Deep Questions with Cal Newport

By Cal Newport

Technology

What's Deep Questions with Cal Newport about?

Cal Newport is a computer science professor and the New York Times bestselling author of Digital Minimalism and Deep Work. He writes about technology and the way it can both support and impede our efforts to live more meaningful, productive lives. In this podcast, he answers questions from his readers about work, technology, and the deep life.

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LAST EPISODE

Ep. 141: Is the Era of Soci...

10.25.2021

DEEP DIVE: Is the Era of Social Media Ending? [2:37] DEEP WORK QUESTIONS: - Did COVID-19 closures change my (Cal's) thoughts on my working situation? [18:01] - Should I stick with management consulting? [37:06] - How do I lead my ...

Deep Questions with Cal Newport episodes:

10.25.2021 Ep. 141: Is the Era of Social Media Ending? DEEP DIVE: Is the Era of Social Media Ending? [2:37] DEEP WORK QUESTIONS: - Did COVID-19 closures change my (Cal's) thoughts on my working situation? [18:01] - Should I stick with management consulting? [37:06] - How do I lead my ...
10.21.2021 Ep. 140: LISTENER CALLS: Frustration and the Deep Life Below are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. DEEP DIVE: Smartphones and moral panics. [3:43] LISTENER CALLS: - Scheduling when you've fallen behind. [12:29] - Squandering ...
10.18.2021 Ep. 139: Am I Good at Time Management or Just Lazy? Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. DEEP DIVE: Will Offices Survive the Pandemic? [6:01] DEEP WORK QUESTIONS - How do I practice my writing better? ...
10.14.2021 Ep. 138: LISTENER CALLS: How I Read So Much Below are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. - Interacting with potential clients while avoiding constant distraction. [2:10] - Self-promotion without social media. [8:21] - Dealing ...
10.11.2021 Ep. 137: Why Am I Uncomfortable With Facebook Backlash? DEEP DIVE: Why Am I Uncomfortable With Facebook Backlash? [1:16] DEEP WORK QUESTIONS: - How do I work deeper in a job that is inherently fractured? [17:29] - How do I switch tasks without everything going to hell? [23:21] - ...
10.07.2021 Ep. 136: LISTENER CALLS: Reversing Burnout Below are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. OPENING: Some Thoughts on Slow Productivity. [0:21] LISTENER CALLS - Taming client email as a busy lawyer.[3:44] - ...
10.04.2021 Ep. 135: Is Screen Time Bad? Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. DEEP WORK QUESTIONS - How do virtual office hours work with multiple participants? [4:26] - Is time spent in ...
09.30.2021 Ep. 134: LISTENER CALLS: Returning to Deep Work After the Pandemic Below are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. RANT FOLLOW-UP: A doctor's perspective on kids and smartphones. [0:35] GUEST CHAT: Scott Young stops by to talk ...
09.27.2021 Ep. 133: How Do I Defeat Distraction? Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. DEEP DIVE: Is the Desire to Produce Negative? [5:14] DEEP WORK QUESTIONS - What are the most popular workflows ...
09.23.2021 Ep. 132: LISTENER CALLS: Managing Non-Work Tasks OPENING RANT: Facebook Knows It's Hurting Teenagers [3:22] LISTENER CALLS: - Interfacing with the hive mind. [17:45] - The relationship between tasks and daily plans. [24:58] - My weekly planning ritual. [31:04] - Discovering books. [39:42] - How I manage ...
09.20.2021 Ep. 131: The Elements of the Deep Life Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. ANNOUNCEMENT: I'm hiring! [0:20] DEEP DIVE: The Elements of the Deep Life [3:51] DEEP WORK QUESTIONS - How should ...
09.16.2021 Ep. 130: LISTENER CALLS: Leadership vs. Availability Below are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. - Balancing availability and depth as a leader. [5:12] - Being available to students without being overwhelmed. [12:08] ...
09.13.2021 Ep. 129: How Do I Get My Kid Off His Smartphone? Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. DEEP DIVE: Is Organization the Opiate of the Knowledge Work Masses? [1:02] DEEP WORK QUESTIONS - How do I ...
09.09.2021 Ep. 128: LISTENER CALLS: The Art of "No" Below are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. OPENING: My new reading habit [6:53] LISTENER CALLS: - Retaining information from books. [11:16] - The value of ...
