The white whale of modern productivity discourse is achieving an empty email inbox; a goal state that’s often referred to simply as “inbox zero.” In this episode, Cal looks at why the original advice for achieving inbox zero failed and explores a strategy that might work better. He then answers listener questions and in a final segment reacts to a recent guest on the Tim Ferriss podcast who provides an interesting case study of the deep life in action.

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: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: Is Inbox Zero Possible? [2:45]

• How can I perform beyond the bare minimum on “Survival Days”? [29:40]
• How can I remain sane with a job that changes schedules every week? [34:55]
• How are computer systems rewarded in AI? [37:08]
• How can I stop my boss from interrupting me with constant chatter? [41:34]

CALL: Identifying the next action [44:02]

CALL: Finding true depth during the final years of college [51:33]

CAL REACTS: Craig Mod’s walks through Japan [1:01:18]

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?
youtube.com/watch?v=z9UjeTMb3Yk

Thanks to our Sponsors:

cozyearth.com/deep
auraframes.com [Promo Code “DEEPQUESTIONS”]
kinsta.com/deepquestions
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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.

Cal talks a lot about his ideas for producing meaningful work in a distracted world. But how do other people tackle this goal? To help better under this question, Cal reacts to a 2018 article from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in which he details his productivity philosophy. Cal then answers listener questions and concludes with a dystopian tech corner.

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: Sam Altman On Productivity [2:20]

- How do I prevent administrative sprawl? [22:01]
- When is the best time to schedule Deep Work? [31:12]
- How can a gardener gain career capital? [32:43]
- How can one go from good performance to exceptional performance? [36:21]
- Is it better to write with a single monitor? [38:33]

CALL: Slow Productivity in a changing world [43:09]

CALL: Rory Mcllroy and his phone [48:35]

TECH CORNER: Will AI Destroy Humanity by 2027? [56:46]

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?
blog.samaltman.com/productivity
ai-2027.com
daveshap.substack.com/p/common-bad-takes-in-ai-safety-a-response

Thanks to our Sponsors:

shopify.com/deep
zocdoc.com/deep
vanta.com/deepquestions
expressvpn.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.

Introducing Oprah & Jillian Turecki on Looking Within to Improve Your Relationships from The Oprah Podcast.

Follow the show: The Oprah Podcast

Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@Oprah

BUY THE BOOK!

"It Begins with You: The 9 Hard Truths About Love That Will Change Your Life" by Jillian Turecki, published by HarperOne, is available wherever books are sold: https://www.jillianturecki.com/book

Jillian on Love: https://lnk.to/jillianonlove

Are you hitting a wall in your relationships? Are you still looking for “the one”? It is our relationships that determine our happiness in life and reflect back our relationship with ourselves. That essential truth is the core belief of renowned relationship coach Jillian Turecki, Oprah's guest on this episode of "The Oprah Podcast." Jillian’s insightful, no-nonsense relationship advice is on this episode as she breaks down her new book, "It Begins with You: The 9 Hard Truths About Love That Will Change Your Life." She also shares her revelations as a relationship coach and from hosting over 150 episodes on her hit podcast, "Jillian on Love."

Jillian also opens up about her often contentious relationship with her father, famed psychologist Dr. Stanley Turecki, whose groundbreaking book, "The Difficult Child," was somewhat based on his experience with Jillian as a child. Finally, Oprah and Jillian take questions from people looking to foster more love and connection in their lives.

Follow Oprah Winfrey on Social:

https://www.instagram.com/oprah/

https://www.facebook.com/oprahwinfrey/

Listen to the full podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/0tEVrfNp92a7lbjDe6GMLI

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-oprah-podcast/id1782960381

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DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

In this episode of IN-DEPTH, Cal is joined by David Dewane, the architect responsible for the “eudaimonia machine” featured in DEEP WORK. In this wide-ranging conversation, Cal and David talk about the challenges of finding depth in a distracted world, and the results of David’s personal experimentation in creating a deep life of his own. 

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

INTERVIEW: Architecting a Deep Life (w/ David Dewane) [04:06]

Links:
https://www.calnewport.com/slow

https://donedaily.com/ 

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

Introducing Dr. Vonda Wright: Formula to Lose Weight and Gain Muscle (Why your Current Workout is Not Giving You Results) from On Purpose with Jay Shetty.

Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

How often do you work out?

What’s been the biggest challenge in your fitness journey so far?

In today’s episode, Jay sits down with Dr. Vonda Wright, an orthopedic surgeon and researcher specializing in active aging and longevity. If you’ve ever wondered how to stay feeling youthful as you age, lose stubborn fat, and improve your sleep,, this conversation is packed with life changing insights.

Jay and Dr. Wright start by debunking the myth that aging is an inevitable decline. Dr. Wright explains how lifestyle choices in your 20s and 30s directly impact how you feel in your 40s, 50s, and beyond. They dive into how excess fat, especially around the belly, isn’t just about appearance—it’s a sign of inflammation that accelerates aging. Dr. Wright shares how movement, muscle mass, and diet play a crucial role in fat loss and energy levels.

