The Cal Newport Show

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 124: LISTENER CALLS: Preserving Depth in the Vast Shallows Aug 26, 2021

Show notes

Below are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.
- Organizing notes on technical articles and books. [3:00]
- Finding depth amidst a vast shallows. [8:35]
- Should I get an MBA if it's free? [24:12]
- Optimal counts of deep projects. [33:30]
- The value habit. [36:37]
Thanks to Jay Kerstens for the intro music and Mark Miles for mastering.

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Ep. 123: What Is My Daily Routine? Aug 23, 2021

Show notes

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.
DEEP WORK QUESTIONS
- Does deep work apply to everybody? [5:15]
- Who watches your kids when you do deep work? [12:48]
- How do I design a deeper work environment from scratch? [19:23]
- What should I focus on as a postdoc? [23:39]
- Do I (Cal) really not work in the evening? [28:12]
DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS
- How much deep leisure should I schedule if I have kids? [36:40]
- How can I apply deep work in retirement? [41:28]
- What is my (Cal) daily routine? [44:36]
Thanks to Jay Kerstens for the intro music and Mark Miles for mastering.

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Ep. 122: LISTENER CALLS: Figuring Out Your Values Aug 19, 2021

Show notes

Below are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.
- Naturally disorganized people. [3:23]
- Coping with highly reactionary schedules. [11:07]
- Digital versus analog weekly plans. [16:32]
- Summer reading (plus: my idea for a novel). [21:29]
- Prioritizing friendly connections. [32:25]
- Figuring out your values. [36:59]
Thanks to Jay Kerstens for the intro music and Mark Miles for mastering.

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Ep. 121: Is Writing Everyday Overrated? (with Srini Rao) Aug 16, 2021

Show notes

In today's episode, I am joined in studio by my longtime podcasting friend Srini Rao, host of the incredible Unmistakable Creative podcast (https://unmistakablecreative.com/), on which I've been a guest many times.
Srini helps me answer your questions on both deep work and the deep life. We also talk about his podcasting company recently raising a series A round of venture capital funding, and what it was like appearing on the Netflix reality show Indian Matchmaker.
I apologize that I don't have timestamps for the individual questions for this episode. In the moment, I forgot to take notes. In future collaborative Q&A episodes I'll make sure to get the questions written down so I can deliver the timestamps to you here.
Thanks to Jay Kerstens for the intro music and Mark Miles for mastering.

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Ep. 120: LISTENER CALLS: Students' Diminishing Focus Aug 12, 2021

Show notes

Below are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.
- Saving a software team from the hyperactive hive mind. [3:21]
- Working from near home on a student budget [6:18]
- Students' diminishing focus. [13:10]
- Useful academic work. [24:15]
- Deep work subverting deep leisure. [29:09]
Thanks to Jay Kerstens for the intro music and Mark Miles for mastering.

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Ep. 119: Does Accomplishment Require Overload? Aug 09, 2021

Show notes

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.
DEEP DIVE: Does Accomplishment Require Overload? [3:16]
DEEP WORK QUESTIONS
- How do you figure out what to get good at? [15:35]
- Should I quit teaching to become a lifestyle coach? [23:24]
- Why did I (Cal) become a computer scientist? [28;39]
- How do I stop my firm from killing itself with email? [34:07]
- As the multipurpose nature of computers a problem? [39:23]
- What do I (Cal) think about four day work weeks? [41:30]
DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS
- Should I reschedule miss deep work for later in the day? [46:56]
- Do you (Cal) ever fix your big picture plans once in motion? [48"37]
- Should I apply 4DX to my deep life buckets? [56:09]
- How does one balance deep work with a partner who is equally as ambitious? [1:01:42]
Thanks to Jay Kerstens for the intro music and Mark Miles for mastering.

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Ep. 118: LISTENER CALLS: A Primer On My Planning Philosophy Aug 05, 2021

Show notes

Below are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.
- Stopping excess emails from students. [8:39]
- Finding ideas for books. [16:46]
- The nuances of weekly planning. [19:58]
- A primer on my value-driven planning philosophy. [29:46]
- Deep work for politicians. [43:47]
- Inefficient workflows. [49:53]
Thanks to Jay Kerstens for the intro music and Mark Miles for mastering.

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Ep. 117: Should I Quit My Job to Become a Writer? Aug 02, 2021

Show notes

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.
DEEP WORK QUESTIONS
- How do I find free time as a working mother? [2:10]
- How do I time block unpredictable support tasks? [13:56]
- How many items are on my (Cal's) task lists and how often do I review? [18:51]
- How do I stay productive without clear deadlines? [27:09]
- How do get started writing? [32:33]
- How do I know if an idea is good? [37:56]
DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS
- How do I integrate uncertainty into my goal setting? [43:01]
- How should I configure my smartphone notifications? (Rant Alert) [52:18]
- Should I quit my design job to become a writer? (Rant Alert #2) [57:50]
- How do I make progress on meaningful goals in difficult circumstances? [1:09:37]
Thanks to Jay Kerstens for the intro music and Mark Miles for mastering.

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Ep. 116: RE-READING: Shop Class as Soulcraft (with Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness) Jul 26, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness join me to talk through Matt Crawford's classic 2009 book: "Shop Class as Soulcraft." We get into its impact on our own thinking, attempt to deconstruct its popularity, and seriously consider quitting our jobs to repair motorcycles.
For more on Brad and Steve: https://wthegrowtheq.com
Thanks to Jay Kerstens for the intro music and Mark Miles for mastering.

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Ep. 115: JORDAN HARBINGER: What is the Future of Podcasting? Jul 19, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, podcast maven Jordan Harbinger joins me for a collaborative deep dive on the topic of podcasting. We take a close look at the current state of this technology, including a look at specific numbers: How much money are people making? How many people are making that money? Why is SMARTLESS worth $20 million a year to Amazon?
We then tackle the future of the industry. Will independent audio-only podcasting as we know it today still be around in 5 years, or is this just a step toward a radical new configuration of the media landscape? (I have a theory on this which I run by Jordan for his opinion.)
We get into it all...
For more on Jordan and his massively successful show: https://www.jordanharbinger.com/
Thanks to Jay Kerstens for the intro music and Mark Miles for mastering.

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