The Cal Newport Show

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 243: In The Weeds! Apr 10, 2023

Show notes

Cal Newport answers 10 questions from his audience ranging from idea management to the Deep Life to writing. Throughout all the answers, you’ll hear Cal explain his core concepts and how they apply to everyday working life.

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

- Why doesn’t Cal care about idea management systems? [2:46]

- Does Cal still use Workflowy to capture tasks? [12:52]

- Are women better at multi-tasking than men? [16:56]

- What is the difference between pursuing depth versus passion? [23:16]

- What are the “Contemplation” and “Celebration” buckets in the context of the Deep Life? [28:56]

- What’s the best way to study math? [32:56]

- Can I jump from a master’s at a small school to a PhD at a prestigious one? [35:19]

- How do I know if I’ve successfully cultivated a Deep Life? [37:11]

- How do I become a successful political nonfiction writer? [44:38]

- Is the Deep Work hypothesis affected by survivorship bias? [50:36]

Links:

calnewport.com/blog/2011/06/23/lab-notes-my-closed-loop-research-system/

Thanks to our Sponsors:

fieldofgreens.com Promo Code: Deep

stamps.com/deep

policygenius.com

hensonshaving.com/cal

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

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Ep. 242: The Simple Life Apr 03, 2023

Show notes

Why do stories of people moving to the country to dedicate their lives to simple living resonate so strongly with us overworked knowledge workers? Cal explores lessons we can extract from these instincts that can improve our lives right now, even without the need to become a homesteader.

Today’s Deep Question: What do we (really) seek when we seek the Simple Life? [7:39]

- Are daly deep life habits too frequent? [32:35]

- How do I juggle more projects? [36:44]

- Can I quit my job to reach online full time? [41:53]

- How do I convince my husband that the “deep life” isn’t an excuse to ignore me? [55:36]

CASE STUDY: A Writing Shed For Slow Productivity [1:01:37]

SOMETHING INTERESTING:

- Utah limits teens’ ability to use social media [1:12:38]

https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/utah-1st-state-limiting-teens-access-social-media-98089159

https://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/simple-living-zmaz03onzgoe/

Thanks to our Sponsors:

https://www.mybodytutor.com
https://www.expressvpn.com/deep
https://www.grammarly.com/tone
https://www.blinkist.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

Ep. 241: The Virality Trap Mar 27, 2023

Show notes

Why does Twitter maintain such a strong grip on those who produce things with their minds for a living? Is it really so critical that we all spend so many hours spreading our output on this particular platform? In today’s episode, we explore this question, seeking new, more sustainable and humane ways to be an online creative professional.
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
Today’s Deep Question: Given all the advantages of controlling your own digital press, why do so many content producers rely on Twitter? [5:39]
- Does Twitter’s new view count feature make the service even worse? [27:10]
- Why do so many important business/thought leaders spend so much time on Twitter? [35:14]
- Does this professor need Twitter? [43:00]
- Does Mastadon stand a chance against Twitter? [53:26]
SOMETHING INTERESTING:
Started From the Bottom podcast [1:01:04]
pushkin.fm/podcasts/started-from-the-bottom
Australian senators backing 4-day work week [1:03:12]
theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/mar/09/australia-four-day-work-week-labor-greens-senators-support
Thanks to our Sponsors:
hensonshaving.com/cal
zocdoc.com/deep
mintmobile.com/deep
cozyearth.com (Promo 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. 240: Disciplined Laziness Mar 20, 2023

Show notes

You can’t just turn a “work harder” or “relax” knob. Once you realize that productivity ideas can offer you great autonomy in shaping your life - however you decide to do that - your relationship with it becomes more nuanced and fruitful. Productivity can be understood as applying organization tools and deliberate processes to take back control of your obligations.
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
Today’s Deep Question: Is productivity about optimization or autonomy? [6:06]
- Should I start a blog to prepare to write a book? [23:18]
- How do I recover from burn out? [30:11]
- How do I prioritize when I have too many interests? [35:15]
- Should I ditch my side hustle? [39:25]
- How do I convince my self-focused colleagues to participate in more efficient group systems? [43:24]
Something Interesting:
- The five books I read in February 2023 [53:24]
Links:
vice.com/en/article/akdyje/the-relentless-rise-of-the-productivity-influence
youtube.com/watch?v=YctcDlPixb8
Thanks to our Sponsors:
This episode is sponsored by Better Help: betterhelp.com/deepquestions
blinkist.com/deep
expressvpn.com/deep
ladderlife.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

Ep. 239: On Time and Stress Mar 13, 2023

Show notes

The relationship with time is one of the more interesting things going on in work culture. Many knowledge workers take on too much work and become overloaded. If we have less to do, our relationship with time can be repaired. So we have to think very concretely about building systems and mindsets that reduce how much we have to do.
Life of Focus link here: life-of-focus-course.com
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvo
Video from today’s episode: https://youtube.com/calnewportmedia
Today’s Deep Question: Is our relationship to time broken? [16:12]
- Do we need AI-driven time management tools? (Rant alert) [39:39]
- Is slow productivity compatible with becoming world class in a competitive field? [47:46]
- What deep accomplishments are Cal and Jesse most proud about? [50:15]
- CASE STUDY: A composer embraces slow productivity [59:40]
Something Interesting:
- Quiet quitting in academia? [1:08:35]
Links:
https://www.ft.com/content/176c104a-32c0-4267-b122-add10e5405f9
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/04/books/time-jenny-odell-.html
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-00633-w
Thanks to our Sponsors:
https://www.hensonshaving.com/cal
https://www.huel.com/questions
https://www.stamps.com/deep
https://www.80000hours.org/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. 238: The Joys of the Reading Life Mar 06, 2023

