Deep Questions with Cal Newport

A 22-year-old made a splash recently when he published a Wall Street Journal op-ed claiming that work-life balance makes you mediocre. He went on to brag about how sleeping less than 4 hours a night and gaining 80 pounds helped him become a millionaire. In this episode, Cal wades into the furious debate this article sparked. He argues that once you look past the author’s dorm bro bravado, the kid does actually ask a good question. It’s just that his answers are lacking. Cal then tackles listener questions and reviews the books he read in August.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: I Want Work-Life Balance. Am I Doomed to Mediocrity? [1:06]

Is it possible to stay focused when having to check my phone for text messages? [42:20]

When did you switch back to your teaching schedule to your summer schedule? [44:05]

How has your deep life evolved since Episode 1? [49:22]

How can I stop obsessively checking my work email? [53:47]

Can you summarize how values and strategic planning documents, birthday projects and lifestyle centric planning combine? [58:14]

CASE STUDY: Organizing household admin [1:01:44]

CALL: How to tame Trello cards [1:06:39]

AUGUST BOOKS: The 5 books Cal read in August 2025 [1:13:26] 

Boundless Realm (Foxx Note)
Collisions (Alec Nevala-Lee)
Before the Birds Sang Words (Ken Bruce)
Desperation Reef (T Jefferson Parker)
Shift (Hugh Howey)

Links:

Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX1XHMlX1J0

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

ridge.com (use code “Cal”)
drinklmnt.com/deep
shopify.com/deep
calderalab.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

In recent years, it’s been hard not to react to the possibilities of generative AI without a mixture of euphoria or dread. But after OpenAI’s lackluster GPT-5 launch, a new, almost heretical-seeming question has emerged: what if progress on AI is stalled well short of the wild predictions we were promised? In today’s episode, Cal draws from reporting on his recent New Yorker article to go deep into this question. What is going on with AI? How did we get here? What does it mean for our personal quest to live deeper lives? He then answers listener questions and ends by discussing his recent brush with literary acclaim.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: What if AI Doesn’t Get Much Better Than This? [1:00]

• Will AI leave me unemployed in 10 years? [1:06:26]
• How should I structure the next 10 years as a recently retired college professor? [1:13:58]
• I just moved. How should I arrange my book collection? [1:15:36]

CALL: Overhead tax [1:17:47]

CAL REACTS: Ed Sheehan and the Booker Prize [1:27:55]

Links:

Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?
newyorker.com/culture/open-questions/what-if-ai-doesnt-get-much-better-than-this
youtube.com/watch?v=zju51INmW7U
youtube.com/watch?v=Dtdue31z-X8
youtube.com/watch?v=0SXCIfFK5r8
youtube.com/shorts/dYZmGHOLNRU
youtube.com/watch?v=k82RwXqZHY8
youtube.com/watch?v=qhnJDDX2hhU
youtube.com/watch?v=qbIk7-JPB2c&t=3s
youtube.com/watch?v=k82RwXqZHY8
youtube.com/shorts/JCImeOUVTJE

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

grammarly.com/podcast
cozyearth.com/deep
calderalab.com/deep
shipstation.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

In this replay of one of the more popular episodes from the Deep Questions archives, originally aired in August ,2023, Cal explores some of his early strategies for cultivating a deeper life.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

Today’s Deep Question: How can I reinvent my life in 4 months? [1:30]

• How can I ease into Cal's more advanced time management strategies? [36:58]
• Can unstructured work be a part of the deep life? [40:33]
• How can I stop changing my mind about what I want to do with my life? [44:41]
• Can I pursue the deep life if I need a job? [52:24]
• How do you pursue the deep life with depression? [56:49]

Cover Reveal for Slow Productivity [1:05:27]

Thanks to our Sponsors:

This show is brought to you by Better Help.

https://www.betterhelp.com/deepquestions

https://www.mybodytutor.com

https://www.miro.com

https://www.shopify.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

Why do we end up entangled with tools that don’t have our best interests in mind? How can we fix this situation? In this episode, Cal dives deep into the difference between additive and extractive technologies, telling a story that weaves old technology with old versions of modern tools, testimony from recent trials to ideas from leading technology critics – all in the service of improving your relationship with tools. He then answers listener questions and discusses the books he read in July, 2025.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: What Technology Wants (and How to Push Back) [:54]
- Do project trackers work? [34:54]
- Is there a downside scenario to engineering wonder? [39:14]
- What types of people should I surround myself with? [43:00]
- Can you explain your different audiences? [45:02]

CALL: Shifting from medical work to a PhD [50:41]
JULY BOOKS: The 5 Books that Cal Read in July, 2025 [57:33]

L.A. Story (Bill Plunkett)
Disney’s Land (Richard Snow)
Ingenious (Richard Munson)
Original Sin (Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson)
Wool (Hugh Howey)

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://substack.com/@priscillaharvey1/note/c-133662492
https://www.yahoo.com/news/zuckerberg-tells-court-facebook-no-171222971.html
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/mark-zuckerberg-is-so-over-facebook-friends?srsltid=AfmBOoo4dysXG_2rXWDJaKnSdG6CfbCqf0O_8op_R1phpz5GQPx2F4XA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7jar4KgKxs
https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/28/enshittification/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ai-fC-2Bpo
https://www.emarketer.com/content/openai-hires-its-first-cmo-kate-rouch-foreshadowing-ads
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfUpEWAKPf8&t=2350s

Thanks to our Sponsors:
https://www.expressvpn.com/deep
https://www.oracle.com/deepquestions
https://www.indeed.com/deep
https://www.calderalab.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

When Cal recently returned home from his time spent up in New England he set up a whole new set of daily metrics to track in the fall to keep him pointed toward the deep life. And they failed. Hard. In this episode, Cal dissects why metrics matter, why they’re easy to mess up (including the mistakes he made), and how to use them correctly (including how he corrected his own setup). He then answers listener questions and discusses a recent AI article that got him all hot and bothered.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: Metrics 101 [2:10]

• How should I navigate the “grey area” when deciding to make a career change? [24:45]
• Do you have a framework for young people to develop deep critical thinking? [27:36]
• What should a father of 4 kids do for his next career move? [32:34]
• Can skills from a high-pressure call center carry over to a career in cybersecurity? [35:36]
• Should I have anticipated that my job was going to end? [38:36]

CALL: Returning back to work after a summer break [43:14]

CASE STUDY: Pursuing a hobby while combating digital doldrums [46:47]

WHAT I’M (NOT) READING: Vibe Reporting on AI [55:52]

Links:

Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?
nytimes.com/2025/07/28/arts/video-games-artificial-intelligence.html

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

vanta.com/deepquestions
smalls.com/deep
shopify.com/deep
1password.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for segment music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

What does Walt Disney’s malaise in the 1940s have to do with our current struggles with our screens? In this episode, Cal uses a little-known story from Disney’s midlife to identify an effective strategy for escaping the nerve-deadening, dull state created by spending more and more of your professional and personal life on screens. He then answers listener questions (with an unusual level of spiciness), tries to calm himself with a reprise of the SLOW PRODUCTIVITY CORNER theme music, and concludes with a discussion of a recent essay he wrote about how no one really knows anything about AI.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: [1:47]

