Deep Questions with Cal Newport

We think of information as something neutral; a spotlight that helps illuminate the reality of the outside world. Accordingly, more information is better than less. In this episode, Cal pushes back on this model, arguing that the form in which information arrives can strongly impact the understanding we extract. We must therefore be more intentional about what and how we pay attention. He then answers reader questions and surveys some unusual but entertaining stories about slowness. 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: Rethinking attention [4:08] - What books should I read to help me develop a deep life? [34:35] - Does writing by hand have benefits for your brain? [38:40] - Should I get a brain scan to prove I have a low IQ? [43:46] - Should I use ChatGPT for book recommendations? [47:39] - How can I avoid wasting your gap year? [49:40] - CALL: Is “Slow Productivity” related to “The Burnout Society” by Buying-Chui Han? [55:32] CASE STUDY: Utilizing the phone foyer method [1:01:58] FINAL SEGMENT: Slow news [1:10:58] Links: calnewport.com/slow peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/ bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?v=448bf8afad0740d18f6b109b4bd40d51 slow-watches.com/penguinrandomhouse.com/books/318747/help-wanted-one-rooster-by-julie-falatko-illustrated-by-andrea-stegmaier/rte.ie/brainstorm/2023/1108/1415296-why-handwriting-is-good-for-your-brain/ Thanks to our Sponsors: mintmobile.com/deepmauinuivenison.com/deepquestionsnotion.com/callistening.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Why do you struggle with your grand attempts to escape distraction and aimlessness to make your life deeper? In this episode, Cal draws on an unexpected metaphor – Charles Babbage, Ada Lovelace, and the Analytical Engine – to help identify the subtle obstacle on your path to increase depth. With this new understanding in hand, he then details a specific gameplan to get around it. Later, he takes questions from the audience and reacts to the new AI Pin, a tool intended to render smartphones obsolete. 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 Deep Life Hardware [4:09] - Does personal productivity make us anxious? [34:04] - How can I build skills without getting in the way of my existing work? [42:11] - How can I build a deeper life after years of neglect? [46:00] - How is Sam Sulek’s stripped down YouTube channel doing so well? [52:12] - How can I convince my husband that I’m not a time management snob? [1:02:38] - CALL: Obsessing over quality [1:06:04] CASE STUDY: Shifting a mindset to do more deep work [1:11:04] CAL REACTS: Is the Al Pin the End of Smartphones? [1:17:46] Links: www.calnewport.com/slow computerhistory.org/babbage/engines/theverge.com/24126502/humane-ai-pin-reviewpodcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conversation-with-cal-newport-the-key-to/id1498802610?i=1000652834277 samharris.org/podcasts/making-sense-episodes/363-knowledge-work https://peoplesbooktakoma.com/preorder-slow-productivity/ Thanks to our Sponsors: rhone.com/calshopify.com/deeppolicygenius.com/deepquestionsgrammarly.com/podcasttim.blog Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

In the first ever live episode of Deep Questions, recorded at People’s Book in Takoma Park, MD, Cal extracts a modern productivity lesson from the tale of Jane Austen’s frustrated ambitions, before taking questions from the audience. 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: Jane Austen’s To-Do List [3:22] — Is Cal building his YouTube channel with social media tactics? [27:36] — How can I do less in such a busy world? [31:53] — How do I escape the flow state? [37:01] — How can someone become a star while obsessing over craft? [40:52] — How can I apply Slow Productivity to unrelated projects? [46:40] — How does Cal develop his writing frameworks? [50:20] — How can I apply Slow Productivity principles to a team? [52:48] — How can I avoid the Zoom apocalypse? [57:48] — Is there a conflict between working at a natural pace and obsessing over quality? [1:07:16] — How can a personal trainer build a wellness solution company? [1:09:46] — How can our team not get delayed with technical problems? [1:13:00] — How can a young lawyer manage peer relationships with teams? [1:16:38] Links: — Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow — Use this link to preorder a signed copy of “Slow Productivity”: peoplesbooktakoma.com/preorder-slow-productivity/ — Cal’s Monthly Books directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?v=448bf8afad0740d18f6b109b4bd40d51 Thanks to our Sponsors: blinkist.com/deep drinklmnt.com/deep expressvpn.com/deep cozyearth.com (Use promo code “Cal”) Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

