The Cal Newport Show

It’s hard to live deeply in a distracted world if you don’t have control over how you spend your time. This goal requires a planning system that both works and can last. Do you have a reasonable planning system in place? If not, don’t worry. Today, Cal is joined by planning expert Sarah Hart-Unger (author of “Best Laid Plans”) to discuss the nitty-gritty details of creating sustainable systems that can help you regain autonomy over your schedule without becoming an over-scheduled drone.

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

IDEAS SEGMENT:  Interview with Sarah Hart-Unger [2:12]

AUDIENCE FEEDBACK, NOTES, AND CHATTER: 

Dopamine addictions and TV shows [1:05:06]

Watching entire films [1:09:43]

Attention span and movies [1:16:38]

WHAT CAL IS UP TO:

Update on my AI Programmer Project [1:21:12]

Other Updates [1:28:02]

What Cal Consumed [1:29:17]

The Last Kings of Hollywood (Paul Fischer)

Movies:

The Smashing Machine

Song Sung Blue

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?

vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/07/why-are-movies-sooooo-long-an-investigation

science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adz9311

Sarah Hart-Unger online:

Sarah Hart-Unger (MD, if you want to use that but I typically don't even bother in my creative work!)

practicing pediatric endocrinologist, author, and podcaster

Best Laid Plans Podcast

Best of Both Worlds Podcast (cohosted with Laura Vanderkam)

Best Laid Plans: A Simple Planning System for Living a Life That You Love, Sourcebooks Dec 2025

Website (since 2004 . . .): theshubox.com

Social media: none :) Partially due to your influence, I quit FB in 2016, IG in 2021, and thankfully never got into anything else! I guess I do have minimal Youtube (occasional planner videos + feed of podcast eps) @youtube.com/@BestLaidPlansVideo

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

This show is sponsored by Better Help: 

betterhelp.com/deepquestions

zapier.com/deep

calderalab.com/deep

shopify.com/deep

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

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

Last month, the Atlantic reported that film students are now struggling to sit through entire films. In this episode, Cal argues that this is both an issue and an opportunity. The fact we can’t watch full movies indicates the impact of digital tools on our brains is worse than we assumed. But in this problem, we also find a solution: maybe teaching ourselves to become better movie watchers can be the first step to reclaiming our own minds. Cal then dissects a viral AI essay that seems to have everyone worried (spoiler: Cal’s not impressed), reads a reader note about social media and the Olympics, and gives an update on his next book project.

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

IDEAS SEGMENT:  Can Movies Save Us From Our Phones? [2:36]

NEWS AND NOTES SEGMENT: 

Something Big is Happening [31:23]

Digital Minimalism and the Olympics [49:31]

WHAT CAL’S READING: Cal gives his weekly reading update [56:03]

Attensity

The Lost Island (Eilis Dillon)

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?

theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/01/college-students-movies-attention-span/685812/

fortune.com/2026/02/11/something-big-is-happening-ai-february-2020-moment-matt-shumer/

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

pipedrive.com/deep

drinkag1.com/deep

butcherbox.com/deep

grammarly.com

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

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

There remains a gap between the production values of professional streaming services like Netflix and independent content that appears on platforms like YouTube. But what happens when that gap disappears? In the ideas segment of today’s episode, Cal sends a correspondent to investigate a fascinating new “micro-streaming” service producing Netflix-quality shows with a small team. Then, in the practices segment, he explains why he spent $60 on a single productivity application.