• How should I pursue two different goals after leaving my software engineering career? [21:10]
• Should I leave my business analyst job and buy a retail business? [24:32]
• I’ve tried writing for editors (and publications) before with no success. Any suggestions on how to break through? [30:08]
• How do I convince my company that AI assistance is not the answer? [35:27]
• Is inspiration perishable like Naval Ravikant says? [38:11]

CALL: Inbox anxiety [43:15]

CASE STUDY: A public school teacher with a blog [51:27]

WHAT I’M WRITING: No One Knows Anything About AI [59:13]

Links:

Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?
amusingplanet.com/2019/01/walt-disneys-backyard-railway-carolwood.html
youtu.be/KyfUysrNaco?si=uE6tJkPuFhdnbla2&t=2490
calnewport.com/no-one-knows-anything-about-ai/

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

drinklmnt.com/deep
cozyearth.com/deep
calderalab.com/deep
shipstation.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

When we think about unhealthy phone usage, we think about the flashing apps, like TikTok and Instagram, in which billions of dollars have been spent to grab our attention. In this episode, Cal points to an unassuming culprit that may be just as responsible: simple messaging apps. He explores research that connects the social stress of pending messages to phone addiction, and explores ways to free yourself from constant messaging without having to isolate yourself socially. He then answers listener questions and discusses what he’s been reading.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: The Texting Dilemma [5:35]

• How can I structure my mornings with my sales job if I don’t have two hours for deep work? [31:44]
• How should I handle mandatory overtime at my aerospace job? [33:18]
• How can I handle too many open loops with my shutdown ritual? [35:54]
• How can I better organize communication with my university students? [40:38]
• Should I take on extra-curricular roles during my first year of my PhD? [44:00]

CALL: Household chore task list [48:01]

CASE STUDY: 30-day declutter [51:45]

WHAT TO READ: An author quits social media [59:45]

Links:

Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?
sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0747563214007626
journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/691462
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9671478/
carolinecrampton.com/im-done-with-social-media/

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

calderalab.com/deep
miro.com
shopify.com/deep
grammarly.com/podcast

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

Are you worried that you’re using your phone too much? An app blocker might make sense. But how do they work, and which one is right for you? In this episode, Cal goes deep into the motivation, technology, and ultimate end game of this distraction fighting technology. He then answers listener questions and discusses some intriguing comments he’s been seeing about limits to AI’s ability to code.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: Do You Need an App Blocker? [4:35]

- How do I succeed with task management? [29:07]
- How can I put boundaries on my administrative work for my university job? [33:58]
- How should I manage X if I only use it on my desktop? [39:31]
- How should I read through my weekly collection of newsletters? [41:11]
- What do you think about Polyphasic sleep to prepare for deep work? [44:22]

CASE STUDY: A ticketing system in action [45:21]

WHAT TO READ: On the Limits of “Vibe Coding” [50:58]

Links:

Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport
Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?
sciencefocus.com/science/youre-not-actually-addicted-to-your-smartphone
nytimes.com/2020/01/20/style/quit-smartphone.html
support.apple.com/guide/iphone/get-started-with-screen-time-iphbfa595995/ios
youtu.be/OuizzRCALCU?si=FqHzEEFdq7k4ao13
x.com/AglaiaCodes/status/1942636133248061590
x.com/GaryMarcus/status/1942478390323552588/photo/1

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

This show is sponsored by BetterHelp:
betterhelp.com/deepquestions
mybodytutor.com
expressvpn.com/deep
indeed.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

Trying to stick to complicated time management systems without any breaks can eventually lead to burn out. But if you stop organizational efforts altogether, your life can become a stressful mess. In this episode, Cal taps the wisdom of an elite running coach to devise what he calls one-page productivity: a minimum time management system, meant to be run for limited periods to help you recharge, but that also maintains just enough organization that you can avoid disaster. He argues such maintenance modes should be an important part of any time management practice. Cal then answers listener questions and concludes by reviewing the books he read in June 2025.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: One-Page Productivity [1:52]

• How do you approach decisions when you’re torn between two reasonable options? [18:17]
• How can I navigate teaching with phone addicted teenagers? [22:06]
• Have you considered using LLM’s to assist in your writing? [28:03]
• How many “thinking” walks do you take each week? [32:31]
• Do you have any recommendations for learning new material outside of the structured framework of a course? [35:00]

CASE STUDY: A son explains his parents lifestyle engineering [37:21]

CALL: Setting up workflows as a manager [41:09]

JUNE BOOKS: The 5 Books Cal Read in June, 2025 [52:05]

• The Magic of Code (Samuel Arbesman)
• In the Swarm (Byung-Chul Han)
• The Fear Index (Robert Harriss)
• The Explore’s Gene (Alex Hutchinson)
• Skywalking (Dale Pollock)

Links:

Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?
nytimes.com/athletic/6453809/2025/06/27/bruce-bochy-walking-exercise-creativity/

Thanks to our Sponsors:

cozyearth.com (Use code “DEEP”)
oracle.com/deepquestions
vanta.com/deepquestions
shopify.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

A blockbuster new study out of MIT takes a closer look at the impact of writing with the help of AI. In today’s episode, Cal breaks down this paper with the help of author Brad Stulberg (who made waves online recently with his reaction to its findings), picking apart the role of AI in deep work activities. Cal then answers listeners questions, and presents a twist on his typical final segment in which he now describes what he is not reading this week, which provides him a thinly-concealed excuse to rant about AI coverage.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: Should We Fear Cognitive Debt? [2:15]

• Can AI be creative? [44:35]
• What’s the smallest change I can make to address my disorganization? [48:31]
• How do I find time for personal projects? [53:12]
• How should I choose my next internship? [1:06:08]
• How did you develop your goal-setting philosophy? [1:11:46]

CALL: Inbox Zero and Notion [1:14:50]

CASE STUDY: A Thoreau Schedule [1:24:01]

WHAT I’M (NOT) READ: AI CEO’s hot takes on work [1:32:49]

Links:

Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?
fortune.com/2025/06/20/openai-ceo-sam-altman-ai-phds-entry-level-corporate-job-cuts-what-is-left-gen-z-college-gradautes/

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

shipstation.com/deep
smalls.com (Use code “DEEP”)
notion.com/cal
harrys.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

Back in 2023, Cal gave a detailed deep dive that described the three phases of scientific understanding of smartphones, social media, and kids. In today’s episode, Cal argues that we’ve entered a fourth phase; one that will finally lead to (perhaps rapid) cultural changes about what we think is appropriate when it comes to these tools and kids. He then answers listener questions and describes a recent book he enjoyed in his new WHAT TO READ segment.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: The Smartphones Haven’t Defeated Us. Yet. [2:27]

• Should I temporarily rent a separate space to write my first book? [23:09]
• What should I do when waiting for AI while coding? [25:29]
• How should 11 years old boys get organized? [29:31]
• How can I develop my “soft skills” for my career? [33:54]
• How can my husband find his ideal career path? [38:48]

CASE STUDY: A new dad incorporating lifestyle-centric career planning [43:25]

CALL: Hand written notes [47:08]

WHAT TO READ: The Explorer’s Gene [55:27]

Links:

Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?
nytimes.com/2025/06/18/opinion/parents-smartphones-tiktok-facebook.html
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5256747
tonyneufeld.blog

