Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Almost everyone feels uneasy about their relationships with their smartphones. But the question is why? In today’s episode, Cal looks past the most common answers to seek a deeper understanding built on an unexpected source: the moral philosophy of Immanuel Kant. He then answers listener questions and ends the show with another edition of the tech corner 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: Would Kant Use TikTok? [6:13] - Do “distraction free” apps work? [30:36] - How can I finish what I start? [34:24] - Is context shifting slowing down my work as a teacher? [37:42] - How should I organize my official podcast duties with my traditional teaching requirements? [43:08] - Is “slow living” and “slow productivity" the same thing? [49:00] - CALL: Deep work blocks in the afternoon [55:58] CASE STUDY: Re-designing a life with a new job [1:00:07] TECH CORNER: How do recommendation algorithms work? [1:11:00] 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? youtu.be/SeZ1YOgbz18?si=kuCksvy_dGoOfx8Q Thanks to our Sponsors: shopify.com/deep drinklmnt.com/deep expressvpn.com/deep mintmoblie.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.

During the election season our devices take a particularly hard tool on our health and happiness. Now that the votes have been cast and counted, Cal proposes it’s time to take a temporary but radical break from the exhausting digital chatter. He then answers questions from his listeners and discusses Martha Stewart and the problems of “aesthetic 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: Time to Unplug [2:49] - How do I organize all the information in my life? [39:04] - How can I do a side hustle if it’s against company policy? [42:23] - What is “Humanist Productivity”? [48:46] - Should I use a flip phone in college? [57:05] - How can I work at a natural place in a software company? [1:01:27] - CALL: Oliver Burkeman and imperfectionism [1:08:32] CASE STUDY: Managing with slow productivity [1:13:16] CAL REACTS: Martha Stewart’s Productivity Tips [1:21:36] 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? calnewport.com/after-you-vote-unplug/ today.com/shop/martha-stewart-shares-her-favorite-tips-staying-organized-t171345 Thanks to our Sponsors: mybodytutor.com cozyearth.com/deep notion.com/cal rhone.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.

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: blinkist.com/deep notion.com/cal zbiotics.com/cal 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.

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: drinklmnt.com/deep shopify.com/deep policygenius.com/deepquestions mintmobile.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 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 MORTAL, 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: mybodytutor.com expressvpn.com/deep rhone.com/cal cozyearth.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.

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 mintmobile.com/deep oracle.com/deepquestions landroverusa.com 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: drinklmnt.com/deep greenlight.com/deep expressvpn.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.

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: mybodytutor.com blinkist.com/deep cozyearth.com/deep rhone.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.

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 Thanks to our Sponsors: shopify.com/deep drinklmnt.com/deep expressvpn.com/deep factor.com/deep50 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 notion.com/cal ladderlife.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 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 indeed.com/deep shopify.com/deep factormeals.com/deep50 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 mintmobile.com/deep policygenius.com/deepquestions blinkist.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.

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: calnewport.com/slowpeoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?nature.com/articles/d41586-024-02540-0nature.com/articles/d41586-024-02381-x Thanks to our Sponsors: grammarly.com/podcastmybodytutor.comrhone.com/calshopify.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.

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: calnewport.com/slow peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/ bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba? reddit.com/r/LifeProTips/comments/15sjr2h/lpt_request_how_to_stop_favoring_short_term/ ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2958859/ sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240607121448.htm english.elpais.com/lifestyle/2024-07-06/cal-newport-the-man-who-never-procrastinates.html Thanks to our Sponsors: mintmobile.com/deep rhone.com/cal greenlight.com/deep blinkist.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.