Deep Questions with Cal Newport

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

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/slowGet 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.htmlimdb.com/title/tt29378386/ Thanks to our Sponsors: landroverusa.comrhone.com/calshopify.com/deepdrinklmnt.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.

6 Jan 1h 16min

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmediaDeep 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/slowGet 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-nextThanks to our Sponsors:landroverusa.comzbiotics.com/deepeightsleep.com/deepThanks 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.

30 Dec 20241h 17min

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvoVideo 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/slowGet 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_f008Thanks to our Sponsors:notion.com/caldrinklmnt.com/deepblinkist.com/deepzbiotics.com/deepThanks 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.

23 Dec 20241h 39min