SFIO 209 Hardwired: How Knowing Yourself Changes Everything
Still Figuring It Out
📋 Episode Summary In this episode, Marc and Emily explore the concept of hardwiring—those patterns, instincts, and tendencies that shape how we show up in life, work, and relationships. From Enneagram types to Gallup Strengths to late-in-life ADHD diagnoses, they reflect on how assessments can help us understand ourselves more clearly—and when labels might actually get in the way. With humor, vulnerability, and a lot of real-life examples, they explore: The usefulness and limitations of personality profiles How deeper self-awareness can reframe past stories What it means to take...
info_outline
SFIO 208 - Still Figuring Out What Leadership Really Means with Thu Hue Nguyen
Still Figuring It Out
📋 Episode Summary In this powerful episode, Marc and Emily sit down with Thu Hue Nguyen, a nonprofit founder, Obama Fellow, and leadership coach based in Hanoi, Vietnam. Together they explore the realities of leading through challenge, the evolution from founder to coach, and why investing in leadership development is essential—especially in resource-scarce sectors. Thu Hue shares how she transitioned from law into ocean and fisheries work, and how crisis moments taught her that leadership is not innate—it can be learned. With refreshing honesty, she talks about learning to let go,...
info_outline
SFIO 207-Story, Identity, and 30 Years Together
Still Figuring It Out
📋 Episode Summary (Long) In this episode, recorded on their anniversary, Marc and Emily reflect on 30 years of marriage—and use it as a lens to explore the role of story and identity in leadership, coaching, and everyday life. They revisit their shared love of children’s books, read-alouds during 2 a.m. nursing sessions, and the way stories have always been a thread in their family, work, and lives. From The Giving Tree to Anne of Green Gables, storytelling was how they passed on values, built imagination, and created connection. The conversation moves into coaching and leadership...
info_outline
SFIO 206 - Curiosity, Clarity, and Catalysts: SFIO with Cherian Koshy
Still Figuring It Out
In this episode, Marc and Emily welcome their longtime friend and colleague Cherian Koshy—a nonprofit leader, AI entrepreneur, international speaker, and one of the earliest champions of the Quadrant 3 Leadership Coach Certification. They reflect on how their friendship started during early-pandemic Zoom happy hours and evolved into shared coaching, learning, and laughs across years and time zones. Cherian shares his take on identity, career shifts, and curiosity—from his time pioneering AI use in fundraising to his deep appreciation for the Iowa State Fair (yes, it’s serious). He...
info_outline
SFIO 205 - Backward Goals, Brewery Goals, and Bathroom Adventures
Still Figuring It Out
In this episode, Marc and Emily explore their very different relationships with goal setting. What starts as a reflection on abandoned international travel dreams quickly turns into a candid conversation about how goals can serve—or burden—us. Marc shares his long history of goal-setting (and the ways it still trips him up), including his yearly list of 100 “magnet goals” and the mental gymnastics involved in sticking to goals like “visit one brewery a month.” Emily reflects on how her earliest experience with goal setting was punitive and tied to shame—shaping a lifelong tension...
info_outline
SFIO 204 - What We’re Still Figuring Out—Professionally and Personally
Still Figuring It Out
Episode Summary (Long) In this episode, Marc and Emily kick off a new part of Season 2—interviewing some of the people they deeply admire. Before bringing on guests, they decided to run through the questions themselves to see what comes up. They each share how they’d describe themselves, what three words capture their work, what they love most about what they do, and what they’re still figuring out. Topics range from email list management and marketing fatigue to physical health, faith, aging, and what it means to start a new career in your 50s. There’s plenty of laughter and honest...
info_outline
SFIO 203 - What a Year: Loss, Learning, and Lots of Play
Still Figuring It Out
Episode Summary In this episode, Marc and Emily walk through the major events of the last year—from career milestones to health recovery, quiet moments to chaotic ones. They talk about their kids moving across the country and overseas, their experience during a regional hurricane, and the slow return to rhythm after a tough year. They also share what’s changed in their work: growing the Quadrant 3 Leadership Coach Certification, launching Exactly What to Say® Coaching, and figuring out how to support others while still building new systems themselves. Along the way, they talk about...
info_outline
SFIO 202: Messy Growth, Inner Wisdom, and Leadership That Lasts
Still Figuring It Out
Episode Summary In this heartfelt and idea-packed episode, Marc and Emily Pitman reflect on the messy inner journey of leadership. As they prepare to graduate a new cohort of certified coaches from their Quadrant 3 Leadership Coach Certification (Q3LC), they explore the deeper meaning behind their work—and the cost of leadership that relies too much on external validation. Marc explains the origins of the “Quadrant 3” framework, first developed through years of executive coaching and later popularized in his book The Surprising Gift of Doubt. Emily adds perspective on how growing up as a...
