Deep Questions with Cal Newport

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/slowGet 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-dogmatim.blog/2019/02/18/jim-collins/ Thanks to our Sponsors: landroverusa.comshopify.com/deepthrivemarket.com/deepvanta.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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

3 Mars 1h 18min

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/slowGet 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/deepzocdoc.com/deeporacle.com/deepquestionslandroverusa.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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

24 Feb 1h 29min

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/slowGet 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/1887541363287138445x.com/ChrisWillx/status/1800198794107064646?lang=enyoutube.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/deepupliftdesk.com/deepmybodytutor.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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

17 Feb 1h 20min

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/slowGet 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-delilahpodcast.feedspot.com/computer_science_podcasts/ Thanks to our Sponsors: cozyearth.com/deepbyloftie.com (Code: DEEP20)indeed.com/deepgrammarly.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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

10 Feb 1h 35min

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/slowGet 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/deepshopify.com/deeplandroverusa.comvanta.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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

3 Feb 1h 28min

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/slowGet 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-foodyoutu.be/-U7D4Fw67Zs?si=srHaYr3inZ9uAd0p Thanks to our Sponsors: zocdoc.com/deeporacle.com/deepquestionsnotion.com/calindeed.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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

27 Jan 1h 41min

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/slowGet 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-valleytheatlantic.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/deeplandrover.com/usaexpressvpn.com/deepshopify.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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

20 Jan 1h 30min

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/slowGet 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/jockowillinktiktok.com/@spartan/video/7259530421099056427nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/i-tried-miracle-morning-routine-month-here-s-what-happened-ncna981786youtube.com/watch?v=roK4g1e28mMnewyorker.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/deepquestionscozyearth.com/deep (Use code: DEEP)mybodytutor.combyloftie.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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

13 Jan 1h 35min