Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Cal Newport talks with Brad Stulberg to explain the optimization paradox in Episode 414 of the Deep Questions podcast.

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

(0:00) The Optimization Paradox

(2:12) Interview with Brad Stulberg

(35:12) Health optimization

(1:09:16) Tail end development

Links:

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

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

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

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

https://wealthfront.com/deep

https://calderalab.com/deep

https://cozyearth.com (Use code “DEEP”)

Cal Newport is not a Wealthfront client.

Wealthfront’s high-yield cash account: ⁠https://www.wealthfront.com/deep⁠. This experience may not be representative of other Wealthfront clients, and there is no guarantee of future performance or success. Experiences will vary. Cal Newport receives cash compensation from Wealthfront Brokerage for paid endorsement in his podcast, creating a conflict of interest. The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.  Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The base APY is 3.30% on cash deposits as of January 30, 2026, is representative, subject to change, and requires no minimum. If eligible for the overall boosted rate of 4.05% offered in connection with this promo, your boosted rate is also subject to change if the base rate decreases during the 3 month promo period. Additional terms and conditions apply, which can be found on ⁠wealthfront.com/deep⁠.  Funds in the Cash Account are swept to program banks, where it earns the variable APY. Investment advisory services are provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Securities investments: not bank deposits, bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value.

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News.

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

(0:00) Anthropic’s new research report

(2:05) Digging into the paper

(3:32) High level tutorial on LLMs

(6:18) Detail on annotations

(13:50) What the Anthropic paper found

(20:39) Why this is interesting research

(26:28) Conclusion on consciousness

Links:

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

https://www.anthropic.com/research/global-workspace

https://x.com/RileyRalmuto/status/2074195587616964757

https://www.axios.com/2026/07/06/anthropic-claude-ai-conscious

https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/07/09/1140293/anthropic-found-a-hidden-space-where-claude-puzzles-over-concepts/

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tell me if this sounds familiar: you buy a beautiful notebook, excited by all its possibilities to help refine your thoughts and generate new insights. Then it sits unused until you forget about it. The problem is not *what* notebooks you own but instead *how* you use them. In this episode, Cal walks through the four different notebooks he owns, and the four different ways he uses them.

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

(0:00) Should I Use Notebooks More Often? (Cal’s Strategy)

(30:11) Comments on a controversial article

(33:18 ) Statistics about smartphone bans in schools

(38:15) A practical question about remote work

(40:57) A question about focus and the World Cup

(46:08) What Cal is up to

(48:12) What Cal is reading

Books:

Orality and Literacy: The Technologizing of the Word (Walter Ong)

Lost (Rachel Hartigan)

Links:

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

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

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

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/general/a-neurologist-claims-gen-z-has-a-lower-iq-than-millennials/ar-AA1XAIFu

https://x.com/JimenaJuani/status/2072095851816620191?s=20

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

https://www.superhuman.com

https://www.factormeals.com/deep50off

https://www.monarch.com/deep

https://www.mybodytutor.com

Cal Newport is not a Wealthfront client.

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s a dream a lot of us have: to finally say “enough!”, and turn off the internet inside our homes, returning us to a lifestyle that requires more presence, introspection, and connection. But is this even possible? And what would it really be like? In this episode, Cal seeks answers to these questions by talking to Chris Moody, a journalism professor at Appalachian State, who lives with his wife and young son in a cabin with no internet, television, or cellular signal. 

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

(0:00) Should I turn off the internet?

(3:28) Interview with Chris Moody

(1:02:58) Cal’s closing remarks

Links:

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

Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at

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

Thanks to our Sponsors:

This show is sponsored by Better Help:

https://www.betterhelp.com/deepquestions

https://www.calderalab.com/deep

https://www.shopify.com/deep

https://www.pipedrive.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Back in 2019, Cal published one of the first books arguing that we rethink our personal relationship with online tools. Can his advice still work in an age of TikTok and ChatGPT? In today’s episode, Cal dives deep into the

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

(0:00) Can I be a Digital Minimalist in 2026?

(39:13) How can I capture notes if I’m land lining?

(40:39) For cognitive fitness, is it better to be handwriting or typing?

(42:07) A note on art museum visits

(43:46) Reactions to an article about AI and software engineering

(49:39) What the Deep Life really is

(50:46) What Cal read

(52:08) What Cal watched

Books:

 The Jewish Way to a Good Life (Rabbi Shira Stuntman)

Links:

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

Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeNNYMJwZtI

https://www.reddit.com/r/digitalminimalism/

https://www.reddit.com/r/digitalminimalism/comments/1tv0k77/for_the_past_2_years_ive_been_living_like_its_the/

https://www.reddit.com/r/digitalminimalism/comments/1to631b/three_years_of_digital_minimalism_the_rewiring_is/

https://www.reddit.com/r/digitalminimalism/comments/1ty27lz/limited_my_14f_screen_time_to_3_hours_a_day_and/

https://www.reddit.com/r/digitalminimalism/comments/1tm9rce/where_do_you_still_find_human_curation/

https://www.reddit.com/r/digitalminimalism/comments/1txskw9/deciding_once_instead_of_every_morning_is_the/

https://www.reddit.com/r/digitalminimalism/comments/1u74dob/ran_a_30day_intentional_solitude_experiment/

https://www.normaltech.ai/p/why-ai-hasnt-replaced-software-engineers

Thanks to our Sponsors:

https://www.vanta.com/deepquestions

https://www.drinklmnt.com/deep

https://www.expressvpn.com/deep

https://www.wealthfront.com/deep

Cal Newport is not a Wealthfront client.

Wealthfront’s high-yield cash account: https://www.wealthfront.com/deep. This experience may not be representative of other Wealthfront clients, and there is no guarantee of future performance or success. Experiences will vary. Cal Newport receives cash compensation from Wealthfront Brokerage for paid endorsement in his podcast, creating a conflict of interest. The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.  Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The base APY is 3.30% on cash deposits as of January 30, 2026, is representative, subject to change, and requires no minimum. If eligible for the overall boosted rate of 4.05% offered in connection with this promo, your boosted rate is also subject to change if the base rate decreases during the 3 month promo period. Additional terms and conditions apply, which can be found on wealthfront.com/deep.  Funds in the Cash Account are swept to program banks, where it earns the variable APY. Investment advisory services are provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Securities investments: not bank deposits, bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value.

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News.

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

(0:00) Stop the “doom trolling”

(6:53) Cal’s recent New York Times article

(9:00) Cal’s argument

(10:16) The 2nd option

(12:54) Conclusion

(15:58) Stop playing along with Doom Trolling game

(20:09) Use the term “doom trolling”

Links:

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

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/17/opinion/ai-dangerous-openai-anthropic.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/24/opinion/yuval-harari-ai-chatgpt.html

https://www.newyorker.com/science/annals-of-artificial-intelligence/what-kind-of-mind-does-chatgpt-have

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/opinion/anthropic-ai-claude-mythos.html

https://www.anthropic.com/institute/recursive-self-improvement

https://x.com/sapinker/status/2067231673268273547

https://x.com/edzitron/status/2067308832053936276

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cal Newport explains about if you're lazy or overstimulated in episode 410 of the Deep Questions podcast.

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

(0:00) Am I lazy or overstimulated?

(28:29) A reaction to Cal’s recent New Yorker article

(38:23) Positive lessons from box offices  successes of Gen Z films 

(46:24) An old school tool for a woodshed

(47:32) A new solution to landlining

(49:30) What Cal is reading

Links:

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

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

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

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/open-questions/instead-of-taking-your-job-ai-might-transform-it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKGhxMi50y8

https://aprilowens.substack.com/p/the-art-we-actually-need

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

https://www.scribe.how/deep

https://www.shopify.com/deep

https://www.cozyearth.com/deep (Use code “DEEP”)

https://www.calderalab.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News.

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

(0:00) Was the Mythos ban justified?

(5:32) Is Fable 5 actually dangerous?

(11:03) Is Fable 5 without guardrails actually a unique national security concern?

(15:13) Should the government be more involved with AI?

Links:

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

https://www.anthropic.com/glasswing

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/09/technology/anthropic-ai-claude-fable-mythos.html

https://x.com/DavidSacks/status/2065853007619588171

https://www.economist.com/business/2026/06/14/donald-trumps-blocking-of-anthropic-is-capricious-and-chaotic

https://x.com/deanwball/status/2066151868556865860

https://x.com/GaryMarcus/status/2066166713453060512

https://x.com/DavidSacks/status/2065853007619588171

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/opinion/anthropic-ai-claude-mythos.html

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/06/promoting-advanced-artificial-intelligence-innovation-and-security/

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the 1960s, doctors avoided people to avoid exercise. Then everything changed. Now physical fitness is a $100 billion industry. What would it look like if we got equally as serious about cognitive fitness? In this episode, Cal explores three tiers of cognitive fitness advice, ordered from least to most intense.

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

(0:00) Do I need a brain gym?

(32:54) Comments on reversing brain rot

(36:57) A disturbing new article from a college professor

(41:55) Do makers need longer blocks for deep work?

(47:25) What Cal is reading

(50:26) What Cal watched

(56:23) Where Cal went

Links:

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

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

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

https://charafeddine.co/letters/your-brain-is-about-to-need-a-gym

https://lanimuelrath.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Aerobics-Points-System.pdf

https://www.joshwaitzkin.com/training

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9a2_KqzF7Y

https://archive.ph/XvPXE

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

https://www.monarch.com (Use code “DEEP”)

https://www.shipstation.com (Use code “DEEP”)

https://www.larridin.com

https://www.pipedrive.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices