A common theme on this show is the importance of focus and the need to train the ability. This can be a long term project, but are there things you can do right away to improve your ability to concentrate? In this episode, Cal explores five easy ideas that will immediately improve your focus ability. He then answers listener questions and reviews the books he read in October 2024. 

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: Simple Focus Protocols [2:09] 

- Can I time-block my personal time if it?s more busy than work? [25:57] 

- How do I prioritize when I have so much I want to do? [29:46] 

- How can I do deep work to increase my job skills if my days are filled with meetings? [34:50] 

- What are your all-time favorite books? [39:25] 

- How can I apply the principles of Slow Productivity as a business owner with multiple projects? [44:41] 

- CALL: Eyeglasses as a proxy for meaningful effort [49:39] 

FINAL SEGMENT: The 5 Books Cal Read in October 2024 [59:01] 

Links: 

Buy Cal?s latest book, ?Slow Productivity? at calnewport.com/slow

Get a signed copy of Cal?s ?Slow Productivity? at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/

Cal?s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

This show is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/deepquestions 

grammarly.com/podcast 

zocdoc.com/deep

shopify.com/deep

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

We talk a lot on this show about how to organize your professional efforts. But what about all your obligations outside of work? The personal goals, the household repairs, the family tasks? In this episode, Cal discusses organizational strategies custom-fit to these types of obligations. He then answers listener questions and checks in on a hidden trend in the world of technology. 

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: Taming Non-Work Tasks [4:48] 

- How do you manage unexpected projects in your time management system? [26:57] 

- How can I implement lifestyle-centric planning if my life has been directed by other people? [29:36] 

- How do you figure out what your rare and valuable skill is? [33:57] 

- Should I return to social media to promote my new book? [37:30] 

- How can I do fewer things if I?m expected to bill 40 client hours every week? [46:23] 

- CALL: Hiring an administrative assistant [50:08] 

CASE STUDY: A software developer?s ?pull? system [57:35] 

TECH CORNER: The Quiet Revolution [1:08:34] 

Links: 

Buy Cal?s latest book, ?Slow Productivity? at calnewport.com/slow 

Get a signed copy of Cal?s ?Slow Productivity? at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/ 

Cal?s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba? 

newyorker.com/culture/photo-booth/the-frightening-familiarity-of-late-nineties-office-photos 

youtube.com/watch?v=-lRkCbhABvo

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

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

One of the most common complaints from people attempting to cultivate a deep life in our distracted world is procrastination. You want to make regular progress on something important but find you just can?t get going. In this episode, Cal discusses a less well understood cause of some procrastination and offers unconventional advice for facing it. He also answers listener questions and reacts to an article about a famous author?s unexpected regret. 

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: Strategic Procrastination [4:46] 

- Should I change my job? [20:28] 

- Should I automate my busy work? [24:20] 

- How can I speed up my reading? [27:01] 

- Should I quit my job to get my PhD? [31:41] 

- My team of 3 has 37 open projects. How do we avoid burnout? [43:29] 

- CALL: An engineering student?s commute [50:52] 

CASE STUDY: Doing a master?s later in life [59:50] 

CAL REACTS: Anne Patchett?s Biggest Regret [1:09:40] 

Links: 

Buy Cal?s latest book, ?Slow Productivity? at calnewport.com/slow

Get a signed copy of Cal?s ?Slow Productivity? at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/

Cal?s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?

nytimes.com/2024/10/15/opinion/ann-patchett-regret-email.html

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

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

In this episode of IN-DEPTH, a semi-regular interview series with people at the frontiers of deep living, Cal welcomes the bestselling author Oliver Burkeman to the Deep Work HQ to talk about his new book, MEDITATIONS FOR MORTALS, and more generally the tension between wanting to get your act together and becoming unhealthily obsessed with productivity.

Video from today?s episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmedia

INTERVIEW: New York Times best seller Oliver Burkeman [3:40]

Links:
https://www.calnewport.com/slow

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

Do you struggle to consistently make progress on hard things that are important to you? In today?s episode, Cal describes a way to improve this state of affairs: a systematic training regime called the discipline ladder. He then answers listener questions about their own struggles with discipline and reacts to an article claiming that professors are lazy (gasp!). 

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: The Discipline Ladder [4:29] 

- How can I overcome procrastination? [24:42] 

- How can I make my daily metrics more personal? [27:16] 

- How can I get my discipline back on track after a negative event? [32:47] 

- How can I be more disciplined to find time for my part-time project? [39:50] 

- How can my organization adopt slow productivity principles? [43:49] 

- CALL: Process centered emails [50:41] 

CASE STUDY: Leveraging Career Capital [58:02] 

CAL REACTS: Are Professor?s Lazy? [1:07:19] 

Links: 

Buy Cal?s latest book, ?Slow Productivity? at calnewport.com/slow

Get a signed copy of Cal?s ?Slow Productivity? at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/

Cal?s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?

city-journal.org/article/professor-mia

newyorker.com/culture/annals-of-inquiry/what-kind-of-writer-is-chatgpt

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

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

It has become second nature to maintain a continuous partial participation in the world of digital networks. In today?s episode, Cal reflects on a week in which he spent too much time online, and argues why this continuous partial participation is dehumanizing, and what you can do to escape. He then takes questions and calls from listeners and reviews the five books he read in September. 

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: How Your Phone Is Changing You [1:43] 

- How do I teach my bosses to be deeper? [28:34] 

- How can I focus as a doctor when I have to keep switching from one patient to the next?? [35:46] 

- How do I overcome notebook overwhelm? [39:13] 

- Can ?creativity? be added to the deep life buckets? [40:47] 

- How do I overcome the guilt of no longer being pseudo-productive? [44:51] 

- CALL: The Pomodoro Technique and overcoming distraction [49:33] 

CASE STUDY: A 39-year-old changes careers [54:21] 

FINAL SEGMENT: The 5 Books Cal Read in September 2024 [1:02:50] 

Links: 

Buy Cal?s latest book, ?Slow Productivity? at calnewport.com/slow

Get a signed copy of Cal?s ?Slow Productivity? at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/

Cal?s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

This show is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/deepquestions

zocdoc.com/deep

shopify.com/deep

zbiotics.com/cal
 

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

One of the single most important factors in your attempts to cultivate a deep life is your job. Yet, many people don?t give much thought to the role their work will play in their conception of a life well-lived. In this episode, Cal looks deeper at this topic. He starts by outlining four common traps people fall into when thinking about their work and happiness, then offers an alternative model that works better. He continues by answering listener questions about jobs and happiness, and ends with a look at Robert Caro?s writing shack.

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: Jobs and the Deep Life [3:43]

- How can I tame my 12-hour work days? [26:25]
- Should I worry about having too many daily metrics? [29:49]
- How can I create an inspiring deep work environment if I work out of my car? [33:24]
- How can I remain accessible to my kid's daycare without being constantly distracted? [35:36] 
- How can I use the principles of slow productivity for my MBA studies? [39:58]
- CALL: Applying Cal?s principles as a new parent [45:49]

CASE STUDY: Focused work for a PhD program [51:37] 

CAL REACTS: Robert Caro?s Budget Writing Shack [1:01:18]

Links:

Buy Cal?s latest book, ?Slow Productivity? at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal?s ?Slow Productivity? at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/Cal?s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?tumblr.austinkleon.com/post/761805215728009216/in-the-shack-with-robert-caro-he-bought-the-prefab

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

notion.com/cal
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Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

In this episode of IN-DEPTH, a new semi-regular interview series with people at the frontiers of deep living, Cal interviews bestselling author Ryan Holiday about the systematic construction of an intentional life. They begin by talking about lessons from Ryan?s new book. RIGHT THING, RIGHT NOW, then go deep on Ryan?s own journey from a college drop-out working in a Hollywood talent agency to becoming a fully independent and massively successful writer and media personality.

Video from today?s episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmedia

INTERVIEW: Mega-bestselling writer Arthur Brooks [3:33]

Links:
https://www.calnewport.com/slow

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

Why can you never seem to find enough time to make progress on the non-urgent but important priorities that can move you closer to the ideal of the deep life? In this episode, Cal reviews three common ?time destroyers,? and for each offers solutions to fight back. He then takes questions and calls from his listeners and ends with a discussion of Amazon and the bureaucracy mailbox. 

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: Reclaim Your Time [3:43]  

- Is Agile compatible with slow productivity? [34:20] 
- How can I better structure my days as a master?s student with a job? [36:37] 
- How often and in what medium should I check my calendar? [42:43] 
- On days when I have no time, does reading for 20 minutes actually do anything? [46:52] 
- Will slow productivity make me less ambitious? [52:16] 
- CALL: Different types of Deep Work [58:04] 

CASE STUDY:  A teacher?s shutdown ritual [1:03:55] 

CAL REACTS: A Bureaucracy Mailbox [1:10:24] 

Links: 

Buy Cal?s latest book, ?Slow Productivity? at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal?s ?Slow Productivity? at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
Cal?s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?aboutamazon.com/news/company-news/ceo-andy-jassy-latest-update-on-amazon-return-to-office-manager-team-ratio

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

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

One of the more viral suggestions from Cal?s recent book, SLOW PRODUCTIVITY, was to occasionally skip out of work to see a movie. In this episode, Cal dives deep into criticisms of this advice and decodes what this tells us about where knowledge work is faltering and how we can make things better. He then answers questions from listeners and reacts to some productivity advice given from a well-known CEO. 

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:  [7:47] 

- Can I work deeply in my chaotic job? [27:17] 

- Can I use my inbox as a task list? [31:36] 

- How do you look at travel within your plans for a deep life? [35:12] 

- How can I get my partner to stop talking about work? [41:14] 

- How do I practice slow productivity with health issues? [44:54] 

- CALL: How can I decide on what career path to pursue? [49:14] 

CASE STUDY: Switching careers after a 20 year law stint [56:11] 

CAL REACTS: The CEO Who Swears by Time Blocking [1:05:04] 

Links: 

Buy Cal?s latest book, ?Slow Productivity? at calnewport.com/slow

Get a signed copy of Cal?s ?Slow Productivity? at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/

Cal?s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?

cnbc.com/2024/05/09/want-to-boost-your-productivity-hit-the-movies-during-work-expert-says.html

cnbc.com/amp/2024/09/09/whole-foods-ceo-swears-by-time-blocking-to-boost-productivity.html

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

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

Becoming notably good at something valuable is one of the most powerful tools for crafting a deep life. But how do people do this? In this episode, Cal explores three useful rules for getting good in search of depth. He then answers listener questions and reacts to a remarkable collection of advice from almost seven decades ago. 

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: The 10-Year Rule [2:29] 

- Why can?t I succeed with Cal?s time management system? [32:03] 
- Can RSS feeds make ?fast content? slow? [39:06] 
- Can persuading people be considered deep work? [45:05] 
- How can I guide my teenage son towards a deep life? [47:05] 
- How do I find time to launch my new business? [49:53] 
- CALL: Testing a book idea without social media [55:04] 

 CASE STUDY: A professional athlete utilizing career capital [1:06:10] 

 CAL REACTS: C.S. Lewis?s Advice for Writers [1:15:32] 

 Links:
Buy Cal?s latest book, ?Slow Productivity? at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal?s ?Slow Productivity? at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
Cal?s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/ryan-holiday-stoic-king-bastrop-painted-porch/
youtube.com/watch?v=hB3tBI-KNLk
twitter.com/InfiniteB88ks/status/1824108211081019821

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

The fall is the perfect time to tune up your productivity and organizational systems. With this in mind, in this episode, Cal discusses a tool he has long used in his own life but never discussed before in public: the weekly template. He then answers questions on the theme of personal productivity from listeners and reviews the books he read in August. 

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: Weekly Templates [3:29]

- How does Cal schedule his evening writing sessions? [26:08]

- How can I leverage my current career capital to become an entrepreneur? [30:30]

- How do I find time for non-urgent but interesting deep work? [35:59]

- Is afternoon deep work possible? [39:16]

- Can I use slow productivity to help prepare for a job interview? [45:49]

- CALL: How do I not be reactionary during my busy season? [51:42]

CASE STUDY: Using Cal?s toolkit while working in the Peace Corps [56:52]

FINAL SEGMENT: The 5 Books Cal Read in August 2024 [1:06:05]

Links:

Buy Cal?s latest book, ?Slow Productivity? at calnewport.com/slow 

Get a signed copy of Cal?s ?Slow Productivity? at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/ 

Cal?s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

This show is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/deepquestions

zocdoc.com/deep

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

In this classic episode, Cal talks about the surprising myth of doing less. Cal then answers questions about discipline and solving complicated problems. Cal concludes the episode with a review of the books he read back in April 2022.

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: The Surprising Math of Doing Less [3:33]

- How do I improve my discipline?  [20:01]
- How do you break down a complicated problem? [31:04]
- CALL: Has Cal read ?Stolen Focus?? [34:07]

The Books I Read in April 2022 [40:28]

LISTENER CALL: Playbook for writing in The New Yorker [1:05:30]

Links:
Buy Cal?s latest book, ?Slow Productivity? at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal?s ?Slow Productivity? at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
Cal?s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?

Thanks to our Sponsors:

drinklmnt.com/deep
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Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

In this classic episode Cal talks about the elements of the Deep Life. He then answers a variety of questions about work, family, and phone distractions.

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: The Elements of the Deep Life [2:31] 

- How should I get started in a new remote work job? [17:39] 
- How I time block a purely reactive job? [22:49] 
- Should I bother capturing tasks that are fast to complete? [26:20] 
- How do I tame multiple concurrent projects? [29:53] 
- How do I schedule optional deep work in an exhausting job? [32:51] 
- How much time is left for family after goals and deep work? [39:56] 
- Is there such a thing as deep fun? [42:44] 
- I am addicted to my phone. What do I do? [44:48] 
- How do I make a big life decision when I have lots of options? [50:35] 

Links: 

Buy Cal?s latest book, ?Slow Productivity? at calnewport.com/slow 

Get a signed copy of Cal?s ?Slow Productivity? at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/ 

Cal?s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba? 

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

 cozyearth.com/cal 
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 Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering. 

Summer is the perfect time to ready yourself for significant changes in your life. A chance to seek more depth in a distracted world. But for many, the goal for these changes is unclear. They know they want something deeper, but they don?t know what exactly that is. In this episode, Cal describes a method called structured journaling that can help you clarify your vision for what you seek. He then answers readers? questions and ends with a final segment in which reacts to a provocative claim by Jon M. Chu, the director of the new WICKED film adaptation.

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: Structured journaling [6:10]

- What does Cal think of goal planning systems? [30:32]
- How can college students cultivate a deep life? [32:44]
- Can I live a deep life as a lawyer? [40:19]
- How does Cal keep track of the books he wants to read? [46:19]
- I finish all my work in a single day. Is this unethical? [49:15]
- How do I cultivate a deep life in a busy career? [53:11]
- CALL: Should I leave a perfect job? [56:54]

CASE STUDY: Career capital theory in action [1:02:38]

FINAL SEGMENT: Jon M. Chu on Creativity and Hard Work [1:10:05]

Links:

Thanks to our Sponsors:

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

It?s mid-summer, people have some extra breathing room in their schedule, they?re relaxed. This moment of quiet seems like a perfect time to revisit some of this show?s most popular ideas about finding productivity in a world drowning in digital distractions. In this episode, Cal reviews his five most effective productivity related ideas. He then answers reader questions and reviews the seven books he read in July 2024.

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: Productivity Basics [2:55]

- How closely should I schedule my leisure activities? [46:32]

- How do I time block a day that lasts longer than 11 hours? [51:57]

- Can I save mental energy at work to be more alive outside of work? [58:59]

- How do I actually motivate myself to execute the work I planned? [1:04:38]

- Am I obsessing over the right things for promotion? [1:10:16]

- CALL: Dealing with AI driven calendars [1:16:29]

FINAL SEGMENT: The 7 Books Cal Read in July 2024 [1:26:11]

Links:

Buy Cal?s latest book, ?Slow Productivity? at calnewport.com/slow

Get a signed copy of Cal?s ?Slow Productivity? at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport

Cal?s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?

Thanks to our Sponsors:

This show is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/deepquestions

zocdoc.com/deep

expressvpn.com/deep

drinklmnt.com/deep

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

In our current digital world, distracting world events have a way of completely destabilizing our ability to focus on work that matters. In today?s episode, Cal provides advice for escaping these destabilizing attention environments and regaining some sense of mental peace and depth. He then answers questions, takes a call, and reports on some fun sightings of his book Deep Work out in the wild. 

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: Finding focus in distracting times [7:06] 

- How can I convince my boss to stop interrupting me? [34:05] 

- Should I switch jobs? [41:13] 

- How do I integrate unpredictable calls into an otherwise structured schedule? [43:38] 

- What?s the ideal reading ratio of difficult to easy books? [47:25] 

- I just turned 30. Am I too late to apply the slow productivity principles? [50:32] 

CASE STUDY: Using lifestyle-centered career planning to improve work and pursue a hobby [57:07] 

CALL: Switching roles to an unstructured team [1:02:06] 

CAL REACTS: Two Wild Deep Work Sightings [1:11:45] 

Links: 

Buy Cal?s latest book, ?Slow Productivity? at calnewport.com/slow 

Get a signed copy of Cal?s ?Slow Productivity? at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport 

Cal?s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba? 

nytimes.com/interactive/2024/books/authors-top-books-21st-century.html 

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

oracle.com/deepquestions 

indeed.com/deep 

notion.com/cal 

shopify.com/deep 

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

Discipline is critical to cultivating a deep life, but what exactly does this concept mean? In this episode, Cal uses a concrete case study from Reddit to dive deeper into the nuances of discipline and to then identify concrete, practical advice for improving your ability to take disciplined action. He then answers listener questions and asks for Jesse?s judgment on a battle of the writing sheds. 

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 

Deep Dive:  Rethinking Discipline [5:44] 

- Should I work harder at finding a job? [36:13] 

- How can I measure the Discipline layer of the Deep Life Stack? [39:38] 

- How do I stay off my phone in times of stress? [44:34] 

- How can I regain the control over my phone that I once had in college? [48:44] 

- Does Cal only write on a laptop to avoid distractions? [51:54] 

- How can a new knowledge worker apply the slow productivity principles when starting a new job? [58:13] 

CASE STUDY: Shifting jobs between teaching and administration [1:04:10] 

FINAL SEGMENT: Battle of the Sheds [1:12:01] 

Links: 

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

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

On this show, we often talk about major overhauls to your work and life. In this episode, we go the other way and focus on the small habits that can make a big difference. In more detail, Cal describes eight surprisingly small strategies ? four focused on work and four focused on life outside of work ? for finding more depth in a distracted world. He then answers listener questions and reacts to a recent article about pushback to calls to limiting social media for 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

Deep Habits [2:46]

- Can I keep my weekly plan in my workingmemory.txt file? [31:13]
- Do you experience any pleasure during deep work? [33:39]
- How many deep work sessions should I do each working week? [38:23]
- How can I prioritize my goals in my personal life? [40:58]
- Does the suggestion to ?limit daily goals? conflict with time blocking? [44:09]
 
CASE STUDY: Building my career around a desired lifestyle [45:53]

CAL REACTS: Countering Pushback to Limiting Social Media for Kids [54:26] 

Links:

 

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

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

One of the trickiest aspects of new technology is that it can sometimes destabilize parts of our lives that we didn?t even realize existed and are important. In this episode, Cal talks about one such idea: the quiet mind. Our constant phone usage is eliminating this critical cognitive state, and by doing so is diminishing our humanity. Cal makes the case for the importance of the quiet mind, and then gives concrete ideas for cultivating it in a distracted world. He also answers questions from listeners and reviews the five books he read in June.

