Deep Questions with Cal Newport (Cal Newport)

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:

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

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

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

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:

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

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.

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:

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

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:

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

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:

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

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.

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:

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

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:

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

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:

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

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

Video from today’s episode: https://tinyurl.com/b2rkctfj


CORE IDEA: Don’t Follow Your Passion   [3:07]

- Dividing time between multiple pursuits. [17:38]
- Implementing ideas from A World Without Email in small businesses. [22:17]
- Estimating the tie required to complete tasks. [27:42]
- Organizing household space for productivity. [34:12]
- Tips for passing a highly competitive exam. [43:01]


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

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

Video from today’s episode:  tinyurl.com/b2rkctfj

CORE IDEAS: Is Slow Productivity the Solution to Burnout? [2:58]


DEEP WORK QUESTIONS:

- How does Cal manage information?  [35:56]
- What notebooks does Cal use? [38:52]
- What’s the deep approach to job searching? [44:20]
- What did Cal’s readers learn about deep work? [48:00]
-Can I work deeply for more than 4 hours a day? [55:46]


DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS:

- How should Cal’s time management advice be adjusted for students from underrepresented backgrounds? [1:04:58]
- How do I survive college admissions craziness? [1:09:47]


Thanks to our Sponsors:

Policy Genius:  Policygenius.com
Centered:  centered.app/deepquestions
Magic Spoon:  magicspoon.com/cal
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Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

Video from today’s episode: tinyurl.com/b2rkctfj

Cal's January Books: [2:00]

Listener Calls:
- Implementing the deep life [21:30]
- Physical vs. e-books [33:33]
- Finding hobby motivation [37:39]
- Asking for help [45:14]
- Deep student life [52:34]
- Deep work for a new father [1:04:27]


Thank you to this episode's Sponsors:

Policy Genius:  Policygenius.com
Centered:           centered.app/deepquestions
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Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

Video from today’s episode:  tinyurl.com/b2rkctfj

CORE IDEA:  Deep Work [5:10]


DEEP WORK QUESTIONS:

- How much should I care about promoting my work? [28:07]
- When do you write your weekly plan? [33:22]
- What does Cal think about digital notebooks? [34:00]
- Why is everyone so bad at email? [36:45]
- What is Cal’s advice for a distracted high school student? [40:02]


DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS:

- Does disconnection improve creativity? [50:57]
- How do I teach my kids to focus? [57:52]
- How do I get my students off their phones? [1:02:20]
- What does Cal think about the book “Four-Thousand Weeks”? [1:05:21]


Thanks to our Sponsors:

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

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

Video from today’s episode:  tinyurl.com/b2rkctfj

BEHIND THE CURTAIN: Jesse asks Cal questions about his life.  [2:41]

- Listening to arguments on both sides of an issue. [24:49]
- Designing a fantastic gap year. [33:51]
- Juggling too many hobbies. [42:27]
- Struggling to stay disciplined with home chores. [46:56]
- Cal’s thoughts on the Metaverse. [58:58]


Thanks to our Sponsors:

My Body Tutor:  MyBodyTutor.com: Mention “Deep Questions” for $50 off 1st month
Athletic Greens:  Athleticgreens.com/deep
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Grammarly:  Grammarly.com/Deep


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

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

Video from today’s episode:  tinyurl.com/b2rkctfj


CORE IDEAS: The Deep Life [4:55]


DEEP WORK QUESTIONS:

- Does time blocking work with ADHD? [33:39]
- How should I approach my PhD? [35:38]
- How can I meet other deep workers? [39:40]
- How can I improve Zoom meetings? [44:19]
- How do I shutdown while watching kids? [47:21]


DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS:

- How do I balance my personal and professional life? [57:12]
- How do I pick a major if I can’t follow my passion? [59:27]
- Is there a place where I can find all of the ideas from this podcast? [1:04:45]


Thanks to our Sponsors:

Headspace:  Headspace.com/QUESTIONS
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JUST Egg  


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

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

Video from today’s episode:  tinyurl.com/b2rkctfj

DEEP DIVE: Is TikTok a Good Thing? [2:47]


CALLS:

- Deep work for sales. [16:10]
- Where to find arguments I disagree with. [20:18]
- Little bets. [25:37]
- Taming information overload. [39:45]
- Minimalism as a med student. [48:56]


Thanks to our Sponsors:

Headspace:  Headspace.com/QUESTIONS
Blinkist:  Blinkist.com/DEEP
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JUST Egg


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

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast

Video from today’s episode:  tinyurl.com/b2rkctfj


DEEP DIVE: Is Ambition Worth It? [2:45]


DEEP WORK QUESTIONS:

- Should you ditch your to-do list with slow productivity mindset? [27:20]
- What should I do while waiting for code to compile? [33:20]
- What do you do when you get tired? [36:26]
- How do I succeed as a postdoc? [39:17]
- What do you eat to support Deep Work? [42:04]
- What is your updated advice about “temporary plans”? [49:53]


DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS:

- How do I balance deep work personal pursuits? [56:35]
- At what age will Cal allow his kids to have phones and social media? [1:00:11]
- Is Cal’s outlook on the future too optimistic? [1:02:52]
- I followed my passion. Am I screwed? [1:08:51]


Thanks to our Sponsors:

Blinkist:  Blinkist.com/Deep
Athletic Greens:  Athleticgreens.com/deep
JUST EGG
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Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast

Video from today’s episode:  tinyurl.com/b2rkctfj

DEEP DIVE: On Doing Hard Things [4:42]

LISTENER CALLS:

