Anne Helen Petersen

In this insightful discussion, Anne Helen Peterson, a culture writer known for her focus on burnout, joins Ideas producer Nahid Mustafa, researcher Alex Strick-Van Linschoten, journalist Bridget Schulte, and philosopher Alex Sager. They tackle the societal constraints that hinder leisure time, drawing contrasts between childhood freedom and adult responsibilities. The conversation highlights the burden of productivity, the unique struggles of working mothers, and the importance of redefining leisure as an essential aspect of well-being. It's a call to reclaim time for personal fulfillment.

Anne Helen Petersen, Vox reporter and author of "Can't Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation," joins sociologist Rachel Sherman to unpack the anxieties of the wealthy. They delve into the blurred lines of middle-class identity, revealing how societal pressures challenge self-perceptions among the affluent. The duo discusses the tension surrounding charity and philanthropy, advocating for systemic change over mere personal giving. Their insights expose the flawed narratives we tell about wealth, identity, and what it means to be a 'good' rich person.

Anne Helen Petersen, a BuzzFeed writer, explores millennial burnout, while Derek Thompson, a writer for The Atlantic, discusses 'workism.' They dive into how work has evolved from a necessity to a central identity, examining the pressures of productivity and its impacts on mental health. The conversation critiques capitalism's role in defining worth and highlights the struggle of finding balance in an increasingly digitized world. They advocate for revaluing leisure and personal well-being amid changing societal expectations.