Why Do Better Tools Make Me Worse at My Job? (w/ David Epstein) | Monday Advice

Deep Questions with Cal Newport

What can an obscure theory of industrial productivity teach us about producing better results in a distracted world? In this episode, Cal is joined by the #1 New York Times bestselling author David Epstein to explore this question. They dive deep into a chapter of Epstein’s new book, INSIDE THE BOX, that makes a surprising connection between the so-called “Theory of Constraints” and personal productivity.


Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Send an email to podcast@calnewport.com. 


Video from today’s episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmedia


(0:00) How do I get busy to better?

(3:04) INTERVIEW: How Do I Get from Busy to Better? (w/ David Epstein)

(57:58) Post Interview chatter

(1:00:19) A suggestion to break digital news app addictions

(1:05:54) A reaction to a recent newsletter

(1:15:02) What Cal read

(1:16:29) What’s coming up


Books:


Kook (Peter Heller)


Links:

Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow 

Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at https://peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/ 

Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?

https://calnewport.com/who-asked-for-this/


Thanks to our Sponsors: 


https://www.factormeals.com/deep50off

https://www.wayfair.com

https://www.mybodytutor.com

https://www.shopify.com/deep


Thanks to Jesse Miller for mastering and production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

More description

What can an obscure theory of industrial productivity teach us about producing better results in a distracted world? In this episode, Cal is joined by the #1 New York Times bestselling author David Epstein to explore this question. They dive deep into a chapter of Epstein’s new book, INSIDE THE BOX, that makes a surprising connection between the so-called “Theory of Constraints” and personal productivity.


Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Send an email to podcast@calnewport.com. 


Video from today’s episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmedia


(0:00) How do I get busy to better?

(3:04) INTERVIEW: How Do I Get from Busy to Better? (w/ David Epstein)

(57:58) Post Interview chatter

(1:00:19) A suggestion to break digital news app addictions

(1:05:54) A reaction to a recent newsletter

(1:15:02) What Cal read

(1:16:29) What’s coming up


Books:


Kook (Peter Heller)


Links:

Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow 

Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at https://peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/ 

Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?

https://calnewport.com/who-asked-for-this/


Thanks to our Sponsors: 


https://www.factormeals.com/deep50off

https://www.wayfair.com

https://www.mybodytutor.com

https://www.shopify.com/deep


Thanks to Jesse Miller for mastering and production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2026-05-04 81 min
Listen elsewhere

Available Results

Generated results are saved to your library for reuse and search.

No generated results are available for this episode yet.

Transcript

No transcript is available for this episode yet.
Sign in to generate a transcript for review.
Sign in

Chapters

No chapters available.