They also explore the powerful body-brain connection. Dr. Wright breaks down how physical activity releases key proteins that protect the brain from cognitive decline and diseases like dementia. Jay and Dr. Wright discuss how poor sleep can sabotage fat loss, slow down recovery, and disrupt hormones—leading to more cravings, weight gain, and reduced longevity.

In this interview, you'll learn:

How fat storage impacts aging and energy levels.

The critical role of sleep in weight loss and brain function.

How movement and muscle mass keep you youthful.

How lifestyle choices in your 30s affect long-term health.

Why fitness-based friendships can improve your health.

If you want to stay sharp, maintain a healthy weight, and build lasting habits that help you thrive for decades, this episode gives you the tools to start now.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free Monk Mode newsletter. Subscribe here.

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro 

01:43 Your Perception Of Aging Is A Myth

05:31 Develop Healthy Habits in Your 20s

10:07 Why Your Sleep Can Fall Apart in Midlife

16:58 Can You Restock Years Of Not Sleeping?

22:09 Sleep Deprivation is Sabotaging Your Weight Loss

26:45 The Weight Loss Formula That Actually Works 

36:04 There Is A Difference Between Being Healthy & Fit

43:13 Fitness Is A Great Way To Connect

46:17 How To Lose Stubborn Belly Fat

55:30 The Body Brain Connection is Integral to 

1:01:39 Don’t Make Excuses to Start Making Changes In Your Life

1:04:24 Mobility is One of the Most Important Skills for Aging Well 

1:09:51 Break Free from Your Limiting Beliefs

1:17:15 Vonda Wright on Final 5

Episode Resources:

Vonda Wright| Website

Vonda Wright| YouTube 

Vonda Wright| Linkedin

Vonda Wright| Instagram

Vonda Wright| Facebook

Vonda Wright| Tiktok

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

Cal has been writing about time management for a *long* time. In this episode, he returns to a chapter from a book he wrote twenty years ago that is titled “manage your time in 5 minutes a day.” He revisits his old advice to see what he thinks still works and what needs updating. He then answers listener questions and returns to the tech corner to get back in the weeds on a topic involving AI. 

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: Manage Your Time in 5 Minutes a Day [3:11]

- How specific should I make my Quarterly Plan? [27:28]

- Does reading Mangas count as reading? [29:30]

- How do I store information related to tasks? [34:14]

- How do I speak better at work in spontaneous conversations? [38:31]

- Are paper and pencil calendars suitable to use if my work is in two different time zones? [45:42]

CALL: Utilizing coaching [51:38]

CALL: Embracing boredom [57:48]

TECH CORNER: RL vs. LLM [1:08:04]

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:

grammarly.com/podcast

cozyearth.com/deep

oracle.com/deepquestions

expressvpn.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.

Introducing LIZZO EXCLUSIVE: “Releasing The Weight Has Affected People” The Real Transformation Story She’s Never Shared Before from On Purpose with Jay Shetty.

Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

How would your life change if your healing reshaped not just your body, but your entire way of being?

What if the real change wasn’t about losing anything—but about gaining a deeper connection to yourself?

In this deeply vulnerable episode, global superstar Lizzo sits down with Jay for an unfiltered conversation about loss, boundaries, transformation, and what it really feels like living in the spotlight. Lizzo shares how her loyalty to friends and her habit of seeing the good in everyone sometimes came at the cost of her own peace.

She shares what happened when she finally stopped chasing relationships that no longer served her—and how distance gave her clarity on who was truly in her corner. Lizzo opens up about the pain of letting people go, the reality of feeling isolated, and the music that came out of her lowest moments.

Lizzo dives deep into how the recent public scandal impacted her—and why she’s now more intentional than ever with her words, her energy, and her healing. Lizzo opens up about the responsibility of being a public figure, how her weight release journey evolved into a powerful personal transformation, and why she's chosen to let go of toxic energy.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

How to Let Go of One-Sided Relationships

Why Some People Disappear When You Set Boundaries

How to Honor Your Emotions Without Editing Them

How Your Energy Shapes What You Attract

How Love Without Drama Becomes a Flow State

What It Means to Grow Apart Without Guilt

Why Intentional Healing Starts With Self-Awareness

Lizzo’s transformation is a reminder that you can still believe in people—and protect yourself. You can evolve—and still be soft. And you can face the hardest season of your life—and still come back to love.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here. 

Join Jay for his first ever, On Purpose Live Tour! Tickets are on sale now. Hope to see you there! 

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro

02:31 Sound Bath For Healing

07:40 Understanding Astrology to Change Your Life

10:38 Choose How to Lead Your Life 

15:28 How to Protect Your Peace

19:28 Getting Inspiration from Grief

26:02 Set Boundaries to Protect Yourself

35:05 Do You Believe in Love?