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

cozyearth.com/deep
mackweldon.com (Promo code “DEEPQUESTIONS”)
calderalab.com/deep
grammarly.com/podcast

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

Few philosophers in recent memory have enjoyed as much attention as Byung-Chul Han. His mix of profundity and pithiness in tackling some of the big issues of the modern technical environment has made him “the internet’s new favorite philosopher” (to quote The New Yorker). But is he saying that is making such an impact? In this episode, Cal seeks to find out. He reports back on five of the biggest ideas he encountered reading Han’s 2017 book, IN THE SWARM. He then answers listener questions and concludes with a WHAT TO READ segment where he tackles a pair of competing articles on AI’s abilities.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: What Worries the Internet’s Favorite Philosopher? [3:50]

- What’s Cal’s writing schedule when traveling? [29:26]
- How do I adapt to new job duties after making partner? [31:44]
- Should I do memory training? [33:22]
- Can you explain how creativity and productivity are related? [36:16]
- How do Cal’s responsibilities fit into his lifestyle-centric plan? [39:33]

CASE STUDY: A retiree adopts Cal’s principles [43:07]

CALL: Adventure work [46:13]

WHAT TO READ: Two Dueling Takes on AI’s Abilities [54:35]

Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport
Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?
theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jun/10/billion-dollar-ai-puzzle-break-down
scientificamerican.com/article/inside-the-secret-meeting-where-mathematicians-struggled-to-outsmart-ai/
arxiv.org/pdf/2504.01995
arxiv.org/pdf/2503.21934

Thanks to our Sponsors:

This show is sponsored by BetterHelp:
betterhelp.com/deepquestions
expressvpn.com/deep
shopify.com/deep
mybodytutor.com

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

In this episode of IN-DEPTH, Cal is joined by Chris Guillebeau, the author of the new book, TIME ANXIETY, and creator of the beloved Art of Non-Conformity blog and World Domination Summit annual conferences. Cal and Chris reminisce about their old days as early advice bloggers and dive into his new ideas about re-thinking our relationship with time. 

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

INTERVIEW: The Art of Non-Conformity (w/ Chris Guillebeau) [03:50]

Links:
https://www.calnewport.com/slow

Sponsors:
https://www.donedaily.com

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the theme music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

The data shows knowledge workers really are more exhausted and more prone to burnout than ever before. But why? In this episode, Cal draws inspiration from an unlikely source to help unpack this troubling trend and then suggest a perhaps radical solution. He then answers listeners’ questions and discusses his latest New Yorker article on the challenges of taming AI. As a bonus, he briefly discusses Cal Network’s new bestselling book.

Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com!

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: How Much Should We Work? [3:33]

- What’s your advice on having a career backup plan? [28:27]
- Do you know of any executive coaches who teach your principles? [30:33]
- Is my retirement plan too ambitious? [35:13]
- Are accountability support tools acceptable to use in order to build discipline? [38:43]
- How can I identify if I have an inventory of "rare and valuable skills"? [41:21]

CASE STUDY: Crafting a storytelling profession [43:14]

CALL: Creating a life dashboard [46:14]

TECH CORNER: Why Can’t We Tame AI? (Cal’s latest New Yorker article) [52:08]

Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/

Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?
newyorker.com/culture/open-questions/what-isaac-asimov-reveals-about-living-with-ai

Thanks to our Sponsors:

drinklmnt.com/deep
oracle.com/deepquestions
indeed.com/deep
vanta.com/deepquestions

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

A common complaint about social media skepticism is that we’re falling into a classic moral panic. We’ve been concerned about many past mass media technologies, and ultimately came to realize that they’re not so bad. So why would we expect anything different about social media? In this episode, Cal tackles this complaint, drawing on an unexpected analogy to find clarity. He then answers listener questions and discusses the books he read in May, but not before first confronting a truly bizarre (or, perhaps, brilliant) piece of art work created by a fan of the show.

Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com!

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: Quit Social Media [6:18]

- How can I become a better, more analytical thinker?  [23:04] 
- How can I stay motivated, productive, and balanced while working mostly alone during my first remote internship? [28:56]
- How much time should I dedicate to developing secondary skills? [30:10]
- How does TikTok seem to know so much about me? [32:09]
- What are the best workflow strategies when using AI agents? [43:45]

CASE STUDY: A simple, analog approach to productivity [49:31]

CALL: Too focused on metrics [53:15]

MAY BOOKS: The 5 Books Cal Read in May 2025 [1:03:19]

May Books:

• Building: A Carpenter’s Notes on Life & the Art of Good Work (Mark Ellison)
• Thoreau’s Axe (Caleb Smith)
• 9 Innings (Daniel Okrent)
• Let Them (Mel Robbins)
• Against the Machine (Paul Kingsnorth)

Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?
amazon.com/Four-Days-Week-Life-Changing-Well-Being/dp/0063382431/r
calnewport.com/on-ultra-processed-content/
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cal-newport-5-28-19/id814550071?i=1000647135862
rehearsal.so/blog/how_to_stay_in_flow_while_using_cursor_or_windsurf

Thanks to our Sponsors:

cozyearth.com/deep
shopify.com/deep
harrys.com/deep
calderalab.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

A few years ago, in a spirit of post-pandemic experimentation, multiple countries ran formal trials to test a radical idea: shortening the workweek. In this episode, Cal returns to the results of these trials to identify an astounding finding that has critical implications about how we work in the 21st century and how this could be made much better. He then answers listener questions and concludes with a tech corner that addresses a simple question: when will AI begin to automate most of my work?

Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com!

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: The Workload Fairytale [3:39]

- How would you rewrite A World Without Email to account for Slack? [18:16]
- How should I manage multiple deadlines? [22:14]
- How does Values-Based Lifestyle Centric Career Planning relate to Rutger Bregman's concept of Moral Ambition? [27:28]
- How can I avoid burnout and use my career capital to find a less demanding job? [34:24]
- Should I do my weekly plan on Sunday night to avoid the scaries? [40:32]

CASE STUDY: A lawyer argues in front of the New York Court of Appeals [42:57]

CALL: What exactly is considered task switching? [47:15]

TECH CORNER: When will AI automate my job? [56:04]

Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?
bbc.com/news/business-57724779
theguardian.com/money/2023/feb/21/four-day-week-uk-trial-success-pattern
dw.com/en/german-firms-tested-4-day-workweek-heres-the-outcome/a-70685885
calnewport.com/ai-and-work-some-predictions/

Thanks to our Sponsors:

udacity.com/deep
landroverusa.com
calderalab.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

Summer is here. It’s time to slow down. In this episode, Cal discusses his radically simplified summer schedule and then suggests you similarly inject some “seasonality” into your life, offering tips for finding a slower gear without tanking your job. He then answers listener questions and reacts to the most important AI article that you likely missed last week. 

Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com!

