📋 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. The vibe is cozy, candid, and deeply human—perfect for closing one chapter and looking ahead to the next.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• “Liked Best / Next Time” is a powerful framework for closing loops, gaining momentum, and making feedback actionable.
• Ending with “next time” isn’t about focusing on failure—it’s about directing hope.
• Tools like this work in leadership teams and family dinners.
• Small joys (like gadgets or Windex!) can be surprising sources of traction and clarity.
• Feedback culture starts with asking better questions and giving ourselves room to process.

🗣 Quote Highlights

“This doesn’t have to live on an open loop. We get to close the tab.” – Marc “Sometimes I need to put teeth into my day to get traction. Even if that’s washing a window.” – Emily “It’s not about being stuck—it’s about what helps us get back in gear.” – Emily “Next times aren’t negative. They’re empowering course corrections.” – Emily “We bring out good things in each other. That’s one of my LBs for sure.” – Marc

🧰 Tools & Mentions

• LBs & NTs (Liked Bests / Next Times – no definitive origin, but used widely in coaching, education, and training)
• Phil M. Jones’ Exactly What to Say framework
• “Pluses and Deltas” model for feedback
• The “WTF” sheet: Where’s The Focus?
• Untappd beer app
• MagSafe phone tripod
• European plug adapters
• My Big Fat Greek Wedding (Windex!)

👥 Who Should Listen

• Coaches and facilitators wanting a better way to debrief
• Leaders building cultures of thoughtful reflection
• Listeners who enjoy practical wisdom with a side of silliness
• Families and teams looking for rituals to anchor learning
• Anyone who’s ever loved a gadget—or gotten stuck and needed a creative nudge

🎺 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

📋 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 leading with love, letting go of outdated patterns, and the everyday power of the pause.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Belonging and self-love are foundational to leadership.
• “Ease” isn't laziness—it's a necessary counterbalance to inevitable life struggles.
• Leaders often teach what they themselves are still figuring out.
• Setting boundaries includes pausing to check in with yourself before committing.
• Silence in conversations can be a powerful tool for reflection and connection.

🗣 Quote Highlights

“We're often teaching the thing we need.” – Dr. Jessica Sharp “Boundaries aren't just about saying ‘no’—they're about asking, ‘What do I need right now?’” – Dr. Jessica Sharp “If you're going to tell other people to prioritize themselves, you have to model it too.” – Dr. Jessica Sharp “It’s not the audience’s job to speak my language. It’s my job to make myself understood.” – Dr. Jessica Sharp

🧰 Tools & Mentions

• The Surprising Gift of Doubt by Marc A. Pitman
• Brené Brown on facilitator responsibility
• Junior League & Urban League volunteer leadership
• Quadrant 3 Leadership
• “The pause between stimulus and response” from Q3LC
• Moment detectives & coaching silence

👥 Who Should Listen

• Coaches and facilitators craving more ease and impact in their work
• Leaders trying to unlearn productivity guilt
• Nonprofit professionals looking for meaningful, inclusive engagement
• Anyone still figuring out how to show up for themselves as much as they do for others

🎺 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

 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 outcomes for years. The conversation also dives into Amy’s work around accessibility, reintroducing native species (like the hellbender salamander), mentoring young fundraisers, and the joy of discovering poppies in the backyard that weren’t planted on purpose.

Whether it’s in the zoo, in coaching, or in parenting teenagers, Amy brings a steady, honest, and growth-minded approach to life and leadership.

Key Takeaways

• Being 10 years into an organization doesn’t mean the learning stops—especially when stepping into a new role.
• “Homeostasis” sounds appealing, but the most meaningful work happens in change and transition.
• Designing for accessibility from the start often makes spaces more inclusive for everyone.
• Letting nature surprise you (even in your backyard) can be a good metaphor for leadership.
• What you plant—physically or organizationally—matters. So does what you reintroduce.

Quote Highlights

“Who am I? A work in progress.” – Amy “I think children’s books are just great books with better illustrations.” – Emily “Some of our best universal design decisions were made because we were thinking of our youngest guests.” – Amy “Even after all this time, I love seeing people experience joy here.” – Amy “My dream is to see something cool at the zoo… and just buy a ticket to surprise Amy.” – Marc

 Resources & Mentions

• Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo (now Fort Wayne Zoo)
• Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
• Native plants and accessibility design
• The Hellbender salamander (native to the Midwest U.S.)
• USA Today’s Best Zoo Exhibits (Red Panda Bridge)

📋 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

• Enneagram
• CliftonStrengths (Gallup)
• DISC Personality Profile
• Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (Film reference – Jason Bateman as “the mutant”)
• Co-Active Leadership by Karen and Henry Kimsey-House
• Concord Leadership Group

🎺 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.

