Episode Summary

In this episode of the Two Piers Podcast, Erica D’Eramo is joined by Kathy Berger, an experienced coach who leads coaching initiatives within the nonprofit sector and recently joined the Two Piers coaching team.

Together, they explore the role of coaching in nonprofit organizations, common misconceptions about coaching, and why coaching can be a powerful resource for leaders across all sectors.

Kathy shares her journey into coaching, what drew her to the profession, and how her work supporting nonprofit leaders has shaped her perspective on leadership, burnout, and personal growth. The conversation also examines the unique challenges facing nonprofit organizations, including resource constraints, mission-driven work, leadership transitions, and the increasing need for dedicated space to think strategically.

In this episode, Erica and Kathy discuss:

• What coaching is, and what it isn't
• Common misconceptions about coaching
• Why nonprofit leaders can benefit from coaching
• The connection between mission-driven work and burnout
• Leadership transitions and identity shifts
• The value of strategic thinking and reflection
• How coaching helps people build confidence, clarity, and ownership of their decisions
• Why coaching skills apply across nonprofit, corporate, government, and self-employed environments

Whether you're leading a nonprofit, managing a team, navigating a career transition, or simply looking for a dedicated thought partner, this episode offers insight into how coaching can support growth, resilience, and sustainable leadership.

About Kathy Berger

Kathy Berger is a professional coach with extensive experience supporting leaders within the nonprofit sector. She currently serves as a lead coach within an internal nonprofit coaching program and recently joined the coaching team at Two Piers Consulting.

Her work focuses on helping individuals navigate leadership challenges, professional growth, career transitions, and the complexities of mission-driven work.

Resources & Links

• Learn more about Two Piers Consulting: https://www.twopiersconsulting.com
• Explore coaching services: https://www.twopiersconsulting.com/coaching
• Email Kathy Berger at kathy@twopiersconsulting.com
• Browse podcast episodes, summaries, and transcripts: https://www.twopiersconsulting.com/podcast

As a Public Benefit Corporation, Two Piers Consulting offers a 50% discount on coaching services for nonprofit organizations as part of its commitment to supporting mission-driven work.

Season Seven of the Two Piers Podcast begins with a reflective solo episode from host Erica D’Eramo. In this opening episode, Erica shares some of the realities behind the scenes at Two Piers over the past several months, including navigating health challenges, shifting priorities, reduced capacity, and the ongoing balance between sustainability and growth.

Drawing on lessons from coaching, offshore operations, and organizational leadership, Erica explores:

• The challenge of recognizing burnout and reduced capacity in real time
• How “firefighting mode” impacts strategic thinking and creativity
• The concept of “load shedding” and what it can teach us about prioritization
• Why intentional tradeoffs matter when everything feels important
• The difference between maintaining critical operations and trying to do everything at once

The episode also includes reflections on the growth of Two Piers over the past decade, updates on new team members and initiatives, and a preview of upcoming Season Seven episodes and themes.

Upcoming conversations this season will explore:

• Coaching in nonprofit organizations
• Storytelling and personal narrative
• Research on belonging and workplace connection
• Leadership lessons from fighter pilots
• Navigating uncertainty, overwhelm, and complexity in today’s world

Erica also shares updates on:

• The expansion of the Two Piers team
• Team coaching certification through Brown University
• Mentor coaching and teaching through the University of New Hampshire
• New video content and educational resources coming later this year

Thank you for joining us for Season Seven of the Two Piers Podcast.

Resources & Links

• Two Piers Consulting: Two Piers Consulting
• Podcast archive and episode summaries: Two Piers Podcast
• Learn more about coaching programs and offerings: Coaching Services

In this short, reflective year-end episode of the Two Piers Podcast, host Erica D’Eramo closes out the year with an unscripted conversation recorded on Christmas Day in Maine—complete with snowstorms, power outages, and a curious cat in the background.

Rather than a traditional interview, this episode offers space to slow down and reflect on what rest, creativity, and strategic thinking really require. Erica explores why the pressure to “come back refreshed” after the holidays often misses the mark, especially for people whose brains don’t thrive in full stop mode.

The conversation weaves together reflections on:

• Why rest doesn’t always mean doing nothing
• How flow-state activities (like cooking, reading, walking, or puzzles) can be deeply restorative
• The role of the brain’s Default Mode Network (DMN) in creativity and strategic thinking
• Why constant busyness and digital distraction make it harder to think long-term
• Practical ways to create generative space without forcing stillness

The episode closes with a reminder that joy is not something to feel guilty about—it’s essential fuel for facing hard things and creating meaningful change.

A gentle, human way to wrap up the year and head into the next with more intention and compassion.