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: Summer Schedules [5:25]

- How should I structure my summer vacation with a significant injury? [27:40]
- How do I learn the secrets to publication if the faculty doesn’t know I exist? [32:10]
- Should I even attempt long-term content or is it too hard? [33:31]
- How can I develop a deliberate practice for crafting narratives for technical documents? [44:33]
- Is there an alternative to formal education to improve quantitative skills? [45:13]

CASE STUDY: A father balances his different roles [47:40]

CALL #1: Finding a side hustle [51:16]

CALL #2: College student wondering the tips to focus better [56:02]

CAL REACTS: Is the AI boom slowing? [1:07:01]

Links:

Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?
wsj.com/tech/ai/meta-is-delaying-the-rollout-of-its-flagship-ai-model-f4b105f7

Thanks to our Sponsors:

grammarly.com/podcast
vanta.com/deepquestions
shopify.com/deep
cozyearth.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

When we think about important accomplishments, we think about grinding through long hours of work. But is this really necessary? In this episode, Cal turns to the lives of two famous authors to argue that sometimes a slow and steady approach can work just as well in the end, while making the journey more sustainable along the way. He then answers listener questions and concludes with a Tech Corner segment about a ridiculous new claim from the world of AI.

Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com!

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: It’s Okay to Slow Down [2:28]

- How should I tell people my email responses will be delayed without using an autoresponder? [18:07]

- Should I read for quantity or quality? [20:31]

- How does “one email address” per project work and how do I implement it? [24:51]

- Can you comment on Conan O’Brien’s burner phone? [30:42]

- Am I working hard enough to get tenure? [38:00]

CASE STUDY: Email processing protocol [44:25]

CALL #1: Organizing creative work [49:19]

CALL #2: Fan update about Inbox Zero [53:37]

TECH CORNER: A.I. Welfare is a PR Stunt [58:36]

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://thestory.au/articles/daily-routines-famous-writers/

https://youtu.be/cM8HlKoJCHA?si=N-UjnFu-4q-mTJEB

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/24/technology/ai-welfare-anthropic-claude.html

Thanks to our Sponsors:

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/deepquestions and get on your way to being your best self!

https://www.mybodytutor.com

https://www.oracle.com/deepquestions

https://www.expressvpn.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

Tyler Cowen recently wrote an article arguing that spending lots of time online is in fact a good thing. In this episode, Cal looks deeper at Cowen’s argument and finds some surprising common ground. The internet can be a major source of good in your life, he argues, but only if you use it in the right way. He then answers listener questions and reviews the books he read in April.

Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com!

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: Making the Internet Good Again [5:06]

• What are good activities for “deep breaks”? [28:38]
• How can I approach parenting without resenting the sacrifices to deep work? [31:36]
• How does the deep life compare to David Epstein’s book, “Range”? [38:06]
• What is the difference between a “winner-take-all” field of work and “auction” field of work? [41:12]
• Does “following your passion” have any connection to “lifestyle centric planning”? [47:39]

CASE STUDY: Implementing the concept of “Eat The Frog” [52:48]

CALL: Introducing seasonality and the meetings being the work [55:07]

APRIL BOOKS: The 5 books Cal read in April, 2025 [1:06:08]

I, Robot (Isaac Asimov)
After Disney (Neil O’brien)
The Baseball Book of Why (John McCollister)
The Technology Republic (Alexander Karp and Nicholas Zamiska)
Everything is Tuberculosis (John Green)

Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport
Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?
thefp.com/p/the-case-for-living-online

Thanks to our Sponsors:

shopify.com/deep
auraframes.com [Use promo code “DEEPQUESTIONS”]
indeed.com/deep
harrys.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

The white whale of modern productivity discourse is achieving an empty email inbox; a goal state that’s often referred to simply as “inbox zero.” In this episode, Cal looks at why the original advice for achieving inbox zero failed and explores a strategy that might work better. He then answers listener questions and in a final segment reacts to a recent guest on the Tim Ferriss podcast who provides an interesting case study of the deep life in action.

Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com!

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: Is Inbox Zero Possible? [2:45]

• How can I perform beyond the bare minimum on “Survival Days”? [29:40]
• How can I remain sane with a job that changes schedules every week? [34:55]
• How are computer systems rewarded in AI? [37:08]
• How can I stop my boss from interrupting me with constant chatter? [41:34]

CALL: Identifying the next action [44:02]

CALL: Finding true depth during the final years of college [51:33]

CAL REACTS: Craig Mod’s walks through Japan [1:01:18]

Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport
Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?
youtube.com/watch?v=z9UjeTMb3Yk

Thanks to our Sponsors:

cozyearth.com/deep
auraframes.com [Promo Code “DEEPQUESTIONS”]
kinsta.com/deepquestions
udacity.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

Cal talks a lot about his ideas for producing meaningful work in a distracted world. But how do other people tackle this goal? To help better under this question, Cal reacts to a 2018 article from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in which he details his productivity philosophy. Cal then answers listener questions and concludes with a dystopian tech corner.

Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com!

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: Sam Altman On Productivity [2:20]

- How do I prevent administrative sprawl? [22:01]
- When is the best time to schedule Deep Work? [31:12]
- How can a gardener gain career capital? [32:43]
- How can one go from good performance to exceptional performance? [36:21]
- Is it better to write with a single monitor? [38:33]

CALL: Slow Productivity in a changing world [43:09]

CALL: Rory Mcllroy and his phone [48:35]

TECH CORNER: Will AI Destroy Humanity by 2027? [56:46]

Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport
Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?
blog.samaltman.com/productivity
ai-2027.com
daveshap.substack.com/p/common-bad-takes-in-ai-safety-a-response

Thanks to our Sponsors:

shopify.com/deep
zocdoc.com/deep
vanta.com/deepquestions
expressvpn.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

In this episode of IN-DEPTH, Cal is joined by David Dewane, the architect responsible for the “eudaimonia machine” featured in DEEP WORK. In this wide-ranging conversation, Cal and David talk about the challenges of finding depth in a distracted world, and the results of David’s personal experimentation in creating a deep life of his own. 

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

INTERVIEW: Architecting a Deep Life (w/ David Dewane) [04:06]

Links:
https://www.calnewport.com/slow

https://donedaily.com/ 

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the theme music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

Cal has been writing about time management for a *long* time. In this episode, he returns to a chapter from a book he wrote twenty years ago that is titled “manage your time in 5 minutes a day.” He revisits his old advice to see what he thinks still works and what needs updating. He then answers listener questions and returns to the tech corner to get back in the weeds on a topic involving AI. 

Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com!

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: Manage Your Time in 5 Minutes a Day [3:11]

- How specific should I make my Quarterly Plan? [27:28]

- Does reading Mangas count as reading? [29:30]

- How do I store information related to tasks? [34:14]

- How do I speak better at work in spontaneous conversations? [38:31]

- Are paper and pencil calendars suitable to use if my work is in two different time zones? [45:42]

CALL: Utilizing coaching [51:38]

CALL: Embracing boredom [57:48]

TECH CORNER: RL vs. LLM [1:08:04]

Links:

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

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

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

Thanks to our Sponsors:

grammarly.com/podcast

cozyearth.com/deep

oracle.com/deepquestions

expressvpn.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

Phones have been receiving a lot of criticism recently, but what if these concerns are missing the mark? In this episode, Cal introduces the difference between primary and secondary phone harms, and argues how our obsession with the former hides the importance of the latter. He then answers reader questions and reviews the books he read in March 2025.

Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com!