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:  The Power of the Quiet Mind [3:58]

- What are the benefits of walking meditation? [29:13]

- How can a new dad find time to advance his career? [34:16]

- How do I manage a temporary increase in admin responsibilities? [38:48]

- How can my son organize his sports and school schedule? [43:31]

- How can I do less when my colleagues are getting ahead for doing more? [45:54]

- CALL: Pre-scheduling with a pull system [51:14]

CASE STUDY: Collaborating with colleagues to effectively do hard work [57:54]

FINAL SEGMENT: The 5 Books Cal Read in June 2024 [1:08:05]

Links:

Buy Cal?s latest book, ?Slow Productivity? at calnewport.com/slow

Get a signed copy of Cal?s ?Slow Productivity? at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/

Cal?s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?

Thanks to our Sponsors:

indeed.com/deep

notion.com/cal

shopify.com/deep

expressvpn.com/deep

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

Why are we comfortable with the idea that ultra-processed foods are bad for us but feel somehow anti-technology to say something similar about the ultra-processed content generated by social media platforms. In this episode, Cal draws analogy to the food system to find a more sustainable and practical way to repair our relationship with various forms of media. He then answers questions and calls, shares an inspiring case study, and, due to popular request, gives his opinion on Jonathan Haidt?s new book, THE ANXIOUS GENERATION.

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:  youtube.com/calnewportmedia

Deep Dive:  Ultra-Processed Content [2:11]

- How would Cal update his college books to deal with the modern day technology distractions? [28:38]

- How can I introduce more balance into my highly focused life? [34:56]

- Is it ok to play Candy Crush while listening to podcasts? [42:23]

- How do I find time for deep thinking in a distracted life? [45:26]

- How can I work deeper in a shallow pond? [49:48]

- CALL: Using extended periods of time to plan [57:36]

 CASE STUDY: Making a career change with a safety net [1:00:29]

CAL REACTS: The Anxious Generation [1:10:20]

Links:

Buy Cal?s latest book, ?Slow Productivity? at www.calnewport.com/slow 

Get a signed copy of Cal?s ?Slow Productivity? at https://peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/ 

Cal?s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?

https://calnewport.com/on-ultra-processed-content/

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

This show is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/deepquestions
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Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

One of the simmering concerns surrounding the current AI revolution is the fear that we might accidentally create an ?alien mind? smarter than we expected. In this episode, Cal puts on his Computer Scientist hat and directly addresses this potential by sketching his emerging concept of intentional artificial intelligence (or, iAI for short). He then answers tech-themed questions from listeners and reacts to an article that many, many different people sent to him last week.

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:  Defusing AI Panic [5:23]

- Will A.I. agents spread misinformation on a large scale? [46:31]

- Is lack of good measurement and evaluation for A.I. systems a major problem? [51:16]  

- Is the development of A.I. the biggest thing to happen in technology since the internet? [56:50]

- How do I balance a 30 day declutter with my overall technology use? [1:00:40]

- How do I convince my team that prioritizing quality over quantity will help them get promotions? [1:07:46]

- CALL: Distributed trust models and social media [1:13:12] 

CASE STUDY: Using Deep Work and Slow Productivity to engineer a better work situation [1:22:55]

CAL REACTS: Employees fired for using ?mouse jigglers? [1:32:03]

Links:

Buy Cal?s latest book, ?Slow Productivity? at calnewport.com/slow 

Get a signed copy of Cal?s ?Slow Productivity? at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/ 

Cal?s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?v=448bf8afad0740d18f6b109b4bd40d51 

axios.com/2024/06/18/wells-fargo-mouse-jiggler-fired-employee-productivity

nytimes.com/2023/03/24/opinion/yuval-harari-ai-chatgpt.html

arxiv.org/pdf/2303.12712 

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

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

Oliver Burkeman recently noted that time blocking seems oppressive? In this episode, Cal responds to this reaction in a surprising way. He then answers questions from listeners and reacts to this podcast being featured at the recent Apple WWDC event.

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:  Is Time Blocking Oppressive? [2:38]

- Can Cal elaborate on his experience with his Acceptance and Commitment therapy? [26:46]
- How can I sustain my deep life program? [35:03]
- How can I stop my girlfriend from always checking her phone? [38:07]
- How long are your time blocks in your planner? [43:07]
- How do I obsess over quality with filling into procrastination? [47:07]
- CALL: Getting back on track after travel [55:10]
 
CASE STUDY: Adopting principles from Cal?s book to design my life [1:00:11]

CAL REACTS: Deep Questions featured at Apple?s WWDC! [1:10:32] 

Links:

 
Thanks to our Sponsors: 

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

In a recent interview, held to promote his new Netflix movie, Jerry Seinfeld went on a remarkable 10-minute run in which he rattled off one insight after another about deep work, procrastination, and the quest to live an intentional life in a distracted world. In this episode, Cal extracts four key lessons from this segment of Jerry?s interview. He then takes listener questions and ends with a segment in which he apologizes to an internet personality whom he incorrectly associated with the dreaded ?hustle culture.?

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:  Seinfeld on The Deep Life [4:31]

- Do I need to practice outside of work to improve my craft? [30:26]
- Can I tackle learning goals sequentially? [38:44]
- How do I get through ?grinding? at work? [43:10]
- How can I build my craft to grow my YouTube channel? [49:56]
- Can Cal talk about being an assistant professor with young kids? [54:49]

CASE STUDY: Using lifestyle-centric career planning to upgrade my job and life [1:00:09]

CAL REACTS: James Scholz studies twelve hours a day [1:05:19]

Links:
Buy Cal?s latest book, ?Slow Productivity? at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal?s ?Slow Productivity? at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
youtube.com/watch?v=TXAvkqXD-Fc
youtube.com/c/jamesscholz

Thanks to our Sponsors:

drinklmnt.com/deep
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mybodytutor.com
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Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

The desire to cultivate a more intentional and remarkable existence ? what we call ?the deep life? ? is universal. In today?s episode, Cal talks about one of the most common traps in this pursuit: hoping that the achievement of a singular grand goal will make all parts of your life better. Cal discusses the problems with the grand goal approach and argues why the more systematic lifestyle-centric mindset will not only produce better results, but end up leading to remarkable opportunities anyway. He then takes questions and calls from readers and reviews the five books he read in May.