Show notes

The reading life is a deep life. The screen-filled life can be primitive and exhausting. Which one do you want?
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
Today’s Deep Question: Why is it important to read books? [7:23]
- Should I buy physical copies of books I enjoyed on my kindle? [30:45]
- How should I organize my notes when writing a non-fiction book? [34:38]
- How do I train myself to become a reader? [40:34]
- How should I build a library? [50:25]
- What does Cal think about Sam Bankman-Fried’s claim that books are worthless? [55:12]
Something Interesting: [1:02:21]
- Napoleon’s solution to inbox overload
- Rethinking productivity: impact vs. velocity
Links:
abc.net.au/religion/maryanne-wolf-cultivating-deep-reading-in-a-digital-age/102001224
reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/11fphcy/til_napoleon_bonaparte_refused_to_open_his_mail/
itamargilad.com/velocity-vs-impact/
Thanks to our Sponsors:
grammarly.com/tone
mybodytutor.com
blinkist.com/deep
expressvpn.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

Ep. 237: Reimagining the Internet Feb 27, 2023

Show notes

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
Today’s Deep Question: Should we consider a radically reimagined internet? [7:03]
- Can we build a better internet? [29:20]
- Will the coming augmented reality make the deep life impossible? [36:18]
- How do I become more disciplined about shutting down my phone? [44:26]
- Is the internet alive? [49:35]
- How does Cal see the connection between his professor and writer roles? [55:40]
Something Interesting: Michael Cera Doesn’t Use a Smartphone [1:10:47]
Links:
https://www.buzzfeed.com/mychalthompson/michael-cera-smartphone-social-media
https://urbit.org
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/21/us/google-supreme-court-youtube.html
Elevate Your Team
Thanks to our Sponsors:
https://www.hensonshaving.com/cal
https://www.huel.com/questions
https://www.mintmobile.com/deep
https://www.policygenius.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

Ep. 236: Hacking Remote Work Feb 20, 2023

Show notes

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://www.youtube.com/calnewportmedia
Today’s Deep Question: How can I significantly decrease the footprint of my remote job (without anyone noticing)? [10:46]
- How do I leverage a shift to remote work to gain a deeper life? [39:23]
- How can I work deeply in a remote job that requires me to be available? [43:16]
- How do I make time for my individual projects while working remotely? [53:47]
- How do I avoid being promoted out of a nice remote position into a miserable management role? [55:35]
CASE STUDY: Alternative Workflow Pitfalls [1:00:07]
Something Interesting: The five books I read in January, 2023 [1:09:54]
Links:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/02/04/return-to-office-occupancy-status
Thanks to our Sponsors:
This episode is sponsored by Better Help:
https://www.betterhelp.com/deepquestions
https://www.ladderlife.com/deep
https://www.zocdoc.com/deep
https://www.expressvpn.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

Ep. 235: Is Productivity Overrated? Feb 13, 2023

Show notes

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
Today’s Deep Question: Does Cal Still Think That Productivity is Overrated? [6:46]
- Should I abandon my careful plan when I get on a roll? [30:47]
- How do I achieve slow-and-steady work mode? [35:38]
- How do I make my the most out of idle time? [41:37]
- How does a deep work lover survive the shallows? [47:34]
- Does productivity require that you’re anti-social? [51:16]
Something Interesting: Rethinking productivity in academia [1:02:44]
Links:
calnewport.com/blog/2007/08/31/dangerous-ideas-productivity-is-overrated/
Thanks to our Sponsors:
Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at stamps.com/deep. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!
hensonshaving.com/cal
blinkist.com/deep
80000hours.org/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. 234: Ambition without Burnout Feb 06, 2023

Show notes

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
Today’s Deep Question: How can we be ambitious without burning out? [8:23]
- How do I create a hit podcast? (Special guest JORDAN HARBINGER) [41:59]
- How do I overcome boredom in my purposefully under-scheduled life? [1:01:57]
- How do I manage multiple side hustle projects? [1:06:11]
- Do I need two planning documents if I have two jobs? [1:13:14]
- How do I get my 15-year-old brother to stop using his phone so much? [1:15:30]
Something Interesting: The slow productivity of Maryam Mirzakhani [1:23:48]
Links:

screenrant.com/calvin-hobbes-bill-watterson-merchandising-lost-millions-reason/

web.archive.org/web/20150302235823/http://www.calnewport.com/blog

wired.com/2014/08/maryam-mirzakhani-fields-medal/

thedeeplife.com/podcasts/episodes/ep-115-jordan-harbinger-what-is-the-future-of-podcasting/

Thanks to our Sponsors:
grammarly.com/deep
ladderlife.com/deep
mybodytutor.com
expressvpn.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

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