09.06.2021 Ep. 127: Does Productivity Diminish Leisure? (with Brad Stulberg) In today's episode, I am joined by longtime friend of the show Brad Stulberg, who has a new book out called THE PRACTICE OF GROUNDEDNESS (https://thegrowtheq.com/books/groundedness/). Brad helps me answer your questions on topics including the decision to start a ...
09.02.2021 Ep. 126: LISTENER CALLS: A Tour of My Home Offices Below are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. - My home office setup. [3:59] - Working while tired. [12:29] - Writing three hours a day. [17:19] ...
08.30.2021 Ep. 125: What is Discipline (and How Do I Get It?) Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. DEEP DIVE: How Reachable Should We Be? [1:48] DEEP WORK QUESTIONS - What should I do if I finish ...
08.26.2021 Ep. 124: LISTENER CALLS: Preserving Depth in the Vast Shallows Below are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. - Organizing notes on technical articles and books. [3:00] - Finding depth amidst a vast shallows. [8:35] - ...
08.23.2021 Ep. 123: What Is My Daily Routine? Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. DEEP WORK QUESTIONS - Does deep work apply to everybody? [5:15] - Who watches your kids when you do ...
08.19.2021 Ep. 122: LISTENER CALLS: Figuring Out Your Values Below are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. - Naturally disorganized people. [3:23] - Coping with highly reactionary schedules. [11:07] - Digital versus analog weekly plans. ...
08.16.2021 Ep. 121: Is Writing Everyday Overrated? (with Srini Rao) In today's episode, I am joined in studio by my longtime podcasting friend Srini Rao, host of the incredible Unmistakable Creative podcast (https://unmistakablecreative.com/), on which I've been a guest many times. Srini helps me answer your questions on both deep ...
08.12.2021 Ep. 120: LISTENER CALLS: Students' Diminishing Focus Below are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. - Saving a software team from the hyperactive hive mind. [3:21] - Working from near home on a ...
08.09.2021 Ep. 119: Does Accomplishment Require Overload? Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. DEEP DIVE: Does Accomplishment Require Overload? [3:16] DEEP WORK QUESTIONS - How do you figure out what to get ...
08.05.2021 Ep. 118: LISTENER CALLS: A Primer On My Planning Philosophy Below are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. - Stopping excess emails from students. [8:39] - Finding ideas for books. [16:46] - The nuances of weekly ...
08.02.2021 Ep. 117: Should I Quit My Job to Become a Writer? Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. DEEP WORK QUESTIONS - How do I find free time as a working mother? [2:10] - How do I ...
07.26.2021 Ep. 116: RE-READING: Shop Class as Soulcraft (with Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness) In this episode, Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness join me to talk through Matt Crawford's classic 2009 book: "Shop Class as Soulcraft." We get into its impact on our own thinking, attempt to deconstruct its popularity, and seriously consider quitting ...
07.19.2021 Ep. 115: JORDAN HARBINGER: What is the Future of Podcasting? In this episode, podcast maven Jordan Harbinger joins me for a collaborative deep dive on the topic of podcasting. We take a close look at the current state of this technology, including a look at specific numbers: How much money ...
07.15.2021 Ep. 114: LISTENER CALLS: Growing a Podcast Without Social Media Below are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. - Balancing necessary shallow and important deep work. [3:23] - Increasing reading retention. [9:556] - Keeping track of ...
07.12.2021 Ep. 113: How Do I Become a Deep Life Radical? Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. BOOK REPORT: The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin [1:30] DEEP WORK QUESTIONS - How do I eliminate the hive mind ...
07.08.2021 Ep. 112: LISTENER CALLS: The Productivity Baby Steps Below are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. - Breaking up big projects into small tasks. [4:19] - The productivity baby steps (epic answer alert). [8:58] ...
07.05.2021 Ep. 111: How Do I Tame Distracting Thoughts? Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. FROM THE NEWSLETTER: Notes on Quentin Tarantino's Writing Routine [3:39] DEEP WORK QUESTIONS - How fluid are my quarterly ...
