The Two Piers Podcast

Two Piers Consulting

The Two Piers Podcast is focused on discussions of workplace culture and inclusion, as well as providing tools and resources for individuals. We tackle the underlying systemic issues, while also giving the support needed in the short term for those facing challenging work environments. 

  1. 2일 전

    Equity Is Not a Dirty Word: A Conversation with Celeste Warren

    Episode Summary In this episode of The Two Piers Podcast, host Erica D’Eramo sits down with Celeste Warren, a diversity and inclusion consultant with nearly 40 years of experience and former Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Merck. Together, they unpack one of the most misunderstood concepts in the modern workplace — equity. Celeste explains why equity isn’t about preferential treatment but about removing systemic barriers that prevent fair access to opportunity. Through powerful stories and practical examples, she and Erica explore how equity strengthens leadership, improves business outcomes, and helps organizations reach their full potential. 🔍 Topics Covered The real difference between equality and equity — and why it mattersCommon myths and misconceptions about fairness and meritocracyHow systemic barriers like racism and sexism undermine team performanceWhat skills-based hiring looks like in practiceThe role of shame, defensiveness, and dialogue in advancing inclusionHow effective leaders create equitable, high-performing teamsWhy SHRM’s recent decision to de-emphasize equity is a step backwardThe business and human case for embracing equity as a leadership imperative🧭 Key Takeaways Equity is not a dirty word — it’s the foundation of good leadership and sound business strategy.Leaders must understand that identical treatment isn’t fairness; equitable systems recognize and address different starting points.Conversations about equity work best when they’re grounded in data, empathy, and curiosity, not shame or fear.Organizations that commit to equity see stronger engagement, innovation, and performance.👤 About Celeste Warren Celeste Warren is a globally recognized diversity and inclusion strategist and the former Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Merck. With a career spanning nearly four decades, she has been a leading voice in transforming organizational culture through equity, empathy, and leadership accountability. Celeste is also the author of How to Be a Diversity and Inclusion Ambassador and a sought-after speaker and consultant. To learn more about Celeste Warren’s work, visit her website, follow her on LinkedIn, or check out her book, “The Truth About Equity.”

    43분
  2. 10월 2일

    Building Bridges Through Communication: A Conversation with Maria Gallucci

    Episode Title: Raised in Silence: Bridging Communities with Maria Gallucci In this episode of the Two Piers Podcast, host Erica D’Eramo sits down with Maria Gallucci, a multi-award-winning Colorado Real Estate Broker, author, and lifelong advocate for inclusive communication and accessible housing. Maria shares her story of growing up with deaf parents, her role as an “unofficial interpreter,” and how those early experiences shaped her mission to ensure that everyone feels accepted, valued, and included. Together, Erica and Maria explore the importance of empathy, the misconceptions that persist about the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, and the everyday actions that foster connection. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why empathy and effort matter more than perfection when it comes to communication.The social framework of disability, and how context can include—or exclude—people.How universal design benefits everyone, not just those with disabilities.The role of technology, from apps to voice-to-text tools, in bridging communication gaps.Common myths about the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community (including lip reading).Practical ways to build bridges: choosing curiosity over judgment, small inclusive gestures, and respecting cultural identity.Maria also introduces her book, Raised in Silence, which offers practical tips and real stories for anyone looking to communicate more effectively across differences. Resources and Links Mentioned in This Episode: Maria’s book: Raised in Silence Maria’s real estate practice: http://www.Galluccihomes.com 👉 Listen in for an inspiring and practical conversation about compassion, communication, and the simple choices we can all make to create a more inclusive world.

