In this episode of Taking Back Monday, Alyssa Nolte sits down with Andrea Mohamed, co-founder of Quantum Bloom, to explore what it really takes to build a career, and a company, on your own terms.

From boldly quitting her boss (but not the company) to helping early-career women in STEM navigate systems that weren’t built for them, Andrea shares personal stories and powerful insights on how to lead with courage, clarity, and self-worth. Together, Alyssa and Andrea unpack why women are still waiting to be chosen...and how to stop doing that.

Key Takeaways:

Don’t wait to be picked...own your power. Agency starts when you stop asking for permission.

Courage is contagious. Speaking up and advocating for yourself inspires others to do the same.

True progress means making it easier for those who come next. Leadership means opening doors, not guarding them.

Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:17 Andrea's Origin Story
03:39 Bold Moves and Career Challenges
05:44 Empowering Women in STEM
16:40 Future of Work and Final Thoughts

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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 if the key to better leadership isn’t another tool or framework, but your own nervous system? In this episode of Taking Back Monday, Natalie Alesi unpacks the science behind heart-brain coherence and how leaders can use it to build trust, reduce stress, and create more connected, high-performing teams. We talk about neuroscience in plain English, why consistency matters more than charisma, and how intuitive intelligence can be a strategic advantage in today’s remote world. Whether you're leading a global team or just trying to show up better for the people around you, this conversation will make you think differently about what leadership really requires.

Key Takeaways:

→ The science behind “heart-brain coherence” and why it matters at work
→ How to build trust in a remote, distracted world
→ Why stress isn’t just a feeling, it’s a barrier to innovation and performance

Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:18 Natalie's Origin Story
02:26 Discovering Heart Brain Coherence
03:25 Mind-Body Connection in Leadership
07:26 Building Trust and Authentic Connections
09:42 Remote Work Challenges and Solutions
12:07 Techniques for Heart Brain Coherence
15:44 The Importance of Self-Awareness in Leadership
18:42 Neuroscience and Business Success
25:23 Influential Figures and Resources
27:10 Conclusion and Contact Information

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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 if your customer growth problem isn’t a product issue but a people one?

In this episode, Alyssa Nolte sits down with leadership strategist Charles Browne to unpack why so many organizations chase the wrong customers, build bloated offerings, and burn out their best people in the process. From his early days in martial arts and the Navy’s nuclear program to leading transformational change at Los Alamos, Charles shares how clarity, consistency, and personal values are the real accelerators of growth.

They explore why high-performing teams start with empowered individuals, how to build trust through decision-making frameworks, and what happens when companies forget their core value proposition.

If you’ve ever added more features to justify your price, or overloaded your customers with choices, you need to hear this.

Key Takeaways:

→ Stop jumping to solutions. If you don’t define the real problem, even your best ideas won’t fix it.
→ Empowered teams and clear values create scalable momentum; micromanagement kills it.
→ Your customers don’t want more options...they want clarity, confidence, and connection.

Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction to Charles
00:07 Charles' Origin Story
02:16 Current Roles and Responsibilities
03:39 Common Blind Spots in Leadership
06:57 Defining Leadership Roles
08:50 Customer-Centric Strategies
11:53 Personal Values and Leadership
16:24 Core Values in Organizations
19:29 Micromanagement and Organizational Values
19:42 Customer, Product, and Operations Focus
20:30 Southwest Airlines: A Case Study in Values
22:06 The Importance of Consistency in Leadership
25:33 Aligning Personal and Professional Values
28:40 Serving the Customer with Integrity
30:37 Identifying and Serving Your Ideal Customer
34:26 Final Thoughts and Resources

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 falling holiday decorations, dirty dishes, and single parenthood have in common? For Rebecca Link, they became unexpected metaphors for letting go of perfection, surviving the unimaginable, and rewriting the rules of leadership.

In this episode, Rebecca gets real about grief, toxic positivity, and what it actually takes to rebuild after everything changes. From therapy breakthroughs to the surprising power of delegation, she unpacks the invisible standards we chase and how to finally put them down.

If you've ever felt like you’re failing at an impossible game, this one’s for you.

Key Takeaways:

• Perfection is a myth - especially in grief, parenting, and leadership.
  Letting go of unrealistic expectations (like fixing Santa in the bushes) creates space for what actually matters.
• Delegation isn’t just a productivity tool - it’s a survival skill.
  Sometimes you’re not just offloading tasks, you’re reclaiming mental capacity and teaching others to step up.
• You don’t need to bounce back fast.
  Whether you’re dipping, swimming, or soaking in the “pool” of hard emotions, the magic happens when you stop pretending everything’s fine and start redefining what’s enough.

Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:24 Rebecca's Origin Story
02:24 Navigating Trauma and Toxic Positivity
03:13 Challenges of Motherhood and Work-Life Balance
06:09 Coping with Loss and Redefining Life
14:00 Delegation and Leadership Insights
21:31 Finding Support and Resources
25:11 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

Tom Whalen didn’t set out to be in sales - he just needed a job. Fast forward a few decades, and he’s built his entire career (and even a college course) around it. In this episode, we talk about how modern sales has evolved past cheesy scripts and high-pressure tactics. From building trust with customers to staying human in hybrid teams, Tom shares real stories and practical wisdom on what it means to lead, teach, and sell in today’s world.

Key Takeaways:

• Why reluctant sellers often make the best long-term sales leaders
• How to keep remote and hybrid teams connected through small, intentional rituals
• The real value of AI in sales (hint: it’s not doing your job for you)

Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:21 Tom's Origin Story
04:09 The Evolution of Sales
08:57 Teaching and AI Interests
18:01 Team Dynamics and Remote Work
24:28 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

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