
251 episodes

Deep Questions with Cal Newport Cal Newport
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- Technology
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4.9 • 121 Ratings
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Cal Newport is a computer science professor and a New York Times bestselling author who writes about the impact of technology on society, and the struggle to work and live deeply in a world increasingly mired in digital distractions. On this podcast, he answers questions from his readers and offers advice about cultivating focus, productivity, and meaning amidst the noise that pervades our lives.
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Ep. 250: In Defense of Thinking
The art of thinking – plain, old-fashioned, hard concentration on useful ideas – is rapidly vanishing as our culture recasts humans as the custodians and recipients of digital computation. In this episode, Cal explains why this is a problem and what we should do in response.
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 preserve the vanishing art of thinking? [5:02]
- How do I integrate movies and shows into the deep life? [27:42]
- Can I read after a long day of deep work? [33:30]
- Is a digital “second brain” a good idea to keep up with the latest advancements in your field? [36:25]
- Would Cal consider consolidating his notebooks? [42:37]
- Is Maria Popva’s note-taking method better than Cal’s method? [51:40]
The Books I Read in April 2023 [1:04:29]
Links:
Edward Teller talking about John Von Neumann
youtube.com/watcv=vQp70uqsBV4#t=55m0s
Aristotle on “philosophic wisdom.” See book 10, section 7 of The Ethics:
classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/nicomachaen.7.vii.html
Arnold Bennet on training concentration (See chapter 7 of How to Live on 24 Hours a Day):
gutenberg.org/cache/epub/2274/pg2274-images.html
Thanks to our Sponsors:
huel.com/questions
rhone.come/cal
hensonshaving.com/cal
mybodytutor.com
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. -
Ep. 249: The Good Enough Job (w/ Simone Stolzoff)
Do you live to work or work to live? In this episode, Cal talks with author Simone Stolfzoff about his provocative new book, THE GOOD ENOUGH JOB. Cal then answers listener questions about escaping professional unhappiness, and then switches gears in the Something Interesting segment to talk about the critical technological breakthrough that not enough people yet are talking about.
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
DEEP DIVE: Cal talks about the Good Enough Job with author Simone Stolzoff [4:39]
- What kind of a job do I want? [59:31]
- If I enjoy my job, why can’t I focus? [1:05:28]
- Should I give up on finding an academic job? [1:17:23]
- Should I cut my salary in half to escape the hyperactive hive mind? [1:25:07]
SOMETHING INTERESTING: Apple’s most interesting new tech strategy has nothing to do with A.I. [1:34:41]
Links:
wsj.com/articles/apple-is-breaking-its-own-rules-with-a-new-headset-80c9b36c
Thanks to our Sponsors:
This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at
betterhelp.com/deepquestions
ladderlife.com/deep
expressvpn.com/deep
80000hours.org/deep
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. -
Ep. 248: Decoding Overload
Few professional experiences feel worse than overload. But what really causes this unfortunate state? In this episode, Cal takes a closer look at overload, identifying its main culprits, identifying solutions, and helping listeners with their specific overload-related questions.
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 does overload actually operate? [3:54]
- Does Cal use an executive assistant? [26:15]
- How do I write an effective communication policy for my team? [36:35]
- Does overhead compound exponentially? [42:50]
- How rare are high expectation/low overhead jobs? [48:05]
- My job has few shallow obligations. What should I do with my free time? [51:41]
Something Interesting: The future of social media is less social [59:39]
Links:
wsj.com/articles/workers-say-its-harder-to-get-things-done-now-heres-why-2a5f1389
nytimes.com/2023/04/19/technology/personaltech/tiktok-twitter-facebook-social.html
Thanks to our Sponsors:
huel.com/questions
blinkist.com/deep
rhone.com/cal
zocdoc.com/deep
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. -
Ep. 247: The Productive Life (w/ Sarah Hart-Unger)
We talk a lot on this show about how to be more organized and intentional in how you spend your time at work. But what about at home? In this episode, Cal is joined by Sarah Hart-Unger (https://theshubox.com/), a leading thinker on the challenges of staying organized amidst the chaotic busyness that defines family life, to help explore strategies for organizing life outside of work.
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 do I adapt professional productivity techniques to my life outside of work? (With Sarah Hart-Unger) [7:16]
To learn more about Sarah, read her blog, or subscribe to her podcasts, visit: https://theshubox.com/
— What system does Cal use to track his life admin? [1:05:55]
— Don’t I need some sort of plan for time outside of work? [1:11:46]
— How do I stay on top of ongoing projects, initiatives, or hobbies? [1:15:36]
— Should I calculate the monetary cost of household tasks? [1:20:20]
Something Interesting: The AI Null Hypothesis [1:33:24]
Thanks to our Sponsors:
huel.com/questions
expressvpn.com/deep
hensonshaving.com/cal
fieldofgreens.com (promo code: Deep)
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. -
Ep. 246: Kids and Phones
Are smartphones bad for kids? Cal walks through the data on this question, including how researchers came to be worried, their findings, critiques of their findings, and where we are today. He then gives recommendations for how to think about technology when it comes to your kids.
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: Are smartphones bad for kids? [3:10]
- Is the deep life dull? [49:35]
- How do I stop doom-scrolling when I’m tired? [53:49]
- Are smartphones bad for older people? [57:35]
- How does Cal decide to adopt new technology or software? [1:02:06]
- How do I stay deep while traveling at conferences? [1:06:33]
The Books Cal read in March 2023 [1:12:38]
Thanks to our Sponsors:
grammarly.com/go
stamps.com/deep
mybodytutor.com
blinkist.com/deep
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. -
Ep. 245: “Crazy” Productivity
In this episode Cal – against his better judgment – answers questions on the fly, with no advance plan or preparation. He also does a Deep Dive about the Twitter fog dissipating and discusses something interesting.
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
Deep Dive: What was Twitter anyway? [4:46]
- Is there a difference between passion and calling? [27:09]
- What are the four principles to reimagine knowledge work? [31:50]
- Is movie watching part of the Deep Life? [36:05]
- Does fixed schedule productivity work on a weekly scale? [38:54]
- How does effective altruism fit in value-based lifestyle career planning? [41:01]
- What are Cal’s thoughts on David Graber’s book, “Bull Shit Jobs”? [44:00]
- Do distracted adolescents risk losing the ability to focus as they grow older? [46:57]
- Does slow productivity assist with parenting and professional development? [48:29]
Something Interesting: Rob Drydek’s productivity system [1:00:37]
Links:
nytimes.com/2023/04/18/magazine/twitter-dying.html
Thanks to our Sponsors:
fieldofgreens.com Promo Code: Deep
hensonshaving.com/cal
rhone.com/cal
huel.com/questions
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.
Customer Reviews
Essential listening!
Love Cal’s podcasts. Packed with useful info, always experimenting to keep the show fresh and he has a wicked sense of humour. Keep it up Cal. Big fan from Scotland.
Love Cal
Love Cal’s books so really enjoy the podcast. One for those seeking a better working life, deeper work and solutions for getting off social media.
Great Listen
Came for the productivity enhancement, stayed for the deep wisdom and highly practical advice on how to live well.