📋 Episode Summary

Emily and Marc welcome Kristin Steele and Samantha Swaim of Swaim Strategies for the first couple-to-couple conversation on Still Figuring It Out. Kristin and Sam talk about working together, living together, and building a business rooted in storytelling, strategy, events, justice, and connection.

The conversation moves from partner dynamics—back of house and front of house, listening to learn and listening to facilitate—to the deeper question of how people reconnect after years of disconnection. Kristin and Sam describe the "connection recession" they are seeing in nonprofits and beyond: the loss of belonging that happened through canceled gatherings, virtual-only meetings, reduced volunteer programs, and fewer small, meaningful points of contact.

They also reflect on freedom in self-employment, the discipline of saying no, and the ongoing work of aligning business decisions with joy, impact, capacity, and values. By the end, the camper van becomes its own metaphor: everything has a place, and if you do not like where you are, you can go.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Couples who work together need shared rules, complementary roles, and the discipline not to both panic at the same time.

• Being each other's number one fan matters when work, risk, and life are deeply intertwined.

• Different listening styles can strengthen shared work: one person may listen to facilitate while another listens to learn.

• The "connection recession" has affected nonprofits by weakening donor belonging, volunteer engagement, and everyday relational touchpoints.

• Smaller, more meaningful gatherings can rebuild connection more effectively than assuming one big event will repair everything.

• Freedom in business often means remembering you are the decision maker—and that you are allowed to design the matrix that works for your life.

• Saying no can be an act of integrity when a project's needs are larger than your available capacity.

🗣 Quote Highlights

"You can't both go there." – Kristin

"I listen to facilitate, and Kristin listens to learn." – Sam

"'Connection recession' is 'a million little paper cuts' that created separation.' – Sam

"People are remembering that it can feel good to be together." – Sam

"The biggest gateway to freedom is remembering that we're the decision makers." – Kristin

"Our joy is typically found in where we make the biggest impact." – Sam

"Freedom is walking away from things, too." – Kristin

🧰 Tools & Mentions

• Swaim Strategies https://swaimstrategies.com/

• The Fundraising Elevator podcast

• Elevate conference

• Planning a Successful Major Donor Event by Kristin Steele and Samantha Swaim

• Swaim Strategies Substack series on collective effervescence https://swaimstrategies.substack.com/

• Slow Productivity by Cal Newport

👥 Who Should Listen

• Couples who work together or are wondering if they could

• Nonprofit leaders trying to rebuild donor connection and belonging

• Fundraisers rethinking events as meaningful gatherings rather than obligations

• Entrepreneurs learning how to say no without abandoning impact

• People navigating the balance between self-care, community care, and meaningful work

• Anyone interested in how connection, joy, and belonging shape generosity

🎺 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