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: How to create a deep life [9:55]

- Is it too late to start living deep at the age of 27? [31:29]
- Is it possible to cultivate a deep life at a job that requires full attention? [36:05]
- How come there are different Deep Life Stacks? [38:57]
- How do I cultivate a deep life with small children? [46:40]
- Do I need to ?limit my missions? if I have a standard day job? [54:40]
- CALL: Keeping focus after having children [58:28]

CASE STUDY: Finding books to help cultivate a deep life [1:12:18]

FINAL SEGMENT: The 5 Books Cal Read in May 2024 [1:22:47]

Science and Human Values (J. Bronowski)
The Hot Zone (Richard Preston)
Extinction (Douglas Preston)
When the Shooting Stops?the Cutting Begins (Ralph Rosenbaum and Robert Karen)
The Great Partnership (Jonathan Sacks)

Links:

 
Thanks to our Sponsors: 

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

We talk a lot on this show about how to organize and execute your work, but not enough about where to do it. In this episode, Cal explores the theory and practice of ?adventure working,? in which you escape to novel and inspiring locations to tackle your most demanding and interesting cognitive efforts. He then answers reader questions about habits and rituals, before ending with a critical look at a famous football club?s distressing embrace of pseudo-productivity.

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: Re-Enchanting Work [5:39]

- What are Cal?s health habits? [31:12]
- What?s the difference between discipline and rituals? [34:08]
- How does Cal read so much? [37:37]
- What are Cal?s writing-related rituals? [40:44]
- Should I go slow in my job hunting? [45:05]
- CALL: Working at a natural pace as a teacher [49:47]
- CALL:  How to navigate the ?pull system? [54:31]

CASE STUDY: Organizing files in a household [1:00:57]

CAL REACTS: Manchester?s United?s Pseudo-Productivity [1:11:13] 

Links:

 

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

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

In this episode, the proverbial tables are turned, with Cal being interviewed by Jordan Harbinger about time, focus, and the quest for a slower notion of productivity. (This interview originally aired as episode 975 Jordan's can?t-miss podcast, The Jordan Harbinger Show).

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

- INTERVIEW: Cal being interviewed by Jordan Harbinger [1:54]

Links:
Buy Cal?s latest book, ?Slow Productivity? at www.calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal?s ?Slow Productivity? at https://peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/ 

Thanks to our Sponsors:

mintmobile.com/deep
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landroverusa.com/defender
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Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

There has been a lot of attention paid recently to the impact of technology like social media on the mental health of young people. But this is not the only technology trap lurking for this generation. In this episode, Cal talks about three subtle but significant ways in which our current technology culture is setting up young people for professional failure in the years ahead. He then provides some advice for resisting this fate. In addition to this discussion, he answers questions from the audience and reacts to one of the coolest examples of slow craft that he?s encountered in a long while.

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: The Burnout Society [7:53]

- How can I stop distraction relapses? [35:18]
- How can I reduce my social media addiction without abandoning these technologies? [39:37]
- How can I schedule deep work with a scattered class schedule? [44:29]
- How should I reintroduce video games after a successful digital declutter? [47:14]
- How do I apply Slow Productivity later in life? [51:04]
- CALL: How to formulate a deep life when you?re young [54:41]   

CASE STUDY: Tweaking the time block planner [1:06:44] 

CAL REACTS: A Slow Reconstruction of an Ancient City [1:11:00]

Links:

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

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

Cal has been writing professionally about issues related to personal productivity for two decades. In today?s episode, he provides a short history of what he?s observed during this period about out constantly shifting relationship with this topic, from the quiet optimism of the 1990s, to the techno-mania of the early 2000s, to the whiplash shift from anti-distraction to anti-work sentiments in the 2010s. He ends with a summary of where we are today and what he currently thinks matters in thinking about getting things done. During the Q&A session, Cal is joined by special guest host Scott Young (whose new book is GET BETTER AT ANYTHING) to help answer your questions. We conclude with a list of the books Cal read in April.

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: The 20-year history with personal productivity [4:20]

- How does Cal organize his files as a technical researcher? [1:04:55]
- How slow is too slow? [1:18:48]
- Does ?Monk Mode? actually work? [1:27:25]
- How do I adapt my organizational systems to do more complicated work? [1:36:07]
- What are the most underrated habits for living a great life? [1:49:46]

CASE STUDY: Unconventional slow productivity [1:55:56]

FINAL SEGMENT: The 5 Books Cal Read in April 2024 [2:04:51]

Links:
Buy Cal?s latest book, ?Slow Productivity? at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal?s ?Slow Productivity? at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/ 
Cal?s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?v=448bf8afad0740d18f6b109b4bd40d51
moehrbetter.com/gtd-advanced-workflow-diagram.html

Books Discussed in Deep Dive:

7 Habits of Highly Effective People
How To Become CEO
Getting Things Done
The Four Hour Work Week
Essentialism
How To Do Nothing

April Books:

An Empire of Their Own by Neal Gabler
Co-intelligence by Ethan Mollick
Dragons of Eden by Carl Sagan
The Perfect Mile by Neal Bascomb
To Heal a Fractured World by Jonathan Sacks

Thanks to our Sponsors:

This show is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/deepquestions
notion.com/cal
zocdoc.com/deep
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Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

We think of information as something neutral; a spotlight that helps illuminate the reality of the outside world. Accordingly, more information is better than less. In this episode, Cal pushes back on this model, arguing that the form in which information arrives can strongly impact the understanding we extract. We must therefore be more intentional about what and how we pay attention. He then answers reader questions and surveys some unusual but entertaining stories about slowness.

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: Rethinking attention [4:08]

- What books should I read to help me develop a deep life? [34:35]
- Does writing by hand have benefits for your brain? [38:40]
- Should I get a brain scan to prove I have a low IQ? [43:46]
- Should I use ChatGPT for book recommendations? [47:39]
- How can I avoid wasting your gap year? [49:40]
- CALL: Is ?Slow Productivity? related to ?The Burnout Society? by Buying-Chui Han? [55:32]

CASE STUDY: Utilizing the phone foyer method [1:01:58]  

FINAL SEGMENT: Slow news [1:10:58]

Links:

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

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

Why do you struggle with your grand attempts to escape distraction and aimlessness to make your life deeper? In this episode, Cal draws on an unexpected metaphor ? Charles Babbage, Ada Lovelace, and the Analytical Engine ? to help identify the subtle obstacle on your path to increase depth. With this new understanding in hand, he then details a specific gameplan to get around it. Later, he takes questions from the audience and reacts to the new AI Pin, a tool intended to render smartphones obsolete.

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: The Deep Life Hardware [4:09]

- Does personal productivity make us anxious? [34:04]
- How can I build skills without getting in the way of my existing work? [42:11]
- How can I build a deeper life after years of neglect? [46:00]
- How is Sam Sulek?s stripped down YouTube channel doing so well? [52:12]
- How can I convince my husband that I?m not a time management snob? [1:02:38]
- CALL: Obsessing over quality [1:06:04]

CASE STUDY: Shifting a mindset to do more deep work [1:11:04] 

CAL REACTS: Is the Al Pin the End of Smartphones? [1:17:46]

Links:

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

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

In the first ever live episode of Deep Questions, recorded at People?s Book in Takoma Park, MD, Cal extracts a modern productivity lesson from the tale of Jane Austen?s frustrated ambitions, before taking questions from the audience.