📋 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, inspire others, and coach teams instead of simply managing them.

This episode is rich with insights for leaders, founders, and coaches who are navigating transition or asking, "Am I doing this right?" Spoiler: if you’re asking, you’re probably on the right track.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Leadership isn’t born—it’s built, often through challenges and reflection.
• Coaching helps leaders shift from control to empowerment.
• Founders often struggle to ask for help—but that’s when true leadership growth begins.
• Leadership development is worth investing in, even when resources feel tight.
• Great leaders create space for others, offer clear direction, and stay connected to vision and mission.

🗣 Quote Highlights

“You learn leadership by being in motion—by tripping and standing back up.” – Marc “When people leave, we often realize we should’ve had that conversation a month ago.” – Thu Hue “Founders lead down and up. If no one’s pulling them up, the system breaks.” – Marc

🌍 About the Guest

Thu Hue Nguyen is a Vietnamese social entrepreneur and nonprofit leader dedicated to sustainable development in coastal communities. She has served on numerous boards, supports fisheries and fisherpeople, and is an alum of the prestigious Obama Foundation Fellowship. She’s also a certified leadership coach through the Quadrant 3 framework.

🎺 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.

📋 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 development, exploring why so many people—especially leaders—discredit or downplay their own stories. They share practical insights about helping clients recognize the narratives they repeat (both helpful and limiting), and how stories become mirrors for values and identity.

This episode also includes a reflection on where they’ve been and where they’re going next. From international travel that didn’t happen to the possibility of RV adventures ahead, Marc and Emily keep it honest, reflective, and lighthearted. Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary of your own or simply thinking about how your story shapes your path, this one is full of warm wisdom.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Stories shape identity—and that’s true for individuals, families, and organizations.
• We often undervalue our own stories because we’re too close to them.
• Leadership coaching can help surface patterns and narratives clients may not even realize they’re repeating.
• There’s power in asking, “Is this story still serving me—or my team?”
• Permission to share your story is sometimes the most transformational part of coaching.

🗣 Quote Highlights

“It’s just my life. It’s not my identity.” – Emily “Story is how we wire the brain—and how we invite others to understand us.” – Marc “One of the most important things we do in coaching is help people recognize the stories they’re living in.” – Emily “We’ve said yes to almost every adventure.” – Emily “I’d rather say I’m sorry than spend a lifetime asking ‘what if?’” – Marc

🔗 Resources & Mentions

• The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
• The Surprising Gift of Doubt by Marc A. Pitman
• United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) leadership session
• Books mentioned: The Lord of the Rings, Narnia, A Wrinkle in Time, Anne of Green Gables
• Coaching references: Co-Active Coaching, story-based tools from Quadrant 3 Leadership Coach Certification

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 explains why curiosity, clarity, and catalyzing change are the throughlines in his work, and how asking “Why did that happen?”—even when others don’t—is part of what makes him tick.

The episode explores the tension between curiosity and worry, how to work with people who don’t share the same drive to go deep, and what it means to honor people’s journeys without projecting your own. Marc and Emily also ask Cherian what he’s still figuring out—his answer? How to live with both hindsight and foresight, for the sake of the people and causes he cares about most.

This is a thoughtful and occasionally hilarious conversation about leadership, legacy, and lifelong learning.

 Key Takeaways

• Asking “Why did that happen?” can be the start of major innovation—if you let curiosity lead.
• Leaders don’t have to “fix” others—they can offer space, perspective, and permission.
• Clarity is different than simplicity. Clarity makes room for nuance.
• Being curious doesn’t mean you have the answers—it means you’re not done learning.
• You can take calls from the state fair and still lead like a pro.

Quote Highlights

“I hope I help people connect dots they didn’t know were there.” – Cherian “Curiosity, clarity, and catalyst—that’s the arc of my work.” – Cherian “We’re still trying to figure out what to do in this moment, with what we know from 30 years ago and 30 years from now.” – Cherian “Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.” – Marc (channeling Doc Brown)

Resources & Mentions

• Kindsight – Cherian’s current organization
• The Surprising Gift of Doubt by Marc A. Pitman
• The Iowa, Minnesota, and Texas State Fairs
• Quadrant 3 Leadership Coach Certification (Q3LC)
• FedEx logo Easter egg (the hidden arrow)
• Back to the Future references (obviously)

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 with traditional goal frameworks.

