Derek Thompson, a staff writer at The Atlantic, reflects on how people can improve their daily lives by finding companionship in moments of solitude. He references three books that explore themes of social connection and community, including "Bowling Alone" by Robert D. Putnam, which examines the decline of American community, and "The Anxious Generation" by Jonathan Haidt, which explores how childhood experiences contribute to mental illness. Thompson also mentions "Superbloom", a book by Nicholas Carr that discusses how technology can both unite and isolate people.
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/02/american-loneliness-personality-politics/681091/Arthur Brooks and psychotherapist Lori Gottlieb discuss the importance of identifying what brings joy in life on The Atlantic Podcast's "How to Build a Happy Life" series. They explore how people often confuse emotions as "good" or "bad", and that envy can be a signpost for one's deepest desires.
https://www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/archive/2024/12/best-of-how-to-identify-what-you-enjoy/681075/