39:24 Continue to Be Yourself

43:14 Stand Up for Your Cause

46:39 Stop Forcing Relationships to Happen

50:18 Know Your Role, Stay in Your Lane

56:36 Advice for Aspiring Artist

58:40 How to Become an Unconditional Lover

01:02:40 The Power of Self Love 

01:05:51 Be Real About Your Journey

01:11:03 Letting Go of What’s Holding You Back

01:14:12 Become the Best Version of Yourself

01:15:45 Lizzo on Final Five

Episode Resources:

Lizzo | Website

Lizzo | YouTube

Lizzo | Instagram 

Lizzo | TikTok 

Lizzo| X

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

Phones have been receiving a lot of criticism recently, but what if these concerns are missing the mark? In this episode, Cal introduces the difference between primary and secondary phone harms, and argues how our obsession with the former hides the importance of the latter. He then answers reader questions and reviews the books he read in March 2025.

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 Forgotten Phone Harms [3:32]

- What do you do when your writing doesn’t quite feel right? [24:32]

- How should I prioritize responding to different types of communication? [33:29]

- Should personal and work tasks be split into different Trello boards? [39:10]

- What is the difference between a two-status board and a reverse task list? [41:47]

CASE STUDY: A student adopts the Tao of Cal [45:17]

CALL: Structuring weekly templates [49:00]

MARCH BOOKS: The 5 books Cal read in March 2025 [57:24]

- Believe (Ross Douhut)

- How to Winter (Kari Leibowitz)

- Letter and the Scroll (Jonathan Sacks)

- I and Thou (Martin Buber)

- Coming into the Country (John McPhee)

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 and get on your way to being your best self.

shopify.com/deep

indeed.com/deep

mybodytutor.com

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

Introducing David Blaine: I Nearly Died Doing This (How to Conquer Fear and Push Your Limits) from On Purpose with Jay Shetty.

Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

What’s a fear you want to overcome?

How do you stay calm under pressure?

What if the only limits you had were the ones you refused to break? Today, in this spellbinding episode, world-renowned illusionist, endurance artist, and master of the impossible, David Blaine, sits down for a deep and insightful conversation that goes far beyond magic. Known for his jaw-dropping stunts, being buried alive, standing encased in ice for days, and holding his breath underwater for over 17 minutes, David has captivated audiences worldwide. But behind the spectacle lies a profound philosophy of discipline, resilience, and the boundless potential of the human mind.

Jay and David explore what drives someone to willingly push themselves to their absolute limits, both physically and mentally. David opens up about his mindset, revealing how he prepares for extreme feats that defy human expectations. He explains the power of visualization, breathwork, and sheer willpower in overcoming pain, fear, and doubt. But this conversation isn’t just about physical endurance, it’s about the mental and emotional strength required to navigate life’s greatest challenges. David shares personal stories of setbacks and perseverance, showing that even in moments of failure, there is wisdom to be gained.

In this interview, you'll learn:

How to Train Your Mind to Overcome Fear

How to Build Unbreakable Mental Resilience

How to Use Breathwork to Enhance Endurance

How to Stay Calm Under Extreme Pressure

How to Push Past Your Physical Limits

How to Cultivate Childlike Curiosity for Creativity

How to Reframe Failure as a Stepping Stone

No matter what obstacles stand in your way, remember: you are stronger than you think, and capable of more than you realize. Believe in yourself, stay curious, and never stop challenging what’s possible.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here.

Join Jay for his first ever, On Purpose Live Tour! Tickets are on sale now. Hope to see you there!

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro

01:41 The Subway Trick that Started It All

04:39 Lessons from the Above the Below

09:10 What Happens When You Don’t Feel Hunger

11:34 Pushing the Body Beyond Its Limit

17:25 The Capabilities of the Human Body

22:52 The Knife Stunt   

26:25 The Bullet-Catch Trick

30:12 Break Free from Your Comfort Zone

32:27 Push the Boundaries of Your Growth

34:41 Some Stunts are Just Too Dangerous

41:46 Pushing Yourself Without Risking Your Life

45:04 Failure Leads to Continuous Learning

47:26 The Riskiest Illusion 

49:29 Processing the Pain of Grief

53:32 Everything is About Perspective

57:14 Open Up Your Mind with Books

01:01:24 Every Person is Unique

01:03:06 The Bridge Jump, Anything is Possible

01:09:13 David on Final Five 

Episode Resources:

David Blaine | Website

David Blaine | YouTube

David Blaine | Instagram 

David Blaine | Facebook 

David Blaine | X 

David Blaine Do Not Attempt

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

In last week’s episode, Cal discussed data that indicate that the rise of the smartphones is making humans measurably dumber. Here he discusses aggressive strategies for resisting this reality. He then answers listener questions and ends with a tech corner.

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: Getting Smarter in a Dumb World [3:47]

- With remote work dwindling, should I change careers to achieve my ideal lifestyle? [31:14]

- Should a 24-year-old ditch his college degree to pursue another field? [36:25]

- How should merit be rewarded in a revenue-constrained environment? [40:40]

- How can one find and engage with these more niche online communities? [44:34]

- How can partners support each other in building a deep life? [46:48]

CASE STUDY: Using lifestyle planning to turn down a promotion [48:53]

TECH CORNER:  How do AI’s “reason”? [57:53]

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:

zocdoc.com/deep

kinsta.com/deepquestions

udacity.com/deep [Use code DEEP]

notion.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.