Deep Questions with Cal Newport

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? 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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: 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: 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia 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: 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In our annual holiday episode, Cal tackles one of the questions he’s asked most often: What should I read? But with a twist. He recommends six books that are not from the self-help or advice genre that will nonetheless help you change your life into something deeper. For the rest of the episode, he then answers listener calls. 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 CAL’S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS: Walden by Henry David Thoreau [2:40] Lincoln’s Virtues by William Lee Miller [7:28] The Case for God by Karen Armstrong [10:54] You Are Not a Gadget by Jaron Lanier [21:25] The Shallows by Nicholas Carr [26:28] Falling Upward by Richard Rohr [28:45] CALLS: 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: monarch.com/deep wayfair.com notion.com/cal reclaim.ai/cal Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Earlier this fall, the activist, novelist, and essayist Paul Kingsnorth published an anti-technology polemic called “Against the Machine.” To say it hit a nerve is an understatement. In the months that followed, Kingsnorth has been everywhere; profiled, among places, in the New York Times, the New Yorker, and The Atlantic. In today’s episode, I want to find out why Kingsnorth’s take on technology is resonating so strongly. To help me answer this question, I’m joined by the journalist and scholar Tyler Austin Harper, who wrote a great review of Kingsnorth’s book for The Atlantic. We dive deep into Kingsnorth’s ideas and explore what they teach us about our current moment more generally. 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: Why Is Everyone Talking About “Against the Machine”? (w/ Tyler Austin Harper) [0:00] CASE STUDY: Reframing a career to utilize career capital [1:26:07] CALL: Dealing with conflicting views about digital minimalism in a relationship [1:30:21] 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/books/2025/11/paul-kingsnorth-against-the-machine/684848/ Thanks to our Sponsors: This show is sponsored by Better Help: betterhelp.com/deepquestions shopify.com/deep mybodytutor.com expressvpn.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Last month, Derek Thompson published an intriguing essay that made waves in technology criticism circles. It was titled: “Everything is Television.” In today’s episode, Cal takes a closer look at this essay, unpacking and expanding Thompson’s arguments, and ultimately concluding with a series of predictions about what to expect next from the internet. He then answers listener questions and discusses the five books he read in November 2025. 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: Is the Internet Becoming Television [00:03] reduceCASE STUDY: Developing a Deep Life after selling a company [56:15] CALL: Eliminating Instagram in graduate school [1:04:19] NOVEMBER BOOKS: The 5 Books Cal Read in November 2025 [1:09:08] Realityland (David Koening) Becoming Mary Poppins (Todd James Pierce) Tradition in an Untraditional Age (Rabbi Jonathan Sacks) What is the Bible? (Rob Bell) Notes on Being a Man (Scott Galloway) 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? flowingdata.com/2025/10/03/passed-peak-social-media-maybe/ derekthompson.org/p/why-everything-became-television youtube.com/watch?v=QaiecWzeHFM csmonitor.com/1985/0610/z2vid1.html Thanks to our Sponsors: cozyearth.com/DEEP (for up to 40% off) auraframes.com (Use code “DEEPQUESTIONS” to get $35 off) indeed.com/deep grammarly.com/podcast Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In today’s episode, Cal reviews some of his favorite advice from legendary writers (plus a bonus piece of advice from his own craft). Within each suggestion, he finds a general idea that can apply to anyone looking to build a deep life in an increasingly distracted world. He then answers listener questions and responds to comments about last week’s episode. 