
Deep Questions with Cal Newport (Cal Newport)
Explore every episode of Deep Questions with Cal Newport
Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
---|---|---|---|
03 Feb 2022 | Ep. 170: CALLS: Don’t Follow Your Passion | 00:51:07 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. | |||
07 Feb 2022 | Ep. 171: Is Slow Productivity the Solution to Burnout? | 01:23:48 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. | |||
10 Feb 2022 | Ep. 172: CALLS: The Books I Read in January 2022 | 01:09:08 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. | |||
14 Feb 2022 | Ep. 173: What is Deep Work? | 01:08:14 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. | |||
17 Feb 2022 | Ep. 174: CALLS: Thinking for Yourself | 01:09:49 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. | |||
21 Feb 2022 | Ep. 175: What is the Deep Life? | 01:08:46 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. | |||
24 Feb 2022 | Ep. 176: CALLS: Taming Information Overload | 00:56:34 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. | |||
28 Feb 2022 | Ep. 177: Is Ambition Worth It? | 01:13:11 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast | |||
03 Mar 2022 | Ep. 178: CALLS: On Doing Hard Things | 01:10:46 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast | |||
07 Mar 2022 | Ep. 179: Do Techniques Beat Talent? | 01:00:53 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. | |||
10 Mar 2022 | Ep. 180: CALLS: Four Day Weeks Aren’t Enough | 00:59:56 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. | |||
14 Mar 2022 | Ep. 181: Should I Quit My Lawyer Job? | 01:11:07 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. | |||
17 Mar 2022 | Ep. 182: Cal’s Business Model | 01:01:56 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. | |||
21 Mar 2022 | Ep. 183: Crazy or Deep? | 00:51:21 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. | |||
24 Mar 2022 | Ep. 184: REPLAY: The Productivity Baby Steps | 00:45:28 | |
This episode is a replay from July 12, 2021. | |||
28 Mar 2022 | Ep. 185: How Do I Escape Filter Bubbles? | 01:06:54 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. | |||
31 Mar 2022 | Ep. 186: The Power of “Day Batching” | 01:00:20 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. | |||
04 Apr 2022 | Ep. 187: Helping 100K Employees Work Deeper | 01:16:17 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. | |||
07 Apr 2022 | Ep. 188: The Books I Read in March 2022 | 00:55:05 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. | |||
11 Apr 2022 | Ep. 189: Why Did The Times Drop Twitter? | 01:00:55 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. | |||
14 Apr 2022 | Ep. 190: CALLS: Managing Idea Notebooks | 01:02:41 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. | |||
18 Apr 2022 | Ep. 191: Can We Fix the Internet? | 01:04:42 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. | |||
21 Apr 2022 | Ep. 192 : Habit Tune-Up Returns! | 01:02:20 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. | |||
25 Apr 2022 | Ep. 193: How do I read more? | 01:34:50 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. | |||
02 May 2022 | Ep. 194: The Surprising Math of Doing Less | 01:18:59 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. | |||
09 May 2022 | Ep. 195: Deep Walks | 01:24:32 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. | |||
15 May 2022 | Ep. 196: Shutting Down Anxiety | 01:28:44 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. | |||
23 May 2022 | Ep. 197: I’m Writing a New Book | 01:33:51 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. | |||
30 May 2022 | Ep. 198: The Second Principle of Slow Productivity | 01:04:47 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. | |||
10 Jun 2022 | Ep. 199: Quieting an Ambitious Brain | 01:09:54 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. | |||
13 Jun 2022 | Ep. 200: Decoding the Deep Life | 01:18:23 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. | |||
20 Jun 2022 | Ep. 201: Making a Living Online | 01:30:36 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. | |||
27 Jun 2022 | Ep. 202: TikTok Dismisses Facebook | 01:22:21 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast | |||
04 Jul 2022 | Ep. 203: Taming Meetings | 01:25:03 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. | |||
11 Jul 2022 | Ep. 204: Deep Life Principles | 01:33:07 | |
Cal Reacts: A slow productivity case study [5:19] | |||
18 Jul 2022 | Ep. 205: Why I’m a Bad Correspondent | 01:07:24 | |
With Jesse away on vacation, Cal decides to tackle 10 questions in a row, all in one take, with no breaks, covering everything from complaints about Cal’s inaccessibility, to teaching deep work in schools, to a long pontification (read: rant) on the podcasting industry. | |||
25 Jul 2022 | Ep 206 – Striving to do less | 00:48:30 | |
With Cal away on vacation, he decides to tackle 8 questions in a row, all in one take, with no breaks! | |||
02 Aug 2022 | Ep. 207: A Digital Minimalism Intervention (w/ JAMIE KILSTEIN) | 01:30:13 | |
