000: Grab Your Name Tag and Join Us For Cheers & Tiers

Welcome to the fire-starting episode—where insider retreat stories meet design leadership sass. Hosts Erik Cargill and Rachel Elnar set the stage by explaining what Cheers & Tiers is all about: a podcast that brings AIGA chapter leadership stories to life with sharp insights, playful gaps, and generous doses of community nostalgia. They share why retreats—not boardrooms—are where careers are made and bonds become lifelong.Key TakeawaysShow philosophy in a name: Cheers & Tiers stands for community celebration (Cheers) and the layered stories leadership unveils (Tiers).Retreats are the real boardrooms: It’s in the shared triangle rooms, pyramids, and late-night chats where leadership bonds.We’re here for the arc—not just the highlight: Expect the goofy, the vulnerable, and the downright brilliant moments behind the scenes.This is your invitation: Bring a metaphorical nametag, get comfy, and settle in—this is storytelling built for those who lead and remember.Episode Chapters00:00 – From name tags to narratives: Erik and Rachel introduce the show and unpack what the title Cheers & Tiers means for design community storytelling.  00:30 – Why retreats matter: The hosts highlight why AIGA leadership retreats are more than agendas—they’re culture-crafting moments.  01:00 – What “Cheers” brings: Toast to the highs—celebrating wins, shared rituals, and community rituals.  01:30 – What “Tiers” reveals: Digging into layers—leadership levels, volunteer impact, and the scaffolding behind chapters’ growth.  02:00 – Listener takeaway: A spoiler-free peek at retreat folklore, leadership tension, and the kind of stories you’ll hear in upcoming episodes.  About the HostsErik & Rachel are your storytelling hosts and design-community curators. As co-creators of Cheers & Tiers, they spotlight AIGA leadership journeys, from quirky retreat rituals to strategic chapter growth, all told with warmth, humor, and insider flair.  Support the ShowTheme music: Loose Ends by Silver Ships Plastic OceansProduced by Chapter 2 MediaSubscribe to the Together by Design newsletter for more community-building and podcast episode updatesSponsored by: Able Made, The Original Off Pitch Soccer Style: shop nowSponsored by: Draplin Design Company, check us out!Sponsored by: The People's Graphic Design Archive: browse, contribute, and researchEdited with Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe Podcast