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: Jane Austen?s To-Do List [3:22]

? Is Cal building his YouTube channel with social media tactics? [27:36]
? How can I do less in such a busy world? [31:53]
? How do I escape the flow state? [37:01]
? How can someone become a star while obsessing over craft? [40:52]
? How can I apply Slow Productivity to unrelated projects? [46:40]
? How does Cal develop his writing frameworks? [50:20]
? How can I apply Slow Productivity principles to a team? [52:48]
? How can I avoid the Zoom apocalypse? [57:48]
? Is there a conflict between working at a natural pace and obsessing over quality? [1:07:16]
? How can a personal trainer build a wellness solution company? [1:09:46]
? How can our team not get delayed with technical problems? [1:13:00]
? How can a young lawyer manage peer relationships with teams? [1:16:38]         


Links:

? Buy Cal?s latest book, ?Slow Productivity? at calnewport.com/slow
? Use this link to preorder a signed copy of ?Slow Productivity?: peoplesbooktakoma.com/preorder-slow-productivity/
? Cal?s Monthly Books directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?v=448bf8afad0740d18f6b109b4bd40d51


Thanks to our Sponsors:

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

In this episode Cal takes a closer look at a growing trend of artists quitting social media and instead reverting to old-fashioned websites. Are these acts of principled sacrifice or a sustainable way to be creative online? Cal argues for the latter, showing how the internet without social media curation algorithms can be a place of rich discovery and audience building. He then takes questions on similar topics and ends by playing a few rounds of ?deep or crazy? during the final segment.

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: A Quiet Revolt Against Social Media [7:37]

- Is my deep living too extreme? [45:06]
- LinkedIn is getting toxic. Should I quit that too? [47:39]
- Where do online articles fit into the life of a digital minimalist? [51:09]
- Did Cal design the specifications for the hardcover copy of ?Slow Productivity?? [54:04]
- How do I not feel overwhelmed by online content after a Digital Declutter? [58:07]
- CALL: Obsessing over quality [1:01:08]

CASE STUDY: Applying lessons from ?Digital Minimalism? [1:06:37]

CAL REACTS: Deep or Crazy? [1:13:54]

Links:

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

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

One of the biggest problems afflicting knowledge workers in the digital age is frantic busyness; days filled with emails, chats, and meetings, without much to show for all the effort. In today?s episode, Cal dives into one of the most-discussed ideas from his new book, Slow Productivity, which offers a simple, tactical assault on this state of persistent busyness. He then answers listener questions about similar issues and lists the book he read in March.

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:  hyoutube.com/calnewportmedia

Deep Dive: A Tactical Assault on Busyness [3:47]

- How can I stop chasing the ?perfect? productivity system? [34:51]
- How do I avoid losing my day to distraction? [39:08] 
- How do I help my partner escape meeting quickstand? [42:31]
- How do we design the perfect client/task/scheduling system? [48:59]
- Can Apple Vision Pro help deep work? [54:46]

The 5 Books Cal Read in March 2024 [1:06:43]

A Short History of England (Simon Jenkins)
Into the Impossible (Brian Keating)
The Amen Effect (Sharon Brous)
Sink the Bismark! (CS Forester)
Hidden Potential (Adam Grant)

Links:
Buy Cal?s latest book, ?Slow Productivity? at calnewport.com/slow
newyorker.com/science/annals-of-artificial-intelligence/can-an-ai-make-plans
Thanks to our Sponsors:

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/deepquestions
expressvpn.com/deep
zocdoc.com/deep
notion.com/cal

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

Imagine a world in which AI could handle your email inbox on your behalf. No more checking for new messages every five minutes. No more worries that people need you. No more exhausting cognitive context shifts. In this episode, Cal explores how close cutting-edge AI models are to achieving this goal, including using ChatGPT to help him answer some real email. He then dives into his latest article for The New Yorker, which explains the key technical obstacle to fully automated email and how it might be solved. This is followed by reader questions and a look at 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: Can A.I. Empty My Inbox? [4:33]
- Should I continue to study programming if AI will eventually replace software jobs? [44:40]
- Is it bad to use ChatGPT to assist with your writing? [49:22]
- How do I reclaim my workspace for Deep Work? [55:24]
- How do I decide what to do on my scheduled mini-breaks at work? [1:00:11]
- CALL: Heidegger?s view on technology [1:02:48]
- CALL: Seasonality with a partner and kids [1:09:11]

CASE STUDY: A Silicon Valley Chief of Staff balancing work and ego [1:20:07]

Something Interesting: General Grant?s Slow Productivity [1:30:08]

Links:
Buy Cal?s latest book, ?Slow Productivity?at calnewport.com/slow

newyorker.com/science/annals-of-artificial-intelligence/can-an-ai-make-plans


Thanks to our Sponsors: 

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

On his recent book tour, Cal found great success using a small notebook dedicated to developing a single idea. In this episode, he explores this ?single-purpose notebook? strategy, identifying when it makes sense and why it works. He also takes listener questions about his new book, ?Slow Productivity,? and reacts to a recent article about TikTok?s stumbles.

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: Single-Purpose Notebooks [5:02]

- If ?pseudo-productivity? isn?t effective, why is it so common? [27:07]
- Can you explain the difference between limiting missions, projects, and daily goals? [34:59]
- Should everyone buy a $50 notebook? [39:21]
- How does ?Slow Productivity? relate to mental models and first principles? [48:12]
- Should I read your new book slowly? [52:44]
- CALL: Does Cal ever stress about work? [55:24]

CASE STUDY: Applying lifestyle-centric career planning [1:00:31]

SOMETHING INTERESTING: TikTok Falters [1:08:56]

Links:
Buy Cal?s latest book, ?Slow Productivity? at calnewport.com/slow

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

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

What does the story of the rise of the singing superstar Jewel teach us about escaping busyness in our knowledge work jobs? In this episode, Cal makes the connection, extracting a key lesson about quality as an engine for slowness, and then providing concrete advice and examples for applying this lesson to your own professional life. Also: listener questions and the books Cal read in February.

