We’re kicking off a side quest called Extraordinary Families — stories of real families whose everyday cultural habits added up to something remarkable.

This week, we’re diving into the upbringing of Patrick and John Collison, the Irish brothers who went on to found Stripe, one of the most successful fintech companies in the world. But this isn’t a story about money, luck, or talent; it’s a story about culture.

Here’s what we explore:

1️⃣ The Paradox of Environment
How the Collison boys grew up in rural isolation without the internet but were surrounded by books, curiosity, and the freedom to explore.

2️⃣ High Standards + High Support
The parenting balance that gave them both autonomy and accountability (including the month they were left home alone at ages 10 and 12!).

3️⃣ A Bigger Picture Perspective
How parents modeling their own ambitions and exposing their kids to the wider world shaped the boys’ mindset for lifelong learning.

Along the way, we connect lessons from Carl Jung, Daniel Coyle, and David Yeager to family culture — from how we normalize boredom to how we help our kids earn status through contribution.

Maybe raising extraordinary kids isn’t about doing more. Maybe it’s about creating the space for ordinary moments to grow into something extraordinary.