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: Life Advice from Legendary Writers [0:02] CASE STUDY: A project manager reorganizes his life [1:02:19] CALL: Developing a 5-year plan for work [1:06:54] CAL READS THE COMMENTS: Can LLMs be Conscious? [1:09:51] 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=CQHK_AlJTQc Thanks to our Sponsors: calderalab.com/deep auraframes.com (Use code “DEEPQUESTIONS”) shopify.com/deep vanta.com/deepquestions Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There has been a lot of loose talk online recently about the capabilities of existing AI tools. In this episode, Cal reacts to a specific recent clip from the Joe Rogan podcast in which the guest argues that language models are like a child’s brain, and may already be conscious. Cal puts on his (always stylish) computer scientist had to explain why this cannot be true. He then answers listener questions and reacts to feedback on his recent episode about using a notebook to enhance long thinking. 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: ChatGPT is Not Alive [0:04] CASE STUDY: A Workplace Productivity System [1:06:31] CAL READS THE COMMENTS: Regaining Your Ability to Think (in 60 Minutes a Week) [1:10:48] 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=gXbsq5nVmT0 youtube.com/watch?v=NnA2OoH_NFY Thanks to our Sponsors: calderalab.com/deep aura.com (Use code “DEEPQUESTIONS”) byloftie.com (Use code “DEEP20”) cozyearth.com (Use code “DEEP”) Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When companies began instituting return-to-office plans after the pandemic, a disproportionate number of women chose instead to leave the workforce. Why? The obvious answer is that they wanted the flexibility of remote work. But in this episode, Cal draws on a recent New York Times op-ed that offers a deeper explanation – one that affects all knowledge workers. He then explores solutions to the problem, answers listener questions, and (God help him) respond to comments on his recent Superintelligence episode. 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 Flexibility Myth [0:02] CASE STUDY: Completing a Thesis [1:19:08] CALL: Details about time blocking [1:25:08] CAL READS THE COMMENTS: The Case Against Superintelligence [1:33:58] 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? nytimes.com/2025/11/02/opinion/women-work-force-flexibility-shifts.html youtube.com/watch?v=y0RI5CnoDvs Thanks to our Sponsors: This episode is sponsored by Betterhelp. betterhelp.com/deepquestions expressvpn.com/deep shopify.com/deep mybodytutor.com Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We often talk on this show about how digital devices undermine our ability to consume more complicated and meaningful ideas. But what about our ability to produce such ideas from scratch? In this episode, Cal identifies a key productive skill – long thinking – that we’re increasingly losing. He argues that it’s critical for living a deep life and provides a simple strategy to help regain the skill. He then answers listener questions and discusses the books he read in October 2025. 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 Lost Art of Long Thinking [0:02] The Gift of the Jews (Thomas Cahill) Lin-Manuel Miranda (Daniel Pollack-Pelzner) Inspired (Rachel Held Evans) The Future of Tutoring (Liz Cohen) Society of the Spectacle (Guy Debord) 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/solutions-beyond-the-screen-the-adventure-work-method-for-producing-creative-insights/ youtube.com/watch?v=bEusrD8g-dM calnewport.com/the-notebook-method-how-pen-and-paper-can-transform-you-into-an-star-student/ Thanks to our Sponsors: indeed.com/deep cozyearth.com/deep for up to 40% off wayfair.com grammarly.com/podcast Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How do you escape a world where constant digital distractions and darkness threatens to pull you down? Maybe take a page out of Abraham Lincoln’s life. In this episode, Cal argues that Lincoln faced analog versions of many of the same issues we face in our contemporary digital world, and by studying how he escaped we can learn a method to accomplish something similar. He then answers listener questions on this theme and revisits the comments from a 2008 essay where he first introduced some of these questions. 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 Lincoln Protocol [0:30] CASE STUDY: A military spouse goes back to work after motherhood [1:03:47] CALL: Cal’s thoughts on Apple Watches [1:07:35] CAL READS THE COMMENTS: What people thought about digital distraction in 2008 [1:12:06] 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/would-lincoln-have-become-president-if-he-had-e-mail/ calnewport.com/would-lincoln-have-become-president-if-he-had-e-mail/ Thanks to our Sponsors: drinklmnt.com/deep miro.com calderalab.com/deep 1password.