Deep Questions with Cal Newport

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

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

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

Deep Dive: The Tao of Cal [2:53] 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Links: 

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

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

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

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

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

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

zocdoc.com/deep

grammarly.com/podcast

shopify.com/deep

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

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

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

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

Deep Dive: Analog Mode [2:39] 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Links: 

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

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

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

youtube.com/watch?v=p5a7whN1k64

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

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

eightsleep.com/deep

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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. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Links: 

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

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

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

youtu.be/SeZ1YOgbz18?si=kuCksvy_dGoOfx8Q 

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

shopify.com/deep 

drinklmnt.com/deep 

expressvpn.com/deep 

mintmoblie.com/deep 

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

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

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

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

Deep Dive: Time to Unplug [2:49]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Links:

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

mybodytutor.com

cozyearth.com/deep

notion.com/cal

rhone.com/cal

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

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

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

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

Deep Dive: Simple Focus Protocols [2:09] 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Links: 

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

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

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

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

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

grammarly.com/podcast 

zocdoc.com/deep

shopify.com/deep

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Links: 

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

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

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

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

youtube.com/watch?v=-lRkCbhABvo

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

blinkist.com/deep

notion.com/cal

zbiotics.com/cal

drinklmnt.com/deep

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

One of the most common complaints from people attempting to cultivate a deep life in our distracted world is procrastination. You want to make regular progress on something important but find you just can’t get going. In this episode, Cal discusses a less well understood cause of some procrastination and offers unconventional advice for facing it. He also answers listener questions and reacts to an article about a famous author’s unexpected regret. 

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: Strategic Procrastination [4:46] 

- Should I change my job? [20:28] 

- Should I automate my busy work? [24:20] 

- How can I speed up my reading? [27:01] 

- Should I quit my job to get my PhD? [31:41] 

- My team of 3 has 37 open projects. How do we avoid burnout? [43:29] 

- CALL: An engineering student’s commute [50:52] 

CASE STUDY: Doing a master’s later in life [59:50] 

CAL REACTS: Anne Patchett’s Biggest Regret [1:09:40] 

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/2024/10/15/opinion/ann-patchett-regret-email.html

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

drinklmnt.com/deep

shopify.com/deep

policygenius.com/deepquestions

mintmobile.com/deep

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

In this episode of IN-DEPTH, a semi-regular interview series with people at the frontiers of deep living, Cal welcomes the bestselling author Oliver Burkeman to the Deep Work HQ to talk about his new book, MEDITATIONS FOR MORTALS, and more generally the tension between wanting to get your act together and becoming unhealthily obsessed with productivity.

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

INTERVIEW: New York Times best seller Oliver Burkeman [3:40]

Links:
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.

Do you struggle to consistently make progress on hard things that are important to you? In today’s episode, Cal describes a way to improve this state of affairs: a systematic training regime called the discipline ladder. He then answers listener questions about their own struggles with discipline and reacts to an article claiming that professors are lazy (gasp!). 

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 Discipline Ladder [4:29] 

- How can I overcome procrastination? [24:42] 

- How can I make my daily metrics more personal? [27:16] 

- How can I get my discipline back on track after a negative event? [32:47] 

- How can I be more disciplined to find time for my part-time project? [39:50] 

- How can my organization adopt slow productivity principles? [43:49] 

- CALL: Process centered emails [50:41] 

CASE STUDY: Leveraging Career Capital [58:02] 

CAL REACTS: Are Professor’s Lazy? [1:07:19] 

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?

city-journal.org/article/professor-mia

newyorker.com/culture/annals-of-inquiry/what-kind-of-writer-is-chatgpt

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

mybodytutor.com

expressvpn.com/deep

rhone.com/cal

cozyearth.com/deep

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

It has become second nature to maintain a continuous partial participation in the world of digital networks. In today’s episode, Cal reflects on a week in which he spent too much time online, and argues why this continuous partial participation is dehumanizing, and what you can do to escape. He then takes questions and calls from listeners and reviews the five books he read in September. 

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 Your Phone Is Changing You [1:43] 

- How do I teach my bosses to be deeper? [28:34] 

- How can I focus as a doctor when I have to keep switching from one patient to the next?” [35:46] 

- How do I overcome notebook overwhelm? [39:13] 

- Can “creativity” be added to the deep life buckets? [40:47] 

- How do I overcome the guilt of no longer being pseudo-productive? [44:51] 

- CALL: The Pomodoro Technique and overcoming distraction [49:33] 

CASE STUDY: A 39-year-old changes careers [54:21] 

FINAL SEGMENT: The 5 Books Cal Read in September 2024 [1:02:50] 

Links: 

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

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

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

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

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

zocdoc.com/deep

shopify.com/deep

zbiotics.com/cal
 

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