The Cal Newport Show

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 34: Habit Tune-Up: Productivity Chimeras, OmniFocus, and Finding Time to Write Oct 09, 2020

Show notes

In this mini-episode, I answer audio questions from listeners asking for advice about how best to tune-up their productivity and work habits in a moment of increased distraction and disruption.
You can submit your own audio questions at speakpipe.com/calnewport.
Here are the topics we cover:
* Productivity chimera's and processing captured tasks [9:53]
* Thoughts on OmniFocus [16:37]
* Taming a team's early email habit [21:39]
* Finding time to write in a busy life [25:09]
* Struggling to write even when you have the time [32:30]
Special thanks to our sponsor Blinkist. For a 7-day free trial and 25% off a subscription, go to blinkist.com/DEEP.
As always, if you enjoy the podcast, please considering subscribing or leaving a rating/review.
Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.

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Ep 33: Rethinking Delegation, Pandemic Childcare, and Balancing Deep Work with Deep Hobbies Oct 05, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions about the hidden difficulties of delegation, the impact of pandemic childcare on productivity (hint: it's not good), and the balance between deep work and deep hobbies, among many other topics.
To submit your own questions, sign up for my mailing list at calnewport.com. You can submit audio questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/CalNewport
Please consider subscribing (which helps iTunes rankings) and leaving a review or rating (which helps new listeners decide to try the show).
Thanks to our sponsor Optimize. For a free trial and 10% off go to optimize.me/DEEP.
Thanks to our sponsor Blinkist. For a free trial and 25% off go to blinkist.com/DEEP.
Here’s the full list of topics tackled in today’s episode along with the timestamps:
WORK QUESTIONS
* Spreading yourself too thin [11:11]
* Willpower fatigue [16:58]
* Deciding when to delegate [20:06]
* Work hour equity [23:03]
* Pandemic-induced childcare [28:45]
* Digital minimalism in the entertainment industry [34:19]
TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS
* Storing longterm notes [43:38]
* The value of site/app blocking software [45:22]
* Concentration and pornography (rant alert) [46:44]
BACKSTAGE PASS [54:50]
DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS
* Deep work versus deep hobbies [1:00:49]
* Stopping ruminations [1:03:57]
* Binging on productivity videos [1:07:47]
* Seeking depth when hopelessly distracted [1:10:32]
Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.

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Ep. 32: Habit Tune-Up: Tracking Deliberate Practice, Getting Over the Fact Work is Hard, and Taming the Emotional Rigors of Depth Oct 01, 2020

Show notes

Special thanks to our sponsor Optimize. For a 14-day free trial go to optimize.me/DEEP.
As always, if you enjoy the podcast, please considering subscribing or leaving a rating/review.
Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.

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

Ep. 31: RYAN HOLIDAY on Ranch Life, Fostering Discipline, and the Loss of Reading Culture Sep 28, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of Deep Questions we try something a little different: our first guest!
Bestselling author Ryan Holiday joins me to help answer reader questions, as well as more than a few queries from me. We cover a variety of topics, including his life as a writer living on a ranch, how he fosters discipline, the impact of our diminishing reading culture, and why everyone keeps trying to get me to move to Austin.
Be sure to check out Ryan's new book: LIVES OF THE STOICS (https://dailystoic.com/preorder).
To submit your own questions for the show, sign up for my mailing list at calnewport.com.
You can submit audio questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/CalNewport
Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.

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Ep. 30: Habit Tune-Up: Easing into Time Blocks, Planning Big Goals, and the Story of How I Sold My First Book Sep 24, 2020

Show notes

In this mini-episode, I answer audio questions from listeners asking for advice about how best to tune-up their productivity and work habits in a moment of increased distraction and disruption.
You can submit your own audio questions at speakpipe.com/calnewport.
Here are the topics we cover:
* Easing into time block planning. [6:24]
* Keeping up when taking notes. [11:49]
* Optimal delay between learning and recall. [17:12]
* Planning big goals. [20:59]
* Insider advice on book publishing [29:36]
Special thanks to our sponsor Grammarly. For 20% off Grammarly Premium go to Grammarly.com/DEEP. Use your laptop or desktop (this link doesn't always work on phones).
As always, if you enjoy the podcast, please considering subscribing or leaving a rating/review.
Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.

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

Ep. 29: My Daily Routine, Returning to Deep Work, and Digital Minimalism During a Pandemic | DEEP QUESTIONS Sep 20, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions about my daily routine, restarting a deep work practice, and embracing digital minimalism during a pandemic, among other topics.
To submit your own questions, sign up for my mailing list at calnewport.com. You can submit audio questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/CalNewport
Please consider subscribing (which helps iTunes rankings) and leaving a review or rating (which helps new listeners decide to try the show).
Thanks to our sponsor to Grammarly. For 20% off Grammarly Premium go to Grammarly.com/DEEP. Use your laptop or desktop (this link doesn't always work on phones).
Here’s the full list of topics tackled in today’s episode along with the timestamps:
WORK QUESTIONS
* My daily routine. [3:56]
* Ensuring employees are working deeply at home [9:09]
* Keeping a to-do list constantly open. [12:18]
* The best way to start deep working. [14:31]
* Advice for someone just starting a job [22:38]
* Restarting research after a stint in an administrative position. [32:01]
TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS
* Speed reading versus strategic skimming. [39:05]
* The cost of occasional hyper-distraction [41:00]
* Thoughts on Reddit and Quora. [45:35]
BACKSTAGE PASS [50:17]
DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS
* Digital minimalism versus Covid-19. [58:05]
* Struggling to find time for depth. [1:06:52]
* Strategies for transitioning to a deep life. [1:12:48]
Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.

