S1 #1 Feb 24, 25

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 Takeaways

Show 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 Chapters

00:00 – 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 Hosts

Erik & 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 show: subscribe, rate, and review Cheers & Tiers wherever you get your podcasts.
Music: Loose Ends by Silver Ships Plastic Oceans
Edited with Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe Podcast

Creators and Guests

Host

Erik Cargill

Product Design and Branding Consultant Erik Cargill's journey spans from crafting early mobile interfaces in the '90s to transforming global shipping logistics software. As Art Director at Handmark, he led a creative team to capture 38% of the mobile software market, and during his 15-year tenure at Tideworks Technology, he proved that even the most complex systems can become user-friendly. Now, as founder of 32FramesPerSecond in Seattle, Erik helps companies create intuitive digital experiences, bringing his philosophy of "embracing change and failing gracefully" to every project. His unique blend of technical expertise and authentic approach makes him an engaging co-host of ’Cheers & Tiers: Design Leadership Tales Retold,’ where he helps uncover the stories that shaped our design community.

Host

Rachel Elnar

Rachel Elnar believes the magic happens when design meets community. As a Senior Creative Producer at Adobe, she's mastered the art of turning webinars into wonderlands where over 45,000 creatives annually connect, learn, and grow together. As an AIGA National Board Member and content producer, Rachel continues to weave her magic, producing engaging live-streaming shows and video content to reach thousands more while advocating for inclusivity in the creative industry. Now, as an AIGA National Board Member and co-host of “Cheers & Tiers: Design Leadership Tales Retold,” Rachel continues to weave her magic, creating experiences that don’t just look good—they feel right.