Deep Questions with Cal Newport - podcast cover

Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Cal Newportwww.buzzsprout.com
Cal Newport is a computer science professor and a New York Times bestselling author who writes about the impact of technology on society, and the struggle to work and live deeply in a world increasingly mired in digital distractions. On this podcast, he answers questions from his readers and offers advice about cultivating focus, productivity, and meaning amidst the noise that pervades our lives.

Episodes

Ep. 199: Quieting an Ambitious Brain

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast . Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia Update on Cal’s book writing [ 2:03] WORK QUESTIONS - How do I get my family and friends to take my profession seriously? [14:11] - How should we adjust our work for the arrival of our first baby? [21:33] - Do maximum deep work durations depend on the type of work? [28:10] - How do I o...

Jun 10, 20221 hr 10 minEp 199Transcript available on Metacast

Ep. 198: The Second Principle of Slow Productivity

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast . Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia Update on Cal’s book writing [5:11] - LISTENER CALL: How do I get information out of my inbox? [9:59] - How do I choose a masters program? (RANT alert) [15:16] - How do you know what is enough for the next step of your career? [19:47] HABIT TUNE-UP: Multi-Scale Seasonality (The second ...

May 30, 20221 hr 5 minEp 198Transcript available on Metacast

Ep. 197: I’m Writing a New Book

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast . Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia The Overlooked Radicalism of Tim Ferriss [13:53] QUESTIONS: - Is it time for a career change or do I just lack discipline? [37:30] - Do occasional leaks mean that my productivity system is broken? [46:02] - LISTENER CALL: How should this exhausted professorI structure her sabbatical? [...

May 23, 20222 hr 34 minEp 197Transcript available on Metacast

Ep. 196: Shutting Down Anxiety

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast . Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia Cal reacts to his inbox [7:48] QUESTIONS: - How do I manage a two-part workday? [26:49] - How do I save my “shut down” ritual? [34:14] - LISTENER CALL: Should I work on challenging projects or take the easy path? [37:58] Cal reacts to the news: A Catholic Response to Workism [48:48] - ...

May 15, 20221 hr 29 minEp 196Transcript available on Metacast

Ep. 195: Deep Walks

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast . Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia CAL REACTS: His latest article for The New Yorker [16:06] QUESTIONS: - How do I balance my walking ‘modes’ when living a Deep Life? [39:43] - Why not recommend time-blocking for leisure? [44:09] - LISTENER CALL: How do I avoid my phone when I’m tired? [46:57] HABIT TUNE-UP: WorkingMemo...

May 09, 20221 hr 25 minEp 195Transcript available on Metacast

Ep. 194: The Surprising Math of Doing Less

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast . Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia DEEP DIVE: The Surprising Math of Doing Less [8:58] QUESTIONS: - How do I improve my discipline? [26:16] - How do you break down a complicated problem? [37:20] - LISTENER CALL: Has Cal read “Stolen Focus”? [40:27] The Books I Read in April 2022 [46:41] - LISTENER CALL: Playbook for wri...

May 02, 20221 hr 19 minEp 194Transcript available on Metacast

Ep. 193: How do I read more?

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast . Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia CAL REACTS TO THE NEWS [8:05] QUESTIONS: - How do I read more? [45:35] - Rapid Fire: TV, Email, and Journaling [54:44] - Listener Call: How is a weekly plan different than what’s in Trello? [59:33] HABIT TUNE-UP: Fixed-Schedule Productivity [1:06:07] - Listener Call: How would Cal desi...

Apr 25, 20222 hr 35 minEp 193Transcript available on Metacast

Ep. 192 : Habit Tune-Up Returns!

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast . Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia DEEP DIVE: The Crypto Question No One is Asking [1:43] QUESTIONS: - Should I be productive or bill more hours? [24:51] - Can someone with ADHD succeed with Deep Work? [28:44] - Can I find depth if I have roommates? [33:12] - How do I track more publications? [37:49] - I can’t time-bloc...

Apr 21, 20221 hr 2 minEp 192Transcript available on Metacast

Ep. 191: Can We Fix the Internet?

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast . Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia QUESTIONS: - How do I stick with just one organization system? [3:38] - How do I maintain a routine in a job with wildly changing demands? [9:00] - Cal Reacts to the News: Is Twitter Ruining Society? [23:30] - How do I apply your ideas to skilled labor? [44:14] - How do I cure my curre...