info_outline
SFIO 201 - Embracing the Messy
Still Figuring It Out
Episode Summary Welcome to Season 2! In this honest and often humorous episode, Marc A. Pitman, CSP, and Emily Pitman, ACC, CPCC, reflect on their journey from the launch of their podcast to now. They talk about the initial tech struggles (hello, 18-minute setup delays), learning new tools like Hindenburg Pro, and the unexpected joy of growing together through the messiness of podcasting. You’ll hear about their commitment to showing up imperfectly, lessons from editing and production, and the evolving way they think about their message, their marriage, and their work in leadership and...
info_outline
1.4 Podcast Research
Still Figuring It Out
Episode Summary In this enlightening episode of "We're Still Figuring This Out," hosts Marc and Emily Pitman dive into the intricacies of podcasting, sharing personal insights, and reflections on their journey as podcast creators. They explore the themes of intentional living, relationship dynamics, and the balance between humor and respect. Join them as they navigate the challenges and rewards of creating content that is both meaningful and engaging. Timestamps [00:00] Introduction: The origins of "We're Still Figuring This Out." [00:21] Meet Emily Pitman: Leadership coach, creative, and...
info_outlineEpisode 2: Coddiwomple - Our Journey Together
Introduction
Welcome to the our podcast! We, Marc and Emily Pitman, are excited to embark on this new journey together. In this episode, we introduce ourselves, share our backgrounds, and discuss our new favorite word, "coddiwomple," which means to travel purposefully toward an unknown destination. Join us as we explore our past, our present, and the adventures that lie ahead.
About the Hosts
-
Emily Pitman:
- Certified Co-Active Coach
- Credentialed with the International Coach Federation
- Writer of the weekly newsletter "Sprouts"
- Aspiring speaker
- Former educator and support cheerleader for a serial entrepreneur
- Committed to adventure
-
Marc Pitman:
- Executive coach for nonprofit and tech founders
- Runs an International Coach Federation accredited program
- Speaker and trainer at conferences
- Author of eight books, including "Surprising Gifted Out"
- Early adopter of technology and social media
- Husband to Emily for 28 years and father of three
Key Discussion Points
0:00 - 5:00 | Introduction and Backgrounds
- Emily introduces herself and her journey from educator to coach and writer.
- Marc shares his background as an executive coach and entrepreneur.
- Both discuss their commitment to adventure and personal growth.
5:01 - 10:00 | The Word "Coddiwomple"
- Emily explains how she discovered the word "coddiwomple."
- Discussion on how "coddiwomple" perfectly encapsulates their approach to life and their podcast.
10:01 - 20:00 | Meeting and Early Relationship
- Marc and Emily recount how they met at a conservative evangelical college in 1994.
- They share amusing anecdotes about their initial interactions and the cultural context of their meeting.
- Reflections on their different backgrounds and early challenges.
20:01 - 30:00 | Journey to Marriage
- The couple's decision not to date in the traditional sense due to their beliefs at the time.
- Their trip to India as a pivotal moment in their relationship.
- Engagement and marriage timeline: from Labor Day meeting to Memorial Day wedding in 1995.
30:01 - 40:00 | Life Together and Professional Growth
- Transition from newlyweds to co-adventurers in life and work.
- Marc's decision to avoid traditional seminary to maintain his authenticity.
- Both share their perspectives on maintaining personal integrity and growth through their careers.
40:01 - End | Reflections and Looking Ahead
- Emily and Marc discuss the significance of being "pilgrims" on a journey rather than adhering to rigid life plans.
- The importance of discovery, listening, and staying open to new experiences.
- A heartfelt exchange about their partnership and future plans for the podcast.
Notable Quotes
- Emily: "My dream since high school was to be a speaker, which is now what I'm starting to do, adding speaking to coaching and writing."
- Marc: "I help passionate founders who realize they have an organization around them and don't know what to do with it."
- Emily: "Coddiwomple - to travel purposefully toward an unknown destination - is the perfect word for us."
- Marc: "We're working towards something, but it's a purpose, not a place."
Final Thoughts
In this episode, Marc and Emily Pitman share their unique journey, from their early days of meeting at college to their professional and personal growth over the years. The concept of "coddiwomple" sets the tone for their podcast, highlighting their commitment to purposeful, adventurous living. Stay tuned for more episodes as they continue to explore life, love, and leadership together.
That Music!:
Thank you to Lexi Moreno and Caleb Pitman composing / mixing / mastering / guitar / trumpet; Zoe bass
Thank you for joining us on this journey! 🌟