In today’s episode, we try something different: a special two-part conversation in which Cal coaches his longtime friend, comedian and podcast pioneer Jamie Kilstein, through a digital declutter. The first part of the conversation ends with Cal’s prescription for Jamie, while the second part picks up six weeks later to check in on how things actually went. | |||
08 Aug 2022 | Ep. 208: To-Do Lists Are Inhumane | 01:21:32 | |
Habit Tune-Up: To-Do Lists Are Inhumane [2:03] | |||
15 Aug 2022 | Ep. 209: Email and Living with Purpose | 01:12:04 | |
Click Here To Take Cal’s Survey: https://bit.ly/3zMTLXp Cal reacts to the news: TikTok and the Fall of the Social Media Giants [3:05] - How long should I wait for someone to respond to my email? [32:21] Habit Tune-Up: Docket Clearing Meetings [44:44] - How do I balance my many interests after quitting my job? [55:33] Thanks to our Sponsors: Blinkist.com/Deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. | |||
22 Aug 2022 | Ep. 210: Visions of a Deep Life | 01:08:18 | |
Please take a moment to provide feedback on the podcast using this survey: | |||
29 Aug 2022 | Ep. 211: How Cal Organizes His Life | 01:16:12 | |
- Deep Dive: How does Cal organize his life? [4:47] | |||
05 Sep 2022 | Ep. 212: The Productivity Dragon Returns | 01:36:26 | |
- Deep Dive: Will 4-Day Weeks Solve Burnout? [7:01] | |||
12 Sep 2022 | Ep. 213: The Art Of Saying No | 01:29:43 | |
- Deep Dive: The art of “no” [7:06] | |||
19 Sep 2022 | Ep. 214: Quiet Quitting | 01:25:46 | |
Link to submit questions: bit.ly/3U3sTvo | |||
26 Sep 2022 | Ep. 215: RYAN HOLIDAY: Discipline Is Destiny | 01:28:25 | |
Link to submit questions: bit.ly/3U3sTvo | |||
03 Oct 2022 | Ep. 216: Deep Walking To Work Less | 01:26:16 | |
Link to submit questions: bit.ly/3U3sTvo | |||
10 Oct 2022 | Ep. 217: Slow Productivity Advice | 01:30:03 | |
Link to submit questions: bit.ly/3U3sTvo | |||
17 Oct 2022 | Ep. 218: Work vs. Meaning | 01:41:58 | |
Link to submit questions: bit.ly/3U3sTvo | |||
24 Oct 2022 | Ep. 219: The Deep Reset | 01:30:16 | |
Link to submit questions: bit.ly/3U3sTvo DEEP DIVE: The Deep Reset [8:58] - Should I use Seinfeld’s “Don’t Break the Chain” method? [37:48] - Does Cal have a separate task board and weekly plan for his personal life? [42:07] - How do I track my metrics over the long term? [47:18] - Are Facebook and Instagram doomed? [52:25] - CALL: Children and video games [58:47] - When do I add a task to my list versus straight into my weekly plan? [1:07:50] CASE STUDY: Implementing Deep Work advice [1:13:18] MAILBAG: [1:19:40] - Cal’s vision of the AR future as it grows closer https://twitter.com/MKBHD/status/1580917421757587456?s=20&t=-deRWeIvOuCdPhhnAOFm9Q - Andrew Huberman on the “Cathedral Effect” https://hubermanlab.com/5-science-based-steps-to-improve-your-workspace/ - Obligatory Focus Porn: Writing in an isolated hut https://alastairhumphreys.com/important-or-urgent/ Thanks to our Sponsors: Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. | |||
26 Oct 2022 | Listen to This: The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos | 00:04:37 | |
Here’s a special preview of the new season of The Happiness Lab, a podcast from Pushkin Industries. You might think you know what it takes to lead a happier life… more money, a better job, or Instagram-worthy vacations. You’re dead wrong. Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos has studied the science of happiness and found that many of us do the exact opposite of what will truly make our lives better. She’ll take you through the latest scientific research and share some surprising and inspiring stories that will change the way you think about happiness. | |||
01 Nov 2022 | Ep. 220: The Two Types of Ambition | 01:33:53 | |
Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo | |||
07 Nov 2022 | Ep. 221: Can Parents Do Deep Work? | 01:29:15 | |
Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: | |||
14 Nov 2022 | Ep. 222: Did Cavemen Use To-Do Lists? | 01:30:28 | |
Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo | |||
21 Nov 2022 | Ep. 223: Could This Meeting Have Been An Email? | 01:38:23 | |
Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo | |||
28 Nov 2022 | Ep. 224: A World Without Twitter? | 01:57:26 | |
Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo | |||
05 Dec 2022 | Ep. 225: Should I Become A Thriller Writer? (w/ J.T. Ellison) | 01:43:47 | |
Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo | |||
12 Dec 2022 | Ep. 226: The Productivity Dragon | 01:28:51 | |
Get your questions answered by Cal! | |||
19 Dec 2022 | Ep. 227: Visions of the Deep Life? | 01:28:27 | |
Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo - How do I switch from a push to pull model of task management? [27:05] THREE INTERESTING THINGS: | |||
26 Dec 2022 | Ep. 228: A World Without Busyness | 01:11:54 | |
Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo | |||
02 Jan 2023 | Ep. 229: Developing Discipline | 01:16:47 | |
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. https://www.notion.com/cal Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.