    32분
  3. 9월 18일

    Why Delegation Matters: A Conversation on Administrative Support with Erika Pherson

    In this episode of the Two Piers Podcast, host Erica D’Eramo sits down with Erika Pherson, Founder and CEO of The Collective Concierge, to explore why administrative support is essential for professional success. Erika shares her journey from “doing it all” to building a company that helps entrepreneurs and executives streamline their workloads through high-level administrative support, process optimization, and project management. Together, Erica and Erika unpack the challenges of asking for help, the value of delegation, and the systems that make it work. Listeners will learn practical strategies for identifying which tasks to delegate, building trust with support professionals, and finding the right match to maximize productivity. Erika also explains how effective support goes beyond task execution to provide thought partnership and fresh perspectives. Key Takeaways: Why leaders struggle with delegation—and how to overcome itA simple framework for evaluating which tasks to delegateHow systems and regular communication create trust and efficiencyThe importance of chemistry in professional support relationshipsHow thought partnership can elevate decision-making and strategyResources & Links: Learn more about The Collective Concierge: www.thecollectiveconcierge.com  Instagram: the_collective_concierge🎧 Listen now and discover how delegating well can free your time, energy, and focus for the work that matters most.

    40분
  4. 8월 21일

    Systems Thinking and Leadership: A Conversation with Dr. Anthony Luévanos

    Episode Description: In this episode of the Two Piers Podcast, host Erica D’Eramo is joined by Dr. Anthony Luévanos—an expert in leadership, coaching, and organizational development—to explore the powerful role of systems thinking in today’s complex work environments. Together, they unpack what systems thinking really means, how it applies across industries, and why it’s essential for leaders who want to navigate change, foster collaboration, and drive meaningful results. From emotional intelligence to adaptive leadership, this conversation connects technical problem-solving with human-centered leadership in a compelling, practical way. Whether you're leading a team, coaching executives, or rethinking your approach to organizational growth, this episode offers insight into how to see the bigger picture—and act with greater impact. Topics covered include: What systems thinking is and how it applies to leadershipRoot causes vs. surface-level symptoms in problem-solvingThe intersection of coaching, engineering, and organizational developmentEmotional intelligence as a leadership competencyVisualization tools like causal loop diagrams and mind mapsLeading with adaptability in unpredictable systemsShifting from a mindset of knowing to one of learningGuest Bio: Dr. Anthony Luévanos is an educator, coach, and organizational development consultant with a passion for building effective, adaptive systems. With a background spanning school leadership, academic research, and cross-sector collaboration, Dr. Luévanos brings a systems lens to leadership development, helping individuals and organizations thrive in complexity. Resources & References: Peter Senge, The Fifth DisciplineDonella Meadows, Thinking in SystemsToyota Lean Manufacturing PrinciplesListen + Subscribe: Catch this episode and more on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Connect with Us: Learn more about Two Piers Consulting at www.twopiersconsulting.com, and follow us on LinkedIn for updates on new episodes, articles, and events.

    33분
  5. 8월 7일

    Reconstructing Inclusion: Amri B. Johnson on Systems-Level DEI and Interdependence

    Reconstructing Inclusion: Amri B. Johnson on Systems-Level DEI and Interdependence Episode Summary: In this episode of the Two Piers Podcast, Erica D’Eramo is joined by Amri B. Johnson—epidemiologist, social capitalist, and CEO of Inclusion Wins—for a dynamic conversation on what it takes to build truly inclusive systems in organizations. Drawing on his experience across public health, business strategy, and organizational design, Amri shares why many DEI efforts fall short—and how we can reconstruct them to be accessible, actionable, and sustainable. From the limits of representation to the power of interdependence, this episode offers a refreshing, systems-oriented perspective on inclusion. What We Talk About: Amri’s personal and professional journey—from Topeka to SwitzerlandInterdependence as a foundational DEI principleWhy inclusion must align with organizational purposeA case study on gender diversity and relational fitness in techThe difference between treatment vs. prevention in DEIHow upstream approaches drive long-term culture changeWhy engaging with dissenters strengthens—not weakens—DEI effortsPractical ways to make DEI part of your organizational DNAResources & Mentions: Amri's book, Reconstructing Inclusion: Making DEI Accessible, Actionable, and Sustainable (affiliate link)Amri's Substack blog and podcastAmri's website: inclusionwins.comFind Amri on LinkedInLike what you heard? Please subscribe, rate, and review The Two Piers Podcast wherever you listen—and help us bring more courageous conversations to more ears.