- People who are bad at planning [31:56]
- What did Cal learn from his mom the computer programmer [40:42]
- Students working on weekends [45:49]
- Living a deep life with anxiety (warning: lecture alert) [56:52]


Thanks to our Sponsors:

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

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

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

The Books I Read in February 2022 [4:45]


DEEP WORK QUESTIONS:

- Can you implement Cal’s productivity tips without time-blocking? [32:46]
- Does technique beat talent? [37:28]
- Do you recommend multiple email accounts for someone who works at different institutions? [43:12]
- Can intense collaborative work be considered deep? [44:52]


DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS:

- Are podcasts good for you? [52:11]
- Can you elaborate on concentration calisthenics? [57:29]


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

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

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

- Article challenging Cal’s take on productivity. [17:07]
- Alternatives to Cal’s career capital theory. [29:58]
- Cal’s thoughts on shorter work weeks. [37:53]
- Obsessive reading.  [51:59]


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Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

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


CORE IDEA: The Case Against Email [2:52]


DEEP WORK QUESTIONS:

- How do I balance writing and marketing? [30:32]
- How do I find time to time an overwhelming work load? [36:10]
- How do I work even deeper? [40:22]
- Should I read before or after I write? [45:51]


DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS:

- Deep living in retirement? [53:07]
- Should I quit my lawyer job? [55:24]
- Does context switching reduce reading comprehension? [1:07:32]
- Does Nicholas Carr’s hyperlink critique hold up? [1:08:15]


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Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

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

Update on Cal’s writing [0:43]

- Tips for preparing for an upcoming training. [19:32]
- Your business model. [24:06]
- Managing guiding documents. [35:26]
- Becoming a better writer. [44:21]
- Curing deep procrastination. [51:02]


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Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

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

DEEP WORK QUESTIONS:

- How do I “practice” my job? [12:41]
- Does software with too many features distract us? [22:12}
- How can an overloaded minister juggle the demands of people and planning? [31:24]
- Should I stop teaching my stock investing course to get better at investing at stocks? (Bonus rant: why you’re not going to beat the stock market) [43:42]
- What lessons for life can we extract from the military experience? [45:47]

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This episode is a replay from July 12, 2021.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

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


- Breaking up big projects into small tasks. [5:33]
- The productivity baby steps (epic answer alert). [10:12]
- Taming late night meetings. [27:16]
- Best book of mine for college students. [36:34]
- Shutdown routines with unpredictable schedules. [40:17]


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Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

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

DEEP DIVE: Is Friction Bad? [5:27]


DEEP WORK QUESTIONS:

- Should a stay-at-home parent pursue deep work? [21:32]
- How do we combat administrative creep? [29:20]
- Has Cal changed his mind on optimal duration of deep work sessions? [39:00]

DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS

- Should we all practice Shabbat? [44:05]
- Why do I keep failing to complete my digital detox? [52:13]
- How do I escape filter bubbles? [56:06]

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Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

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

- Is “day batching” a good idea? [16:38]
- Sustainable time-blocking [24:28]
- Earning money versus building things [33:45]
- Escaping a dead end career [48:19]
- Reading deeply and quickly [53:42]

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Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

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

DEEP DIVE: Quick Social Media (Revisiting my Viral 2017 Talk) [4:50]


DEEP WORK QUESTIONS:

- Does career capital theory assume meritocracy? [30:31]
- Is there a middle ground between shallow and deep work? [34:35]
- What tools can help my 100,000 employees be more productive? [37:38]

DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS

- Is the Deep Life privileged? [47:17]
- When is “left to right” planning preferred? [1:07:10]


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Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

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

OPENING SEGMENT: The Books I Read in March, 2022  [2:05]

- Cal’s frameworks [16:48]
- Time blocking beyond work [26:05]
- How to structure all-day studying [33:53]
- Handling boredom [38:16]
- Deep Work vs. YouTube [48:08]


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Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

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

Cal Reacts to the News: The Times Drops Twitter [4:21]

QUESTIONS:

- Is the hyperactive hive mind ever beneficial? [26:52]
- How do I survive a really busy week? [36:49]
- Should I quit my executive job to write a book?  [42:48]
- Do you have suggestions for improving the trade-off between teaching vs. scholarship obligations? [54:11]
- How do you approach complexity? [57:34]


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Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

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

CAL REACTS TO THE NEWS : Elon Joins the Twitter Board [1:32]

QUESTIONS:

- Managing idea notebooks [24:19]
- Doctor who wants to learn advanced math  [29:56]
- Obsessed with instant messaging [34:17]
- Tempering a racing mind [47:35]
- Selecting good keystone habits [54:50]


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Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

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

QUESTIONS:

- How do I stick with just one organization system? [3:38]
- How do I maintain a routine in a job with wildly changing demands? [9:00]
- Cal Reacts to the News: Is Twitter Ruining Society? [23:30]
- How do I apply your ideas to skilled labor? [44:14]
- How do I cure my current feeling of burnout? [49:25]
- Should I focus on process or results-focused goals? [1:01:51]


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Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

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

DEEP DIVE: The Crypto Question No One is Asking [1:43]

QUESTIONS:

- Should I be productive or bill more hours? [24:51]
- Can someone with ADHD succeed with Deep Work? [28:44]
- Can I find depth if I have roommates? [33:12]
- How do I track more publications? [37:49]
- I can’t time-block. What should I do? [43:33]
- How do I tame Netflix? [47:19]
- How does Cal come up with ideas? [55:04]
- How do I shorten weekly planning sessions? [58:26]   


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

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

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

CAL REACTS TO THE NEWS [8:05]

QUESTIONS:

