The Growth Signal

Most leaders say they care about customers… but their actions tell a different story.Alyssa Nolte sits down with Ryan Rael to dig into the hard truth: many companies operate on assumptions, not real customer insight. They unpack why businesses ignore “lukewarm customers,” how assumptions kill growth, and what it really takes to build a culture that listens. If you’re rethinking how to connect with your customers before churn surprises you, this is worth the listen.What you’ll take away:Why most leaders don’t act like customer experience really mattersHow to spot and learn from your “lukewarm” customers before it’s too lateSimple ways to turn feedback into action so customers know you actually care

AI can help brands get off the ground fast. But will it keep customers around? Matt Mullenax believes the answer is no. Retention isn’t about bots or macros...it’s about people.Alyssa Nolte sits down with Matt, founder of Huron, to rethink what keeps customers coming back in a world where everything feels automated. From one-to-one calls to brand voice, Matt shows why the human touch is more than nice to have, it’s the real competitive edge.Why listen: If you’re building a brand, scaling a startup, or fighting churn, this conversation will make you stop and ask - are you leaning too hard on AI and losing the human element your customers crave?Key takeaways:AI can build a brand, but retention depends on real human connectionCustomers remember personal interactions more than marketing metricsClear personas and life-stage moments are powerful drivers of loyalty

What if the secret to growth isn’t more tools or trends, but simply believing in people?That’s the hot take Nicky Billou brings to his conversation with Alyssa Nolte. Together they explore how faith, generosity, and human connection shape business in ways no marketing tactic can. If you’re rethinking how to build customer relationships that last, this episode will challenge and inspire you.Why listen: Nicky’s story - fleeing Iran as a child, learning from an extraordinary father, and now coaching entrepreneurs - shows why belief in people isn’t soft advice. It’s the most powerful strategy for business. Alyssa brings her own lens as a founder to test, question, and connect these lessons back to today’s market.3 key takeaways:Believing in people is more powerful than any marketing trick or growth hackTrue generosity (giving without expecting payback) creates loyalty and opportunitySales done with conviction and care is an act of service, not pressure

Sales is broken and most people hate it. Nikita Vakhrushev says the real problem isn’t the pitch, it’s the experience. When buyers are ready to say yes, salespeople still stall, fumble, or disappear. Alyssa Nolte digs in with Nikita on why the art of sales is dying and what it takes to bring it back.This conversation will challenge how you think about sales, urgency, and customer trust. If you’ve ever been frustrated by slow deals or missed opportunities, this one will hit home.Why listen? Because rethinking sales is key to rethinking the future of customer relationships.3 Key Takeaways:Time kills all deals...urgency matters more than everSaying “no” can build more trust than saying “yes” to the wrong clientCustomers want ease, make it simple for them to give you money

Small businesses are fighting to survive and customers may be making it harder.Kristen Corral shares why today’s consumers hold small business owners to impossible standards, and Alyssa Nolte explores how that pressure is reshaping customer relationships. Together, they rethink what it means to support local businesses in a world of instant reviews, social media callouts, and big-brand expectations.Why listen?If you’ve ever wondered why small business feels tougher than ever, this conversation will open your eyes. Kristen has built multiple restaurants and knows firsthand how customer behavior has shifted since the pandemic.Alyssa brings her own stories of leading and coaching through change, connecting the dots to how all of us build stronger customer relationships.3 key takeaways:Customers now expect small businesses to deliver like big corporations...without the resources.Negative reviews and online backlash can crush visibility and morale faster than ever.Transparency, community ties, and authentic storytelling are the best defenses.This is a must-listen for anyone rethinking how we show up for customers and how customers show up for us.

Burnout isn’t a personal failure...it’s a system problem. Alyssa Nolte and Lynn Colepaugh challenge the myth that long hours and hustle prove success. Instead, they rethink what really causes burnout and why fixing systems, not blaming people, is the key to healthier work and stronger results.This episode makes the case for smarter ways to work, from reducing decision fatigue to using AI as a true partner. If you’ve ever felt stuck in the grind or questioned whether hustle culture is worth it, you’ll want to listen in.3 Key Takeaways:Hustle culture rewards busyness, but real progress comes from focusing on quality over hours.Burnout drops when you simplify systems, delegate, and cut unnecessary tasks.AI can be your best “intern,” helping with research, personalization, and freeing time for high-value work.