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

IDEAS SEGMENT:  Are “Micro-Streamers” the Future of Media? [3:12]

PRACTICES SEGMENT: Why Cal Spent $60 on a Task App? [36:33]

QUESTIONS:

How can I find time to become a Biblical scholar? [45:25]

Should I freak out about this AI Superintelligence article? [49:23]

WHAT CAL’S READING: Cal gives his weekly reading update [57:41]

The Hidden Book in the Bible (Richard Elliott)

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?

https://www.masterclass.com/calnewport

https://culturedcode.com/things/

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

1password.com/deep

cozyearth.com/deep (Use code “DEEP” for 20% off)

calderalab.com/deep

shopify.com/excellence

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

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

Is there something rotten in the state of AI reporting at the moment? In the ideas segment of this episode, Cal details three common traps in AI coverage that distort or distract from the reality of this technology. Once you know what to look for, these traps become easy to avoid – greatly improving your experience when trying to keep up to date on the latest advancements. Then, in the practice segment, Cal asks why morning routines have become so popular among young people. His explanation (hint: it involves the fight for depth in a distracted world) uncovers new ideas about how to make morning routines actually useful.

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

IDEAS SEGMENT:  Is AI Reporting Broken? [1:43]

PRACTICES SEGMENT: Rethinking Morning Routines [29:27]

QUESTIONS:

WHAT CAL’S READING: Cal gives his weekly reading update  [50:45]

Time Freedom (Brian Heriott) ARC
The Vampire, The Tutor, and the Madman (Josh Douglas)
One Direction (Charles Duhigg)

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?
qz.com/amazon-layoffs-ai-tech-job-losses
cnbc.com/2026/01/28/amazon-layoffs-anti-bureaucracy-ai.html
calnewport.com
nytimes.com/2025/07/28/arts/video-games-artificial-intelligence.html
nypost.com/2026/01/31/tech/moltbook-is-a-new-social-media-platform-exclusively-for-ai/
news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46838834
youtube.com/@WesRoth/videos
youtube.com/@airevolutionx/videos
youtube.com/watch?v=JoQG25gQyRg
newyorker.com/magazine/2026/02/02/what-maga-can-teach-democrats-about-organizing-and-infighting

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

factormeals.com/deep50off
monarch.com (Use code “DEEP”)
pipedrive.com/deep
mybodytutor.com

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

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

Everyone knows that excessive smartphone use can be harmful. But the question we don’t ask enough is what the advantages are of not using these devices. In the ideas segment, Cal examines the testimonials of four subjects who spent significant time without phones, to learn what they actually experience. Then, in the practices segment, he dissects the latest viral online self-help sensation to see if it holds up or is just fluff. Finally, in the Q&A segment, he tackles a surprising (and distressing) way in which technology plays a role in the violent ICE raids happening in Minnesota.

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

IDEAS SEGMENT: What (Really) Happens When You Ditch Your Smartphone? [3:07]

PRACTICES SEGMENT: Assessing the Internet’s Latest Self-Help Sensation [31:53]

QUESTIONS:

• What do the ICE raids in Minnesota teach us about technology and its impacts on our society? [53:17]

WHAT CAL’S READING: Cal gives his weekly reading update [1:08:17]

The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney (Michael Barrier)

Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at [calnewport.com/slow](https://www.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=kzXOyW8Zumg
youtube.com/watch?v=gh5CYvi5E40
youtube.com/watch?v=C-Iewo7zUFo
youtube.com/watch?v=5FI1gP_K5K0
youtube.com/watch?v=FshYuO6Opwk
x.com/thedankoe/status/2010751592346030461
prospect.org/2026/01/27/ice-greg-bovino-minneapolis-one-battle-after-another-sean-penn/
youtube.com/watch?v=elF0YmsCHvQ

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

This episode is sponsored by Better Help:
betterhelp.com/deepquestion
rag-bone.com (Use code “DEEP”)
calderalab.com/deep
shopify.com/deep

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

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

It’s natural to feel ambition, as we’re wired to find great satisfaction in accomplishing hard goals. But what impact has the internet had on this instinct? To help explore this question, author Brad Stulberg, author of the new book THE WAY OF EXCELLENCE, joins Cal during the ideas segment to explore ways in which the internet hijacks our drive, and what we can do about it. Then, in the practice segment, Cal provides the 2026 of his evolving advice for escaping email and IM overload in your job.