- How do I read more?  [45:35]
- Rapid Fire: TV, Email, and Journaling [54:44]
- Listener Call: How is a weekly plan different than what’s in Trello? [59:33]

HABIT TUNE-UP: Fixed-Schedule Productivity [1:06:07]

- Listener Call: How would Cal design a university? [1:19:47]
- Should college students avoid social media? [1:29:58]


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

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

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

DEEP DIVE: The Surprising Math of Doing Less [8:58]

QUESTIONS:

- How do I improve my discipline?  [26:16]
- How do you break down a complicated problem? [37:20]
- LISTENER CALL: Has Cal read “Stolen Focus”? [40:27]

The Books I Read in April 2022 [46:41]

- LISTENER CALL: Playbook for writing in The New Yorker [1:12:37]


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Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

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


CAL REACTS: His latest article for The New Yorker [16:06]

QUESTIONS:

- How do I balance my walking ‘modes’ when living a Deep Life? [39:43]
- Why not recommend time-blocking for leisure? [44:09]
- LISTENER CALL: How do I avoid my phone when I’m tired? [46:57]

HABIT  TUNE-UP: WorkingMemory.txt

- LISTENER CALL: How does a manager do Deep Work? [1:10:28]
- Where do you put your extended thoughts about your life? [1:19:52]


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

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

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

Cal reacts to his inbox [7:48]

QUESTIONS:

- How do I manage a two-part workday?  [26:49]
- How do I save my “shut down” ritual? [34:14]
- LISTENER CALL: Should I work on challenging projects or take the easy path? [37:58]

Cal reacts to the news: A Catholic Response to Workism [48:48]

- How do I select projects? [1:10:51]
- How do I tame WhatsApp with my friends and family? [1:20:51]

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Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

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

The Overlooked Radicalism of Tim Ferriss [13:53]

QUESTIONS:

- Is it time for a career change or do I just lack discipline? [37:30]
- Do occasional leaks mean that my productivity system is broken? [46:02]
- LISTENER CALL: How should this exhausted professorI structure her sabbatical? [50:16]

Habit Tune-Up: The Corner Marking Method [59:03]

- Why use a paper notebook for Time-blocking instead of an app? [1:20:58]
- How can I do longer Deep Work sessions? [1:26:48]

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

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

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

Update on Cal’s book writing [5:11]

- LISTENER CALL: How do I get information out of my inbox? [9:59]
- How do I choose a masters program? (RANT alert) [15:16]
- How do you know what is enough for the next step of your career? [19:47]

HABIT TUNE-UP: Multi-Scale Seasonality (The second principle of slow productivity)  [34:01]

RAPID FIRE CALLS:

- How do I improve my evening wind down routine? [40:36]
- How do you take a Deep Holiday? [42:52]
- How do you organize your books? [46:12]

NEWS: A novel solution to the problems of social media [51:45]

Can I live a Deep Life if I decide to start a family? [57:27]

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

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

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

Update on Cal’s book writing [ 2:03]

WORK QUESTIONS

- How do I get my family and friends to take my profession seriously? [14:11]
- How should we adjust our work for the arrival of our first baby? [21:33]
- Do maximum deep work durations depend on the type of work? [28:10]
- How do I overcome the sense of being overwhelmed by all of my goals? [31:21]

TECHNOLOGY QUESTION

- What are the most important trends in technology at the moment? [37:25]

DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS

- Does reading too many books dilute their impact? [1:01:01]
- How do I turn off my ambitious mind? [1:02:35]
- How do I get back on the productivity horse after I fall off? [1:05:05]

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

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

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

Deep Dive: Feedback Councils [2:58]

- How can you not lose faith if there is always more to be done? [23:22]
- Do you have two shutdowns when you’re working two shifts? [27:04]
- CALL: Decoding the Deep Life [32:13]
- What are some good Deep Leisure activities? [47:32]
- CALL: Looking to write after early retirement [53:16]

Books I read in May 2022 [1:03:13]

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

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

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

Cal Reacts: Making a Living Online [8:26]

- How do you get over the fear of starting a business? [39:21]
- How can I convince my wife I’m unavailable during deep work sessions? [43:09]
- Struggling to focus because of a personal crisis  [54:49]
- What is the potential of AI in productivity optimization? [1:00:30]

Interesting Mail Bag [1:05:52]

- Can you reduce attention residue? [1:19:01]
- Impact of Cal’s podcast on his idea process [1:22:31]

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

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast

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

Cal Reacts to the News: TikTok Dismisses Facebook [10:40]

- Should I get a PhD in my 50’s? [32:29]
- Do I need two shutdowns if I work on my side hustle in the evening? [40:21]
- Good life vs. Deep life [44:39]

Habit Tune-up: Process-Centric Email [49:49]

- How can I succeed in an academic profession after a lackluster start? [1:07:16]
- Helping young men live deeply  [1:15:07]

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

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

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

Cal Reacts: Journalists and Twitter [3:26]

- When should kids get smartphones? [28:08]
- What age should my kids start coding? [37:51]
- How can a non-native English speaker widen his vocabulary for scientific writing? [46:21]

Habit Tune-Up: Cal’s toolbox for taming meetings [47:25]

- What should I read while waiting in line? [1:08:29]
- Are some people not wired to focus? [1:11:39]

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

Cal Reacts: A slow productivity case study [5:19]

- What do you think about planning two weeks out instead of one? [25:52]
- How can I brainwash my little brother to make him not follow his passion? [32:43]
- Improving at deliberate practice with a slow feedback loop [42:33]
- How can I stop overthinking? [49:53]

The Six Books Cal Read in June 2022 [54:48]

- Slow productivity and billable hours [1:20:24]
- What are the key principles of living the deep life? [1:24:21]

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

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.

