Why We’re All Digitally Exhausted With Paul Leonardi – This Week’s Thinking With Mitch Joel Conversation

Summary

In this episode, Mitch Joel and digital transformation scholar Paul Leonardi explore why modern workers feel "digitally exhausted," pinpointing constant task‑switching, data overload, and the pressure to stay perpetually reachable as core drivers. Leonardi explains how capitalist incentives and addictive design amplify fatigue, and why the erosion of work‑home boundaries creates systemic psychological strain across generations. Rather than recommending total detoxes, he proposes intentional tool use, clearer organizational norms, and habit‑based strategies to reclaim focus and wellbeing. The conversation frames digital exhaustion as a systemic issue that can be mitigated through better design and conscious choices.