Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel How To Start (Even When You Don't Know Where You're Going)
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Apr 27, 2026 
Priya Parker, facilitator and author who designs intentional gatherings, and Jodi Kantor, New York Times reporter and author on beginnings. They riff on how to begin amid uncertainty. Short lessons on craft over passion. Hands-on audience exercises about career myths. Practical tips for creating agency and pairing skills with real needs.
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Esther's Unconventional Entry Into Therapy
- Esther Perel began working in her parents' clothing store and later used puppetry and multilingual skills to get therapy-related jobs in Boston and psychiatric hospitals.
- She hustled through visa and administrative hurdles, improvising employers and landlords to create opportunities early in her career.
Priya's First Facilitation Was Born From Campus Racial Tension
- Priya Parker arrived at UVA biracial and launched a sustained dialogue group after being urged to 'do something' about racial divides on campus.
- She trained with Hal Saunders, facilitated dialogues post-9/11, and learned facilitation by practicing with diverse groups for years.
Develop A Craft Not Just Passion
- Build a craft — a distinct expertise or skill that others lack — because it protects you from being seen as interchangeable.
- Craft requires long practice, supervision, and staying close to teachers and peers to deepen mastery over time.