Sales doesn’t have to feel slimy. What if selling could feel like serving? Alyssa Nolte and Brooke Greening rethink how we approach sales so it builds trust instead of breaking it.Brooke shares her hot take: sales is not a “necessary evil.” It can be one of the best ways to serve customers and grow a business...when done with care. Alyssa opens up about her own journey from “accidental seller” to someone who sees sales as listening, problem-solving, and building real relationships.If you’ve ever felt the ick factor in sales, this conversation will help you see another way.Why listen: You’ll walk away with a simple framework and mindset shift that can change how you or your team approach sales conversations.3 Key TakeawaysSales is not the problem; manipulation is. Done right, sales is about service.A clear sales process helps your team stay authentic and confident.The wrong customer costs more than lost revenue...it drains energy, focus, and brand trust.

AI is moving faster than anyone expected. You can either stand back and watch, or jump in and start creating. Ken Cox and Alyssa Nolte rethink what it means to live, work, and build in a world where the tools of the future are already in your hands.Ken’s hot take: now is the time to play. Whether it’s music, film, code, or art...AI has lowered the barrier to entry so far that the only thing holding you back is fear.Why listen?If you’ve been waiting for the “right moment” to test AI, this conversation will push you off the sidelines. Ken and Alyssa talk about the urgency of experimenting now, the trap of waiting too long, and how fearless curiosity can open doors you didn’t even know were possible.3 Key Takeaways:Fearless experimentation with AI is the fastest path to growth and creativity.Big, bloated systems are dying - the future is in niche, specific tools.Your edge won’t come from waiting, it will come from playing and rethinking what’s possible.--Connect with Alyssa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssanolte/Follow the Podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-growth-signal/--Tools I Use (May Contain Affiliate Links)Host on RSS.comEdit in DescriptRecord in StreamyardCreate on CanvaFinds Guests on Podmatch

Think you need a perfect plan before becoming a consultant? Think again.Dave Seaton believes anybody with the right skill and the will to push through can build a thriving consulting business. But it’s not easy. Alyssa and Dave dig into the real ups and downs, from dry spells to big wins, and the mindset shifts that make all the difference.If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to go independent (or if you’re already consulting but struggling to grow), this episode gives you real numbers, hard lessons, and practical steps you can use right now.3 Key Takeaways:Will + Skill = Success: Expertise matters, but grit and persistence matter just as much.Mindset Wins: Overcoming self-doubt and staying resilient is the hardest and most important skill.Build the Pipeline: Success comes from consistent outreach and learning how to win the work, not just do the work.--Connect with Alyssa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssanolte/Follow the Podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-growth-signal/--Tools I Use (May Contain Affiliate Links)Host on RSS.comEdit in DescriptRecord in StreamyardCreate on CanvaFinds Guests on Podmatch

In this episode of The Growth Signal, Alyssa Nolte sits down with Lynn Whitbeck, known as the Joyful Sales Queen, to talk about an unconventional truth: start high when it comes to pricing.You see, too many people believe they need a cheap offer to get people in the door, but Lynn explains why that can actually hurt you in the long run. Together, Alyssa and Lynn break down how to use pricing bias, give customers the right choices, and prove value early so renewals become easy.This is a conversation full of practical strategies that work in any business...whether you sell one-on-one services or enterprise programs.Why listen: If you’ve ever struggled with how to price, how much to share, or how to keep customers saying “yes,” this episode will help you rethink your approach.3 Key Takeaways:Anchor your pricing high - it’s easier to slide down than climb up.Always give three clear options (good, better, best) to let customers self-select.Prove value early so renewals happen naturally, without pressure.--Connect with Alyssa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssanolte/Follow the Podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-growth-signal/--Tools I Use (May Contain Affiliate Links)Host on RSS.comEdit in DescriptRecord in StreamyardCreate on CanvaFinds Guests on Podmatch