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.

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 plan
• How 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 Towers

Host: Alyssa Nolte

Rethinking 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 voice
• Why authenticity (not automation) is the real secret to thought leadership
• A simple approach to grow your reach and connect with people who actually matter

Rethink your personal brand. Rethink your approach to social selling. Rethink what’s possible with AI.