In this week's episode, Nick and Geoff dig into a WallStreet Journal article about why working in America has become so joyless. They unpack the two forces driving workplace dissatisfaction—shrinking perks and the rise of AI—and explore the "AI engagement paradox," a concept gainingtraction that links AI use to lower social connection at work. They also share a practical example of how collaborative AI use can preserve the social element of work while still delivering the efficiency gains companies are chasing.

Key Takeaways:

• Shrinking perks and AI-driven changes are combining to make the workplace feel increasingly less enjoyable, according to a new Wall Street Journal report
• CFOs mentioned "efficiency" on over 300 earnings calls in Q1—up 40% year over year and the highest level since 2020—signaling a top-down squeeze employees are feeling daily
• The more employees interact with AI instead of colleagues, the more they are isolated and the lower their overall connection to work, risking burnout
• Collaborative AI use, where teams work together on AI-driven projects rather than solo, can preserve the social element of work while still capturing meaningful efficiency gains