1.6 Navigating Travel as an Entrepreneurial Family

Hosts:

🎤 Marc A. Pitman, CSP – Speaker, coach, and visionary wall demolisher
🎤 Emily Pitman – Systems and spaces designer, master planner

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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.

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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 .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}