In this episode Cal takes a closer look at a growing trend of artists quitting social media and instead reverting to old-fashioned websites. Are these acts of principled sacrifice or a sustainable way to be creative online? Cal argues for the latter, showing how the internet without social media curation algorithms can be a place of rich discovery and audience building. He then takes questions on similar topics and ends by playing a few rounds of “deep or crazy” during the final segment. 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: A Quiet Revolt Against Social Media [7:37] - Is my deep living too extreme? [45:06] - LinkedIn is getting toxic. Should I quit that too? [47:39] - Where do online articles fit into the life of a digital minimalist? [51:09] - Did Cal design the specifications for the hardcover copy of “Slow Productivity”? [54:04] - How do I not feel overwhelmed by online content after a Digital Declutter? [58:07] - CALL: Obsessing over quality [1:01:08] CASE STUDY: Applying lessons from “Digital Minimalism” [1:06:37] CAL REACTS: Deep or Crazy? [1:13:54] Links: calnewport.com/slowpeoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/ twitter.com/HumanitiesGU/status/1772436799727472942youtube.com/watch?v=W3h9gV_z8OMyoutube.com/watch?v=tV6BbPTN5PQyoutube.com/watch?v=r0RqucKwIcw Thanks to our Sponsors: mybodytutor.comshopify.com/deepdrinklmnt.com/deepmauinuivenison.com/deepquestions Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

One of the biggest problems afflicting knowledge workers in the digital age is frantic busyness; days filled with emails, chats, and meetings, without much to show for all the effort. In today’s episode, Cal dives into one of the most-discussed ideas from his new book, Slow Productivity, which offers a simple, tactical assault on this state of persistent busyness. He then answers listener questions about similar issues and lists the book he read in March. 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: hyoutube.com/calnewportmedia Deep Dive: A Tactical Assault on Busyness [3:47] - How can I stop chasing the “perfect” productivity system? [34:51] - How do I avoid losing my day to distraction? [39:08] - How do I help my partner escape meeting quickstand? [42:31] - How do we design the perfect client/task/scheduling system? [48:59] - Can Apple Vision Pro help deep work? [54:46] The 5 Books Cal Read in March 2024 [1:06:43] A Short History of England (Simon Jenkins) Into the Impossible (Brian Keating) The Amen Effect (Sharon Brous) Sink the Bismark! (CS Forester) Hidden Potential (Adam Grant) Links: Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow newyorker.com/science/annals-of-artificial-intelligence/can-an-ai-make-plans Thanks to our Sponsors: This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/deepquestions expressvpn.com/deep zocdoc.com/deep notion.com/cal Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Imagine a world in which AI could handle your email inbox on your behalf. No more checking for new messages every five minutes. No more worries that people need you. No more exhausting cognitive context shifts. In this episode, Cal explores how close cutting-edge AI models are to achieving this goal, including using ChatGPT to help him answer some real email. He then dives into his latest article for The New Yorker, which explains the key technical obstacle to fully automated email and how it might be solved. This is followed by reader questions and a look at something interesting. 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 A.I. Empty My Inbox? [4:33] - Should I continue to study programming if AI will eventually replace software jobs? [44:40] - Is it bad to use ChatGPT to assist with your writing? [49:22] - How do I reclaim my workspace for Deep Work? [55:24] - How do I decide what to do on my scheduled mini-breaks at work? [1:00:11] - CALL: Heidegger’s view on technology [1:02:48] - CALL: Seasonality with a partner and kids [1:09:11] CASE STUDY: A Silicon Valley Chief of Staff balancing work and ego [1:20:07] Something Interesting: General Grant’s Slow Productivity [1:30:08] Links: Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity”at calnewport.com/slow newyorker.com/science/annals-of-artificial-intelligence/can-an-ai-make-plans Thanks to our Sponsors: listening.com/deeprhone.com/caldrinklmnt.com/deepshopify.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

On his recent book tour, Cal found great success using a small notebook dedicated to developing a single idea. In this episode, he explores this “single-purpose notebook” strategy, identifying when it makes sense and why it works. He also takes listener questions about his new book, “Slow Productivity,” and reacts to a recent article about TikTok’s stumbles. 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: Single-Purpose Notebooks [5:02] - If “pseudo-productivity” isn’t effective, why is it so common? [27:07] - Can you explain the difference between limiting missions, projects, and daily goals? [34:59] - Should everyone buy a $50 notebook? [39:21] - How does “Slow Productivity” relate to mental models and first principles? [48:12] - Should I read your new book slowly? [52:44] - CALL: Does Cal ever stress about work? [55:24] CASE STUDY: Applying lifestyle-centric career planning [1:00:31] SOMETHING INTERESTING: TikTok Falters [1:08:56] Links: Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow bramses.notion.site/bramses/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?v=448bf8afad0740d18f6b109b4bd40d51notebookstories.com/2013/05/06/picasso-sketchbook/anothermanmag.com/life-culture/10788/remembering-bruce-chatwin-the-greatest-travel-writer-that-ever-livednotebookstories.com/2023/12/22/a-notebook-in-the-movie-elf/com/tech/personal-tech/quitting-tiktok-less-swiping-more-sleeping-1e166a39?page=1 newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/tiktok-and-the-fall-of-the-social-media-giants Thanks to our Sponsors: mintmobile.com/deeppolicygenius.com/deepquestionsnotion.com/calcozyearth.com (Use promo code “Cal”) Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

