Why are we so obsessed with making things that stick around forever?

My sister Nancy drops this perfect metaphor about her students making intricate flower art on a windy day - beautiful creations that disappeared almost instantly. At first, she couldn't understand the point. Then she watched the kids absolutely lose themselves in the joy of creating, and it hit her: maybe the process IS the product. Maybe making art that blows away is exactly the point.

We dive deep into false urgency (why do we always need an "end goal"?), teaching kids to code on actual paper (brilliant!), using ChatGPT as a parenting co-conspirator, and why "because I said so" is an inevitable rite of passage. Plus, you'll hear my adorable nephew Daniel giggling in the background because real life doesn't pause for podcasts.

Fair warning: this conversation might make you question whether you're enjoying the journey or just white-knuckling toward some imaginary finish line. Nancy's flower art wisdom certainly did that for me.