What do a broken piano, a surprise thunderstorm, and a garden have in common? They all hold powerful lessons about parenting, resilience, and the magic that happens when we let go of perfection.

In this episode, we’ll dive into the incredible story of Keith Jarrett’s unforgettable 1975 performance in Köln, where a broken piano forced him to improvise—and led to one of the greatest jazz albums of all time. We’ll connect it to a personal story of turning chaos into connection during a thunderstorm with a group of middle schoolers, and explore how these moments offer a roadmap for parenting when life doesn’t go according to plan.

You’ll learn why shifting from a “carpenter” mindset (rigid plans and blueprints) to a “gardener” mindset (nurture, adapt, and watch things grow) can transform how you approach parenting. Plus, I’ll share simple, actionable tips for creating moments of flexibility in your family’s routine to help your kids build resilience, creativity, and confidence.

Because life is messy, plans fall apart, and that’s where the real magic begins.

Here's the full podcast about Keith Jarrett's performance that inspired this episode... It's soooo good!

You can order Alison Gopnik's book here. A great - and very different - kind of parenting read!