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...
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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,...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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In this heartwarming and insightful episode of "We're Still Figuring It Out," hosts Marc and Emily Pitman explore the transformative power of reframing. With nearly three decades of life partnership, the Pitmans share personal anecdotes, challenges, and triumphs, drawing on their rich life experiences, including transitioning to almost empty-nesters, navigating professional endeavors together, and the subtle art of cat type preference. The discussion delves into how reframing — a concept utilized both in coaching and cognitive behavioral therapy — can offer fresh perspectives and reveal pathways previously unseen, turning obstacles into opportunities.
Timestamps & Highlights
- [00:00:04] - Introduction by Emily Pitman, setting the whimsical tone of recording from an undisclosed planet.
- [00:00:24] - The concept of "reframing" is introduced as the central theme of the episode.
- [00:01:16] - The Pitmans share snippets of their life journey, including their early marriage, adventures across states, jobs, parenting, and pet ownership.
- [00:04:06] - Discussion on working professionally together, specifically on a coach certification program, and the dynamics it brings to their relationship.
- [00:05:43] - Anecdotes about their cats and how their preferences for pet types have remained consistent over the years.
- [00:08:42] - The importance of reframing in coaching and personal growth, with examples from their lives and coaching practices.
- [00:14:29] - Emily discusses the importance of recognizing the narratives we tell ourselves and the power of reframing to challenge these narratives.
- [00:17:49] - A powerful personal reframe shared by Emily, touching on the essence of love and family.
- [00:19:35] - Marc shares a recent profound reframe in his life after being diagnosed with ADHD and revisiting past narratives with a new perspective.
Notable Quotes
- "We were such babies when we got married." - Emily, reflecting on their early life together.
- "Reframing offers more than cliched comfort... It shifts the perspective to show an opportunity or pathway that wasn't apparent minutes before." - Emily, on the essence of reframing.
- "You can't really see the picture when you're in the frame." - Marc, on the importance of external perspectives for personal growth.
Episode Links
- Sign up for Emily's Sprouts Newsletter for more insights.
- Learn more about the ICF Accredited Coach Certification Program led by Marc and Emily.
Closing Thoughts
Through personal stories and shared wisdom, Marc and Emily Pitman illustrate how reframing isn't just a tool for overcoming life's hurdles but a pathway to deeper understanding and personal growth. As we listen to their banter and insights, it's clear that while they may still be figuring it out, their journey of discovery offers invaluable lessons on love, life, and the art of seeing things anew.
We hope you enjoyed this episode of "We're Still Figuring It Out." If you have stories of how reframing has changed your perspective, we'd love to hear from you. Until next time, keep exploring, growing, and embracing the unexpected twists and turns of life.
That Music!
Thank you Lexi Moreno and Caleb Pitman composing / mixing / mastering / guitar / trumpet; Zoe bass