- Finding time to self-study [5:38]
- Why Cal is a bad correspondent [11:44]
- Can everyone become so good they can’t be ignored? [25:32]
- Should temperament affect job choice? [29:06]
- Teaching deep work in schools [33:20]
- When does Cal listen to podcasts? [37:46]
- How do I succeed in podcasting? [38:57]
- Why is Cal so contrarian? [56:22]
- How do I stay a digital minimalist after having a baby? [59:31]
- How do I teach my family and friends about the deep life? [1:02:23]

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

With Cal away on vacation, he decides to tackle 8 questions in a row, all in one take, with no breaks!
 
Ian Fleming’s writing process [1:13]
 
- How can I get a tech job without credentials? [8:04]
- How do I make progress on tasks in a chaotic job? [10:52]
- Why do you have a problem with social media? [16:07]
- What should I do to succeed in my first internship? [24:16]
- What does Cal think about YouTube shorts? [26:37]
- Is it possible to avoid studying all the time in medical school? [29:14]
- What do you think of Oliver Burkeman’s work on productivity in Four Thousand Weeks? [37:51]
- Can I maintain a social life if I move to the country? [43:41]
 
 
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for mastering.

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.


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

Habit Tune-Up: To-Do Lists Are Inhumane [2:03]

- Is distracted deep work the same as shallow work? [18:10]
- How does Cal do quarterly reviews? [23:03]
- What should I include in my quarterly plan? [25:03]
- How do I save my failing productivity system? [27:34]
- Can I sell a book without social media? [36:12]

The Five Books Cal Read in July 2022  [47:56]

- How do I manage the anxiety of not achieving a goal? [1:11:22]
- How do I handle having too many ideas? [1:15:05]

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

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]
- Do you recommend having multiple email accounts? [35:21]
- Is there a place for “Inbox Zero” in Cal’s productivity system? [38:15]

Habit Tune-Up: Docket Clearing Meetings [44:44]

- How do I balance my many interests after quitting my job? [55:33]
- Why am I stuck in my pursuit of depth?  [1:01:30]
- How can we convince the masses to live deeper? [1:06:57]

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Please take a moment to provide feedback on the podcast using this survey:
bit.ly/3zMTLXp

DEEP DIVE: Loops, Networks, and Links [5:32]

DEEP WORK QUESTIONS

- How do I track a long-term project? [30:52]
- How often should I check email? [36:23]
- How do I get my workplace to be less “hyperactive”? [42:14]

LISTENER CASE STUDY: Diane rents an office near her house [46:08]

DEEP LIFE ACADEMY: Lifestyle-centric career planning [53:39]

—

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- Deep Dive: How does Cal organize his life? [4:47]

- How do I improve my estimates of how long a task will take?  [27:49]
- How does Cal feel about open office spaces? [30:01] 
- Does listening to a podcast count as reading? [40:54]
- How do I plan a wedding without drowning in minutia? [43:40]
- I lost my love for work. Should I try to get it back? [50:03]

- Does Cal struggle with comparing himself to others? [59:18]
- How do I reset my ambitions after buring out? [1:08:06]

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- Deep Dive: Will 4-Day Weeks Solve Burnout? [7:01]

- How do I know if I’m doing too much? [24:03]
- Who invented the idea to “follow your passion”? [34:11]
- How can an ER doctor manage his schedule? [41:46]
- CALL: How do you know when it’s time to rest? [45:48]
- Nerd Alert: Is the future of computing more local? [49:59]

- Books Cal read in August 2022 [59:31]

- CALL: What watch does Cal use? [1:16:51]
- How do I create a Feedback Council? [1:25:04]
- Did Jordan Peterson and Bret Weinstein get weirder after leaving academia? [1:28:06]

Thanks to our Sponsors:

This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp.

expressvpn.com/deep
betterhelp.com/deepquestions
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Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

- Deep Dive: The art of “no” [7:06]

- CALL: Anxiety and timeblock planning [27:38] 
- How do I choose a hobby to master? [37:01]
- Should I leave my job? [43:31]
- How do I break into a knowledge work? [49:00]
- How do I overcome career anxiety? [53:55]
 
CASE STUDY: Closet Office [1:05:10]

- CALL: Thoughts on Monday.com [1:13:38]
- What’s the difference between a quarterly and strategic plan? [1:21:45]
- How do I figure out my values? [1:23:10]

Thanks to our Sponsors:

https://www.blinkist.com/deep
https://www.sleep.me/cal
https://www.80000hours.org/deep
https://www.policygenius.com

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

Link to submit questions: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

- Deep Dive: Quiet Quitting [4:00]

- How can I motivate my kids to have Cal’s work ethic? [24:28]
- What are Cal’s tips for writing better articles? [34:48]
- Are someday/maybe lists worth it? [44:33]
- How can a researcher embrace slow productivity? [48:24]
- Why did Cal switch from Roam to Obsidian note-taking software? [53:47]

CASE STUDY: A World Without Email got my team through a crisis [57:01]

- How can I concentrate on work with so many bad things happening in the world? [1:09:31]
- What if I don’t enjoy the deep life I designed? [1:20:16]

Thanks to our Sponsors:

hensonshaving.com/cal  (enter Cal at checkout for 100 free blades)
eightsleep.com/deep
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expressvpn.com/deep


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

Link to submit questions: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

- INTERVIEW with Ryan Holiday [10:00]
- Cal and Jesse talk about Holiday interview [1:13:57]

Thanks to our Sponsors:

mybodytutor.com
wren.co/deep
notion.com
hensonshaving.com/cal  (enter Cal at checkout for 100 free blades)