What does the story of the rise of the singing superstar Jewel teach us about escaping busyness in our knowledge work jobs? In this episode, Cal makes the connection, extracting a key lesson about quality as an engine for slowness, and then providing concrete advice and examples for applying this lesson to your own professional life. Also: listener questions and the books Cal read in February. 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: Doing Better, Do Less [5:00] - Is my job too hard? [38:25] - How do I sell myself better? [42:52] - How do I convince myself to do actual hard work? [45:42] - How do I find time to get better if I'm busy? [48:46] - What is the values plan? [53:23] The 5 books Cal read in February 2024 [1:01:45] The Sabbath (AJ Heschel) Making Movies (Sidney Lumet) Killer of the Flower Moon (David Grann) Orthodoxy (G.K. Chesterton) The Good Shepherd (CA Forestor) Links: FREE download excerpt and 2 Bonuses for “Slow Productivity”: calnewport.com/slow Thanks to our Sponsors: shopify.com/deep drinklmnt.com/deep mybodytutor.com blinkist.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

One of the most common strategies for achieving a powerful ideal lifestyle vision is to leverage entrepreneurial activities to find a stable source of income that allows autonomy and flexibility. To help understand how to succeed in such ventures, Cal interviews the entrepreneur and author Noah Kagan about his new book, "The Million Dollar Weekend." Recording on the road as part of his book tour for "Slow Productivity," Cal also shares some lessons about what he's been observing. 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: Marketing guru Noah Kagan [11:06] Links: Use this link to preorder a signed copy of “Slow Productivity”: peoplesbooktakoma.com/preorder-slow-productivity/ FREE download excerpt and 2 Bonuses for “Slow Productivity”: calnewport.com/slow Thanks to our Sponsors: This show is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/deepquestions mauinuivenison.com/deepquestions zocdoc.com/deep expressvpn.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

How did we end up tyrannized by our inboxes? How is this related to Tyrannosaurus? What was it like working at a high-tech company at the exact moment email was introduced? In this episode, Cal weaves together all these questions into a story about the unexpected ways technology impacts our lives and what we can do after the fact to make things better. 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: https://youtube.com/calnewportmedia Deep Dive: The Email Catastrophe [3:47] - How do I deal with email overload in a government job? [45:34] - How do I deal with an employer who demands constant responsiveness?[55:36] - How can I concentrate when coding when I need to use my web browser? [58:27] - How do I overcome my fear of missing important emails? [1:02:35] - CALL: Can slow productivity work for an academic? [1:06:38] CAL REACTS: Reader Comments on his NYT Op-Ed [1:17:47] Links: newyorker.com/magazine/2019/04/08/the-day-the-dinosaurs-diedpnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1817407116newyorker.com/magazine/1994/01/10/e-mail-from-bill-gatesblog.rescuetime.com/communication-multitasking-switches/nytimes.com/2024/02/16/opinion/creative-work-productivity-seasonality.htmlpeoplesbooktakoma.com/preorder-slow-productivity/ calnewport.com/slow Thanks to our Sponsors: zocdoc.com/deeppolicygenius.com/deepquestionsblinkist.com/deepmoshlife.com/deepshopify.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

We’ve become so used to our phones in our lives that we’ve stopped realizing how arbitrary and unusual the content we’re watching really has become. In this episode, Cal looks closer at what we’re really spending time doing on our phones, then provides step-by-step instructions for healing this relationship. 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: Confronting Your Phone [4:30] - What does Cal think about Neil Postman’s “Amusing Ourselves To Death”? [28:35] - Can you pursue high quality leisure after a day filled with deep work? [33:14] - Can commercial breaks be used for high quality leisure? [37:24] - Will digital minimalism work in an age of augmented reality? [40:34] - How can a full time YouTuber practice digital minimalism? [46:53] -CALL: How to share content online? [52:38] CASE STUDY: Cost-benefit analysis of technology usage [1:00:39] CAL REACTS: J. R. R. Tolkien’s Search for Depth [1:06:43] Links: twitter.com/explore/tabs/trending instagram.com/explore/tags/popular/?hl=en tiktok.com/foryou?lang=en newcriterion.com/blogs/dispatch/the-consolations-of-fantasy Use this link to preorder a signed copy of “Slow Productivity”: peoplesbooktakoma.com/preorder-slow-productivity/ FREE download excerpt and 2 Bonuses for “Slow Productivity”: calnewport.com/slow Thanks to our Sponsors: ladderlife.com/deep mybodytutor.com rhone.com/cal mintmobile.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