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: The Forgotten Phone Harms [3:32]

- What do you do when your writing doesn’t quite feel right? [24:32]

- How should I prioritize responding to different types of communication? [33:29]

- Should personal and work tasks be split into different Trello boards? [39:10]

- What is the difference between a two-status board and a reverse task list? [41:47]

CASE STUDY: A student adopts the Tao of Cal [45:17]

CALL: Structuring weekly templates [49:00]

MARCH BOOKS: The 5 books Cal read in March 2025 [57:24]

- Believe (Ross Douhut)

- How to Winter (Kari Leibowitz)

- Letter and the Scroll (Jonathan Sacks)

- I and Thou (Martin Buber)

- Coming into the Country (John McPhee)

Links:

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

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

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

Thanks to our Sponsors:

This show is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/deepquestions and get on your way to being your best self.

shopify.com/deep

indeed.com/deep

mybodytutor.com

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

In last week’s episode, Cal discussed data that indicate that the rise of the smartphones is making humans measurably dumber. Here he discusses aggressive strategies for resisting this reality. He then answers listener questions and ends with a tech corner.

Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com!

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: Getting Smarter in a Dumb World [3:47]

- With remote work dwindling, should I change careers to achieve my ideal lifestyle? [31:14]

- Should a 24-year-old ditch his college degree to pursue another field? [36:25]

- How should merit be rewarded in a revenue-constrained environment? [40:40]

- How can one find and engage with these more niche online communities? [44:34]

- How can partners support each other in building a deep life? [46:48]

CASE STUDY: Using lifestyle planning to turn down a promotion [48:53]

TECH CORNER:  How do AI’s “reason”? [57:53]

Links:

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

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

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

Thanks to our Sponsors:

zocdoc.com/deep

kinsta.com/deepquestions

udacity.com/deep [Use code DEEP]

notion.com/cal

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

Multiple listeners recently sent in a Financial Times article that asks whether humans have passed “peak intelligence.” In this episode, Cal looks closer at the data in this article to try to understand why we seem to be getting dumber, and more importantly, what are the practical steps individuals can take to avoid the trend. He then answers listener questions and ends with a tech corner segment that highlights a blind spot in current discussions of AI.

Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com!

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: Are We Getting Dumber? [2:58]

- Is it possible to build a better Twitter? [24:58]

- Should I ditch my higher paying job to avoid stress? [29:59]

- Can I remain relevant with younger, tech-savvy colleagues? [34:56]

- How should I navigate my time during while receiving severance? [38:35]

- What should I do next after being fired from my federal job? [41:18]

- CALL: Practicing focus on the weekends [45:01]

CASE STUDY: An engineering Kansan system [48:41]

TECH CORNER: The AI Blind Spot [1:00:04]

Links:

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

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

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

on.ft.com/3DIItJK

Thanks to our Sponsors:

factormeals.com/deep50off

landroverusa.com

expressvpn.com/deep

grammarly.com/podcast

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

Modern knowledge work jobs should be cushy gigs. Fixed hours, air conditioning, no hard manual labor, flexibility. So why are we so often burnt out and what can we do about this reality? In this episode, Cal draws a lesson from an unexpected corner of computer science, computer security research, about how we can fix some of the big problems of work in a digital age. He then answers listener questions and returns once again to the topic of AI in a final tech corner segment.

Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com!

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: You Are Not a Cog [11:00]

- Should I break my large tasks into many small ones? [38:18]

- How will AI affect living the deep life? [42:47]

- How can I say “no” to more incoming requests? [48:14]

- Should an architect take on broader roles that don’t necessarily add to career capital? [52:03]

- Can a nurse implement time blocking? [54:33]

- Can a Kansan system work across all departments without being overly complex? [58:11]

- CALL: Organizing the details of a Trello board [1:03:19]

CASE STUDY: Lifestyle centric value based planning for a young family [1:07:58]

TECH CORNER: AGI is not Super-intelligence [1:15:35]

Links:

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

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

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

medium.com/@tony.infisical/password-requirements-are-still-confusing-in-2023-also-heres-our-flavor-44ce03a3255c

youtube.com/watch?v=ZzJMxh68RGI

Thanks to our Sponsors:

This episode is sponsored by to you BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/deepquestions

mybodytutor.com

upliftdesk.com/deep

shopify.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

One of the most commonly recurring themes on this show is the conflict between too much versus not enough productivity. In this episode, Cal attempts to find new clarity in this debate by identifying a minimal viable productivity system – that is, what are the bare minimum components needed to escape the chaos and stress of total disorganization. He then answers listener questions and dives into a A.I. themed Tech Corner segment.

Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com!

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: A Minimal Protocol for Taking Control of Your Life [3:23]

- Is “finding purpose” and “following your passion” the same thing? [32:38]

- How can I capture key takeaways from podcasts if I’m always on the move? [37:18]

- Can you elaborate on project work with your PhD students? [39:22]

- How can I deal with my federal job with drastic priority changes due to political party shifts? [41:40]

- Is it possible for some managers to avoid pseudo-productivity? [49:15]

- CALL: Writing a book as a side hustle [51:58]

CASE STUDY: An athletic trainer makes a career transition [59:19]

TECH CORNER: A.G.I. versus SkyNet [1:07:30]

Links:

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

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

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

nytimes.com/2025/03/04/opinion/ezra-klein-podcast-ben-buchanan.html

Thanks to our Sponsors:

cozyearth.com/deep

byloftie.com (Code: DEEP20)

oracle.com/deepquestions

indeed.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

In this episode of IN-DEPTH, Cal is joined by the writers Brad Stulberg and Clay Skipper to talk about the topic of “greatness.” They attempt to pick apart the weird moment we are in where, on the one hand, we feel aversion to performative demonstrations of “pseudo-greatness” (think: Elon Musk on-stage with his chainsaw) but on the other, still admire useful skill and seek it in our own lives. 

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

INTERVIEW: Greatness on Trial (w/ Brad Stulberg and Clay Skipper)

Links:
https://www.landroverusa.com
https://www.calnewport.com/slow

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the theme music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

How do escape a life of shallowness and distraction to cultivate something deeper and more meaningful? In this episode, Cal draws from both algorithm theory and the habits of a reclusive author to highlight an effective strategy for achieving this goal – one that underscores the advantages of the small targeted changes versus major grand leaps. He then answers listener questions and reviews the five books he read in February.

Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com!

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: The Good Life Algorithm [1:42]

- How should a federal worker navigate all the negative news? [23:56]

- How do I get my non-geeky partner on board with the deep life! [26:40]

- How can I develop a schedule with flexibility following a health setback? [29:08]

- How should I reshape a once successful aerospace company? [35:06]

- Are there perceived benefits to pseudo productivity? [43:32]

- CALL: What does it mean to work enough each week? [50:19]

CASE STUDY: Can knowledge workers be happy doing less? [58:55]

FEBRUARY BOOKS: The 5 Books Cal Read in February, 2025 [1:07:50]

- Moral Ambition (Rutger Bregman)

- Brotherhood of the Rose (David Morell)

• - How Dante Can Save Your Life (Rod Dreher)
• - Buzz Saw (Jesse Dougherty)
• - The Siren’s Call (Chris Hayes)

Links:

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

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

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

newyorker.com/culture/office-space/the-hollow-core-of-elon-musks-productivity-dogma

tim.blog/2019/02/18/jim-collins/

Thanks to our Sponsors:

landroverusa.com

shopify.com/deep

thrivemarket.com/deep

vanta.com/deepquestions

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

Tim Ferris is working on a new book about saying “no” and has posted the introduction online. In this episode, Cal reads an excerpt from this introduction and then tries to make sense of it with a metaphor about a shipwreck that helps unwind the complexity of dealing with the scourge of having too much to do. Cal then answers listener questions and reacts to a productivity meme inspired by a recent episode.

Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com!

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: Drowning, Treading, or Swimming [6:27]

- Will AI productivity gains reduce quality? [27:30]

- Can you elaborate on the Digital Declutter? [33:38]

- Is reading a book considered deep work? [38:41]

- What are Cal’s thoughts on content aggregator services such as Inoreader? [43:49]

- Can a large team with ever-changing demands avoid pseudo-productivity? [51:47]

- CALL: Dealing with doom-scrolling [58:31]

CASE STUDY: A UFC announcer applies Cal’s principles [1:07:40]

CAL REACTS: Productivity Meme [1:19:42]

Links:

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

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

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

tim.blog/2025/01/13/the-no-book/

Thanks to our Sponsors:

expressvpn.com/deep

zocdoc.com/deep

oracle.com/deepquestions

landroverusa.com

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

Sometimes the quest for productivity can seem like the embrace of activity for the sake of activity, a prospect that inevitably leads to exhaustion. In today’s episode, Cal explores this idea by discussing “productivity rain dances,” why they’re dangerous, and what works better instead. He then answers listener questions and ends with a Tech Corner segment in which he fact checks Joe Rogan’s understanding of ChatGPT.

Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com!

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: Productivity Rain Dances [7:04]

- How should I take notes during a meeting? [26:31]

- How could a layman (not a computer scientist) test the veracity of the claims of an AI system or its potential? [28:53]

- How can I utilize my full-days in my cube with cancelled telework to best make progress on my phantom “part-time” job? [33:37]

- Can I be a CS instructor with a PhD? [37:45]

- Can I convince my advisor to “do fewer experiments” for my doctoral thesis? [42:47]

- CALL: College in the modern digital environment [48:28]

CASE STUDY: Managing multiple email inboxes [54:22]

TECH CORNER: Does ChatGPT have “survival instincts”? [1:05:17]

Links:

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

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

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

x.com/firelog_io/status/1887541363287138445

x.com/ChrisWillx/status/1800198794107064646?lang=en

youtube.com/watch?v=HigVe4IqsBM

Thanks to our Sponsors:

This episode is sponsored by to you BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/deepquestions and get on your way to being your best self.

shopify.com/deep

upliftdesk.com/deep

mybodytutor.com

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com!

In a recent appearance on the Tim Ferriss podcast, the prolific fantasy author Brandon Sanderson revealed how he reshaped his media company to help him do what he does best. In this episode, Cal explores the idea, and asks the key question: why is this not more common? While exploring an answer, Cal uncovers a bigger issue in modern digital knowledge work and points towards potential answers. He then answers listener questions and concludes with a tech corner about Alan Turing.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: Let Brandon Cook [4:56]

- What is your opinion on mind mapping and have you ever used it? [32:35]

- What “really matters” to develop career capital for a civil servant? [36:28]

- What’s your view on Daniel Immerwahr’s recent New Yorker article on the attention crisis? [42:23]

- How does mentoring fit into knowledge work development? [49:54]

- Is it possible to use Paul Jarvis’s approach to start a company to merge the divide with Slow Productivity? [57:20]

- CALL: A 15-year-old and a smartphone [1:03:28]

CASE STUDY: Using AI to expand work skills [1:07:59]

TECH CORNER: Let Turing Cook [1:21:41]

Links:

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

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

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

tim.blog/2025/02/05/brandon-sanderson/

spectrum.ieee.org/alan-turings-delilah

podcast.feedspot.com/computer_science_podcasts/

Thanks to our Sponsors:

cozyearth.com/deep

byloftie.com (Code: DEEP20)

indeed.com/deep

grammarly.com/podcast

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com!

One of the most common complaints from listeners to the podcast is the feeling that they’re too distracted; both at work and at home. In today’s episode, Cal reviews five major explanations for this current state of affairs, and then uses this new understanding to identify concrete actions to make things better. He then answers reader questions and reviews the five books he read in January.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: Why You’re Always Distracted [3:50]

- How should I use social media for my documentary film project? [29:40]

- How can I master a new job skill in a busy schedule? [37:11]

- Any advice for developing and nurturing my “second mountain” values? [42:10]

- How can overcome project paralysis? [48:41]

- Is my knowledge work role doomed to fail? [52:10]

- CALL: Supporting a spouse during stressful career planning [58:01]

CASE STUDY: The benefits of a commute [1:05:35]

JANUARY BOOKS: The 5 Books Cal Read in January, 2025 [1:14:13]

Links:

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

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

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

Thanks to our Sponsors:

thrivemarket.com/deep

shopify.com/deep

landroverusa.com

vanta.com/deepquestions

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

Remote work is a hot discussion topic right now as president Trump moves to eliminate it from government work. For those who are still allowed to work from home this new focus provides a good chance to rethink how to get the most out of these arrangements. In today’s episode, Cal presents three foundational ideas from his reporting about what makes remote work actually work, and for each provides concrete advice individuals can apply to make their own virtual setups better. He then answers reader questions and ends with a tech corner focused on what the law says about whether social media should be banned for kids.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: Hacking Remote Work [4:58]

- How does Cal explain time management vs. focus and attention management? [40:53]

- How can I self study hard, technical concepts? [50:12]

- Should I quit my PhD program after 3.5 years? [54:13]

- Does Slow Productivity work for college students? [1:08:35]

- CALL: Organizing a writing sabbatical [1:16:55]

CASE STUDY: A software engineer removes distractions [1:25:41]

TECH CORNER: Is Social Media More Like Cigarettes or Junk Food? [1:33:11]

Links:

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

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

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

newyorker.com/culture/infinite-scroll/is-social-media-more-like-cigarettes-or-junk-food

youtu.be/-U7D4Fw67Zs?si=srHaYr3inZ9uAd0p

Thanks to our Sponsors:

zocdoc.com/deep

oracle.com/deepquestions

notion.com/cal

indeed.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

In a recent article for The Atlantic, Derek Thompson writes about the troubling trends toward increased solitude. In this episode, Cal looks at the role technology plays in these trends, pointing out some surprising factors and then using these insights to come up with a practical plan for reconnecting with the world. He then answers listener questions and concludes with a tech corner segment inspired by yet another New Yorker column.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: On Screens and Solitude [3:09]

- How can I study at night after my doctor work? [26:49]

- Can you comment on Leopold Aschenbrenner’s Situational Awareness essay? [36:45]

- How do I successfully pursue my non-work values? [51:33]

- How can I become a better writer? [1:00:56]

- Can someone break into the top 0.1% of their respective field without periods of unsustainable and obsessive work? [1:02:44]

- CALL: Managing active projects [1:08:42]

CASE STUDY: A follow-up from Episode 323 [1:13:02]

CAL REACTS: An Offline Person Tries TikTok for the First Time [1:19:34]

Links:

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

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

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

axios.com/2024/06/23/leopold-aschenbrenner-ai-future-silicon-valley

theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/02/american-loneliness-personality-politics/681091/