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

Link to submit questions: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

- Interesting Mail Bag [7:10]

- Does walking help or hurt my work? [25:01]
- How do I tame the flow of work from outside teams? [29:10]
- Do performers need an active social media presence? [33:12]
- CALL: Should Robert keep on a writing role? [35:18]
- CALL: Should Robert be worried about his full-time job discovering his side job? [39:18]
- Are newsletters the new blogs? [44:34]
- How can I prevent my law clients from interrupting me so much? [53:33]
- Is Cal’s prediction about the rise of virtual screens a ‘hellscape’? [56:22]

- CASE STUDY: What should I put on my new website? [1:10:46]

- How do I complete things on time? [1:18:04]
- How do I take notes on a complicated project? [1:19:56]
- How can I buckle down and finish my novel? [1:22:17]

Thanks to our Sponsors:

zocdoc.com/deep
amazon.com/deep
blinkist.com/deep
hensonshaving.com/cal  (enter Cal at checkout for 100 free blades)

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

Link to submit questions: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

CAL REACTS: Brandon Sanderson’s Underground Lair [2:49]

- Was it a mistake to drop out of college? [21:49]
- What tools should I use to manage my processes? [28:47]
- CALL: Help with slow productivity [32:12]
- What hobbies will improve my concentration? [37:34]

CASE STUDY: Building a Deep Life on House Hacking (plus: thoughts on FIRE) [43:22]

- Is Cal using Zettelkasten? [58:06]
- How I schedule work with an unpredictable medical issue? [1:01:38]

Books Cal Read in September, 2022 [1:15:07]

Thanks to our Sponsors:

eightsleep.com/Deep
policygenius.com
rhone.com/Cal
expressvpn.com/Deep

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

Link to submit questions: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

DEEP DIVE: Work vs. Meaning [4:48]

- How do I design a life I love? [33:37]
- Is it okay that I use adult coloring books? [47:19]
- Is listening to music a good source of solitude? [49:33]
- How do I enjoy the present while planning for a deeper future? [54:42]
- CALL: Should I take over my dad’s business? [1:03:24]
- How do I stop binge-watching YouTube after work? [1:12:02]
- Does Cal process his WorkingMemory.txt file to empty every day? [1:18:06]
- Does Cal keep a journal? [1:22:09]

MAILBAG: [1:29:25]

- Holly Black’s enchanted home [1:30:10] 
enchantedlivingmagazine.com/a-writers-cozy-lair/

- Bram Stoker’s “method writing” [1:34:17]
theguardian.com/books/2022/oct/09/cutting-his-teeth-how-bram-stoker-found-his-inner-dracula-in-scotland

- A new deep life bucket [1:35:56]

- The deep life of a professional stone skipper [1:37:23]
outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/water-activities/stone-skipping-kurt-steiner/


Thanks to our Sponsors:

rhone.com/Cal
wren.co/Deep
blinkist.com/Deep
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Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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:

rhone.com/Cal

ladderlife.com/Deep

eightsleep.com/Deep

stamps.com/Deep

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

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.

Hear more from The Happiness Lab at:

podcasts.pushkin.fm/thls5?sid=questions

Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

DEEP DIVE: The Two Types of Ambition [4:36]

- LIVE CALL: Escaping the “Second Control Tap” [28:10]
- Can journaling make me a better writer? [53:26]
- What’s an example of a keystone habit for building community? [56:03]
- Can Cal give an example of a quarterly plan? [1:00:00]
- How does Cal choose what books to read? [1:06:16]

- What’s is Cal’s philosophy on caffeine? [1:15:12]
- How can a teenager prepare to live deeply? [1:20:59]

Thanks to our Sponsors:

givingwhatwecan.org/deep
masterclass.com/deep
eightsleep.com/deep
zocdoc.com/deep


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

Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link:
bit.ly/3U3sTvo

DEEP DIVE: The 20% Paradox [4:54]

- INTERVIEW with Yael Schonbrun [18:59]
- Cal and Jesse talk about Schonbrun interview [1:13:18]

MAILBAG: [1:24:00]

- Twitter is losing its most active users
https://www.reuters.com/technology/exclusive-where-did-tweeters-go-twitter-is-losing-its-most-active-users-internal-2022-10-25/

Thanks to our Sponsors:

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

Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

DEEP DIVE: Did Caveman Use To-Do Lists? [1:28]
Article Link: bit.ly/3NYRbnF

- LIVE CALL: Debating a master’s program [27:59]
- How do I practice the “journalistic” mode of scheduling deep work? [37:32]
- How do I determine when something I’m working on is good enough? [44:20]
- Should I take two months off work to write in a cabin? [49:14]
- Is answering email quickly really a good marker of talent? [53:45]
- Is there a tutorial for Cal’s planning system? [1:00:04]
- When is the new version of the Time Block Planner coming? [1:01:34]

CASE STUDY: A Freelancer Crafts a Deep Life [1:04:18]

CAL REACTS: New Insights on Kids and Phones [1:16:33]

School Took Smartphones Away: on.wsj.com/3Trj4G3
Social Media and Teenage Mental Health: bit.ly/3A3KN99

Thanks to our Sponsors:
rhone.com/cal
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hensonshaving.com/cal
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Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

DEEP DIVE: Could This Meeting Have Been An Email? [5:48]
bit.ly/3EDcuZ0

Questions for special guest host David Sax:

- Is the Light Phone worth the money? [28:38]
- How do I get started seeking higher quality leisure? [38:43]
- How do I become a successful freelance writer? [49:01]

