
ReThinking: Why are people acting like everything’s fine? with Rahaf Harfoush
In our rapidly changing world, it might make you feel crazy to look around and see others going about life as usual. There’s actually a term for this phenomenon: hypernormalization. In this episode, Adam talks with Rahaf Harfoush, a digital anthropologist and expert on toxic productivity culture, about the immense pressures of living through “unprecedented times.” Rahaf breaks down the concept of hypernormalization, and Adam explains why it can fuel feelings of destabilization and disconnection. The two challenge the propaganda that promotes productivity for its own sake and explore healthier ways to get things done.
Host & Guest
Adam Grant (Instagram: @adamgrant | LinkedIn: @adammgrant | Website: https://adamgrant.net/)
Rahaf Harfoush (Instagram: @foushy | Website: https://rahafharfoush.com/)
Links
Newsletter: https://rahaf.kit.com/
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For the full text transcript, visit ted.com/podcasts/worklife/worklife-with-adam-grant-transcripts
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Hosts & Guests
Information
- Show
- Channel
- FrequencyUpdated weekly
- Published25 November 2025 at 05:00 UTC
- Length41 min
- RatingClean