A deep life requires that you encounter and make sense of a large amount of incoming information, from narrow data relevant to a professional project, to broad insights into your purpose. How do you keep track of all of this? In this episode, Cal proposes a minimalist approach aimed at minimizing the friction required to keep tabs on what matters. 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: How to track information that matters [2:55] - How should I make use of non-cognitive time? [27:37] - Can people with ADHD become better at learning? [32:49] - What does Cal think of Gloria Mark’s “4 myths of attention span”? [36:31] - How can I concentrate on my dissertation when I have a full-time job? [47:04] - How can I stop wasting my afternoon time blocks? [53:20] - CALL: How can I better organize my idea notebooks? [1:01:38] CASE STUDY: Avoiding the hyperactive hive mind to work more efficiently [1:05:46] CAL REACTS: Is it bad to be slow? [1:13:46] Links: dailystoic.com/try-not-to-be-so-slow/ gloriamark.com/attention-span Use this link to preorder a signed copy of “Slow Productivity”: peoplesbooktakoma.com/preorder-slow-productivity/ FREE download excerpt and 2 Bonuses for “Slow Productivity”: calnewport.com/slow Thanks to our Sponsors: grammarly.com/podcast drinklmnt.com/deep cozyearth.com (promo code “cal”) expressvpn.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

A key step in cultivating a deep life is reflecting on what matters to you and the best strategies for pursuing it. This, in turn, requires that you engage in the consumption of some manner of self help. It’s here that many people sell themselves short, limiting this intake to short videos and the occasional advice guide. In today’s episode, Cal talks about cultivating a much richer approach to self-help in which you’re able to take in wisdom from a variety of sources of various levels of sophistication. 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: Rethinking Self Help [3:21] - How can I prevent hard tasks from derailing my productivity systems? [38:47] - Should I get ahead in my career with a project that I hate? [47:54] - How can I make progress on my novel when my day job drains me? [52:39] - Is there such a thing as too much deep work? [59:32] - CALL: Will short deep work sessions work to write effectively? [1:12:17] CASE STUDY: Reducing stress with slow productivity [1:18:40] The 5 Books Cal Read in January 2024 [1:30:22] Links: https://peoplesbooktakoma.com/preorder-slow-productivity/ FREE Download for “Slow Productivity”: www.calnewport.com/slow Thanks to our Sponsors: https://www.grammarly.com/podcast https://www.drinklmnt.com/deep https://www.shopify.com/deep This show is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/deepquestions Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

One of the more interesting realities of people who live remarkable lives is that they are often much less busy than the rest of us. In this episode, Cal explores three ideas that help explain why this is true, then explains how we can use these ideas to reduce our own workloads. 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 Productivity Paradox [7:31] - How does a weekly plan work? [32:26] - Do errands or reading count toward fixed schedule productivity? [36:55] - How should a graduate embrace slow productivity? [40:11] - If I embrace slow productivity, how can I be sure I’m doing enough? [41:54] - Did Cal follow Slow Productivity in his 20’s? [47:45] - CALL: Uprooting a good planning system? [53:23] CASE STUDY: Playing video games with intention [58:05] CAL REACTS: How to Have a Productive Year [1:06:34] Links: calnewport.com/if-youre-busy-youre-doing-something-wrong-the-surprisingly-relaxed-lives-of-elite-achievers/ newyorker.com/culture/office-space/how-to-have-a-more-productive-year FREE Download for “Slow Productivity”: calnewport.com/slow Thanks to our Sponsors: mauinuivenison.com/deepquestions blinkist.com/deep moshlife.com/deep policygenius.com/deepquestions Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Call talks with Ali Abdaal about his journey from doctor to YouTube sensation, and then dives deep into Ali’s new book, “Feel-Good Productivity,” and the possibilities of making accomplishment something enjoyable. 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: YouTube Star Ali Abdaal [3:41] Cal Reacts: Dissecting Ali’s YouTube career path [1:32:27] Links: FREE download for “Slow Productivity”: calnewport.com/slow Thanks to our Sponsors: expressvpn.com/deep rhone.com/cal shopify.com/deep notion.com/cal Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

