What makes people feel valued at work? Why do some teams thrive even under pressure, while others struggle with burnout, disengagement, and turnover?

In Part 1 of this episode of the Coleman Associates Innovation Podcast, Amanda sits down with author, researcher, and speaker Zach Mercurio to explore one of the most important — and often overlooked — drivers of workplace performance and wellbeing: mattering.

Zach Mercurio, author of The Power of Mattering, shares the research behind why people need to feel seen, valued, and essential to do their best work. Together, Amanda and Zach unpack how leaders shape culture through everyday interactions — especially in fast-paced healthcare environments where stress, overwhelm, and constant demands can easily crowd out meaningful connection.

This conversation dives into:

• What “mattering” actually means in the workplace
• Why feeling valued impacts engagement, retention, and performance
• How leaders unintentionally create disconnection
• The difference between recognition and truly helping people feel seen
• How healthcare leaders can lead with greater intention during difficult seasons

Whether you’re leading a clinic, managing a frontline team, or simply trying to create a healthier work culture, this episode offers practical insights and powerful reminders about the human side of leadership.

Zach Mercurio, PhD, is an author, researcher, and speaker specializing in purposeful leadership, meaningful work, and mattering. His work focuses on helping organizations create cultures where people feel valued and connected so they can thrive personally and professionally.

And don’t miss Part 2 of this conversation up next, where Zach shares practical ways leaders can apply the principles of mattering in everyday interactions with their teams.

Guest: Amanda Laramie

Host: Zach Mecurio

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What’s possible in the first few weeks of true transformation work? This episode answers that question with clarity—and proof.

In this episode of the Coleman Associates Innovation Podcast, Amanda sits down with a powerhouse frontline team from a rural clinic in North Carolina that is already seeing remarkable results through the DPI™ (Dramatic Performance Improvement) Collaborative. In just two months, this small but mighty team has:

• Reduced No-Show rates consistently for 7 straight weeks
• Increased productivity by 27% at the time this was recorded. Since then, the average increase is 33% from baseline.
• Decreased cycle times overall by over 25%

And they’re just getting started.

You’ll hear directly from the people doing the work every day—provider Ashley, nurse Maddie (Madison), PSR Vanessa, and Peer Support Specialist Hannah, alongside Coleman coach Gabriel DelMuro. Together, they share what it really takes to turn intention into action, and action into measurable results.

This episode pulls back the curtain on:

• What the early days of DPI™ actually look like on the ground
• The specific challenges this team faced—and how they pushed through them
• How aligning roles across the care team unlocks rapid improvement
• The unexpected wins that come from doing this work the right way

Most importantly, this conversation highlights a powerful truth: you don’t have to wait months—or years—to see meaningful change.

Whether you’re a frontline team member actively in DPI™ or a leader wondering what’s possible in your own organization—especially in rural settings—this episode offers both inspiration and practical takeaways you can act on immediately.

Host: Amanda Laramie

Guests: Ashley, Maddie, Vanessa, Hannah, and Coleman Coach, Gabriel DelMuro

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What does it really take to turn empty appointment slots into a high-performing, fully utilized schedule—and keep it that way?

In this episode, Amanda sits down with three leaders from MLK Community Healthcare, a hospital-based primary care system in South Los Angeles. Five months after they graduated from the DPI™ Collaborative, they share how they didn’t just improve access—they fundamentally transformed how their system meets the demand of their patient community.

The results speak for themselves: cycle times reduced by 31% (from 73 to 50 minutes), productivity increased by 16%, No-Shows dropped from 22% to 15%, and chart completion soared from 53% to 88%. But the real story? Capacity utilization—starting at 66% and climbing as high as 96%—unlocking access without adding more resources.

Now, five months post-graduation, they’re sustaining those gains and continuing to build.

If you’re still struggling with access issues despite having open appointments, this episode will challenge how you think about capacity—and what’s truly possible.

Host: Amanda Laramie

Guests: Chad Vargas, Nyree Ramos, & Julie Castillo

Book shoutouts in this episode: Mastering Leadership, the Coleman Way High Impact Management Program™ by Melissa Stratman.

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