Susan Orlean, my thought partner on the podcast this week, writes on Medium and for The New Yorker about things like umbrella inventors, origami artists and treadmill desks. She is a curious lady and a great thinker. Here are some edited highlights from our recent heart to heart about my very real fears about the empty nest moment.
Kelly Corrigan So, hi, how are you?
Susan Orlean I’m great. I’m so happy to be talking to you.
KC Tell me about how things at your house changed when your son left for school.
SO For one thing, we really just went to town doing all the things that I absolutely deplored when my son was home. Like not making your bed. I was very adamant about making the bed when he was home, then suddenly, I literally fell off the wagon and the house was a complete disaster.
KC Do you believe the adage that children make their parents better people?
SO A hundred percent. There’s a certain amount of behavior that you want to model for your kids. And it keeps you honest. Do I look both…