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

IDEAS SEGMENT: Is the internet hijacking ambition? [4:16]

PRACTICES SEGMENT: Escaping messaging hell [1:03:06]

QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS:

• Have new AI tools actually been as transformative as claimed? [1:23:49]

CAL RESPONDS TO COMMENTS [1:38:15]

WHAT CAL’S READING: Cal gives his weekly reading update [1:44:52]

Future Boy (Michael J. Fox)
The Unauthorized Story of Disney’s Haunted Mansion (Jeff Baham)

Links:
Get The Way of Excellence:  A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0063385945/ref=sw_img_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

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?
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/old-school-with-shilo-brooks/id1841566275
instagram.com/p/DFh_mNGSvuZ/?img_index=2
microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/breaking-down-infinite-workday
reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1o2g1xq/with_all_the_billions_trillions_going_into_it/
calnewport.com/a-world-without-email/

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

mybodytutor.com
monarch.com (Use code “DEEP”)
pipedrive.com/deep
meetfabric.com/deep

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

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

Despite some initial skepticism, Jonathan Haidt’s crusade against kids using smartphones has been more or less completely vindicated. Which got us thinking: what’s he worried about next? In the ideas segment, Cal looks closer at three new technological harms that Haidt has begun sounding the alarm about. Then, in the practices segment, he details a somewhat eccentric technology strategy that he and his wife have deployed in their own home to keep their kids away from smartphones. 

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

IDEAS SEGMENT: What’s worrying Jon Haidt? [0:04]

PRACTICES SEGMENT: Should you buy a landline (Cal just did…) [50:44]

QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS:

WHAT CAL’S READING: Cal gives his weekly reading update [1:19:31]

20th Century Fox (Scott Eyman)
In the Shadow of Man (Jane Goodall)

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?
docs.google.com/document/d/1w-HOfseF2wF9YIpXwUUtP65-olnkPyWcgF5BiAtBEy0/edit?tab=t.0
x.com/kevinroose/status/2001464352491311196
afterbabel.com/p/smartphone-gambling-is-a-disaster
fanduel.com
afterbabel.com/p/its-not-just-a-game-anymore
afterbabel.com/p/dont-give-your-child-an-ai-companion
futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/ai-toys-danger
instagram.com/reel/DO_7TzvEkzO/?hl=en
tincan.kids
punkt.ch/products/mp02-4g-minimalist-phone
aliexpress.us/item/3256810412310495.html
nintendo.com/us/store/products/nintendo-switch-lite-turquoise

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

1password.com/deep
cozyearth.com (Use code “DEEP”)
notion.com/cal
calderalab.com/deep

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

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

Last year, when columnist Paul Krugman left the NYT, it seemed like yet another example of the traditional media crumbling. But Krugman, as it turns out, is doing great. His popular substack now reaches massive audiences and earns him a seven-figure salary. Inspired by this story, in the ideas segment of today’s episode, we take a closer look at key numbers relevant to whether paid newsletters can replace traditional print media. Then, in the practices segment, we study some viral advice for spending less time on your phone.

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: Can Substack Save Journalism? + Viral Advice for Ignoring Your Phone [0:02]

PRACTICES SEGMENT: How to successfully delete social media [50:40]

CAL’S READING UPDATE: Cal gives his weekly reading update [1:18:28]

Airframe (Michael Crichton)
The Great Train Robbery (Michael Crichton) 
Fantastic Voyage  (Isaac Asimov)

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?
cjr.org/analysis/paul-krugman-leaving-new-york-times-heavy-hand-editing-less-frequent-columns-newsletter.php
substack.com/@paulkrugman
natesilver.net/p/always-be-blogging
reallygoodbusinessideas.com/p/most-popular-substacks
pewresearch.org/journalism/fact-sheet/newspapers/
rnz.co.nz/life/culture/any-attempt-to-simplify-elon-musk-is-futile-the-nz-cofounder-of-substack
daringfireball.net/2024/11/regarding_and_well_against_substack
youtube.com/watch?v=eUSBKj5ZQpo