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Techno-philosopher Eliezer Yudkowsky recently went on Ezra Klein's podcast to argue that if we continue on our path toward superintelligent AI, these machines will destroy humanity. In this episode, Cal responds to Yudkowsky’s argument point by point, concluding with a more general claim that these general styles of discussions suffer from what he calls “the philosopher’s fallacy,” and are distracting us from real problems with AI that are actually afflicting us right now. He then answers listener questions about AI, responds to listener comments from an earlier AI episode, and ends by discussing Alpha schools, which claim to use AI to 2x the speed of education. 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 Case Against Superintelligence [0.01] COMMENTS: Cal reads LM comments [1:16:58] CALL: Clarification on Lincoln Protocol [1:21:36] CAL REACTS: Are AI-Powered Schools the Future? [1:24:46] 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? youtube.com/watch?v=2Nn0-kAE5c0 alpha.school/the-program/ astralcodexten.com/i/166959786/part-three-how-alpha-works-part Thanks to our Sponsors: byloftie.com (Use code “DEEP20”) expressvpn.com/deep shopify.com/deep vanta.com/deepquestions Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep. 375: Did OpenAI Just Kill Social Media? OpenAI has been making waves recently with their release of their Sora 2 video generation model, which they have launched alongside a TikTok-style social media sharing app. The internet is usually pretty excited about AI innovations, but this one has people unsettled. In today’s episode, Cal looks at one implication of Sora 2 in particular that is both important but currently overcooked: the impact of AI content generation on the existing social media giants. He then answers listener questions on AI and social media and reacts to a new Sam Altman tweet that signals bad news for OpenAI. 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: Did OpenAI Just Kill Social Media? [0:02] CASE STUDY: A Digital Declutter [1:15:38] CALL: Children with dumb phones or smartphones [1:19:49] CAL REACTS: Sam Altman Proposes AI Erotica [1:27:46] 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? SORA: the all Ai TikTok Clone. will slop end creativity? youtube.com/watch?v=Vz0oQ0v0W10 newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/tiktok-and-the-fall-of-the-social-media-giants youtube.com/watch?v=I1dW-nZqhew x.com/sama/status/1978129344598827128 Thanks to our Sponsors: This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp: betterhelp.com/deepquestions expressvpn.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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s hard to cultivate a deep life when you cannot go more than a few minutes without checking your phone. In this episode, Cal looks closer at the precise neural mechanisms at play that make the physical act of looking at your phone irresistible. Then armed with this knowledge, he explains why many popular remedies fail, and which specific responses are most likely to succeed. He then answers listener questions and discusses the five old-fashioned analog books (!) that he read last month. 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: This is your brain on phones [0:02] CASE STUDY: A 5th grader drops her Apple Watch [1:13:51] CALL: An aspiring photographer and Instagram [1:18:11] SEPTEMBER BOOKS: The 5 Books Cal in September 2025 [1:22:51] The Ice Limit (Lincoln Child and Douglas Preston) The Burnout Society (Byung-Chul Han) Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom (Cory Doctorow) As a Jew (Sarah Hurwitz) The Searcher (Tana French) 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: rag-bone.com (Use code “DEEP”) grammarly.com/podcast mybodytutor.com indeed.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In 2023, I published an episode about resetting your life that became one of my most popular. In the years since, multiple major podcasters and YouTubers have done their own videos on the same theme. In today’s episode, I extract the best ideas from five such recent videos to create an all-star reset strategy. I connect this to my work on technology and its impacts, by noting that taking control of your life can be the most important first step toward taking control of your devices. 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 Internet’s Best Advice for Reinventing Your Life (0:02) CASE STUDY: Crafting a deep life [1:13:21] CALL: How to revise expectations with young kids [1:18:45] CAL REACTS: The Great Lock-In of 2025 [1:28:11] 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=mSaI8Rluel8 youtu.be/wXcEtxlrPMA youtu.be/PvvS-0mqD4c youtube.com/watch?v=2ZXJZnAxHHI youtube.com/watch?v=0G7Wu4DnDaw calnewport.com/the-great-lock-in-of-2025/ Thanks to our Sponsors: cozyearth.com/deep shopify.com/deep vanta.com/deepquestions expressvpn.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.