Taking Back Monday

What happens when the thing you’ve been chasing suddenly doesn’t feel worth it anymore?

In this conversation, Alyssa Nolte and Eric Nehrlich unpack the pressure to achieve constantly and the freedom that comes from saying no. Eric shares the story of how working 100-hour weeks at Google led to a total collapse and a life-changing realization: success means nothing if it costs your health, joy, and relationships. Alyssa reflects on her own “mirror moment,” realizing she’d been modeling the same burnout cycle for her kids.

This episode is a must-listen if you’ve ever asked yourself, is it worth it? or felt trapped by the pace of your own ambition.

Key takeaways:

•  Saying no is a skill and it’s one that can change your life.
•  Energy audits help you find what fuels you and what drains you.
•  The best leaders set clear expectations and model the balance they want for their teams.

Mentioned in this episode:

•  TooManyTrees.com (Eric’s coaching site)
•  LinkedIn – Eric Nehrlich
•  Google, Apple (referenced in Eric’s story)

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

When Alyssa sat down with Dr. Munira Zahabi, known as The Niche Navigator, the conversation quickly turned to one of the hardest lessons for any entrepreneur - you can’t be everything to everyone.

Munira shares how her own career twists led her to help others uncover their unique “nucleus” - the core of who they are and what they’re meant to do. Together, Alyssa and Munira unpack how knowing your niche doesn’t limit you; it sets you free to grow stronger roots and stand taller in your lane.

Why listen:
If you’ve ever struggled to define what you want to be known for (or felt pulled in too many directions) this episode will help you focus, simplify, and rediscover what makes you different.

Key takeaways:

•  Finding your niche starts with curiosity, pay attention to what energizes you most.
•  Your story is your superpower, learning to tell it clearly builds connection and credibility.
•  Growth happens when you stay in your lane long enough to be recognized for it.

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

In this episode, Alyssa sits down with Dr. Dee Trudeau Poskas to talk about how understanding your triggers can change the way you lead. They explore what happens in your brain when you’re under stress, how language shapes influence, and why self-awareness is the secret to better communication at work.

It’s a conversation about the science behind calm, confident leadership and how small language shifts can transform your team culture.

Why you should listen:
If you’ve ever walked away from a meeting thinking “I wish I’d handled that better,” this episode will help you understand why. Dr. Dee breaks down how to rewire your reactions, build trust through communication, and lead with presence instead of pressure.

3 Key Takeaways:
» Triggers aren’t bad - they’re clues that help you understand yourself and lead others with empathy.
» Changing your words changes your brain. Language can calm tension, build trust, and create influence.
» Great leaders don’t avoid emotion - they learn to use awareness and compassion to drive better results.

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

When Alan Lazaros says passion isn’t enough, he means it. In this conversation, Alyssa and Alan dive deep into what it really takes to live a meaningful life, not just a busy or successful one. From near-death experiences to redefining what work should look like, Alan shares how he turned pain into purpose and why the key to fulfillment isn’t chasing what you love... it’s building a life around meaning.

If you’ve ever wondered how to chase big goals without losing yourself, this episode will hit home. Alyssa and Alan get real about what success actually costs and how to make sure it’s worth it.

Listen for:

•  Why “follow your passion” can set you up for failure
•  How to find meaning in your work even when it’s hard
•  The truth about health, wealth, and love—and why balance isn’t the goal

Alan also mentions The Top Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware, a book that changed his life and inspired his mission to help others reach their potential.

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

In this episode, Alyssa sits down with Angie Callen, a self-described “recovering engineer who loves people,” to talk about the pressure we all feel to define ourselves by what we do instead of who we are. Angie shares how she walked away from a traditional career path to build a life and business that align with her real values. Together, they unpack what authenticity actually means and why it’s okay to admit that your priorities don’t always fit society’s version of success.

This conversation is equal parts inspiring and grounding...a reminder that fulfillment isn’t found in a job title, it’s found in knowing yourself.

Why listen:
If you’ve ever felt stuck in a career that doesn’t fit or wondered who you are outside of work, this one will hit home. Alyssa and Angie explore how to design a career (and a life) that feels true to you.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. You are not your title - identity comes from who you are, not what you do.
2. Core values are your roadmap for building a more authentic life.
3. Change starts with one small action… you don’t have to stay stuck.

