The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway•August 21, 2025

How Technology Is Changing Love and Work — with Esther Perel

Here's a two-sentence description for the episode: In this episode, psychotherapist Esther Perel discusses how technology and remote work are changing human relationships, leading to a potential "social atrophy" that impacts personal and professional connections. She explores the challenges young people face in forming meaningful relationships, the importance of intentional social interaction, and offers insights on rebuilding human connection in an increasingly digital world.

Career Transitions

Relationship Psychology

Habit Building

Confidence & Public Speaking

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Podcast Summary

In this episode, renowned psychotherapist Esther Perel joins Scott to explore the four pillars of strong workplace relationships in our increasingly disconnected world. She breaks down the essential elements of trust, belonging, recognition, and collective resilience (03:28), while examining how remote work and social isolation are creating a new "asocial asexual" species among young people. Perel shares actionable strategies for rebuilding human connection—from using storytelling card games in team meetings to understanding why relationships in the workplace are no longer just "soft skills" but have become the new bottom line (30:15), offering both leaders and individuals practical tools to combat the epidemic of loneliness that's affecting performance, creativity, and our collective future.

Speakers

Esther Perel

Psychotherapist, New York Times bestselling author, and host of the hit podcast Where Should We Begin? Internationally recognized expert on relationships and human connection, she brings decades of clinical experience to understanding modern workplace dynamics.

Scott Galloway (Host)

Professor at NYU Stern School of Business and host of The Prof G Pod (Episode 362). Serial entrepreneur and bestselling author who has founded multiple companies and serves on various corporate boards.

Key Takeaways

Master the Four Pillars of Workplace Relationships

Build trust ("Do you have my back?"), belonging (part of something bigger), recognition (individual contribution matters), and collective resilience (system's ability to stay competitive and adapt). These aren't soft skills—they're your competitive edge and directly connected to performance. (03:28)

Embrace Intentional Social Interaction as Mission-Critical

Start meetings with storytelling prompts like "A first impression of a colleague that changed" or "The feedback I wish I heard sooner." Create belonging and trust first—engagement drives performance, not the other way around. (29:54)

Combat Social Atrophy Through Hybrid Work Strategy

Remote work amplifies isolation and creates a "deskilling" effect. Don't just mandate return-to-office—provide resocialization opportunities. The new generation has unprecedented social skill deficits that require active intervention. (07:02)

Prioritize Values Over Feelings in Professional Development

Push back against the culture that puts "self" in front of everything. Do the right thing even when you don't feel like it—call people instead of texting, show up for others, ritualize relationship meaning. This develops tolerance and protects collaborative culture. (43:39)

Create Shared Physical Experiences to Build Teams

Move together, sing together, laugh together—these dimensions tap into fundamental human connection needs. People crave embodied interaction but don't know how to access it. Leaders must believe in this need and make it available, not doubt its importance. (48:10)