| |||
09 Jan 2023 | Ep. 230: How Well Are You Living? | 01:25:39 | |
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 | |||
16 Jan 2023 | Ep. 231: Fight Burnout with Work Cycles | 01:15:31 | |
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 | |||
23 Jan 2023 | Ep. 232: The Lumberjack Paradox | 01:14:13 | |
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 | |||
30 Jan 2023 | Ep. 233: Escaping Your Tyrannical Inbox | 01:19:58 | |
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 | |||
06 Feb 2023 | Ep. 234: Ambition without Burnout | 01:31:31 | |
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 screenrant.com/calvin-hobbes-bill-watterson-merchandising-lost-millions-reason/ web.archive.org/web/20150302235823/http://www.calnewport.com/blog wired.com/2014/08/maryam-mirzakhani-fields-medal/ thedeeplife.com/podcasts/episodes/ep-115-jordan-harbinger-what-is-the-future-of-podcasting/
| |||
13 Feb 2023 | Ep. 235: Is Productivity Overrated? | 01:12:35 | |
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 | |||
20 Feb 2023 | Ep. 236: Hacking Remote Work | 01:20:20 | |
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 | |||
27 Feb 2023 | Ep. 237: Reimagining the Internet | 01:17:07 | |
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 | |||
06 Mar 2023 | Ep. 238: The Joys of the Reading Life | 01:09:57 | |
The reading life is a deep life. The screen-filled life can be primitive and exhausting. Which one do you want? | |||
13 Mar 2023 | Ep. 239: On Time and Stress | 01:14:25 | |
The relationship with time is one of the more interesting things going on in work culture. Many knowledge workers take on too much work and become overloaded. If we have less to do, our relationship with time can be repaired. So we have to think very concretely about building systems and mindsets that reduce how much we have to do. | |||
20 Mar 2023 | Ep. 240: Disciplined Laziness | 01:04:10 | |
You can’t just turn a “work harder” or “relax” knob. Once you realize that productivity ideas can offer you great autonomy in shaping your life - however you decide to do that - your relationship with it becomes more nuanced and fruitful. Productivity can be understood as applying organization tools and deliberate processes to take back control of your obligations. | |||
27 Mar 2023 | Ep. 241: The Virality Trap | 01:09:58 | |
Why does Twitter maintain such a strong grip on those who produce things with their minds for a living? Is it really so critical that we all spend so many hours spreading our output on this particular platform? In today’s episode, we explore this question, seeking new, more sustainable and humane ways to be an online creative professional. | |||
03 Apr 2023 | Ep. 242: The Simple Life | 01:24:38 | |
Why do stories of people moving to the country to dedicate their lives to simple living resonate so strongly with us overworked knowledge workers? Cal explores lessons we can extract from these instincts that can improve our lives right now, even without the need to become a homesteader. 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 Today’s Deep Question: What do we (really) seek when we seek the Simple Life? [7:39] - Are daly deep life habits too frequent? [32:35] - How do I juggle more projects? [36:44] - Can I quit my job to reach online full time? [41:53] - How do I convince my husband that the “deep life” isn’t an excuse to ignore me? [55:36] CASE STUDY: A Writing Shed For Slow Productivity [1:01:37] SOMETHING INTERESTING: - Utah limits teens’ ability to use social media [1:12:38] https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/utah-1st-state-limiting-teens-access-social-media-98089159 https://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/simple-living-zmaz03onzgoe/
https://www.mybodytutor.com
| |||
10 Apr 2023 | Ep. 243: In The Weeds! | 00:57:05 | |
Cal Newport answers 10 questions from his audience ranging from idea management to the Deep Life to writing. Throughout all the answers, you’ll hear Cal explain his core concepts and how they apply to everyday working 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 Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia - Why doesn’t Cal care about idea management systems? [2:46] - Does Cal still use Workflowy to capture tasks? [12:52] - Are women better at multi-tasking than men? [16:56] - What is the difference between pursuing depth versus passion? [23:16] - What are the “Contemplation” and “Celebration” buckets in the context of the Deep Life? [28:56] - What’s the best way to study math? [32:56] - Can I jump from a master’s at a small school to a PhD at a prestigious one? [35:19] - How do I know if I’ve successfully cultivated a Deep Life? [37:11] - How do I become a successful political nonfiction writer? [44:38] - Is the Deep Work hypothesis affected by survivorship bias? [50:36] Links: calnewport.com/blog/2011/06/23/lab-notes-my-closed-loop-research-system/ Thanks to our Sponsors: fieldofgreens.com Promo Code: Deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. | |||