    30분
  6. 7월 24일

    Into the Unknown: How Adventure Builds Confidence and Creative Power - with Filmmaker Ben Keller

    In this episode, Erica D’Eramo sits down with award-winning filmmaker and creative professional Ben Keller, founder of Keller Media Works, to explore the intersection of art, adventure, and storytelling. From a career that began in sculpture and music A&R (Artists and Repertoire) to his current work in film and video production, Ben shares how diverse experiences—and a healthy dose of risk—have shaped his creative process. Together, Ben and Erica discuss the power of lived experience in storytelling, the logistics of sustainable tourism video projects, and what it takes to stay calm (and creative) when plans fall apart. Whether you're a creative professional, entrepreneur, or someone navigating your own winding career path, this episode is full of practical insights and thoughtful reflections. Topics Covered Ben’s unconventional career path from sculpture to music to filmmakingHow lived experiences fuel creativity and storytellingNavigating risk and adversity in professional and creative workBehind-the-scenes stories from shoots in Hawaii and ColoradoThe role of sustainable tourism in video productionBuilding authentic content through local partnershipsCreativity and the value of changing environmentsBen’s approach to client engagement and project developmentBen Keller is a filmmaker and the founder of Keller Media Works, a full-service film and video production company. With a background spanning sculpture, photography, music production, and travel, Ben brings a multi-disciplinary perspective to every project. He specializes in documentary storytelling, brand content, and commercial media—always with an emphasis on authenticity, adaptability, and impact. Learn more about Ben’s work at kellermediaworks.com or follow him on Instagram at @kellermediaworks. Resources & Links Keller Media Works: kellermediaworks.com Follow Ben on Instagram: @kellermediaworksBen's Sustainable Tourism Project: Rooted JourneysFor more conversations on creative careers, leadership, and navigating uncertainty, subscribe to The Two Piers Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about our work at Two Piers Consulting and follow us on LinkedIn.

    1시간 7분
  7. 7월 10일

    From Burnout to Breakthrough: Dr. Marissa Alert on Building Resilient Teams

    In this episode, Erica D’Eramo sits down with clinical psychologist and behavioral change expert Dr. Marissa Alert to explore the hidden costs of burnout—and what it really takes to create high-performing, resilient teams. After a life-altering car accident forced her to reexamine her own experience with burnout, Dr. Alert founded MDA Wellness to help leaders move beyond surface-level wellness initiatives and address the systemic roots of stress in the workplace. From the dangers of “presenteeism” to the myth of rest as a reward, this conversation dives deep into the habits and cultural norms that keep burnout in place—and what organizations can do to change course. Whether you're a leader, HR professional, or someone navigating burnout yourself, this episode is full of insight and practical tools. In This Episode, We Discuss: Dr. Alert’s personal journey from burnout to founding MDA WellnessWhy burnout is so often overlooked and normalized in high-performing environmentsThe problem with one-size-fits-all wellness programsHow the industrial model of work contributes to unsustainable performanceThe critical role of rest and recovery in long-term successSteps individuals can take to recognize and recover from burnoutStrategies for organizations to diagnose and address systemic drivers of burnoutWhen to bring in external expertise—and how to tell if your current efforts are falling shortResources & Mentions: Dr. Marissa Alert’s company: MDA WellnessRest Is Resistance by Tricia HerseyDr. Alert’s features in Forbes and NewsweekConnect with Dr. Marissa Alert: 🌐 mdawellness.com 💼 LinkedIn – Marissa Alert, PhD 📩 Join her monthly virtual roundtables for leaders focused on well-being and performance Connect with Two Piers Consulting: 🔗 twopiersconsulting.com 📣 Follow us on LinkedIn Like what you heard? Please consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing The Two Piers Podcast—it helps more people find these important conversations.

    50분

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The Two Piers Podcast is focused on discussions of workplace culture and inclusion, as well as providing tools and resources for individuals. We tackle the underlying systemic issues, while also giving the support needed in the short term for those facing challenging work environments. 

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