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 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

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