Critical thinking is often misunderstood as the act of finding faults or poking holes in arguments. Perhaps it’s the word “critical” that trips us up, conjuring images of harsh judgment or opposition. But true critical thinking isn’t about tearing things apart—it’s about going deeper. At its heart, critical thinking is the ability to look beneath…
I used to think the mistakes I’d made had ruined my life. I walked away when a major publisher wanted to publish my book Getting Messy in a different format. I lost a substantial inheritance by investing in questionable stock purchases. I’ve failed to plan ahead. And so on. But one of the most powerful…
I’ll never forget the moment that sparked my book Getting Messy: A Guide to Taking Risks & Opening the Imagination. I was teaching in the teacher credentialing program at UC Berkeley, and one of my students—a soon-to-be teacher—asked if I had any tips for “keeping things under control” in the classroom. She wanted things to…
We’re the most human when we’re being creative. Whether it’s painting a masterpiece, solving a tricky problem, or reimagining a relationship, creativity is what makes us feel alive and connected. It’s not just about art—it’s about engaging with the world in a way that allows for possibility, growth, and transformation. But here’s the thing: creativity…
In my 25 years of teaching—across graduate schools and diverse programs—I’ve seen that while many educators, trainers, and coaches emphasize content and strategies, it’s the opening of space that’s transformative. When we only focus on content, learning and growth become static. There’s no room to let the wisdom under the surface reveal itself. It’s in…
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