17 Apr 2023 | Ep. 244: Thoughts on ChatGPT | 01:29:33 | |
Are new AI technologies like ChatGPT about to massively disrupt our world? Drawing from his recent New Yorker article on the topic, Cal explains exactly how programs like ChatGPT work, and uses this knowledge to explain why we can calm our fears about this new technology. 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 Today’s Deep Question: How does ChatGPT work? (And should we worry about it?) [11:24] - Is there anything AI won’t do better than humans? [57:30] - How will AI end up disrupting knowledge work? [1:02:27] - Should I quit web development before AI eliminates the industry? [1:07:32] - Will AI create mass job loss in the next five years? [1:11:52] SOMETHING INTERESTING: - NPR leaves Twitter [1:21:11] npr.org/2023/04/12/1169269161/npr-leaves-twitter-government-funded-media-label Links: newyorker.com/science/annals-of-artificial-intelligence/what-kind-of-mind-does-chatgpt-have twitter.com/tqbf/status/1598513757805858820 twitter.com/goodside/status/1598077257498923010 nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/chatgpt-passes-mba-exam-wharton-professor-rcna67036 time.com/6240569/ai-childrens-book-alice-and-sparkle-artists-unhappy/ nytimes.com/2023/02/16/technology/bing-chatbot-microsoft-chatgpt.html nytimes.com/2023/03/24/opinion/yuval-harari-ai-chatgpt.html Thanks to our Sponsors:
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. | |||
24 Apr 2023 | Ep. 245: “Crazy” Productivity | 01:08:20 | |
In this episode Cal – against his better judgment – answers questions on the fly, with no advance plan or preparation. He also does a Deep Dive about the Twitter fog dissipating and discusses something interesting. | |||
01 May 2023 | Ep. 246: Kids and Phones | 01:25:47 | |
Are smartphones bad for kids? Cal walks through the data on this question, including how researchers came to be worried, their findings, critiques of their findings, and where we are today. He then gives recommendations for how to think about technology when it comes to your 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 Today’s Deep Question: Are smartphones bad for kids? [3:10] - Is the deep life dull? [49:35] - How do I stop doom-scrolling when I’m tired? [53:49] - Are smartphones bad for older people? [57:35] - How does Cal decide to adopt new technology or software? [1:02:06] - How do I stay deep while traveling at conferences? [1:06:33] The Books Cal read in March 2023 [1:12:38] Thanks to our Sponsors: Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. | |||
08 May 2023 | Ep. 247: The Productive Life (w/ Sarah Hart-Unger) | 01:56:16 | |
We talk a lot on this show about how to be more organized and intentional in how you spend your time at work. But what about at home? In this episode, Cal is joined by Sarah Hart-Unger (https://theshubox.com/), a leading thinker on the challenges of staying organized amidst the chaotic busyness that defines family life, to help explore strategies for organizing life outside of work.
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
Today’s Deep Question: How do I adapt professional productivity techniques to my life outside of work? (With Sarah Hart-Unger) [7:16]
— What system does Cal use to track his life admin? [1:05:55] — Don’t I need some sort of plan for time outside of work? [1:11:46] — How do I stay on top of ongoing projects, initiatives, or hobbies? [1:15:36] — Should I calculate the monetary cost of household tasks? [1:20:20]
Something Interesting: The AI Null Hypothesis [1:33:24]
Thanks to our Sponsors:
fieldofgreens.com (promo code: Deep)
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. | |||
15 May 2023 | Ep. 248: Decoding Overload | 01:08:02 | |
Few professional experiences feel worse than overload. But what really causes this unfortunate state? In this episode, Cal takes a closer look at overload, identifying its main culprits, identifying solutions, and helping listeners with their specific overload-related questions.
