What do immigration law, spiritual awakenings, and Zoom meetings have in common? For Luisa Anderson, they all revealed one truth: we’re not meant to live fragmented lives. In this episode of Taking Back Monday, we talk about what it means to live and work in purpose - not just have purpose at work.

From translating legalese for her immigrant community to launching a podcast after the end of a decade-long marriage, Luisa shares how she stopped compartmentalizing and started living as a whole-ass person. No more splitting yourself between work-you and real-you. It’s all one life - and it deserves to be a meaningful one.

Key Takeaways:

→ Finding your “why” is meaningless until you feel it in your bones—purpose is lived, not borrowed.
→ Great leadership is translation: bridging not just language gaps, but cultural and emotional ones.
→ Remote work makes connection harder, but more important—don’t let convenience kill humanity.

Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:16 Luisa's Origin Story
01:31 Challenges of Legal Translation
05:17 Finding Purpose in Work
07:42 The Importance of Communication in Leadership
09:42 Work from Home Dynamics
13:20 Louisa's Career Shift and Spiritual Awakening
16:46 Living a Purposeful Life
20:46 Closing Thoughts and Farewell

Share your thoughts - send us a text

It's time to say "goodbye" to the Sunday Scaries.

Connect with Alyssa
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssanolte/
Subscribe to the Taking Back Monday Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7158635254474272768/
Follow the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TakingBackMondayPod
Follow the show on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takingbackmondaypod

What does it take to build a workplace people actually want to be part of? Dr. Tajiri Brackens - aka the Workplace Wizard - joins us to unpack the underrated power of soft skills, intentional energy, and relationship-driven leadership. From decades of experience across industries (and a surprisingly brilliant take on The Wiz), Tajiri shares how simplicity, storytelling, and self-awareness can drive real results inside organizations.

Key Takeaways:

→ Why relationships, not just results, are the secret to retention and performance
→ How to identify personality styles using candy (yes, candy!) to manage teams better
→ What it means to be an energy giver and how to spot when you're not

Key Moments

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:42 The Origin Story
01:21 The Power of Relationships in the Workplace
06:17 The Workplace Wizard Concept
07:49 Simplifying Leadership and Training
10:41 Challenges in Organizational Change
15:37 Energy Management and Team Dynamics
19:11 Candy and Personality Types
22:31 Influential People and Resources
25:31 Conclusion and How to Connect

Share your thoughts - send us a text

It's time to say "goodbye" to the Sunday Scaries.

Connect with Alyssa
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssanolte/
Subscribe to the Taking Back Monday Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7158635254474272768/
Follow the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TakingBackMondayPod
Follow the show on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takingbackmondaypod

What do hostage negotiation and leadership have in common? A lot more than you'd think. In this episode of Taking Back Monday, Scott Harvey shares what 20 years in law enforcement taught him about communication, influence, and why good leadership starts with listening - not talking.

Whether you’re leading a team, managing tough conversations, or just trying to show your people you give a damn, this episode is packed with practical advice and powerful storytelling.

3 Key Takeaways:
→ Silence without rapport feels like you don’t care, why trust is built long before it’s tested.
→ The best leaders talk less and ask better questions, influence comes from listening, not lecturing.
→ Feedback is a gift (when delivered with care), uncomfortable conversations are the most generous thing a leader can do.

Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:14 Scott's Origin Story
00:31 Lessons from Law Enforcement
02:02 The Power of Communication
05:49 Leadership and Listening
17:37 Building Rapport in Remote Work
25:36 Conclusion and Contact Information

Share your thoughts - send us a text

It's time to say "goodbye" to the Sunday Scaries.

Connect with Alyssa
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssanolte/
Subscribe to the Taking Back Monday Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7158635254474272768/
Follow the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TakingBackMondayPod
Follow the show on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takingbackmondaypod