Harvard Psychologist: Don’t Get All A’s and Flunk Life with Dr. Richard Weissbourd | 163

Episode 163 of The Ambitious Generation with Jack WagonerDr. Richard Weissbourd is a Harvard psychologist and the faculty director of Making Caring Common.His team just surveyed thousands of Gen Zers about meaning and purpose.And he says achievement that isn't meaningful can corrode your friendships and, eventually, your soul.So I went to his office at Harvard and asked him what happens to a kid who achieves every goal and still doesn't feel like enough.We get into the two kinds of achievement, why your friends start to feel like threats, why not wanting to work 70 hours a week is a healthy instinct, why chasing happiness backfires, what happened when his survey offered people double the salary for a job with less meaning, the AI companion problem, and why nobody teaches us how to love. If you've ever hit a goal and felt nothing, this one is for you.⏱️ Chapters:0:00 — Coming up0:15 — Every goal is just another gate1:22 — Two kinds of achievement2:44 — When achievement corrodes your friendships5:01 — Why your friends start to feel like threats7:09 — Don't get all A's and flunk life8:49 — How individualism makes us lonely10:52 — Is Gen Z lazy, or just healthy?11:49 — Why chasing happiness backfires13:09 — We find meaning in mattering to others16:58 — 79% of Gen Z want work that helps people19:24 — Would you take double the salary for less meaning?20:38 — Money identity vs. meaning identity23:38 — AI and disappearing entry-level jobs24:51 — Why young people are so lonely28:35 — The AI companion problem29:56 — What replaces religion?35:38 — Why nobody teaches us how to love39:24 — How do you know you're in love?42:51 — What young people should know about loveSubscribe for more deep conversations with thinkers, seekers, and soulful creators. 🙏Connect with Richard:Making Caring Common: https://mcc.gse.harvard.edu/Harvard faculty page: https://www.gse.harvard.edu/directory/faculty/richard-weissbourdGen Z Wants to Do Good (the Gallup study): https://mcc.gse.harvard.edu/reports/gallup-gen-z-wants-to-do-goodTurning the Tide in 2026: https://mcc.gse.harvard.edu/s/Turning-the-Tide-2026-Making-Caring-Common-lejm.pdf📺 Listen on your favorite platform:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-grateful-podcast-with-jack-wagoner/id1725776061Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5EsTEpQAjU4BxUrDoFyZ6b🧠 InnerVue — a complete self-awareness tool:→ https://yourinnervue.comUse code GRATEFUL20 for 20% off a Tier 1 InnerVue, plus a complimentary coach-led debrief of your report.🧠 More from Jack:► Website: https://jackwagoner.co► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jack_wagoner_/► 1:1 Coaching: jackcwagoner@gmail.com📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jack_Wagoner⸻🎙️ About Jack:I moved to France alone at 16, started my first business at 17, and launched this podcast because I kept meeting people who had the answers to questions I didn't even know I was asking. My philosophy: you can set massive goals while being deeply fulfilled right now. That's the duality of gratitude and ambition.Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode.Stay grateful, stay hungry.