The Cal Newport Show

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 24: Habit Tune-Up: Slaying the Productivity Hydra, Upgrading Careers, and Mastering a Difficult Job Sep 03, 2020

Show notes

In this mini-episode, I take "calls" 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:
* Coping with surprise shallow tasks (aka., "slaying the productivity hydra") [2:09]
* Reading strategies for PhD students [12:37]
* Switching to a more fulfilling career [16:33]
* Improve or quit in response to a challenging new job [24:32]
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. 23: Email Saunas, Preaching Depth, and Rooted Productivity | DEEP QUESTIONS Aug 30, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions about the puzzling connection between email and saunas, the best way to preach depth to your team, and the under-appreciated power of rooted productivity, among many other topics. I also take some time to answer an Audio Question of the Day.
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
* Email saunas and the struggle for depth [6:08]
* Saying "no" when new to a job [10:24]
* Dealing with unexpected free time [14:57]
* Should I become a professor? [17:55]
* Getting others to buy in on Deep Work [25:12]
* Find time for hard thinking in a job that focuses on soft skills [27:07]
AUDIO QUESTION OF THE DAY [31:51]
TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS
* Effective reading [36:58]
* Being productive in an organization that embraces Outlook [40:26]
* Using entertainment-only devices [44:19]
DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS
* Exercise routines for focus [46:48]
* Keeping track of your productivity habits [53:10]
* Feeling stuck at home during the pandemic [59:56]
Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.

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Ep. 22: Habit Tune-Up: Seeking Depth When Working from Home, Academia's Email Problem, and Sequencing Projects Aug 27, 2020

Show notes

In this mini-episode, I take "calls" 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:
* Seeking depth when working from home [2:22]
* Feeling guilty about long afternoon naps [11:17]
* Rant Alert: Fixing academia's email overload problem [18:15]
* Advice for someone returning to school later in life [28:56]
* Tackling projects one at a time versus in parallel [36:46]
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. 21: Taming Writer's Block, the Exaggerated Importance of a Digital Presence, and the Miseries of Digital Living | DEEP QUESTIONS Aug 23, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions on taming writer's block, the exaggerated importance of digital presence, and the miseries of digital living, among many other topics. I also play some question roulette and give an update on the current status and ambitious future plans for my Deep Work HQ.
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
* Using music to help focus [1:58]
* Limits on deep work quantities [3:07]
* Teaching a team to value depth [7:36]
* Taming writer's block [16:14]
* Deciding whether to pursue an MBA [18:58]
* Measuring success in academia [21:37]
* Taking breaks from time blocking [25:03]
QUESTION ROULETTE [28:47]
TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS
* Thoughts on iPads + Apple pencil as productivity booster [35:52]
* Overcoming the paradox of choice with productivity apps [38:17]
* YouTube detoxing [43:12]
* Organizing academic research [44:59]
* The false necessity of building a digital presence [47:19]
WHAT I'M UP TO
* A closer look at Deep Work HQ [53:08]
DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS
* Instilling focus in kids [1:02:22]
* On the value of my hyper-focused fitness [1:05:55]
* Conversing with distracted people [1:12:50]
* Managing multiple projects [1:15:44]
* Unsolicited Sermon: The miseries of a life lived on screens [1:19:53]
Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.

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Ep. 20: Habit Tune-Up: Productivity System Indecision, Embracing Boredom, and Craving Depth in a Shallow Job Aug 20, 2020

Show notes

In this mini-episode, I take "calls" 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:
* Problems settling on a productivity system [1:01]
* Figuring out which professional skill to improve [7:20]
* The difference between boredom and solitude [21:12]
* Craving depth in a shallow job [32:20]
* Keystone habits [38:39]
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. 19: Calendar Shaming, Digital Detox Struggles, and the Unexpected Challenges of Autonomy | DEEP QUESTIONS Aug 17, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions on calendar shaming, digital detox struggles, and the unexpected challenges of gaining more professional autonomy, among many other topics.
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
* Modernizing GTD [2:18]
* Calendar Shaming [7:59]
* How I keep track of projects [14:15]
* Staying relevant when less connected [16:29]
* The inherent unpredictability of kids and facing the productivity dragon [19:21]
* Quantifying career capital [25:09]
AUDIO QUESTION OF THE DAY [28:17]
TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS
* Dealing with screen time overload [31:36]
* Is a Kindle a screen? [36:32]
* The relative depth of books versus podcasts [36.48]
* Digital detox struggles [39:26]
* Instagram struggles (hint: my suggestion starts with a ‘Q’ and rhymes with ‘bit’) [44:02]
QUESTION ROULLETE [45:49]
DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS
* Interviewing people you want to emulate [49:04]
* Dealing with psychological hurdles such as negative self-talk and impostor syndrome [54:30]
* Learning hard things fast [1:03:53]
* Vitamin solitude [1:05:24]
* The challenges of autonomy [1:07:54]
* Understanding those upset by depth [1:11:05]
Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.