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
Today’s Deep Question: How does overload actually operate? [3:54]
- Does Cal use an executive assistant? [26:15] - How do I write an effective communication policy for my team? [36:35] - Does overhead compound exponentially? [42:50] - How rare are high expectation/low overhead jobs? [48:05] - My job has few shallow obligations. What should I do with my free time? [51:41]
Something Interesting: The future of social media is less social [59:39]
Links:
wsj.com/articles/workers-say-its-harder-to-get-things-done-now-heres-why-2a5f1389 nytimes.com/2023/04/19/technology/personaltech/tiktok-twitter-facebook-social.html
Thanks to our Sponsors:
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. | |||
22 May 2023 | Ep. 249: The Good Enough Job (w/ Simone Stolzoff) | 01:44:49 | |
Do you live to work or work to live? In this episode, Cal talks with author Simone Stolfzoff about his provocative new book, THE GOOD ENOUGH JOB. Cal then answers listener questions about escaping professional unhappiness, and then switches gears in the Something Interesting segment to talk about the critical technological breakthrough that not enough people yet are talking about.
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: Cal talks about the Good Enough Job with author Simone Stolzoff [4:39]
- What kind of a job do I want? [59:31] - If I enjoy my job, why can’t I focus? [1:05:28] - Should I give up on finding an academic job? [1:17:23] - Should I cut my salary in half to escape the hyperactive hive mind? [1:25:07]
SOMETHING INTERESTING: Apple’s most interesting new tech strategy has nothing to do with A.I. [1:34:41]
Links:
wsj.com/articles/apple-is-breaking-its-own-rules-with-a-new-headset-80c9b36c
Thanks to our Sponsors:
This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. | |||
29 May 2023 | Ep. 250: In Defense of Thinking | 01:19:03 | |
The art of thinking – plain, old-fashioned, hard concentration on useful ideas – is rapidly vanishing as our culture recasts humans as the custodians and recipients of digital computation. In this episode, Cal explains why this is a problem and what we should do in response.
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
Today’s Deep Question: Why is it important to preserve the vanishing art of thinking? [5:02]
- How do I integrate movies and shows into the deep life? [27:42] - Can I read after a long day of deep work? [33:30] - Is a digital “second brain” a good idea to keep up with the latest advancements in your field? [36:25] - Would Cal consider consolidating his notebooks? [42:37] - Is Maria Popva’s note-taking method better than Cal’s method? [51:40]
The Books I Read in April 2023 [1:04:29]
Links:
Edward Teller talking about John Von Neumann youtube.com/watcv=vQp70uqsBV4#t=55m0s
Aristotle on “philosophic wisdom.” See book 10, section 7 of The Ethics: classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/nicomachaen.7.vii.html
Arnold Bennet on training concentration (See chapter 7 of How to Live on 24 Hours a Day): gutenberg.org/cache/epub/2274/pg2274-images.html
Thanks to our Sponsors:
hensonshaving.com/cal
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. | |||
05 Jun 2023 | Ep. 251: The Efficiency Trap | 01:10:42 | |
Productivity YouTube is filled with breathless videos about optimizing systems and squeezing every ounce of speed out of your common habits. But does all of this efficiency really end up improving the quality of the most important things you produce? In this episode, Cal takes a deeper look at the different ways that productivity systems and tools can help your professional life, separating the boring but effective from the exciting but over-hyped.
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
Today’s Deep Question: Does working faster make work better? [3:56]
- Why doesn’t Cal agree with other productivity YouTubers about apps? [27:50] - How can I be productive if my organization bans third-party tools? [32:36] - How do top writers keep their research process “efficient”? [37:29] - How do I stop teaching from devouring all my time? [44:00] - Is it a problem that I don’t feel overwhelmed? [50:19]
Something Interesting: The Productivity Diet & A Hotel for Book Lovers [1:02:33]
Links:
kickstarter.com/projects/mikevardy/the-productivity-diet-by-mike-vardy
Thanks to our Sponsors:
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. | |||
12 Jun 2023 | Ep. 252: The Deep Life Stack | 01:18:09 | |
How do you leave a life of superficial distraction and cultivate something deeper? In today’s episode, Cal describes “The Deep Life Stack,” an approach to cultivating a deep life that starts with overhauling the person before making the big decisions.
