The Cal Newport Show

Latest Episodes:

When Productivity Theory Meets Practice Oct 26, 2026

Show notes

What happens when neat theoretical ideas about productivity are deployed in the messy real world? In this episode, Cal is joined by Haley Pulli, a productivity coach from the company DoneDaily, to discuss case studies of clients who initially struggled with some of Cal’s ideas and how they ultimately fixed the issues.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

(0:00) When productivity theory meets practice

(4:26) Time blocking

(14:50) Multi-scale planning

(24:16) Deep work

(43:05) Attention residue

(50:05) Shutdown ritual

(54:05) Obsess over quality

(1:00:07 ) Shallow work

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/

Thanks to our Sponsors:

https://www.vanta.com/deepquestions

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

https://www.quo.com/deep

https://www.masterclass.com/cal

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Nate Mechler for research and newsletter, and Ben Crain and Rob Montz for video editing.

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Why Did Big Tech Stop Building Useful Products? Oct 22, 2026

Show notes

Tesla’s recent demo of a rocket-powered Roadster doing a kick-flick over a parked car touched a nerve in me. It seemed to epitomize changes to the tech sector in recent years that have been largely negative. In this short episode, I jump on the mic to explain some of my developing thoughts surrounding these ideas. More from Cal Download Cal’s FREE guide to cultivating a deeper life: calnewport.com/ideas Learn more about Cal’s books: calnewport.com/books Listen to Cal’s podcast: thedeeplife.com/listen Chapters 00:00 Intro 02:40 Factor 1: Growth companies vs. stable companies 05:40 Factor 2: Engagement-pilling 08:00 Factor 3: Building useful products is hard 10:43 Why this is a problem — and what we can do about it 13:49 Outro Credits: Podcast Production: Jesse Miller Newsletter/Research: Nate Mechler Theme Music: Jay Kerstens

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“Rogue” AI Not Inevitable. It’s a Choice. Oct 19, 2026

Show notes

A lot of attention has been paid recently to examples of AI going “rogue.” What’s missing from this discussion, however, is a more detailed explanation of what specific types of systems are causing problems. Taking a closer look at this problem reveals an issue that’s much more narrow and much more avoidable than some of the frontier labs would like you to believe.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

(0:00) Rogue AI not inevitable. It’s a choice.

(54:00) The legal implications of rogue AI

(1:00:03) Rogue AI sending advice emails

(1:07:41) A reaction to the recent episode about “chatbots harming kids”

(1:16:52) What Cal is up to

October books:

Telephone: The first hundred years (John Brooks)

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/

https://openai.com/index/how-we-monitor-internal-coding-agents-misalignment/

https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Paul-Ohm-Testimony.pdf

https://www.science.org/content/article/exclusive-ai-agent-emailed-hundreds-researchers-help-it-told-us-why

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/09/opinion/children-screens-parents-health.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/21/technology/openai-attack-hugging-face.html?eafs_enabled=false

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/23/technology/openai-ai-breach-australia.html?eafs_enabled=false

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/10/anthropics-claude-ai-submitted-false-murder-tip-to-philadelphia-police/

Thanks to our Sponsors:

https://www.cozyearth.com (Use code “DEEP” for 20% off)

https://www.gusto.com/deep

https://www.meetfabric.com/deep

https://www.pipedrive.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Nate Mechler for research and newsletter, and Ben Crain and Rob Montz for video editing.

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An Unlikely Team Tackles AI Brain Rot Oct 12, 2026

Show notes

How do we stop from becoming so reliant on LLMs that we lose our ability to think. A new paper explores answers based on an unlikely source: rigorous mathematical models. In this episode, Cal explains the paper and its conclusions, arguing that once you cut through its complexity it yields a useful way of thinking about our current AI moment.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

(0:00) An unlikely team tackles AI brain rot

(38:08) What are Cal’s thoughts on how Jesse Singal describes AI?

(56:29) A look at some vision documents

(1:00:42) Cal’s advice for a parenting situation

(1:03:16) What Cal is up to

October books:

Simplify (Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, Roy Schwartz)

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/

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2609.03344

https://thedispatch.com/article/artificial-intelligence-hugging-face-security-death/

Thanks to our Sponsors:

https://www.factormeals.com/deep50off (Use code “DEEP50OFF”)

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

https://www.notion.com/cal

https://www.mybodytutor.com

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Nate Mechler for research and newsletter, and Ben Crain and Rob Montz for video editing.

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A Stark Warning From a Former AI Doomer Oct 08, 2026

Show notes

Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News. Cal interviews Emile Torres who provides a stark warning about AI.

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

(0:00) A stark warning from a former AI doomer

(2:01) Interview with Emile Torres

(1:13:57) Cal recaps the interview with Emile

Links:

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

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Nate Mechler for research and newsletter, and Ben Crain and Rob Montz for video editing.

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

Combating the Whirlwind with a Single Sheet of Paper Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

One of the more debilitating experiences in our current digital world is the sense of being trapped in relentless, reactive, busyness. This “whirlwind” can separate you from both ambition and presence, leaving you feeling flat and fried. In this episode, Cal discusses a simple trick he deploys when he finds himself in this state. It requires only a single sheet of paper.

