Lulu Garcia Navarro

After the break, I asked Dr. Santos if the trouble that some young people have socializing has anything to do with their parents.

I want to focus on young people because all the sort of happiness reports show that happiness for young people has really cratered.

Is there something different going on with Gen Z?

Are they sort of a different generation, or are they just facing a more extreme version than perhaps other younger generations have felt?

I want to take a little culpability here because I've seen you talk about something called lawnmower parents.

And I'd never heard of this phrase before.

Is my generation of parents also to blame for how kids are dealing with social interactions that are hard?

Let me ask you something that might be connected or might not.

Is there anything about our happiness that you think is uniquely American?

Oh, for sure.

It's funny you mention this because I've noticed that there's a lot of interest in your work from what I'd call productivity dudes.

Oh, yeah.

People who are obsessed with really practical tips and clear-cut answers for how to always be improving, you know, like always be getting better.

And I've heard you tell them things like the science backs up that your employees will be more productive if they're happier.

Do you have misgivings about productivity and this idea of optimization?

Yeah.

Let me ask you, though, because I can hear a productivity bro.

I hate to use that term necessarily.

They're not all bros.

I get a lot of productivity.