ever felt proud of building on referrals or nervous to spend money on ads, this one will challenge how you think about growth and control.You’ll learn: Why referrals should be your backup plan, not your growth planHow to choose the right marketing channel for your business (without wasting money)What realistic results from paid ads actually look like

Most companies think they know what their customers are buying...but they’re wrong. Sean Shannon joins Alyssa Nolte to rethink what drives real purchase decisions. It’s not your product, your features, or even your pricing. It’s the job your customer is hiring you to do… and most businesses haven’t figured that out yet.Sean shares how understanding this simple idea can change everything - from how you market and sell to how you build loyalty that lasts. Alyssa and Sean go deep on why emotional connection matters as much as results, and how to make your customers the hero of your story.Why listen: If you’ve ever wondered why “great products” still lose deals (or how to make your brand one people actually choose), this episode will flip your perspective.Key takeaways:Customers don’t buy products, they “hire” them to solve a job in their lives.Emotional connection and trust are as important as results when driving loyalty.To grow, you must step outside your own story and see your brand through your customer’s eyes.

AI won’t replace you… it’ll expose you. That’s the bold take from Wes Towers, a designer and marketing strategist who learned firsthand what happens when automation outpaces human connection. Alyssa Nolte and Wes dig into how AI is changing the way we build trust, deliver value, and stay relevant in a world where anyone can “DIY” their way to average.If you’ve ever worried about being replaced by technology, this episode will make you rethink what actually makes you irreplaceable.Why listen: Wes shares how a painful business valuation forced him to rebuild around relationships, not just results. Alyssa connects that lesson to the real tension leaders feel as AI takes over routine work and how to double down on what machines can’t do.3 Key Takeaways:AI won’t replace you, but it will expose where your real value lies.When automation peaks, relationships become your competitive edge.The future of SEO (and every business) is about being found through conversations, not keywords.Guest: Wes TowersHost: Alyssa NolteRethinking the future of customer relationships.

Branding isn’t just marketing... it’s your unfair advantage.T. Christian Helms believes that the most powerful brands come from people brave enough to be fully themselves. Alyssa Nolte and T. Christian dig into what it really means to build a brand that feels human, not performative... and how that authenticity can completely change how customers connect with you.If you’ve ever felt pressure to “curate” a personal brand that doesn’t feel real, this one’s for you. It’s about rethinking branding as a mirror of who you are, not a mask you wear.3 Takeaways:Authentic brands win because they feel human... people can spot fake a mile away.Your audience isn’t everyone. Knowing who you don’t serve is just as important.Great brands start with self-awareness and honesty, not logos or taglines.A must-listen for founders, creators, and anyone rethinking the future of customer relationships.

What if your LinkedIn profile could work for you... even while you sleep? Al Kushner joins Alyssa Nolte to rethink how AI can help you stand out, attract real opportunities, and build a brand that feels human...not robotic.Whether you’re trying to grow your business, land your next role, or finally get noticed online, this conversation will change how you think about LinkedIn.You’ll learn: How to use AI tools to optimize your profile without losing your authentic voiceWhy authenticity (not automation) is the real secret to thought leadershipA simple approach to grow your reach and connect with people who actually matterRethink your personal brand. Rethink your approach to social selling. Rethink what’s possible with AI.

Most founders don’t fail because of bad products… they fail because they never learned how to sell. John Lester joins Alyssa Nolte to rethink what selling really means, and why so many entrepreneurs get it wrong.This episode is for anyone who’s ever said, “I hate sales” or wondered why customers aren’t buying what seems like a great idea. John breaks down how fear, mindset, and blind spots hold business owners back, and how to turn selling into helping.Why listen: Because sales isn’t about being pushy. It’s about understanding people, solving problems, and learning to see your own blind spots before they cost you growth.Key takeaways:Sales isn’t something you do to someone - it’s something you do for them.Most founders love their product more than the problem they solve. Flip that.Fear, fog, and friction stop growth… but self-awareness starts it again.Tune in to rethink what sales really means...and how to finally get what you want from your business.

Tired of the same copy-paste “professional” posts on LinkedIn? Jason Clark says it’s time to own your weird. In this conversation with Alyssa Nolte, they rethink what it means to show up as your real self in business and why being a little strange might actually be your greatest advantage.Jason shares stories from his wild career path (from rave promoter to agency owner) and how hiding his quirks once held him back. Alyssa opens up about her own fear of letting her “freak flag fly” online and how authenticity builds real trust faster than any algorithm ever could.Why listen: If you’ve ever felt pressure to fit in or post the “right” kind of content, this episode will help you rethink how to connect, sell, and lead in a more human way.Key takeaways: Authenticity builds stronger customer relationships than polished perfection. Joy attracts opportunity—talk about what lights you up.The right people will connect with the real you (and the wrong ones will self-select out).

What happens when people start preferring AI over humans? Raj Singh joins Alyssa Nolte to explore a bold idea...that we may soon have more AI friends, coworkers, and companions than human ones. Together, they rethink what it means to build relationships, do meaningful work, and stay relevant in an AI-powered world.This conversation challenges everything we assume about technology, connection, and the future of work. If you’ve ever wondered how AI will change not just business, but being human, this one’s for you.Why listen: Raj is a serial entrepreneur and AI expert at Mozilla. Alyssa brings the human perspective of a founder trying to navigate these changes in real time. Together, they break down what it means to lead, adapt, and thrive as the world shifts.Key takeaways:Why people are starting to prefer AI interactions over human ones and what that says about usHow to become a “Super IC” and use AI to boost your productivity and creativityWhat leaders can do right now to turn their companies into “Super Orgs” built for the future