Ernie and Bert dive into the chaos of shared living
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1:30 – Ernie’s origin story: How a simple Rubber Duckie became a global sensation.
4:45 – Bert reveals his passion for paperclip art and shares the one piece Ernie isn’t allowed to touch.
10:15 – The Great Aquarium Incident: Why their landlord still isn’t speaking to them.
16:00 – Bert’s pigeon secrets exposed: Is he really training them for world domination?
22:50 – An exclusive acoustic duet of “Doin’ the Pigeon” and “Rubber Duckie” that had us laughing and crying.
Relive Ernie’s classic Rubber Duckie performance here.
Check out Bert’s favorite oatmeal recipe (it’s surprisingly fancy!) here.
Want to see those paperclip sculptures? We’ve got pictures! here.
Host: Welcome to Coaching in Chaos, where we explore life’s challenges with a sprinkle of humor and a splash of wisdom. Today, we’re thrilled to have two very special guests join us, legends of Sesame Street and experts in the art of compromise: Ernie and Bert! Welcome, you two.
Ernie: Thanks for having us! This is quack-tastic… oh, sorry, I just get excited when I’m not in the bathtub.
Bert: Uh, yeah, thanks. And Ernie, please don’t start singing about Rubber Duckie. We’re trying to be professional.
Host: Don’t worry, Bert, we’ll keep it professional… well, mostly. So, you two have been living together for decades. How do you make it work without, well, driving each other completely bananas?
Ernie: Oh, it’s easy! Laughter! And occasionally hiding Bert’s oatmeal so he loosens up a little. [laughs]
Bert: [sighs] And I practice deep breathing. A LOT of deep breathing. Honestly, the key is understanding each other’s quirks. Like, Ernie thrives on spontaneity, while I’m… well, let’s call it detail-oriented.
Host: That’s an excellent point, Bert. Understanding your partner’s needs and working with them is a cornerstone of great coaching. Ernie, what’s one thing you’ve learned from Bert?
Ernie: Oh, that’s easy—patience. Like when I rearrange his paperclip collection into little smiley faces. At first, he’d freak out, but now he just mutters and re-sorts them. Progress, right?
Bert: [groans] It’s called tolerance, Ernie.
Host: [laughs] And Bert, what about you? What’s one thing Ernie’s taught you?
Bert: Hmm… that it’s okay to relax and let go once in a while. Ernie’s good at finding joy in the little things. Like… singing to a rubber duck for hours on end.
Ernie: See? It’s therapeutic! Everyone should try it. Rubber Duckie has some great coaching energy.
Host: [laughs] That’s an… unconventional tip, but hey, whatever works! Now, speaking of tips, let’s talk about communication. How do you two handle conflict when things get heated?
Bert: Well, when Ernie refuses to clean up his side of the room…
Ernie: Hey, it’s called creative chaos!
Bert: [sighs] We’ve learned to talk it out. I express how it makes me feel, and Ernie… eventually listens.
Ernie: I listen! Sometimes. But honestly, the key is finding the humor. Like that time Bert got mad because I turned his sock drawer into a puppet theater… and then he ended up being the star of the show.
Host: That’s a great lesson: finding humor in tough situations. It’s something we encourage in coaching—taking a step back and reframing the challenge. So, Ernie, Bert, if you could give one piece of advice to our listeners about maintaining strong relationships, what would it be?
Ernie: Don’t be afraid to be silly! Life’s too short to take everything seriously. Oh, and always have a backup Rubber Duckie. Trust me.
Bert: [pauses] Communication. Talk about your needs, your boundaries, and your… sock drawers. And maybe keep a bucket of patience nearby.
Host: Wise words from two very different, but very inspiring personalities. Thanks so much for joining us today, Ernie and Bert. It’s been a delight!
Ernie: Thanks for having us! Let me know if you need a Rubber Duckie song for the outro.
Bert: Please… don’t.
Host: [laughs] That’s a wrap, folks! Join us next week on Coaching in Chaos as we explore how to coach your inner grouch… Oscar might make an appearance. Until then, find joy, laugh often, and embrace the quirks in life. See you next time!
with host Katie Churchman
Eva Fernández Jordana is an ORSCC-certified systems coach and international faculty at CRR Global. With 20 years of leadership across finance, sales, operations, and supply chain in aerospace, banking, and energy sectors, she empowers organizations and teams through relational intelligence. A seasoned facilitator at UAB and trained in Co-Active and Embodied Leadership, Eva creates safe spaces for growth and evolution.
Ernie is the fun-loving, carefree half of the iconic Sesame Street duo. Known for his infectious laugh and love of Rubber Duckie, Ernie brings a playful perspective to life’s challenges. With his knack for finding joy in the smallest things, he reminds us all to embrace our inner child and never take life too seriously.
Bert is the pragmatic, detail-oriented counterpart to Ernie’s spontaneity. With a passion for paperclip collections, pigeons, and orderliness, Bert shows that structure and discipline can coexist with humor and heart. His calm demeanor and thoughtful approach to life make him a role model for patience and communication.
As a systems-inspired coach and facilitator, Marc Durand serves as a bridge between individual transformation and collective impact. He supports leaders, teams, and organizations to uncover the wisdom already present within their systems and to align around purposeful, life-giving action.