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
Today’s Deep Question: How do I rebuild my life into something deeper? [6:29]
- Is the deep life only available to those with high salaries? [31:55] - How do I co-create a deep life with my partner? [41:48] - Is there a genetic component to depth? [45:24] - What are Cal’s thoughts on the book “Designing Your Life”? [58:31]
Something Interesting: Forget AI. Apple’s all in on AR. (And this is smart.) [1:06:34]
Links:
Thanks to our Sponsors:
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. | |||
19 Jun 2023 | Ep. 253: Making Time for What Matters (w/ Laura Vanderkam) | 01:38:45 | |
In this episode, Cal is joined by Laura Vanderkam (author of Tranquility by Tuesday and co-host of the Best of Both Worlds podcast). Cal and Laura tackle a collection of your questions about the struggle to make time for the various things that matter most, from your career to your family to your hobbies. | |||
26 Jun 2023 | Ep. 254: The Laws of Less | 01:18:18 | |
Some of the most interesting and impactful people in the world build their work around a commitment to doing only a few things very well. No one remembers that it took Newton decades to finish The Principia, they just know that he wrote a book that changed science forever. In this episode, Cal defines some concrete laws for successfully implementing a shift toward doing less – but doing what you do better – in your own professional 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
Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia
Today’s Deep Question: Why should I do less? [7:29]
- How can a teacher embrace slow productivity? [31:26] - How do you know if an idea is good enough to spend years working on? [39:07] - How can I slowly build the success needed to pivot into a new career? [46:16] - How does Cal read 5 books a month? [49:58]
CASE STUDY: I can do my job in 4 hours a day [55:53]
The 5 Book Cal Read in May 2023 [1:07:04]
Thanks to our Sponsors:
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. | |||
03 Jul 2023 | Ep. 255: The Failure of Cybernetic Productivity | 01:12:20 | |
Over the past twenty years, “productivity” has come to be synonymous with using digital tools to speed up non-essential parts of knowledge work. As cal argues in this episode, this “cybernetic” approach has proven to be a complete failure. He explores why speeding up isn’t working and what this teaches us about what we need to do instead.
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
Today’s Deep Question: Why doesn’t cybernetic productivity work? [8:40]
- What should I ask a potential hire about their time management habits? [31:55] - How do I teach leaders how to work more deeply? [38:17] - How did Cal become good at breaking things down into systems and processes? [48:06] - How do I build task boards if I have many roles? [51:05] - How do I find time to think in my busy job? [54:20]
Something Interesting: Taylor Sheridan’s “writing bunker” [1:02:48]
Links:
hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/taylor-sheridan-yellowstone-interview-1235519261/
Thanks to our Sponsors:
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. | |||
10 Jul 2023 | Ep. 256: Start with Discipline | 01:13:07 | |
In Cal’s new “deep life stack” the first layer toward finding more meaning is to develop discipline. Why does this come first? In this episode, Cal dives deeper into the importance of starting with discipline.
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
Today’s Deep Question: Why does cultivating the deep life start with discipline? [4:33]
- How do I stop falling off the productivity wagon? [26:38] - How do I cultivate more consistent discipline? [32:35] - How do I convince myself to follow through on demanding projects? [41:22] - What’s the problem with studying for 10 hours a day? [54:37]
Something Interesting: Harrison Ford’s Slow Productivity [1:07:35]
Links:
Thanks to our Sponsors:
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. | |||
17 Jul 2023 | Ep. 257: Refusing Overwork | 01:13:08 | |
Sometimes the most effective way to contain your workload is to simply declare how long you’re willing to work and then refuse to violate your pledge. In this episode, Cal revisits this “fixed-schedule productivity” strategy, which he first introduced way back in 2008.
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
Today’s Deep Question: How does fixed-schedule productivity work, and how has Cal’s thoughts on it changed over the years? [3:02]
- What activities can fall outside fixed schedules? [30:12] - How do you manage a workload determined by other people? [33:08] - Why doesn’t Cal build his weekly plan on his calendar? [43:24] - How do I deal with having too much work piled up? [51:23]
CASE STUDY: Implementing tactics from “A World Without Email” [53:14]
The 5 Books Cal Read in June 2023 [1:02:28]
Links:
Thanks to our Sponsors:
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. | |||
24 Jul 2023 | Ep. 258: Godel’s Deep Life Stack | 01:26:15 | |
Do history’s greatest thinkers care about time management? In today’s episode, Cal analyzes the system that the mathematician and philosopher, Kurt Godel, used to structure his days, weeks, and years to produce meaningful work over a long period of time.