• newyorker.com/culture/infinite-scroll/what-happened-when-an-extremely-offline-person-tried-tiktok

Thanks to our Sponsors:

upliftdesk.com/deep

landrover.com/usa

expressvpn.com/deep

shopify.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

One of the most popular and most derided topics in online productivity spaces are so-called morning routines. In this episode, Cal wades into this content, identifying three major categories of these routines. For each, he explores what’s good and what’s bad. In the end, he uses these lessons to update his own daily routines in some highly specific ways. He then answers reader questions and ends with a “tech corner” segment that builds on Cal’s latest essay for The New Yorker.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: On Morning Routines [4:04]

- How should I choose what podcasts to listen to? [41:49]

- How does Cal track daily steps? [52:57]

- Can I switch my office hours around? [57:23]

- How long should I remain at a large marketing firm? [1:02:37]

- How can I reject meetings? [1:10:02]

- CALL: How to obsess over quality while researching [1:13:22]

CASE STUDY: A career transition to become a pastor [1:18:57]

TECH CORNER: YouTube and the Creative Middle Class [1:28:18]

Links:

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

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

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

x.com/jockowillink

tiktok.com/@spartan/video/7259530421099056427

nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/i-tried-miracle-morning-routine-month-here-s-what-happened-ncna981786

youtube.com/watch?v=roK4g1e28mM

newyorker.com/culture/rabbit-holes/a-lesson-in-creativity-and-capitalism-from-two-zany-youtubers

Thanks to our Sponsors:

This show is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/deepquestions

cozyearth.com/deep (Use code: DEEP)

mybodytutor.com

byloftie.com (Use code: DEEP20)

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

In this episode, Cal talks about his journey into the tinsel-tinged world of Hallmark Christmas movies, where he discovered an unexpected connection between these low-budget productions and a key idea in the quest to cultivate a deep life in a distracted world. He then answers questions from listeners and reviews the books he read in December.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: Hallmark Movies and the Deep Life [2:31]

- Does Cal use a Commonplace book? [22:53]

- How do I create an effective weekly template? [25:54]

- Is your monthly book reading separate from “work” reading? [31:18]  

- What are the best strategies for a college student to learn calculus? [36:38]

- What are other book recommendations that dive deeper into Slow Productivity? [43:50]

- CALL: Struggling to apply multi-scale planning to grow a business [46:15]

CASE STUDY: Transitioning to knowledge work [52:18]

DECEMBER BOOKS: The 5 Books Cal Read in December, 2024 [1:03:17]

Links:

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

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

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

nytimes.com/2024/12/08/arts/christmas-movies-hallmark-lohan.html

imdb.com/title/tt29378386/

Thanks to our Sponsors:

landroverusa.com

rhone.com/cal

shopify.com/deep

drinklmnt.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: 4 Pieces of Advice to Start 2025 [2:14]

- How do I stop doom-scrolling before bed? [32:47]

- What is the role of craft in Cal’s “Deep Life Stack 2.0” idea? [36:09]

- How do I save money? [41:04]

- Do writers need social media audiences? [50:12]

- How should I make the most of 90 minutes of commute time? [53:57]

- CALL: Life after a career in law [57:31]

CASE STUDY: A digital declutter with LinkedIn? [1:01:53]

TECH CORNER: Is Social Media Like Dying Malls? (A Debate) [1:07:46]

Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?
honest-broker.com/p/are-social-media-platforms-the-next

Thanks to our Sponsors:

landroverusa.com
zbiotics.com/deep
eightsleep.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

- Who are Cal’s “must read” writers? [6:03]
- Does Cal think he can get better at writing? [13:37]
- When does Cal find time for academic papers? [24:09]
- How do you get unstuck? [26:44]
- How should students pick a college? [34:04]
- What is Cal’s shutdown ritual? [43:00]
- Does Cal think about retirement? [48:00]
- CAL REACTS: Elon and Twitter [54:30]
- Is cal still using his ReMarkable? [1:03:17]
- What’s Cal’s post-mortem on his latest book? [1:08:10]

FINAL SEGMENT: Checking in on Cal’s New Year Plan [1:26:10]

Links:

Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?
washingtonpost.com/business/interactive/2024/see-how-elon-musks-online-audience-dwarfs-donald-trumps/?itid=hp_world-biz-tech_p006_f008

Thanks to our Sponsors:

notion.com/cal
drinklmnt.com/deep
blinkist.com/deep
zbiotics.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

In this episode of IN-DEPTH, Cal welcomes the bestselling author Michael Easter to talk about the importance of embracing discomfort in the quest to cultivate a deep life. Drawing from Michael’s two books, THE COMFORT CRISIS and SCARCITY BRAIN, as well as Michael’s personal journey from an unhappy office worker with an alcohol problem to a full-time writer who enjoys daily hikes in the desert, Cal and Michael get into the weeds of our human wiring and what it feels like to build an intentional life.

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

INTERVIEW: Bestselling author Michael Easter [5:56]

Links:

https://www.landroverusa.com
https://www.calnewport.com/slow

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the theme music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

One of the most important but often overlooked elements of cultivating a deep life is the role of money. In this episode, Cal takes a contrarian look at this topic, arguing that the monetary cost of your vision is not actually the most important metric. He then answers listener questions and reacts to an article that many people sent him this past week.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: Money and the Deep Life [3:17]

- How can I tame my wandering mind when reading? [23:34]

- How should I schedule time blocks as a real estate agent? [27:21]

- How can I improve my quarterly planning? [32:33]

- How can I balance intense motivation with finding inner peace? [38:29] 

- How can a jobseeker demonstrate actual productivity? [45:37]

- CALL: Trying to do more with a newborn [53:34]

CASE STUDY: A 39-year-old juggling school and work [1:00:18]

CAL REACTS: ‘Brain Rot’ [1:12:51]

Links:

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

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

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

corp.oup.com/news/brain-rot-named-oxford-word-of-the-year-2024/

youtu.be/mHU_K1o3B-4?si=Tsk1GEgzrhlCiaGw

Thanks to our Sponsors:

mintmobile.com/deep

shopify.com/deep

expressvpn.com/deep

policygenius.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

Australia recently passed a world-first law banning social media use for kids under the age of 16. In this episode, Cal looks carefully at the arguments in favor and against this new law before detailing his thoughts. He then connects this specific argument to all of our larger battles to tame technology’s impact in our lives. This is followed by listener questions and a review of the books Cal read in November.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: Tackling Social Media’s Hidden Dangers [2:08]

- How do I find friends now that I don’t use social media? [37:13]

- Is continuous hard activity desirable? [42:47]

- How does Cal research his books and articles? [46:49]

CASE STUDY: A Phone Addict Seeks a Fresh Start [51:08] 

- How does the idea of the idea of the deep life “Longer Short Way” connect to Slow Productivity? [1:02:07]

FINAL SEGMENT: The 5 Books Cal Read in November, 2024 [1:10:34]

Links:

Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at 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?

cnn.com/2024/11/28/australia/australia-passes-social-media-law-intl-hnk/index.html

apnews.com/article/australia-social-media-children-ban-safeguarding-harm-accounts-d0cde2603bdbc7167801da1d00ecd056

Thanks to our Sponsors

mybodytutor.com

cozyearth.com/deep

drinklmnt.com/deep

byloftie.com (use code: DEEP20)

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

This IN-DEPTH is brought to you by Defender. 