What is the correct first step in transforming your life into something deeper? Traditional advice says to start with a clear vision of what you value. Cal has been arguing that it’s instead more important to develop a foundation of discipline. In this episode, he explores a more specific variation of this idea: perhaps the best way to prepare to pursue the big is to first learn how to control the small. 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: How to organize your life [2:31] - How do I “stay deep” when facing major changes? [36:37] - How do I relax when I’m always so busy? [39:13] - What is the difference between rituals and routines? [43:09] - Can playing video games be part of a deep life? [51:27] - Can deep life buckets connect to strategic plans? [57:39] - CALL: Juggling multiple priorities to live a deep life [1:01:39] CASE STUDY: Becoming organized to prevent overwhelm [1:07:32] CAL REACTS: How many books did you read in 2023? [1:13:47] Links: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/01/05/how-many-books-did-you-read-2023-see-how-you-stack-up/ FREE download for “Slow Productivity”: calnewport.com/slow Thanks to our Sponsors: drinklmnt.com/deep mintmobile.com/deep cozyearth.com (promo code CAL) mybodytutor.com Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

During the New Year season it is common to talk about how to be more productive. But what about the downtime between your major pursuits? In this episode, Cal argues for rewiring your brain to crave slow distractions over their faster (often digital) alternatives. The goal here is not to get more done but to transform your life into something slower and more meaningful. 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: Slow Distractions [2:25] - How do I work deeply as a stay-at-home parent? [29:12] - Isn’t it myopic not to let young children use smartphones? [36:44] - How do I succeed as a musician without social media? [38:09] - How do I make plans without social media? [48:37] - CALL: How to share ideas without allowing social media to take control [55:02] CAL REACTS: I’m a 33-year old woman without a job [1:05:55] Links: youtu.be/YQLVWficcwc?si=lOIBa23I_0-4sJl6 Download a FREE chapter from my upcoming book, "Slow Productivity" HERE: https://www.calnewport.com/slow Thanks to our Sponsors: expressvpn.com/deep notion.com/cal shopify.com/deep grammarly.com/podcast Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

One of the more important abilities to cultivate for the year ahead is comfort learning complicated (and therefore valuable) new things. In this episode, Cal tackles the myths surrounding mastery and presents a new mental model for internalizing non-trivial information. As he elaborates, there is both good news and bad news when it comes to this topic: you can learn almost anything, but you can’t learn everything. 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: Learning Hard Things [2:50] - When it comes to taking notes, what really matters? [29:49] - Can I fit all of my hobbies into my week? [36:02] - Can YouTube teach me to be a better student? [39:40] - How do I figure out what to learn next? [46:09] - How do I learn something fast when I already have a busy schedule? [48:23] - CALL: How does “So Good They Can’t Ignore You” relate to “Slow Productivity”? [55:11] CASE STUDY: Slow Productivity affinity group [1:03:46] The 5 books Cal read in December 2023 [1:13:28] Thanks to our Sponsors: drinklmnt.com/deep zocdoc.com/deep This show is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/deepquestions Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

The mega-bestselling writer Arthur Brooks is one of the rare individuals to have both lived a carefully cultivated deep life and written a book on the topic (co-authored with Oprah!). In today’s episode, Cal interviews Brooks, going deep into the details of his unusual and inspiring career and extracting proven rules from his experience. 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: Mega-bestselling writer Arthur Brooks [6:39] Cal’s Favorite Completely Unnecessary and Embarrassingly Geeky Things for 2024 [1:16:04] Links: https://www.calnewport.com/slow Thanks to our Sponsors: rhone.com/cal shopify.com/deep notion.com/cal Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

We talk a lot on this show about getting more done, but what’s the best way to handle the inevitable situation in which you have too much to do? Cal walks through a sensible response to the crazy-making reality of overload. 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: https://youtube.com/calnewportmedia Deep Dive: Controlling Overload [4:48] - Is building a “second brain” important? [37:53] - How can I bill 40 hours a week without getting overloaded? [43:30] - What book should I buy my department to best increase their work quality? [46:31] - How do I make progress on projects that have lots of overhead? [51:53] - How can my wife deal with her new position and the overload that comes with it? [57:35] - CALL: What is Cal excited to gif this holiday season? [1:06:14] CASE STUDY: Quitting Twitter to build a better life [1:09:55] CAL REACTS: Why did students get dumber starting in 2012? [1:17:31] Links: https://twitter.com/DKThomp/status/1734436486727254218 Thanks to our Sponsors: https://www.ladderlife.com/deep https://www.blinkist.com/deep https://www.hensonshaving.com/cal This show is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/deepquestions Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.