They talk about neurodivergence, executive function, the false sense of completion that sometimes comes just from planning a goal, and the difference between forward-focused and backward-looking intentions. Along the way, they share practical reframes and offer each other new language for celebrating progress.

If you’ve ever struggled with how to make goal setting feel more human—or you’ve wondered whether there’s another way to approach productivity—this episode offers a thoughtful, honest, and often funny look at the topic.

Key Takeaways

• Not everyone has the same relationship with goals—some find them motivating, others experience them as shame-triggering.
• “Magnet Goals” can be a creative, idea-based alternative to rigid planning.
• Sharing goals publicly can create a false sense of completion.
• Neurodivergent brains often use emotional weight to create momentum, which can be both helpful and exhausting.
• Setting goals in retrospect (looking at what you did rather than what you planned) may be a more useful approach for some.

 Quote Highlights

“I’m still figuring out how to set goals without shame being part of the process.” – Marc “Maybe I’ll just do goal setting backwards—looking for the goals I didn’t know I set.” – Emily “Goal setting feels like a dialect to you. For me, it still feels like a foreign language.” – Emily “There’s a kind of figuring it out that feels like play—and a kind that feels like punishment.” – Emily “I’ve been goal-setting since I was 14. And I’m still surprised how much pressure I put on myself.” – Marc

 Resources & Mentions

• Magnet Goals Framework
• Enneagram Type 7 (referenced in Marc’s reflections on anticipation and follow-through)
• Zoho Campaigns & SpeakerFlow (tools Marc mentions wrangling)
• Shad Helmstetter, Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy (classic goal-setting cassette tape influences)

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 reflection, plus some real talk about entrepreneurship, burnout, play, and the weird transitions of midlife. Whether you're in a career shift, navigating new rhythms, or wondering if you'll ever figure out marketing platforms, this conversation will feel familiar.

 Key Takeaways

• Even seasoned professionals are still figuring things out—especially when the tools and platforms keep changing.
• Shifting careers later in life comes with new constraints—but also new clarity.
• Connection, creativity, and curiosity keep showing up as core values in both personal and professional work.
• Making space for play (from local meetups to solo hikes) adds resilience to busy lives.
• Retirement isn’t the goal—it’s more about shaping your next chapter with purpose.

Quote Highlights

“I’m still figuring out Zoho Campaigns... and I’ve been emailing people since 1999.” – Marc “I feel like I’ve had to make an alliance with my physical body.” – Emily “There’s a kind of figuring out that feels like frustration—and another kind that feels like play.” – Emily “Even though I didn’t want to go out, I’m always glad I did.” – Marc “If I ever do retire, I’ll probably need a strategic plan for what I’ll build next.” – Emily

Resources & Mentions

• Concord Leadership Group
• Zoho Campaigns
• SpeakerFlow (for tutorials)
• Dr. Sarah Glova (referenced during a goal-setting session)
• Pam Slim’s Your Body of Work

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 play—Toastmasters, brewing beer, snail mail nights, and coding projects. It’s a wide-ranging, real conversation about navigating work and life without pretending to have it all together.

 Key Takeaways

• Big life changes sometimes pile up all at once—making space to process them matters.
• Progress doesn’t always feel dramatic, but routines (like walking, therapy, or volunteering) help.
• Leading programs means also building trust in the people who will carry them forward.
• Personal and professional wins can come from unexpected places—including hobbies.
• Reflection is easier when you’ve kept a list—or a podcast.

 Quote Highlights

“I want next year to be forward momentum toward longevity and strength.” —Emily

“It’s not just about what we’ve built—it’s about the coaches we trust to carry it forward.” —Marc

“Snail Mail Night at the stationery store is unexpectedly life-giving.” —Emily

“From Kindles to Kobos, from reading to coding—it’s like digital jigsaw puzzle joy.” —Marc

 Resources Mentioned

• Exactly What to Say® Coaching https://EWTSCoaching.com/
• Quadrant 3 Leadership Coach Certification https://concordleadershipgroup.com/coaching-certification/
• Pam Slim’s book: Your Body of Work
• Toastmasters
• The Warehouse Theater (Greenville, SC)