- How do I make technical writing compelling?  [1:08:03]
- How do I kick my podcast habit while trying to work? [1:15:06]
- Do weekly plans have to cover exactly one week? [1:18:44]
- Should I join the Overemployed Underground? [1:26:36]


Thanks to our Sponsors:

mybodytutor.com
eightsleep.com/deep
blinkist.com/deep
zocdoc.com/deep

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

Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

DEEP DIVE: A World Without Twitter? [7:28]
bit.ly/3hQ9Wh4

LIVE CALLER: Starting a new company alone [34:28]

- How do I (carefully) convince my employer to embrace Deep Work? [51:48]
- I just quit my job. How do I reset my life? [1:03:36]
- How do I deal with having too much freedom in my job? [1:10:09]
- CALL: Which tool should I bring when I only have room for one? [1:17:53]
- Who does Cal personally admire? [1:23:43]

THREE INTERESTING THINGS:

- A novel solution to cell phones in schools [1:41:57]
bit.ly/3i2olHd

- The age of social media ending. Welcome to my party! [1:47:19]
bit.ly/3gosVit

- Eat, pray, herd [1:50:26]
wsj.com/3tOv6za


Thanks to our Sponsors:

grammarly.com/deep
eightsleep.com/deep
ladderlife.com/deep
wren.co/deep

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

Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

DEEP DIVE: Did Alan Turing Invent The Computer? [5:25]

INTERVIEW: Thriller writer J.T. Ellison  [25:23]


Thanks to our Sponsors:

policygenius.com
eightsleep.com/deep
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Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at  stamps.com/deep. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!


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

Get your questions answered by Cal!
Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

- CALL: How do I balance different productivity systems? [5:24]
- How do I deal with a sudden increase in my work responsibilities? [12:29]
- How use the “waiting for” column on my task board when crafting a weekly plan? [18:39]

- If I adopt a natural pace to my work will I lose the race to success? [30:57]
- Should I quit my job to pursue a new business idea? [45:04]
- How do I handle a short period of having too much work? [50:20]
- I’ve lost my will to work. What do I do? [56:28]
- Does Cal get annoyed when people incorrectly cite his ideas? [1:02:56]

Books I Read in November 2022 [1:11:39]

Thanks to our Sponsors:

mybodytutor.com
rhone.com/cal
blinkist.com/deep
expressvpn.com/deep

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

Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

- DEEP DIVE: Should I Manage Time or Stress? [2:50]

-  How do I switch from a push to pull model of task management? [27:05]
- Where should I live? [40:13]
- Is “rare and valuable” the same as “impressive”? [49:01]
- CALL: Integrating Deep Work to create a Deep Life [54:43]
- How do I reconcile my lifestyle vision with my husbands very different vision? [58:09]
- How does Cal structure his values document? [1:04:12]

THREE INTERESTING THINGS:

Twitter, Attention, and Democracy [1:14:28]
(nytimes.com/2022/12/11/opinion/what-twitter-can-learn-from-quakers.html)

Research: Walking Helps Thinking [1:22:10]
(apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/xlm-a0036577.pdf )

Novelist Ian Rankin’s Slow Productivity [1:23:47]
(theguardian.com/books/2016/may/07/my-writing-day-ian-rankin)


Thanks to our Sponsors:

shopify.com/deep
rhone.com/cal
blinkist.com/deep
masterclass.com/deep

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

Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

DEEP DIVE: A World Without Busyness? [4:51]

- In an era of Quiet Quitting is it easier to become a star? [22:09]
- How do I resist my job’s demand for out-of-hours work? [29:52]
- Should new writers use social media to get feedback? [35:31]
- Should I use social media to promote my filmmaking website? [46:11]
- Am I too busy find new ideas? [53:54]

THREE INTERESTING THINGS:

- On Teenage Luddites [1:03:07]
calnewport.com/blog/2022/12/16/on-teenage-luddites/

- Deep Work in Stocism [1:07:48]

- Finding the Deep Life in the Mountains [1:09:09]
outsideonline.com/culture/essays-culture/moving-to-a-ski-town-steamboat-springs-colorado-no-regrets/




Thanks to our Sponsors:

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

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

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

Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

QUESTIONS:

- How do I find time to study for a better job? [5:14]
- How do I find rare and valuable skills to develop? [8:37]
- How do I develop discipline if I have an easy job? [12:33]

CASE STUDY: A graduate student with 5 kids takes control of his life [30:06]

- Should I work or spend all my time with my son? [35:50]
- How do I manage a strategic plan with lots of unpredictable projects? [42:54]
- How does role-based communication work? [46:09]
- How do I plan projects with unpredictable time demands? [50:58]
- Should I move my family across the country to accept my dream job? [52:56]
- How do you make time for Quality time with your wife with such a busy schedule? [58:43]
- Does Cal write reports on the books he reads? [1:01:18]
- Does slow productivity apply only to knowledge workers? [1:07:17]
- Why do my side hustles fail? [1:10:35]

Thanks to our Sponsors:

https://www.notion.com/cal
https://www.cozyearth.com
https://www.blinkist.com/deep
https://www.expressvpn.com/deep

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

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

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 well are you living? [11:14]

- How do you track deep life habits? [28:07]
- How do I become more social? (Bonus: How does Cal avoid being killed by Jocko?) [34:15]
- How do I distill essential ideas from complex topics? [46:13]
- How does Cal research his articles? [53:49]
- Should I get a Deep Life tattoo? [59:41]

THREE INTERESTING THINGS:

- Guillermo Del Toro Bought a Second House to Boost his Creativity [1:13:33]
kpcc.org/show/the-frame/2016-07-22/bleak-house-a-tour-inside-guillermo-del-toros-creative-man-cave