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Ep. 18: Habit Tune-Up: Outsourcing Chores, Mitigating Unavoidable Distractions, and Productivity Beyond Basic Lists Aug 13, 2020

Show notes

In this mini-episode, I take "calls" 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:
* outsourcing household work [1:46]
* mitigating the damage caused by unavoidable distractions [6:45]
* the utility of fancy flashcard software [12:43]
* tips for becoming a professor [24:04]
* productivity beyond basic lists [34:01]
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. 17: Delegation Without Email, Fighting Imposter Syndrome, and My Thoughts on Critical Theory | DEEP QUESTIONS Aug 10, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions on delegating without email, effective methods for fighting imposter syndrome, and my take on critical theory (which leads to an impromptu history seminar, which is the price one pays for asking an academic a question about academic theory), among many other topics.
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
* Effective delegation (hint: don't send an email) [8:09]
* Bosses with varied productivity styles [16:25]
* Crucial skills for the 21st century [18:54]
* The danger of using a pseudonym to evade imposter syndrome [23:34]
* How I choose my career [26:23]
* Optimal specificity for daily plans [29:40]
* Advice for someone new to writing [33:55]
QUESTION ROULETTE [35:43]
TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS
* My thoughts on smart watches [38:49]
* Using "memory palaces" to train your brain (random story alert) [40:56]
* Moving tasks out of email, even if annoying [44:52]
* The limited use of social media for a non-established writer [46:29]
* My thoughts on the Boycott Facebook movement [48:11]
DEEP LIFE QUESTION
* The secret to my "smooth" answers to questions [50:38]
* Getting back on track after a professional failure [54:14]
* Sticking with a job you dislike [59:32]
* An impromptu history seminar on critical theory [1:05:00]
Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.

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Ep. 16: Habit Tune-Up: Why Relaxation is Overrated and the Importance of Facing the Productivity Dragon Aug 06, 2020

Show notes

In this mini-episode, I take "calls" 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:
* Does capturing thoughts diminish deep work? [2:09]
* Trouble relaxing after periods of intense focus. [7:37]
* Should you list specific tasks on time block schedules? [14:23]
* Time blocking for jobs with regular unexpected emergencies. [18:46]
* What administrators can do to help teachers work deeply. [26:08]
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. 15: Deep Work in Groups, Social Media in Politics, and Confronting Common Arguments Against My Work | DEEP QUESTIONS Aug 03, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions on deep work in groups, the double-edge sword of deploying social media in politics, and a discussion of the most common objection about my work, among many other topics.
You can submit your audio questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/CalNewport
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.
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:
* Deep work in groups [1:42]
* Rethinking the "Dorsey Exception" [3:52]
* The wrong reason to pursue a PhD [9:04]
* Background noise and distraction [10:10]
* Managing tedious life admin [14:02]
* Turning down a promotion to avoid shallow work [22:30]
* Audio Question of the Day: Can attention residue ever be positive? [25:32]
* Staying up on news in depressing times [30:57]
* Thoughts on the Kindle [35:00]
* Thoughts on the Pomodoro Technique [38:00]
* Social media and politics [41:23]
* Deep work versus social media [47:20]
* Question Roulette: When will depth become mainstream? [50:31]
* Habits to pick up in childhood [54:56]
* How students can cultivate a deep life [57:02]
* Recharging during deep work breaks [1:02]
* Uncommon sources of high quality leisure [1:05]
* Teaching the deep life to children [1:06]
* The strongest arguments against my work [1:08]
Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.

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