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: Doing Better, Do Less [5:00]

- Is my job too hard? [38:25]
- How do I sell myself better? [42:52]
- How do I convince myself to do actual hard work? [45:42]
- How do I find time to get better if I'm busy? [48:46]
- What is the values plan? [53:23]

The 5 books Cal read in February 2024 [1:01:45]

The Sabbath (AJ Heschel)
Making Movies (Sidney Lumet)
Killer of the Flower Moon (David Grann)
Orthodoxy (G.K. Chesterton)
The Good Shepherd (CA Forestor)

Links:
FREE download excerpt and 2 Bonuses for ?Slow Productivity?:
calnewport.com/slow

Thanks to our Sponsors:

shopify.com/deep
drinklmnt.com/deep
mybodytutor.com
blinkist.com/deep

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

One of the most common strategies for achieving a powerful ideal lifestyle vision is to leverage entrepreneurial activities to find a stable source of income that allows autonomy and flexibility. To help understand how to succeed in such ventures, Cal interviews the entrepreneur and author Noah Kagan about his new book, "The Million Dollar Weekend." Recording on the road as part of his book tour for "Slow Productivity," Cal also shares some lessons about what he's been observing.

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

INTERVIEW: Marketing guru Noah Kagan [11:06]

Links:
Use this link to preorder a signed copy of ?Slow Productivity?:
peoplesbooktakoma.com/preorder-slow-productivity/
FREE download excerpt and 2 Bonuses for ?Slow Productivity?:
calnewport.com/slow

Thanks to our Sponsors:

This show is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at
betterhelp.com/deepquestions
mauinuivenison.com/deepquestions
zocdoc.com/deep
expressvpn.com/deep

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

How did we end up tyrannized by our inboxes? How is this related to Tyrannosaurus? What was it like working at a high-tech company at the exact moment email was introduced? In this episode, Cal weaves together all these questions into a story about the unexpected ways technology impacts our lives and what we can do after the fact to make things better.

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

Deep Dive: The Email Catastrophe [3:47]

- How do I deal with email overload in a government job? [45:34]
- How do I deal with an employer who demands constant responsiveness?[55:36]
- How can I concentrate when coding when I need to use my web browser? [58:27]
- How do I overcome my fear of missing important emails? [1:02:35]
- CALL: Can slow productivity work for an academic? [1:06:38]

CAL REACTS: Reader Comments on his NYT Op-Ed [1:17:47]

Links:

 
Thanks to our Sponsors: 

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

We?ve become so used to our phones in our lives that we?ve stopped realizing how arbitrary and unusual the content we?re watching really has become. In this episode, Cal looks closer at what we?re really spending time doing on our phones, then provides step-by-step instructions for healing this relationship. 

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: Confronting Your Phone [4:30]

- What does Cal think about Neil Postman?s ?Amusing Ourselves To Death?? [28:35]
- Can you pursue high quality leisure after a day filled with deep work? [33:14]
- Can commercial breaks be used for high quality leisure? [37:24]
- Will digital minimalism work in an age of augmented reality? [40:34]
- How can a full time YouTuber practice digital minimalism? [46:53]
-CALL: How to share content online? [52:38]

CASE STUDY: Cost-benefit analysis of technology usage [1:00:39]

CAL REACTS: J. R. R. Tolkien?s Search for Depth [1:06:43]

Links:
twitter.com/explore/tabs/trending
instagram.com/explore/tags/popular/?hl=en
tiktok.com/foryou?lang=en
newcriterion.com/blogs/dispatch/the-consolations-of-fantasy
Use this link to preorder a signed copy of ?Slow Productivity?:
peoplesbooktakoma.com/preorder-slow-productivity/
FREE download excerpt and 2 Bonuses for ?Slow Productivity?:
calnewport.com/slow

Thanks to our Sponsors:

ladderlife.com/deep
mybodytutor.com
rhone.com/cal
mintmobile.com/deep

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

A deep life requires that you encounter and make sense of a large amount of incoming information, from narrow data relevant to a professional project, to broad insights into your purpose. How do you keep track of all of this? In this episode, Cal proposes a minimalist approach aimed at minimizing the friction required to keep tabs on what matters.

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: How to track information that matters [2:55]

- How should I make use of non-cognitive time? [27:37]
- Can people with ADHD become better at learning? [32:49]
- What does Cal think of Gloria Mark?s ?4 myths of attention span?? [36:31]
- How can I concentrate on my dissertation when I have a full-time job? [47:04]
- How can I stop wasting my afternoon time blocks? [53:20]
- CALL: How can I better organize my idea notebooks? [1:01:38]

CASE STUDY: Avoiding the hyperactive hive mind to work more efficiently [1:05:46]   

CAL REACTS: Is it bad to be slow? [1:13:46]

Links:
dailystoic.com/try-not-to-be-so-slow/
gloriamark.com/attention-span

Use this link to preorder a signed copy of ?Slow Productivity?:
peoplesbooktakoma.com/preorder-slow-productivity/

FREE download excerpt and 2 Bonuses for ?Slow Productivity?:
calnewport.com/slow

Thanks to our Sponsors:

grammarly.com/podcast
drinklmnt.com/deep
cozyearth.com (promo code ?cal?)
expressvpn.com/deep

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

A key step in cultivating a deep life is reflecting on what matters to you and the best strategies for pursuing it. This, in turn, requires that you engage in the consumption of some manner of self help. It?s here that many people sell themselves short, limiting this intake to short videos and the occasional advice guide. In today?s episode, Cal talks about cultivating a much richer approach to self-help in which you?re able to take in wisdom from a variety of sources of various levels of sophistication.

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:  youtube.com/calnewportmedia

Deep Dive: Rethinking Self Help [3:21]

- How can I prevent hard tasks from derailing my productivity systems? [38:47]
- Should I get ahead in my career with a project that I hate? [47:54]
- How can I make progress on my novel when my day job drains me? [52:39]
- Is there such a thing as too much deep work? [59:32]
- CALL: Will short deep work sessions work to write effectively? [1:12:17]

CASE STUDY: Reducing stress with slow productivity [1:18:40] 

The 5 Books Cal Read in January 2024 [1:30:22] 

Links:
https://peoplesbooktakoma.com/preorder-slow-productivity/
FREE Download  for ?Slow Productivity?: www.calnewport.com/slow

Thanks to our Sponsors:

https://www.grammarly.com/podcast
https://www.drinklmnt.com/deep
https://www.shopify.com/deep
This show is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/deepquestions

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

One of the more interesting realities of people who live remarkable lives is that they are often much less busy than the rest of us. In this episode, Cal explores three ideas that help explain why this is true, then explains how we can use these ideas to reduce our own workloads.

