loader from loading.io

SFIO 209 Hardwired: How Knowing Yourself Changes Everything

Still Figuring It Out

Release Date: 06/23/2025

SFIO 212 “Debriefing, Dopamine, and the Joy of Gadgets” show art SFIO 212 “Debriefing, Dopamine, and the Joy of Gadgets”

Still Figuring It Out

📋 Episode Summary In this season finale, Marc and Emily wrap up Season 2 by doing what they do best: reflecting, learning, and laughing together. The episode centers on a deceptively simple feedback framework they love—LBs and NTs (Liked Bests and Next Times). From the unexpected power of pausing to celebrate progress to the ways this tool has helped them recover from disappointments and find traction when stuck, they explore how intentional reflection can be both practical and healing. They also share favorite gadgets, small joys, and their own LB/NT reflections on the podcast itself....

info_outline SFIO 211 - “Belonging, Boundaries, and Brain Science” show art SFIO 211 - “Belonging, Boundaries, and Brain Science”

Still Figuring It Out

📋 Episode Summary In this thoughtful and energizing conversation, Marc and Emily welcome Dr. Jessica Sharp—organizational psychologist, educator, and champion of belonging. From her travels across the country to her work in Houston and beyond, Jessica is known for making complex topics like unconscious bias, self-leadership, and brain science accessible and engaging. Together, the trio explores the cultural baggage we carry around struggle and ease, what it means to be a grownup (with or without kids), and how boundaries are more than just saying “no.” This is a conversation about...

info_outline SFIO 210 - Adaptable, Curious, Growing: SFIO with Amy Lazoff show art SFIO 210 - Adaptable, Curious, Growing: SFIO with Amy Lazoff

Still Figuring It Out

 Episode Summary (Long) In this episode, Marc and Emily talk with their longtime friend and Q3LC alum, Amy Lazoff, Vice President of Mission at the Fort Wayne Zoo. Amy shares how her role has evolved after ten years at the organization, what she’s still learning in a brand-new leadership chapter, and how her work has shifted toward deeper internal focus and team engagement. They talk about what it means to lead with adaptability and curiosity, why homeostasis is tempting but probably an illusion, and how seemingly small decisions—like where you plant a tree—can shape ecosystems and...

info_outline SFIO 209 Hardwired: How Knowing Yourself Changes Everything show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 Say¼ Coaching, and figuring out how to support others while still building new systems themselves. Along the way, they talk about...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

📋 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 responsibility without shame
  • How to describe yourself without falling into shorthand labels
  • Why saying "you're just a..." might be the most damaging thing of all

Plus, an unexpected movie reference that brings the point home.

 

🔑 Key Takeaways

  • Hardwiring refers to our natural patterns—our instinctive responses and behavior tendencies.
  • Personality assessments like Enneagram, StrengthsFinder, or DISC can offer language for reflection, but shouldn’t become excuses or cages.
  • Knowing your patterns gives you space to pause, choose your response, and lead with intention.
  • Labels like “just a 9” or “typical 7” can be harmful when used to dismiss or stereotype.
  • Self-awareness is not self-absorption—it’s leadership.

 

🗣 Quote Highlights

“When we understand ourselves, we can see our stories in the light of truth instead of shame.” – Emily
“Sometimes peace is great. But it’s not always the goal.” – Emily
“Hardwiring is how you show up when you’re not trying.” – Marc
“Saying ‘you’re just a
’ turns a helpful tool into a weapon.” – Marc
“My curiosity wants me to learn. It’s one of my Gallup strengths—another assessment!” – Marc

 

🧰 Tools & Mentions

 

đŸŽș That Music!

Special thanks to Lexi Moreno, Caleb Pitman, and Zoe Czarnecki for the original music. Lexi Moreno: composing, mixing, mastering, guitar; Caleb Pitman: composing, mixing, trumpet; Zoe Czarnecki: bass.