The highlights of the interview:

Life after the White House

Since leaving office in January, Mr. Obama has more time on his hands. He gets to wake up later, spend more time with his family and take control of his day, something he says he couldn’t do as president. But the things that are important to him have not changed.

“I still care about making sure that the United States and the world is a place where kids get a decent education. Where people who are willing to work hard are able to find a job that pays a living wage. That we’re conserving the amazing resources of our planet so that future generations can enjoy the beauty of this place. Like we did.”

Now that he no longer has the authority that came with being president, Mr. Obama said he relies on persuasion rather than legislation.

“A lot of the things that still motivate me and move me continue to this day,” he added.

Addressing Trump, obliquely

While neither man mentioned Mr. Trump directly, they discussed the role of social media in leadership, a conversation that brought to mind Mr. Trump’s blunt, unvarnished posts on Twitter.

Mr. Obama warned against the irresponsible use of social media by people in positions of power and expressed his concern about a future in which facts were discarded.

“One of the dangers of the internet is that people can have entirely different realities. They can be cocooned in information that reinforces their current biases.” “The question has to do with how do we harness this technology in a way that allows a multiplicity of voices, allows a diversity of views, but doesn’t lead to a Balkanization of society and allows ways of finding common ground.”

Mr. Obama also mentioned that he had developed a thick skin during his presidency. Mr. Trump, in contrast, has been criticized since the 2016 campaign as thin-skinned and unable to rise above provocation.

Passing the baton

During the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20, many people — including Prince Harry — wondered what Mr. Obama was thinking as he sat in the crowd, showing little emotion.

“The first thing that went through my mind was sitting across from Michelle, how thankful I was that she had been my partner through that whole process,” he said in a reflective tone.