In this episode of IN-DEPTH, Cal welcomes the bestselling author Kendra Adachi to talk about her new book, THE PLAN, which introduces the innovative idea of “compassionate time management.” Kendra and Cal discuss how to move beyond the forever pursuit of “greatness” to instead seek satisfaction in your current life; the ways in which time management and productivity writing ignores the specific concerns of women; and why flexibility and pivoting are more important skills than precise planning. 

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

Links:
https://www.landroverusa.com
https://www.calnewport.com/slow

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the theme music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

We cover a lot of advice on this podcast, covering a lot of different topics. In today’s episode, Cal takes on the challenge of summarizing every big idea he promotes in less than five minutes. He then provides some theoretical connective tissue to explain how they all connect. This is followed by reader questions and a rant about “productivity.” 

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: The Tao of Cal [2:53] 

- Why is time blocking more demanding than using a weekly template? [25:04] 

- Is moving to the country a bad idea? [29:54] 

- How can I consolidate my email accounts without being stressed out? [34:47] 

- What’s the best approach to read for general knowledge? [36:20] 

- How do I apply Slow Productivity without losing career capital? [43:12] 

- CALL: Should I adjust my deep life lifestyle? [45:58] 

CASE STUDY: Cultivating the deep work muscle [56:38]  

CAL REACTS (e.g., Rants): “Productivity” Tracking Software [1:05:58] 

Links: 

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

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

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

reddit.com/r/sysadmin/comments/1gwg7rk/employee_monitoring_software_has_gone_off_the/?rdt=41693

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

This show is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/deepquestions

zocdoc.com/deep

grammarly.com/podcast

shopify.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering. 

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

There’s a video trending on the internet at the moment arguing that its audience (presumably, young men) should disappear from the world to focus on going “beast mode” on their goals. Cal takes a closer look at this video and argues that it points toward a much larger issue – a mismatch between the modern digital environment and our human brains – that affects all of us. He then answers listener questions and calls and concludes with a tech corner segment. 

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: Analog Mode [2:39] 

- How do I go about restructuring my life after a shake-up? [29:50] 

- Should I take breaks from my AirPods? [36:03] 

- How can I adopt the discipline ladder to “multi-scale” planning? [38:54] 

- How do I regain a sense of time in a period of isolation and challenge? [43:41] 

- Should I quit some of my side projects? [48:50] 

- CALL: How should I time block on sabbatical? [55:27] 

CASE STUDY:  Building Studio Z [1:03:18] 

TECH CORNER: Section 230 and Poison Pills [1:15:10] 

Links: 

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

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

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

youtube.com/watch?v=p5a7whN1k64

promarket.org/2020/12/13/liberals-conservatives-wrong-section-230-reform-repeal/

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

eightsleep.com/deep

zbiotics.com/deep

blinkist.com/deep

drinklmnt.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering. 

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

Almost everyone feels uneasy about their relationships with their smartphones. But the question is why? In today’s episode, Cal looks past the most common answers to seek a deeper understanding built on an unexpected source: the moral philosophy of Immanuel Kant. He then answers listener questions and ends the show with another edition of the tech corner segment. 

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo 

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

Deep Dive: Would Kant Use TikTok? [6:13] 

- Do “distraction free” apps work? [30:36] 

- How can I finish what I start? [34:24] 

- Is context shifting slowing down my work as a teacher? [37:42] 

- How should I organize my official podcast duties with my traditional teaching requirements? [43:08] 

- Is “slow living” and “slow productivity" the same thing? [49:00] 

- CALL: Deep work blocks in the afternoon [55:58] 

CASE STUDY:  Re-designing a life with a new job [1:00:07] 

TECH CORNER: How do recommendation algorithms work? [1:11:00] 

Links: 

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

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

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

youtu.be/SeZ1YOgbz18?si=kuCksvy_dGoOfx8Q 

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

shopify.com/deep 

drinklmnt.com/deep 

expressvpn.com/deep 

mintmoblie.com/deep 

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering. 

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

During the election season our devices take a particularly hard tole on our health and happiness. Now that the votes have been cast and counted, Cal proposes it’s time to take a temporary but radical break from the exhausting digital chatter. He then answers questions from his listeners and discusses Martha Stewart and the problems of “aesthetic productivity.”

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: Time to Unplug [2:49]

- How do I organize all the information in my life? [39:04]

- How can I do a side hustle if it’s against company policy? [42:23]

- What is “Humanist Productivity”? [48:46]

- Should I use a flip phone in college? [57:05]

- How can I work at a natural place in a software company? [1:01:27]

- CALL: Oliver Burkeman and imperfectionism [1:08:32]

CASE STUDY: Managing with slow productivity [1:13:16] 

CAL REACTS: Martha Stewart’s Productivity Tips [1:21:36]

Links:

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

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

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

calnewport.com/after-you-vote-unplug/

today.com/shop/martha-stewart-shares-her-favorite-tips-staying-organized-t171345

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

mybodytutor.com

cozyearth.com/deep

notion.com/cal

rhone.com/cal

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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

A common theme on this show is the importance of focus and the need to train the ability. This can be a long term project, but are there things you can do right away to improve your ability to concentrate? In this episode, Cal explores five easy ideas that will immediately improve your focus ability. He then answers listener questions and reviews the books he read in October 2024. 

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: Simple Focus Protocols [2:09] 

- Can I time-block my personal time if it’s more busy than work? [25:57] 

- How do I prioritize when I have so much I want to do? [29:46] 

- How can I do deep work to increase my job skills if my days are filled with meetings? [34:50] 

- What are your all-time favorite books? [39:25] 

- How can I apply the principles of Slow Productivity as a business owner with multiple projects? [44:41] 

- CALL: Eyeglasses as a proxy for meaningful effort [49:39] 

FINAL SEGMENT: The 5 Books Cal Read in October 2024 [59:01] 

Links: 

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

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

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

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

This show is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/deepquestions 

grammarly.com/podcast 

zocdoc.com/deep

shopify.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering. 

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

We talk a lot on this show about how to organize your professional efforts. But what about all your obligations outside of work? The personal goals, the household repairs, the family tasks? In this episode, Cal discusses organizational strategies custom-fit to these types of obligations. He then answers listener questions and checks in on a hidden trend in the world of technology. 

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo 

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

Deep Dive: Taming Non-Work Tasks [4:48] 

- How do you manage unexpected projects in your time management system? [26:57] 

- How can I implement lifestyle-centric planning if my life has been directed by other people? [29:36] 

- How do you figure out what your rare and valuable skill is? [33:57] 

- Should I return to social media to promote my new book? [37:30] 

- How can I do fewer things if I’m expected to bill 40 client hours every week? [46:23] 

- CALL: Hiring an administrative assistant [50:08] 

CASE STUDY: A software developer’s “pull” system [57:35] 

TECH CORNER: The Quiet Revolution [1:08:34] 

Links: 

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

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

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

newyorker.com/culture/photo-booth/the-frightening-familiarity-of-late-nineties-office-photos 

youtube.com/watch?v=-lRkCbhABvo

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

blinkist.com/deep

notion.com/cal

zbiotics.com/cal

drinklmnt.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering. 

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