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 performanceConnect with Two Piers Consulting: 🔗 twopiersconsulting.com 📣 Follow us on LinkedInLike what you heard? Please consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing The Two Piers Podcast—it helps more people find these important conversations.