07.01.2021 Ep. 110: LISTENER CALLS: Making the Deep Life Happen Below are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. - Why people get mad at me. [1:21] - Scheduling reading. [7:06] - Semester goals and time block ...
06.28.2021 Ep. 109: How Much Should I Read? Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. BOOK REPORT: The Square and the Tower [3:6] DEEP WORK QUESTIONS - What should I do if I like ...
06.24.2021 Ep. 108: LISTENER CALLS: Becoming Productive Below are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. - The hyperactive hive mind and the return to the office. [2:57] - Becoming productive. [12:23] - Time ...
06.21.2021 Ep. 107: How Do I Stay Motivated on Long-Term Projects? Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. DEEP WORK QUESTIONS: - How do I cultivate urgency for long-term projects? [2:49] - How do I learn more ...
06.17.2021 Ep. 106: LISTENER CALLS: Art Without Social Media Below are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. - Balancing work and school. [3:34] - Deep work and ADHD. [8:28] - Building career capital as an ...
06.14.2021 Ep. 105: Should I Read the News? DEEP WORK QUESTIONS - How do you apply deep work when your job is entirely shallow? [4:37] - Is batching emails a few times a day a good practice? [12:20] - Why are some tips for managing the flow of ...
06.10.2021 Ep. 104: LISTENER CALLS: Saying "No" Without Saying "No" Below are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. - Balancing the unpredictable demands of a small business. [3:16] - Taming emails when it's hard to say ...
06.07.2021 Ep. 103: What is the Relationship Between Order and Well-Being? Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. DEEP WORK QUESTIONS - How do you do deep work when you're not in the mood? [3:48] - How ...
06.03.2021 Ep. 102: BRAD STULBERG: How Do We Work Less? In this episode, author Brad Stulberg joins me in person at my Deep Work HQ (!) for a deep dive into the topic of busyness, burn out, and the quest to craft more sustainable professional lives. For more on Brad: ...
05.31.2021 Ep. 101: Does Productivity Impede the Deep Life? Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. DEEP WORK QUESTIONS - Should I maintain a day free from all work? [3:55] - How do I take ...
05.27.2021 Ep. 100: LISTENER CALLS: Scheduling Household Admin Below are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. - Dealing with time blocking overload. [4:13] - Planning household admin. [9:04] - How theoreticians schedule proof work. ...
05.24.2021 Ep. 99: Should I Move to Sweden or Make Money? Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. DEEP DIVE: How Can I Significantly Reduce Email? [6:30] DEEP WORK QUESTIONS: - How do I account for transition ...
05.20.2021 Ep. 98: LISTENER CALLS: Choosing the Right Job Below are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. - How long to keep items on a "done" list. [2:09] - When is it worth spending money ...
05.17.2021 Ep. 97: Should I Outsource My Inbox? Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. DEEP WORK QUESTIONS - How can I get others to accept a deeper work environment? [6:16] - How can ...
05.13.2021 Ep. 96: LISTENER CALLS: Emotional Distractions Below are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. - Managing a "waiting on" list. [2:57] - Emotion-driven attention residue. [9:40] - Drifting from time block schedules. ...
05.10.2021 Ep. 95: How Do I Maintain the Will to Do Deep Work? Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. DEEP WORK QUESTIONS - What challenges will I face switching to time-block planning for the first time? [3:43] - ...
05.06.2021 Ep. 94: LISTENER CALLS: Battling Bothersome Bosses Below are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. - Productivity with a chronic illness. [4:28] - Coordinating strategic plans with a partner. [12:44] - Getting your ...
05.03.2021 Ep. 93: Am I Overcommitted or Bad at Time Management? Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. DEEP DIVE: What happens if you stop using your phone for a year? [3:55] WORKING DEEPLY: - How do ...
04.29.2021 Ep. 92: LISTENER CALLS: The Perils of Coercive Productivity Below are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. - Time block specificity (coercive versus collaborative productivity). [6:24] - Balancing time spent on different types of work. ...

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