In this episode of the Two Piers Podcast, host Erica D’Eramo welcomes back Dr. Anthony Luévanos, leadership strategist and organizational development expert, for a powerful conversation on adaptive leadership and resilience.

Dr. Luévanos shares why resilience is more than just “toughing it out, "it’s about adaptability, self-awareness, and the ability to inspire teams through uncertainty. Together, Erica and Dr. Luévanos explore how leaders can embrace vulnerability, foster two-way communication, and build organizations that can bend without breaking.

Key themes include:

• The true definition of resilience in leadership—beyond grit and endurance.
• Common misconceptions that hold leaders back from being adaptive.
• How gender dynamics shape resilience in male-dominated workplaces.
• The role of emotional intelligence and vulnerability in resilient leadership.
• Lessons from extreme conditions, including the Stockdale Paradox and Viktor Frankl’s work.
• Why self-care and community are critical to avoiding burnout.

Whether you’re leading a team, an organization, or yourself through change, this episode offers actionable insights on cultivating resilience that lasts.

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 leadership
• Root causes vs. surface-level symptoms in problem-solving
• The intersection of coaching, engineering, and organizational development
• Emotional intelligence as a leadership competency
• Visualization tools like causal loop diagrams and mind maps
• Leading with adaptability in unpredictable systems
• Shifting from a mindset of knowing to one of learning

Guest 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 Discipline
• Donella Meadows, Thinking in Systems
• Toyota Lean Manufacturing Principles

Listen + 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.

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 Switzerland
• Interdependence as a foundational DEI principle
• Why inclusion must align with organizational purpose
• A case study on gender diversity and relational fitness in tech
• The difference between treatment vs. prevention in DEI
• How upstream approaches drive long-term culture change
• Why engaging with dissenters strengthens—not weakens—DEI efforts
• Practical ways to make DEI part of your organizational DNA

Resources & Mentions:

• Amri's book, Reconstructing Inclusion: Making DEI Accessible, Actionable, and Sustainable (affiliate link)
• Amri's Substack blog and podcast
• Amri's website: inclusionwins.com
• Find Amri on LinkedIn

Like 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.

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 filmmaking
• How lived experiences fuel creativity and storytelling
• Navigating risk and adversity in professional and creative work
• Behind-the-scenes stories from shoots in Hawaii and Colorado
• The role of sustainable tourism in video production
• Building authentic content through local partnerships
• Creativity and the value of changing environments
• Ben’s approach to client engagement and project development

Ben 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: @kellermediaworks
• Ben's Sustainable Tourism Project: Rooted Journeys

For 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.

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 Wellness
• Why burnout is so often overlooked and normalized in high-performing environments
• The problem with one-size-fits-all wellness programs
• How the industrial model of work contributes to unsustainable performance
• The critical role of rest and recovery in long-term success
• Steps individuals can take to recognize and recover from burnout
• Strategies for organizations to diagnose and address systemic drivers of burnout
• When to bring in external expertise—and how to tell if your current efforts are falling short

Resources & Mentions:

• Dr. Marissa Alert’s company: MDA Wellness
• Rest Is Resistance by Tricia Hersey
• Dr. Alert’s features in Forbes and Newsweek

Connect 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.

In this episode, host Erica D’Eramo is joined by Ellis Ivy, founder of PowerFolx: a queer- and trans-centered martial arts program that’s redefining what inclusion looks like in fitness. Ellis shares his journey from feeling like an outsider in traditional gyms to creating brave, community-based spaces where everyone is seen, celebrated, and empowered. Together, Erica and Ellis explore the intersection of movement, mental health, identity, and the radical power of building spaces where people can show up as their full selves.

You can learn more about upcoming classes, community events, and how to get involved with PowerFolx by following them on Instagram @PowerFolx, Bluesky at powerfolx.bsky.social, or by visiting the PowerFolx’s website.

In this episode of the Two Piers Podcast, host Erica D’Eramo is joined by James Felton Keith, Chairperson of the ISO-30415:DISM standard for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) and CEO of Inclusion Score Companies. Together, they explore why insurance is a leading indicator of people management risks—and how DEIB is becoming a critical component of risk strategy across industries.

James shares the journey behind developing the ISO standard for DEIB, the impact of employment practices liability on insurance markets, and the practical ways organizations can use DEIB standards to improve compliance, reduce litigation risk, and build resilient teams. From the roles of brokers and underwriters to the pitfalls of ad hoc inclusion efforts, this episode breaks down what leaders need to know now.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• James Felton Keith’s career path from engineering and politics to global DEIB leadership
• The development of the ISO-30415:DISM DEIB standard
• How DEIB intersects with insurance, risk management, and compliance
• The rise of Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) and its implications
• Understanding the roles of brokers and underwriters in DEIB risk
• Leadership’s role in creating feedback loops and belonging
• Real-world examples of DEIB missteps—and how to avoid them

Resources & Links:

• Learn more at InclusionScore.org
• Explore the ISO-30415:DISM standard on ISO.org
• Check out this article in Insurance Journal
• Connect with James Felton Keith on LinkedIn
• DEIB Resources + tools in the show notes at Two Piers Consulting

Connect with Us:

• Follow Two Piers Consulting on LinkedIn
• Learn more about our work at twopiersconsulting.com

Subscribe & Share:
If you found this episode valuable, please subscribe, leave us a review, and share it with your network. Every listen helps us build a more inclusive, equitable future of work.

In this episode of the Two Piers Podcast, host Erica D’Eramo speaks with author, songwriter, and authenticity advocate Molly Booker about the power of self-discovery and living an unfiltered life. Molly shares her journey from a tightly controlled, perfection-driven existence to one rooted in truth, vulnerability, and creative freedom.

Together, they explore how shedding societal expectations and the illusion of control can lead to a more joyful and fulfilling life. Molly discusses coming out, leaving her pastoral role, and the transformative impact of seminary and spiritual psychology. She also shares how creativity and rest became essential tools for healing and alignment.

This is a powerful conversation for anyone craving permission to let go of the checklist and embrace the messy, beautiful process of becoming who you really are.

Topics Covered:

• Redefining success beyond perfection and achievement
• Coming out and embracing personal identity
• The role of spiritual psychology in Molly’s transformation
• Letting go of control and leaning into vulnerability
• The healing power of creativity, rest, and authentic self-expression
• Breaking free from societal norms to find true fulfillment

Resources and Mentions:

• Molly Booker’s book: Magic in the Mess
• Local bookstores mentioned:
  • Stay Gold Bookstore, Pittsburgh, PA
  • The Bookworm, Edwards, CO
• Recommended reading on rest, productivity, and purpose (as discussed by Erica)

Where to Find Molly:

• Website: mollybooker.com
• Substack: https://substack.com/@mollybooker
• Book: Magic in the Mess, available via Bookshop.org to support local independent bookstores

Like What You Heard?

Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that there's magic in the mess.