- Kary Mullis’s Nobel-Winning Moment of Insight [1:19:56]
nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/1993/mullis/lecture/

- Charles Dickens Wrote “A Christmas Carol” on Foot [1:22:38]



Thanks to our Sponsors:

stamps.com/deep
grammarly.com/deep
hensonshaving.com/cal
mybodytutor.com

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

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:  Work Cycles [6:57]

- Should I leave my relaxing job to make more money? [33:54]
- Is there a need for deep work retreats? [45:59]
- How do I find time to work deeply when I’m busy? [53:07]

Case Study: On Walking and Remote Work [57:25]

- Can Cal explain more about the “celebration” bucket? [1:02:09]

SOMETHING INTERESTING:

- Deep work cafe [1:10:28]
cbsnews.com/news/manuscript-cafe-in-tokyo-serves-an-antidote-to-writers-block/

- Gloria Mark’s new book [1:12:50]
amazon.com/Attention-Span-Finding-Fighting-Distraction/dp/1335449418

Links:

basecamp.com/handbook/09-how-we-work
bluemountaincenter.org/life-at-bmc
cnn.com/travel/article/amtrak-free-residency/index.html
myfranciscan.org/visit/hermitage/


Thanks to our Sponsors:

80000hours.org/deep
blinkist.com/deep
ladderlife.com/deep
zocdoc.com/deep

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

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: Why are lumberjacks happier than lawyers? [3:06]

- Should I leave a good job to gain more autonomy? [32:34]
- Should I quit my trainer job? [38:31]
- What does Cal’s workday look like? [45:52]
- How can I create a career without skills? [54:48]

CASE STUDY: The Slow Lawyer [58:38]

Books Cal Read in December [1:05:33]

Links:

- washingtonpost.com/business/2023/01/06/happiest-jobs-on-earth/
- frugalwoods.com/2021/09/15/mr-fw-retired-and-we-paid-off-our-mortgage-frugalwoods-fire-is-complete/
- bench.co/blog/small-business-stories/paul-jarvis/
- calnewport.com/blog/2017/05/22/john-grishams-15-hour-workweek/
- itsfreetime.com/about


Thanks to our Sponsors:

This episode is sponsored by Better Help: betterhelp.com/deepquestions
huel.com/questions
policygenius.com
notion.com/cal

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

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 free myself from spending all day in my inbox? [8:24]

- Why does Cal suggest having multiple email addresses? [43:27]
- How do I convince my colleagues to actually read process-centric emails? [47:16]
- How do I work with people who enjoy email check-ins? [52:16]
- How do I get key information out of email an into a better system? [57:25]
- How can I focus when my job demands an open door policy? [1:01:11]

Something Interesting: Alex Haley wrote on a cargo ship [1:12:42]

Links:

affect.media.mit.edu/pdfs/16.Mark-CHI_Email.pdf
tim.blog/autoresponse/
blog.rescuetime.com/communication-multitasking-switches/
www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/01/23/magazine/cal-newport-interview.html  
alexhaley.com/2018/08/04/aboard-the-african-star-by-alex-haley/

Thanks to our Sponsors:

mintmobile.com/deep
huel.com/questions
hensonshaving.com/cal
blinkist.com/deep

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

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 we be ambitious without burning out? [8:23]

- How do I create a hit podcast? (Special guest JORDAN HARBINGER) [41:59]
- How do I overcome boredom in my purposefully under-scheduled life? [1:01:57]
- How do I manage multiple side hustle projects? [1:06:11]
- Do I need two planning documents if I have two jobs? [1:13:14]
- How do I get my 15-year-old brother to stop using his phone so much? [1:15:30]

Something Interesting: The slow productivity of Maryam Mirzakhani [1:23:48]

Links:

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/   

Thanks to our Sponsors:

grammarly.com/deep
ladderlife.com/deep
mybodytutor.com
expressvpn.com/deep

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

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 Cal Still Think That Productivity is Overrated? [6:46]

- Should I abandon my careful plan when I get on a roll? [30:47]
- How do I achieve slow-and-steady work mode? [35:38]
- How do I make my the most out of idle time? [41:37]
- How does a deep work lover survive the shallows? [47:34]
- Does productivity require that you’re anti-social? [51:16]

Something Interesting: Rethinking productivity in academia [1:02:44]

Links:

calnewport.com/blog/2007/08/31/dangerous-ideas-productivity-is-overrated/ 

Thanks to our Sponsors:

Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at stamps.com/deep. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!
hensonshaving.com/cal
blinkist.com/deep
80000hours.org/deep

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

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:  https://www.youtube.com/calnewportmedia

Today’s Deep Question: How can I significantly decrease the footprint of my remote job (without anyone noticing)? [10:46]

- How do I leverage a shift to remote work to gain a deeper life? [39:23]
- How can I work deeply in a remote job that requires me to be available? [43:16]
- How do I make time for my individual projects while working remotely? [53:47]
- How do I avoid being promoted out of a nice remote position into a miserable management role? [55:35]

CASE STUDY: Alternative Workflow Pitfalls [1:00:07]

Something Interesting: The five books I read in January, 2023 [1:09:54]

Links:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/02/04/return-to-office-occupancy-status


Thanks to our Sponsors:

This episode is sponsored by Better Help:
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Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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:  https://youtube.com/calnewportmedia

Today’s Deep Question: Should we consider a radically reimagined internet? [7:03]

- Can we build a better internet? [29:20]
- Will the coming augmented reality make the deep life impossible? [36:18]
- How do I become more disciplined about shutting down my phone? [44:26]
- Is the internet alive? [49:35]
- How does Cal see the connection between his professor and writer roles? [55:40]

Something Interesting: Michael Cera Doesn’t Use a Smartphone [1:10:47]

Links:

https://www.buzzfeed.com/mychalthompson/michael-cera-smartphone-social-media
https://urbit.org
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/21/us/google-supreme-court-youtube.html
Elevate Your Team  


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

The reading life is a deep life. The screen-filled life can be primitive and exhausting. Which one do you want?