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 if leadership isn’t something you’re born with? In this episode, Alyssa sits down with Jen Silva Boucher to explore why leadership is a skill you can learn, practice, and grow.

Jen shares her own origin story of moving from individual contributor to people leader, the struggles of being a first-time manager, and how she built For the Middle Academy to support others in the same place. Alyssa and Jen talk openly about the mindset shifts, the importance of communication, and why middle managers are often the most overlooked but most important leaders inside a company.

This conversation will challenge how you think about leadership and leave you with practical ideas you can use right away.

3 key takeaways:

1. Leadership is not a personality trait — it’s a set of skills that can be developed.
2. Middle managers need resources and support just as much as executives and individual contributors.
3. Great leaders adapt to their teams instead of expecting teams to adapt to them.

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 happens when the dream career you built turns into the very thing that drains your joy? In this episode, Alyssa talks with Renee Murphy about leaving behind a successful career in fashion to find peace, purpose, and a new passion in science and sustainability.

This is a powerful conversation about knowing when it’s time to let go, how to tell the difference between excitement and peace, and why creativity doesn’t disappear just because you change industries.

Why listen: If you’ve ever wondered what it really means to follow your passion (or struggled with giving up something others see as “success”) this conversation will give you clarity and courage.

Key Takeaways

1. Passion that brings peace is different from passion that only excites—peace is lasting.
2. Success without joy isn’t real success—it’s okay to walk away when it no longer serves you.
3. Creativity follows you into any field—you don’t lose it when you pivot, you just apply it differently.

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

In this episode of Taking Back Monday, Alyssa sits down with Lori Baker to talk about language, belonging, and the hidden barriers people face at work. Lori went from engineer to English teacher for international professionals, and her story shows how much language shapes confidence and inclusion.

This conversation is a reminder that work isn’t just about skills on paper. It’s about how we communicate, connect, and make space for people to bring their full selves into the workplace.

Why listen: If you’ve ever worked across cultures, led a team, or wanted to create a more welcoming workplace, this episode gives you practical insight into why language matters and how empathy changes everything.

3 key takeaways:
» Language shapes how people are seen at work… and it doesn’t always match their true expertise.
» Belonging requires more than translation… it’s about cultural awareness and empathy.
» Success looks different for everyone… the American dream is personal, not one-size-fits-all.

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

Alyssa sits down with Dr. Apollo Emeka for a powerful conversation about the choices that shape our lives. Apollo shares his journey from high school dropout to Green Beret, FBI agent, entrepreneur, and coach. Together, they explore why big decisions (not habits) are the true turning points. This episode will challenge how you think about discipline, shortcuts, and creating the life you want.

Why listen?
If you’ve ever felt stuck chasing habits or grinding through routines that don’t get you closer to your goals, this conversation will give you a new lens. Alyssa and Apollo show how changing your decisions and your environment can shift everything.

Key Takeaways

•  Big decisions change your trajectory...habits only optimize it.
•  You can create environments that make discipline easier, instead of forcing willpower.
•  A clear decision gives you criteria to avoid distractions and stay focused on what really matters.

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

In this episode of Taking Back Monday, Alyssa sits down with Dr. Erin Wilson, co-author of Strategic Rest in Leadership. Together they dive into why rest isn’t a luxury...it’s a leadership strategy. From Erin’s own story of burnout to her framework for “strategic rest,” this conversation challenges the way you think about hustle culture, success, and what it means to truly show up as your best self.

If you’ve ever felt the pressure to do more, be more, and stay “busy” just to keep up, this episode will help you reframe. It’s not about working harder, it’s about working smarter and resting better.

Why Listen
This episode gives you permission to pause, rethink what “busy” really means, and see how rest can fuel your ambition instead of slowing it down. Alyssa and Erin share real stories, practical tips, and a refreshing take on leadership in today’s world.

3 Key Takeaways

• Booked, not busy: Why great leaders don’t glorify hustle—they value outcomes and balance.
• Rest is strategy: Pauses and rest days aren’t wasted time, they are fuel for long-term success.
• Small steps matter: Start with micro-pauses and one protected boundary to build a healthier rhythm.

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