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
Today’s Deep Question: How do geniuses structure their life? [8:00]
- How do I follow through on the projects I start? [34:33] - Is creating a deep environment one of the deep life buckets? [42:14] - How do I find examples of my ideal lifestyle? [48:24] - Should I switch jobs, I’m bored (but effective)? [59:20]
CAL REACTS: The ReMarkable 2 tablet. Is it worth it? [1:11:57]
Thanks to our Sponsors:
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/deepquestions and get on your way to being your best self
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. | |||
31 Jul 2023 | Ep. 259: The Four-Hour Work Day | 01:13:29 | |
Do you ever feel completely overwhelmed by everything you have to do? The writer Oliver Burkeman recently experimented with an unexpected response to this common sensation: he decided to work much less. In more detail, he wanted to see what would happen if he reacted to overload by restricting his work to only four hours per day. In this episode, Cal reviews what Burkeman discovered in this experiment and what it teaches the rest of us.
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
Today’s Deep Question: What happens when you cut your workday in half? [5:51]
- What does the “celebrate” deep life bucket include? [30:34] - When are big life changes the right thing to do? [38:38] - When does Cal “start” his work day? [49:04] - How do I save for a good retirement without making my current lifestyle worse? [50:05]
CASE STUDY: The Joys of Doing Less [56:44]
CAL REACTS: Chris Nolan doesn’t own a phone [1:05:21]
Links:
Thanks to our Sponsors:
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. | |||
07 Aug 2023 | Ep. 260: Make Haste Slowly | 01:20:29 | |
One of the most popular (and widely forgotten) slogans of the ancient world was Festina Lente, or, “Make Haste Slowly.” In this episode, Cal looks deeper at what this phrase meant, and in doing so uncovers an ancient version of slow 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
Today’s Deep Question: What can Octavian Caesar Augustus teach us about productivity? [5:37]
- How can I help my team move fast to slow productivity? [26:12] - How do I figure out how long to spend on a task? [33:08] - What’s up with Cal’s podcast album art? [38:14] - Why is my partner so slow? [40:49] - How does Cal’s Remarkable tablet change his working memory.txt habit? [46:23]
CASE STUDY: Not allowing work to dominate your life [53:28]
The 5 Book Cal Read in July 2023 [1:03:21]
Links:
bigthink.com/the-learning-curve/festina-lente/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festina_lente
Thanks to our Sponsors:
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. | |||
14 Aug 2023 | Ep. 261: Control Your Time | 01:32:50 | |
In celebration of the newly released *second* edition of the Time Block Planner, Cal provides some additional expert tips for getting the most out of a time blocking discipline before answering listener questions on the general topic of time management. He closes by discussing the recent claim that phones are ruining peoples’ ability to watch movies.
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
Today’s Deep Question: How can I double what I accomplish each week by better controlling my time? [16:54]
- How do I deal with the guilt of missing time blocks? [44:17] - How does Cal reconcile slow productivity with the urgency of time blocking? [49:22] - How do I block enough time to keep up with all the internet content I want to read? [52:40] - How do I stick to my block schedule if no one is forcing me to? [1:02:11] - How can Cal be both a computer science professor and yet still be so bad at technology? [1:07:00]
Something Interesting: Have Phones Ruined Movies? [1:15:45]
Links:
washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2023/08/05/barbenheimer-bad-movie-behavior/
Thanks to our Sponsors:
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. | |||
21 Aug 2023 | Ep. 262: Creativity Hacking | 01:15:54 | |
When it comes to generating fantastic ideas – the type that can make your career – you don’t have to passively wait for inspiration to strike. You can, instead, *hack* the creative process to increase the odds of coming up with something great. In this episode, Cal explores one of the more powerful forms of “creativity hacking”: making use of strange locations. 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 Today’s Deep Question: Why do you work better in strange locations? [3:31] - Does Cal read online articles? [34:35] - Is fitness tracking on my Apple Watch an excuse to stay distracted? [40:09] - Which is better for original thinking: the city or the country? [43:05] - How do I organize the pursuit of deep ideas? [47:19] - Does reading books from unrelated genres help idea generation? [51:57] CAL REACTS: Over stimulation is ruining your life! [59:11] Links: blog.computationalcomplexity.org/2020/02/pre-publish-and-perish.html calnewport.com/on-using-inspiring-locations-to-inspire-deeper-work/ youtube.com/watch?v=yYWvUoN4yt8 Thanks to our Sponsors: This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/deepquestions and get on your way to being your best self Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. | |||
28 Aug 2023 | Ep. 263: Overhaul Your Life | 01:24:49 | |
Too many people believe that the New Year is the right time to undertake major improvements to your life. In this episode, Cal argues that it is instead right now, at the beginning of fall, that is the best time to turn over a new page. He lays out a detailed 4-month journey through the deep stack that will have you done with a major overhaul by the time everyone else is just getting started early next year.
