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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🎤 Marc A. Pitman, CSP – Speaker, coach, and visionary wall demolisher
🎤 Emily Pitman – Systems and spaces designer, master planner
Episode Summary
In this episode of We're Still Figuring It Out, Marc and Emily dive into the complexities of travel as an entrepreneurial family. They reflect on how their experiences of being apart have evolved over time, from their early years of marriage to the present day, and how it has impacted their family dynamics.
With Marc gearing up for his first business trip of the year, they discuss the preparations, emotions, and expectations that come with travel—both as the one leaving and the one staying behind. Emily shares how she approaches Marc’s absence, sometimes by tackling home projects (like painting rooms!), and how that perspective has shifted over time.
They also touch on:
- The balance between introvert vs. extrovert needs during travel
- How travel has shaped their children’s independence and perspectives
- The impact of Emily’s aneurysm on their outlook on time spent apart
- The societal expectations of marriage roles (who wears the power tool belt? 🔨)
- The true meaning of offering help to others 🤝
This episode is a real, honest, and heartwarming discussion on the push and pull of life on the road while keeping a family connected.
Key Takeaways & Highlights
⏳ [00:03] Welcome & Introductions
- Marc welcomes listeners and praises Emily’s ability to design "systems and spaces" – a phrase that resonates deeply with her.
⏳ [00:14] The Roles We Play in Marriage
- A humorous look at how Marc and Emily’s strengths balance each other – Emily builds structure, Marc breaks barriers (literally and figuratively).
- Who really wears the power tool belt in the family?
⏳ [02:50] Preparing for Travel: A Family Approach
- Marc’s upcoming trip sparks a conversation about handling responsibilities before leaving, including car maintenance. 🚗
- Emily’s way of preparing: making plans for while he’s gone (like a Valentine’s Day paint & wine night with their daughter!).
⏳ [06:01] Shifting Perspectives on Time Apart
- Emily reflects on how her approach to Marc’s travel has changed over the years—from tackling big home projects to embracing rest and balance.
- The childhood memory that shaped her need to create a fresh, organized space when someone returns from a trip.
⏳ [12:50] The Impact of Emily’s Aneurysm
- How a health crisis changed the way they view time spent apart.
- A new appreciation for being intentional with time together and apart.
⏳ [16:37] Raising Kids Who Embrace Travel
- Their children have adopted a sense of independence from years of seeing their parents manage travel.
- The use of shared Google calendars as a way to stay connected even when apart.
- How their past aspirations for international family travel evolved over time.
⏳ [18:19] The Bigger Picture: Travel as a Way of Life
- Marc reflects on his love of exploration and how it fuels his work.
- The idea that travel isn’t just about moving locations—it’s about growth and change.
⏳ [19:01] Wrapping Up: Travel & Relationships
- The importance of understanding each other’s needs in a relationship when one person travels often.
- Why they’re still figuring out how to balance independence and togetherness.
Notable Quotes 🗣️
💡 “I design systems and spaces. Marc demolishes walls—both literally and in dreams.” – Emily
💡 “I feel named, and I trust you with that.” – Marc on Emily’s description of his role in their partnership.
💡 “Sometimes, travel isn’t just about going somewhere new; it’s about how we adapt and what we take from the experience.” – Marc
💡 “The world is meant to be explored, and I’m grateful our kids see that.” – Emily
Resources & Mentions
đź”— Connect with Marc A. Pitman: www.concordleadershipgroup.com
đź”— Follow Emily Pitman for more on systems & organization: [Social Media Links]
🔗 Recommended Read: "The Surprising Gift of Doubt" – Marc A. Pitman
Join the Conversation!
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💬 What’s your approach to travel in your family? Let us know in the comments or tag us on social media!
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Until next time, we’re still figuring it out. ✨
Thank you Lexi Moreno and Caleb Pitman composing / mixing / mastering / guitar / trumpet; Zoe bass