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 read books? [7:23]

- Should I buy physical copies of books I enjoyed on my kindle? [30:45]
- How should I organize my notes when writing a non-fiction book? [34:38]
- How do I train myself to become a reader? [40:34]
- How should I build a library? [50:25]
- What does Cal think about Sam Bankman-Fried’s claim that books are worthless? [55:12]

Something Interesting: [1:02:21]

- Napoleon’s solution to inbox overload
- Rethinking productivity: impact vs. velocity

Links:

abc.net.au/religion/maryanne-wolf-cultivating-deep-reading-in-a-digital-age/102001224

reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/11fphcy/til_napoleon_bonaparte_refused_to_open_his_mail/

itamargilad.com/velocity-vs-impact/


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

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.

Life of Focus link here: life-of-focus-course.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:  https://youtube.com/calnewportmedia

Today’s Deep Question: Is our relationship to time broken? [16:12]

- Do we need AI-driven time management tools? (Rant alert) [39:39]
- Is slow productivity compatible with becoming world class in a competitive field? [47:46]
- What deep accomplishments are Cal and Jesse most proud about? [50:15]
- CASE STUDY: A composer embraces slow productivity [59:40]

Something Interesting:

- Quiet quitting in academia? [1:08:35]

Links:

https://www.ft.com/content/176c104a-32c0-4267-b122-add10e5405f9
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/04/books/time-jenny-odell-.html
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-00633-w

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

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.

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: Is productivity about optimization or autonomy? [6:06]

- Should I start a blog to prepare to write a book? [23:18]
- How do I recover from burn out? [30:11]
- How do I prioritize when I have too many interests? [35:15]
- Should I ditch my side hustle? [39:25]
- How do I convince my self-focused colleagues to participate in more efficient group systems? [43:24]

Something Interesting:

- The five books I read in February 2023 [53:24]

Links:

vice.com/en/article/akdyje/the-relentless-rise-of-the-productivity-influence
youtube.com/watch?v=YctcDlPixb8

Thanks to our Sponsors:

This episode is sponsored by Better Help: betterhelp.com/deepquestions
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Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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.

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: Given all the advantages of controlling your own digital press, why do so many content producers rely on Twitter? [5:39]

- Does Twitter’s new view count feature make the service even worse? [27:10]
- Why do so many important business/thought leaders spend so much time on Twitter? [35:14]
- Does this professor need Twitter? [43:00]
- Does Mastadon stand a chance against Twitter? [53:26]

SOMETHING INTERESTING:

Started From the Bottom podcast [1:01:04]
pushkin.fm/podcasts/started-from-the-bottom

Australian senators backing 4-day work week [1:03:12]
theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/mar/09/australia-four-day-work-week-labor-greens-senators-support


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

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

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

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/

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

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:

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

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:

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

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

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.

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 was Twitter anyway? [4:46]

- Is there a difference between passion and calling? [27:09]
- What are the four principles to reimagine knowledge work? [31:50]
- Is movie watching part of the Deep Life? [36:05]
- Does fixed schedule productivity work on a weekly scale? [38:54]
- How does effective altruism fit in value-based lifestyle career planning? [41:01]
- What are Cal’s thoughts on David Graber’s book, “Bull Shit Jobs”? [44:00]
- Do distracted adolescents risk losing the ability to focus as they grow older? [46:57]
- Does slow productivity assist with parenting and professional development? [48:29]

Something Interesting: Rob Drydek’s productivity system [1:00:37]   

Links:

nytimes.com/2023/04/18/magazine/twitter-dying.html

Thanks to our Sponsors:

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

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:

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

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] 

To learn more about Sarah, read her blog, or subscribe to her podcasts, visit: https://theshubox.com/

— 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] 

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

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 

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

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 

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

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 

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

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 

sylviabeachhotel.com/ 

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

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

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: 

apple.com/apple-vision-pro/ 

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

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.

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: Laura Vanderkam [19:46] 

— Is the deep life only available to people with high salaries? [31:47]
— Is it possible for a mom to succeed in academia? [40:19]
— How do I find the time to land a job that requires less time? [50:26]
— Am I too old to leave a career that fills me with dread? [55:53]
— Am I crazy for thinking I can work from home with a baby? [1:00:31]
— How do I create a deep life with kids? [1:05:31]
— How do I stop over-committing? [1:13:47]

SOMETHING INTERESTING: Slow Time During Japan’s Edo Period [1:30:11]

Links:

scroll.in/article/1030173/how-japan-became-an-exemplar-of-sustainability-over-centuries-of-self-isolation

lauravanderkam.com/

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

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] 

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

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/ 

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

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: 

linkedin.com/posts/billy-oppenheimer-70612782_before-he-was-han-solo-or-indiana-jones-activity-7069305284627730432-CRJA 

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

drinklmnt.com/deep 

zocdoc.com/deep 

hensonshaving.com/cal 

mybodytutor.com 

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

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: 

calnewport.com/fixed-schedule-productivity-how-I-accomplish-a-large-amount-of-work-in-a-small-number-of-work-hours/ 

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

mintmobile.com/deep 

blinkist.com/deep 

ladderlife.com/deep 

expressvpn.com/deep 

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