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
Today’s Deep Question: How can I reinvent my life in 4 months? [6:30]
- How can I ease into Cal's more advanced time management strategies? [44:06] - Can unstructured work be a part of the deep life? [47:42] - How can I stop changing my mind about what I want to do with my life? [51:50] - Can I pursue the deep life if I need a job? [59:33] - How do you pursue the deep life with depression? [1:03:58]
Cover Reveal for Slow Productivity [1:13:20]
Thanks to our Sponsors:
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. | |||
04 Sep 2023 | Ep. 264: IN-DEPTH: How to Master Change (with Brad Stulberg) | 01:20:03 | |
Change is unavoidable. You can either fear it or learn to master it. In this interview episode, Cal talks with longtime friend of the show, Brad Stulberg, about his new book, “Master of Change.”
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
INTERVIEW: How to Master Change (with Brad Stulberg) [3:55]
Links:
Thanks to our Sponsors:
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. | |||
11 Sep 2023 | Ep. 265: Big Ideas for Deeper Living | 01:23:02 | |
In this episode, Cal visits eight of the most influential books in personal productivity, identifying for each a single idea that ended up most resonating both with his own work and the culture more generally.
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
Today’s Deep Question: What productivity ideas from other authors are the most worth paying attention to? [4:54]
- How do I time-block for the unanticipated “a-ha!” moment of insight? [40:23] - Is my life as a surgeon dooming me to a reactive life? [45:19] - Is it possible to read too many productivity books? [52:10] - Is the Deep Life influenced by The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People? [58:55] - Am I a disciplined worker if I only respond to deadlines? [1:01:09]
The 5 Books Cal Read in August 2023 [1:09:31]
Thanks to our Sponsors:
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. | |||
18 Sep 2023 | Ep. 266: Take Control of Your Technology Habits | 01:43:20 | |
Do we need to move to a ranch in the middle of nowhere to take control of our technology habits? Cal argues that these types of extreme examples are counter-productive, making it seem like real changes are close to impossible. He offers instead an alternative approach based on zero-based budgeting your technological 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
Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia
Today’s Deep Question: What does it really take to cure your smartphone addiction? [3:33]
- How can I build an audience without being consumed by social media? [31:20] - If my kid uses an iPad for school, will he become cursed with digital distraction? [40:33] - Does the digital minimalist community approve of Goodreads and Letterboxd? [48:52] - I’m 30 years old and lost. How can I get my life back on track? [53:43] - How can I stay on top of current events without scrolling social media? [1:02:11]
Closing Discussion: Is the Friendship Recession Real? What can you do to escape it? (w/ Jamie Kilstein) [1:08:38]
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. | |||
25 Sep 2023 | Ep. 267: Why Are You Tired? | 01:43:23 | |
Knowledge workers increasingly describe themselves as exhausted and burnt out. Why is this happening? In this episode, Cal argues that some of the obvious answers aren’t enough to explain the phenomenon. The real answer is both less expected and perhaps more fixable than we expect. 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: Tiredness and the ability to produce work [8:18] CASE STUDY: A magazine editor integrates projects into a deep life [1:02:00] Final Segment: Lauren Groff’s slow productivity [1:35:06] Links: Authors for Voices of Color auction: Afvoc2023.givesmart.com Thanks to our Sponsors: This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/deepquestions Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. | |||
02 Oct 2023 | Ep. 268: Stoicism and the Deep Life | 01:19:22 | |
Stoicism seems to be all the rage at the moment. In what ways is it relevant to our question to live deeply in a distracted world? And in what ways is it not? Cal takes a closer look at Meditations by Marcus Aurelius and discusses his relationship with the philosophy more generally.
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 Ideas from Marcus Aurelius’s, “Meditations” [2:30]
- Can I realistically make an impact as an English teacher? [35:28] - Can a seasoned professional screenwriter switch careers after 23 years? [40:02] - I’m an accomplished professional but lack a competitive drive to do more. Is there a way to build this? [45:34] - How can a CEO lower his anxiety with elements of work that aren’t strengths? [54:37] - How can I bounce back from a deflating work setback? [1:02:52]
The 5 Books Cal Read in September 2023 [1:11:07]
Thanks to our Sponsors:
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. |