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: The Productivity Paradox [7:31]

- How does a weekly plan work? [32:26]
- Do errands or reading count toward fixed schedule productivity? [36:55]
- How should a graduate embrace slow productivity? [40:11]
- If I embrace slow productivity, how can I be sure I?m doing enough? [41:54]
- Did Cal follow Slow Productivity in his 20?s? [47:45]
- CALL: Uprooting a good planning system? [53:23]

CASE STUDY: Playing video games with intention [58:05]

CAL REACTS:  How to Have a Productive Year [1:06:34]

Links:
calnewport.com/if-youre-busy-youre-doing-something-wrong-the-surprisingly-relaxed-lives-of-elite-achievers/
newyorker.com/culture/office-space/how-to-have-a-more-productive-year
FREE Download  for ?Slow Productivity?: calnewport.com/slow

Thanks to our Sponsors:

mauinuivenison.com/deepquestions
blinkist.com/deep
moshlife.com/deep
policygenius.com/deepquestions

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

Call talks with Ali Abdaal about his journey from doctor to YouTube sensation, and then dives deep into Ali?s new book, ?Feel-Good Productivity,? and the possibilities of making accomplishment something enjoyable.

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

INTERVIEW: YouTube Star Ali Abdaal [3:41]

Cal Reacts: Dissecting Ali?s YouTube career path [1:32:27]

Links:

FREE download for ?Slow Productivity?: calnewport.com/slow

Thanks to our Sponsors:

expressvpn.com/deep
rhone.com/cal
shopify.com/deep
notion.com/cal

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

What is the correct first step in transforming your life into something deeper? Traditional advice says to start with a clear vision of what you value. Cal has been arguing that it?s instead more important to develop a foundation of discipline. In this episode, he explores a more specific variation of this idea: perhaps the best way to prepare to pursue the big is to first learn how to control the small.

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: How to organize your life [2:31]

- How do I ?stay deep? when facing major changes? [36:37]

- How do I relax when I?m always so busy? [39:13]

- What is the difference between rituals and routines? [43:09]

- Can playing video games be part of a deep life? [51:27]

- Can deep life buckets connect to strategic plans? [57:39]

- CALL: Juggling multiple priorities to live a deep life [1:01:39]

CASE STUDY: Becoming organized to prevent overwhelm [1:07:32]

CAL REACTS:  How many books did you read in 2023? [1:13:47]


Links:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/01/05/how-many-books-did-you-read-2023-see-how-you-stack-up/

FREE download for ?Slow Productivity?: calnewport.com/slow

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

drinklmnt.com/deep

mintmobile.com/deep

cozyearth.com (promo code CAL)

mybodytutor.com

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

During the New Year season it is common to talk about how to be more productive. But what about the downtime between your major pursuits? In this episode, Cal argues for rewiring your brain to crave slow distractions over their faster (often digital) alternatives. The goal here is not to get more done but to transform your life into something slower and more meaningful.

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: Slow Distractions [2:25]

- How do I work deeply as a stay-at-home parent? [29:12]
- Isn?t it myopic not to let young children use smartphones? [36:44]
- How do I succeed as a musician without social media? [38:09]
- How do I make plans without social media? [48:37]
- CALL: How to share ideas without allowing social media to take control [55:02]

CAL REACTS: I?m a 33-year old woman without a job [1:05:55]

Links:

youtu.be/YQLVWficcwc?si=lOIBa23I_0-4sJl6

Download a FREE chapter from my upcoming book, "Slow Productivity" HERE: https://www.calnewport.com/slow

Thanks to our Sponsors:

expressvpn.com/deep
notion.com/cal
shopify.com/deep
grammarly.com/podcast

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

One of the more important abilities to cultivate for the year ahead is comfort learning complicated (and therefore valuable) new things. In this episode, Cal tackles the myths surrounding mastery and presents a new mental model for internalizing non-trivial information. As he elaborates, there is both good news and bad news when it comes to this topic: you can learn almost anything, but you can?t learn everything.

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: Learning Hard Things [2:50]

- When it comes to taking notes, what really matters? [29:49]
- Can I fit all of my hobbies into my week? [36:02]
- Can YouTube teach me to be a better student? [39:40]
- How do I figure out what to learn next? [46:09]
- How do I learn something fast when I already have a busy schedule? [48:23]
- CALL: How does ?So Good They Can?t Ignore You? relate to ?Slow Productivity?? [55:11]

CASE STUDY: Slow Productivity affinity group [1:03:46]

The 5 books Cal read in December 2023 [1:13:28]

Thanks to our Sponsors:

drinklmnt.com/deep
zocdoc.com/deep
This show is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/deepquestions

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

The mega-bestselling writer Arthur Brooks is one of the rare individuals to have both lived a carefully cultivated deep life and written a book on the topic (co-authored with Oprah!). In today?s episode, Cal interviews Brooks, going deep into the details of his unusual and inspiring career and extracting proven rules from his experience.

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

INTERVIEW: Mega-bestselling writer Arthur Brooks [6:39]

Cal?s Favorite Completely Unnecessary and Embarrassingly Geeky Things for 2024 [1:16:04]

Links:
https://www.calnewport.com/slow

Thanks to our Sponsors:

rhone.com/cal
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notion.com/cal

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

We talk a lot on this show about getting more done, but what?s the best way to handle the inevitable situation in which you have too much to do? Cal walks through a sensible response to the crazy-making reality of overload.

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

Deep Dive: Controlling Overload [4:48]

- Is building a ?second brain? important? [37:53]
- How can I bill 40 hours a week without getting overloaded? [43:30]
- What book should I buy my department to best increase their work quality? [46:31]
- How do I make progress on projects that have lots of overhead? [51:53]
- How can my wife deal with her new position and the overload that comes with it? [57:35]
- CALL: What is Cal excited to gif this holiday season? [1:06:14]

CASE STUDY: Quitting Twitter to build a better life [1:09:55]

CAL REACTS: Why did students get dumber starting in 2012? [1:17:31]

Links:
https://twitter.com/DKThomp/status/1734436486727254218


Thanks to our Sponsors:

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This show is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/deepquestions

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

One of the most important skills for cultivating a satisfying and high impact life is one we rarely discuss: the art of serious thinking. In this episode, Cal makes the case for serious thinking as an ability to specifically cultivate, then describes five specific practices you can put into place to launch a crash course in developing an effective life of the mind.

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

Deep Dive: How to Think [4:07]

- Does reading count as Deep Work? [38:50]
- How do I make sense of the topics I think about? [41:48]
- How should I manage boredom in a job without hurting my ability to focus? [45:12]
- How can I provide quick answers to management if I?m a slow thinker? [50:40]
- CALL: How should I structure my Deep Holiday? [56:44]

CASE STUDY: A successful Digital Detox allowing one to think in peace. [59:55]

CAL REACTS: Does collaboration make us less creative? [1:07:29]

Thanks to our Sponsors:

https://www.shopify.com/deep
https://www.mintmobile.com/deep
https://www.cozyearth.com (promo code: CAL)
https://www.mybodytutor.com

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