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Ep. 28: Habit Tune-Up: Multiplying Eureka Moments, My Capture Setup, and Reducing Mass Email Destruction Sep 17, 2020

Show notes

In this mini-episode, I answer audio questions from listeners asking for advice about how best to tune-up their productivity and work habits in a moment of increased distraction and disruption.
You can submit your own audio questions at speakpipe.com/calnewport.
Here are the topics we cover:
* Generating more eureka moments [3:59]
* Working past shutdowns [8:08]
* How I capture tasks [17:10]
* Blocking distractions with music [23:22]
* Solving excessive mass emails [27:18]
As always, if you enjoy the podcast, please considering subscribing or leaving a rating/review.
Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.

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

Ep. 27: Inside My Planning Discipline, the Joys and Sorrows of Slack, and Finding Depth Among Shallow Friends | DEEP QUESTIONS Sep 14, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions about what’s on my weekly plan at the moment, the complicated impact of Slack, and pursuing depth among friends more interested in fun.
I will be sending out a new request for text questions to my mailing list soon. You can sign up for my mailing list at calnewport.com. You can submit audio questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/CalNewport
Please consider subscribing (which helps iTunes rankings) and leaving a review or rating (which helps new listeners decide to try the show).
Here’s the full list of topics tackled in today’s episode along with the timestamps:
WORK QUESTIONS
* Is monthly planning necessary? (Bonus: A look at my current plans) [2:12]
* Breaking up time blocks [10:03]
* Debunking writer’s blocks [11:28]
* Favoritism versus career capital [17:56]
* When to stop studying [27:35]
* Getting back up when struggling in your work [30:19]
QUESTION ROULETTE [34:58]
TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS
* The productivity apps I use [42:49]
* Do academics need good digital presences? [43:37]
* Leaving social media when you can’t leave the house [45:13]
* The mixed impact of the rise of Slack [50:53]
BACKSTAGE PASS [57:41]
DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS
* Finding a calling when you’re interesting in many things [1:01:57]
* Sticking to the deep life when you’re friends are deeply into the fun life (Bonus: tales from my one day as a Dartmouth frat brother) [1:07:14]
Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.

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Ep. 26: Habit Tune-Up: My Fall Schedule, Tough Love for a Distracted Listener, and Deep Meetings Sep 10, 2020

Show notes

In this mini-episode, I answer audio questions from listeners asking for advice about how best to tune-up their productivity and work habits in a moment of increased distraction and disruption.
You can submit your own audio questions at speakpipe.com/calnewport.
Here are the topics we cover:
* How I'm scheduling everything I have to do this fall [6:33]
* Working on one thing at a time versus rotating between them [16:17]
* Some tough love for a distracted listener [18:43]
* The perils of context switching [25:48]
* Can meetings be deep? [31:05]
* Struggling with productive meditation [36:35]
As always, if you enjoy the podcast, please considering subscribing or leaving a rating/review.
Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.

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

Ep. 25: Student Shutdown Rituals, Optimal Deep-to-Shallow Ratios, and the $20 Million Question | DEEP QUESTIONS Sep 06, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions about shutdown rituals for college students, deep-to-shallow work ratios, and what I would do with $20 million (and why that's the wrong question). I also play some question roulette and give you a peak into my own efforts to live a deep life with my backstage pass segment.
I will be sending out a new request for text questions to my mailing list soon. You can sign up for my mailing list at calnewport.com. You can submit audio questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/CalNewport
Please consider subscribing (which helps iTunes rankings) and leaving a review or rating (which helps new listeners decide to try the show).
Here’s the full list of topics tackled in today’s episode along with the timestamps:
WORK QUESTIONS
* Should I learn one hard thing or multiple easy things? [5:21]
* Shutdown rituals for college students [6:39]
* An optimal deep-to-shallow work ratio [12:56]
* Getting better at writing scientific papers [15:05]
* Richard Hamming's advice to keep your door pen [16:42]
Question Roulette [25:19]
TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS
* Succeeding with blogging [28:51]
* Bullet journals [35:51]
* Getting my students to not use their phones in class [39:42]
* Working with groups that only communicate on social media [40:44]
Backstage Pass [46:08]
DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS
* Developing personal life philosophies/politics/ethics [50:35]
* Small versus big changes for transforming your life [56:43]
* What I would do with $20 million [1:03:00]
Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.

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