More from Cal Download Cal’s FREE guide to cultivating a deeper life: calnewport.com/ideas Learn more about Cal’s books: calnewport.com/books Listen to Cal’s podcast: thedeeplife.com/listen

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:25) Why Overload Makes Life Feel Flat

(00:05:17) The Two Plus Five Plan

(00:21:54) The Long-Term Fix: Workload Management

(00:26:04) Office Hours: Rebuilding After a Health Crisis

(00:31:50) Landlining and Taming Your Phone

(00:46:54) Talking to AI, Star Trek Style

(00:55:57) September Books and Studio Update

Thanks to our Sponsors:

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

https://www.superhuman.com

https://www.pipedrive.com/deep

https://www.scribe.how/deep

Credits: Podcast Production: Jesse Miller Newsletter/Research: Nate Mechler Theme Music: Jay Kerstens

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An Insider's Guide to AI Doom Oct 01, 2026

Show notes

The conversation around AI harms has become incredibly heated in recent weeks. But it's also incredibly confusing. In this short explainer episode, Cal walks through the three major categories of beliefs around AI in the current moment and helps explain who belongs where and how they all relate to each other. If you're trying to keep up with AI news you have need to learn this framework.

Chapters:

(0:00) Intro

(1:01) Why the debate is so heated

(2:01) Group 1: The Doomers (rationalists and effective altruists)

(9:12) Anthropic, OpenAI, and the doomer civil war

(14:03) Group 2: The Accelerationists

(17:51) Group 3: The Centrists

(24:00) The full landscape and the fight over regulation

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/⁠

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

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Kids Should *Not* Use Chatbots! (You Should Be Wary, Too…) Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

With all the recent discussion of the potential catastrophic impacts AI might cause in the future, we’re losing track of the significant harms it is already causing right now. In this episode, Cal goes deep into a serious and tragic topic that he recently learned about in a panel discussion about children and technology. He has an urgent warning for parents that has implications for all of us as well.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

(0:00) Kids should not use Chatbots

(39:52) What is Cal’s opinion of a recent NY Times article about dumb phones?

(45:04) How should I apply Slow Productivity when my company rewards quick email turnaround?

(51:00) What happens when the craftsman mindset doesn’t yield results?

(56:30) Cal’s reaction to Ezra Klein’s article on AI

(1:10:51) What Cal is up to

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/

https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/09/19/nx-s1-5545749/ai-chatbots-safety-openai-meta-characterai-teens-suicide

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce3xgwyywe4o

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/parents-allege-harmful-character-ai-chatbot-content-60-minutes/

https://www.wwnytv.com/2026/04/08/alleged-florida-state-shooter-used-chatgpt-plan-attack-victims-attorneys-claim/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12967755/

https://parentstogetheraction.org/character-ai/

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/16/opinion/dumbphone-smartphone-friendship.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/20/opinion/ai-ban-self-improvement-recursive-models.html?eafs_enabled=false

Thanks to our Sponsors:

https://www.masterclass.com/deep

https://www.calderalab.com/deep

https://www.vanta.com/deepquestions

https://www.pipedrive.com/deep

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

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

The Truth About Brain Rot Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

A recent New York Times op-ed reveals the true nature of “brain rot,” and in doing so reveals a much larger problem affecting us all. In this episode, Cal explores this broader problem then draws from an unlikely source from his childhood to help identify a dramatic solution.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

(0:00) The truth about brain rot

(31:31) Will you address Immanuale Kants “Critique of Pure Reason” in your upcoming book about thinking?

(33:42) What is the difference between the strategic plan and vision document?

(36:59) Can I buy the “Deep Life” on pre-order?

(39:30) Cal discusses his recent newsletters

(41:54) My small business uses Claude. Is that ok?

(44:45) Are any AI companies responsible to use?

(45:28) The truth about LLMs

(45:45) What are some AI book recommendations?

(46:42) AI and regulation

(50:25) What Cal is up to?

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/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WePNs-G7puA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIeeDcnu9Ck

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/08/opinion/gen-z-tiktok-ig-reels.html

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

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_zYn-HHcyA

Thanks to our Sponsors:

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

https://www.quo.com/deep

https://www.gusto.com/deep

https://www.drinklmnt.com/deep

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

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

The AI Resistance is Forming. (Should You Join?) Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

After a week spent debating AI’s impact on humanity, Cal wants to turn his attention back to AI’s impact on humans. To support this shift, he brings on the writer Brad Stulberg who recently decided that he was “done” with AI. They explore whether this is a resistance movement in the making…

Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia More from Cal Download Cal’s FREE guide to cultivating a deeper life: calnewport.com/ideas Learn more about Cal’s books: calnewport.com/books Listen to Cal’s podcast: thedeeplife.com/listen Chapters (0:00) A new paper calls LLMs a "cognitive virus"

(4:03) Brad gave AI a real shot — then quit

(8:13) Why everything online now sounds the same

(13:22) Plank 1: Effort, struggle, and the click-of-a-button economy

(20:11) You can take a gondola to the summit, but you didn't climb it

(28:30) Plank 2: AI is an average maker

(33:39) AI swirl: pseudo-productivity turned up to 11

(49:40) Treat AI like ultra-processed food

(55:08) Getting it off your phone, and the lesson of sports analytics

(1:00:13) Team Human and the humanist resistance Sponsors:

https://www.horizon3.com/deep

https://www.calderalab.com/deep

https://www.notion.com/cal

https://www.factormeals.com/deep50off (Use code "deep50off") Credits: Podcast Production: Jesse Miller Newsletter/Research: Nate Mechler Theme Music: Jay Kerstens

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