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

meetfabric.com/deep
pipedrive.com/deep
factormeals.com/deep50off
monarch.com (Use code “DEEP”)

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

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

Ep 386: Was 2025 a Great or Terrible Year for AI? (w/ Ed Zitron) 

2025 was a year that was saturated in AI news, from Deep Seek, through claims of economic “bloodbaths,” to GPT-5, Sora, and Chatbot girlfriends. Frankly, it was exhausting. As we now look back on 2025 an interesting question arises: all in all, did this end up being a good or bad year for AI? To help me answer this question, I’m joined by hard-hitting AI commentator Ed Zitron, who's been everywhere in the media in recent months helping to make sense of the wild claims being thrown in the public’s direction. Together we go through the biggest AI stories of the year to try to make sense of what just happened. 

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: Was 2025 a Great or Terrible Year for AI (w/ Ed Zitron) [3:16]

Cal Reacts to Comments: Is the Internet Becoming Television? [1:58:25]  

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?
bbc.com/news/articles/c5yv5976z9po
axios.com/2025/01/23/davos-2025-ai-agents
blog.google/technology/google-deepmind/gemini-model-updates-february-2025/
openai.com/index/sora/
openai.com/index/introducing-gpt-4-5/
ai-2027.com/
fortune.com/2025/05/28/anthropic-ceo-warning-ai-job-loss/
media.mit.edu/publications/your-brain-on-chatgpt/
usatoday.com/story/tech/2025/08/07/chat-gpt-5-release-date-open-ai/85566627007/#:~:text=GPT%2D5%20release%20date,release%20date%20for%20Part%202
newyorker.com/culture/open-questions/what-if-ai-doesnt-get-much-better-than-this
wsj.com/tech/ai/ai-bubble-building-spree-55ee6128
nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/openai-and-nvidia-announce-strategic-partnership-to-deploy-10gw-of-nvidia-systems
nytimes.com/2025/10/02/technology/openai-sora-video-app.html
anthropic.com/news/claude-opus-4-5
ft.com/content/064bbca0-1cb2-45ab-85f4-25fdfc318d89
youtube.com/watch?v=Z_WEmjygNK0

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

This episode is sponsored by Better Help:
betterhelp.com/deepquestions
reclaim.ai/cal
expressvpn.com/deep
calderalab.com/deep

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

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

In this replay of a classic episode from March 2024, Cal discusses his transformative experience using a small analog notebook to tackle a complicated problem in his life. He makes the broader argument that sometimes simple analog tools can far exceed the utility of their digital counterparts.

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: Single-Purpose Notebooks [1:21]

- If “pseudo-productivity” isn’t effective, why is it so common? [21:58] 

- Can you explain the difference between limiting missions, projects, and daily goals? [29:54] 

- Should everyone buy a $50 notebook? [34:18]

- How does “Slow Productivity” relate to mental models and first principles? [43:08]

- Should I read your new book slowly? [47:40]

- CALL: Struggling writer obsessing over quality [53:10]

CASE STUDY: Applying lifestyle-centric career planning [58:14]

SOMETHING INTERESTING: TikTok Falters [1:01:39]

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.notebookstories.com/2013/05/06/picasso-sketchbook/

https://www.anothermanmag.com/life-culture/10788/remembering-bruce-chatwin-the-greatest-travel-writer-that-ever-lived

https://www.notebookstories.com/2023/12/22/a-notebook-in-the-movie-elf/

https://www.wsj.com/tech/personal-tech/quitting-tiktok-less-swiping-more-sleeping-1e166a39?page=1

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/tiktok-and-the-fall-of-the-social-media-giants

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

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

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

monarch.com/deep
1password.com/deep
makeheadway.com/deep
meetfabric.com/deep

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

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