Apr 18, 20221 hr 5 minEp 191Transcript available on Metacast

Ep. 190: CALLS: Managing Idea Notebooks

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast . Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia CAL REACTS TO THE NEWS : Elon Joins the Twitter Board [1:32] QUESTIONS: - Managing idea notebooks [24:19] - Doctor who wants to learn advanced math [29:56] - Obsessed with instant messaging [34:17] - Tempering a racing mind [47:35] - Selecting good keystone habits [54:50] Thanks to our...

Apr 14, 20221 hr 3 minEp 190Transcript available on Metacast

Ep. 189: Why Did The Times Drop Twitter?

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast . Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia Cal Reacts to the News: The Times Drops Twitter [4:21] QUESTIONS: - Is the hyperactive hive mind ever beneficial? [26:52] - How do I survive a really busy week? [36:49] - Should I quit my executive job to write a book? [42:48] - Do you have suggestions for improving the trade-off betwe...

Apr 11, 20221 hr 1 minEp 188Transcript available on Metacast

Ep. 188: The Books I Read in March 2022

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast . Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia OPENING SEGMENT: The Books I Read in March, 2022 [2:05] - Cal’s frameworks [16:48] - Time blocking beyond work [26:05] - How to structure all-day studying [33:53] - Handling boredom [38:16] - Deep Work vs. YouTube [48:08] Thanks to our Sponsors: Workable.com/podcast PolicyGenius.com Bl...

Apr 07, 202255 minEp 188Transcript available on Metacast

Ep. 187: Helping 100K Employees Work Deeper

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast . Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia DEEP DIVE: Quick Social Media (Revisiting my Viral 2017 Talk) [4:50] DEEP WORK QUESTIONS: - Does career capital theory assume meritocracy? [30:31] - Is there a middle ground between shallow and deep work? [34:35] - What tools can help my 100,000 employees be more productive? [37:38] DE...

Apr 04, 20221 hr 16 minEp 187Transcript available on Metacast

Ep. 186: The Power of “Day Batching”

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast . Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia - Is “day batching” a good idea? [16:38] - Sustainable time-blocking [24:28] - Earning money versus building things [33:45] - Escaping a dead end career [48:19] - Reading deeply and quickly [53:42] Thanks to our Sponsors: Magicmind.co/DEEP (Code DEEP20) MunkPack.com (Code DEEP) Stamps....

Mar 31, 20221 hrEp 186Transcript available on Metacast

Ep. 185: How Do I Escape Filter Bubbles?

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast . Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia DEEP DIVE: Is Friction Bad? [5:27] DEEP WORK QUESTIONS: - Should a stay-at-home parent pursue deep work? [21:32] - How do we combat administrative creep? [29:20] - Has Cal changed his mind on optimal duration of deep work sessions? [39:00] DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS - Should we all practice S...

Mar 28, 20221 hr 7 minEp 185Transcript available on Metacast

Ep. 184: REPLAY: The Productivity Baby Steps

This episode is a replay from July 12, 2021. Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast . Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia - Breaking up big projects into small tasks. [5:33] - The productivity baby steps (epic answer alert). [10:12] - Taming late night meetings. [27:16] - Best book of mine for college students. [36:34] - Shutdown routines with unpredictable sch...

Mar 24, 202245 minEp 184Transcript available on Metacast

Ep. 183: Crazy or Deep?

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast . Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia DEEP WORK QUESTIONS: - How do I “practice” my job? [12:41] - Does software with too many features distract us? [22:12} - How can an overloaded minister juggle the demands of people and planning? [31:24] - Should I stop teaching my stock investing course to get better at investing at st...

Mar 21, 202251 minEp 183Transcript available on Metacast

Ep. 182: Cal’s Business Model

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast . Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia Update on Cal’s writing [0:43] - Tips for preparing for an upcoming training. [19:32] - Your business model. [24:06] - Managing guiding documents. [35:26] - Becoming a better writer. [44:21] - Curing deep procrastination. [51:02] Thanks to our Sponsors: MyBodyTutor.com Blinkist.com/Dee...

Mar 17, 20221 hr 2 minEp 182Transcript available on Metacast

Ep. 181: Should I Quit My Lawyer Job?

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast . Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia CORE IDEA: The Case Against Email [2:52] DEEP WORK QUESTIONS: - How do I balance writing and marketing? [30:32] - How do I find time to time an overwhelming work load? [36:10] - How do I work even deeper? [40:22] - Should I read before or after I write? [45:51] DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS: - D...

Mar 14, 20221 hr 11 minEp 181Transcript available on Metacast

Ep. 180: CALLS: Four Day Weeks Aren’t Enough

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast . Video from today’s episode: https://youtube.com/calnewportmedia - Article challenging Cal’s take on productivity. [17:07] - Alternatives to Cal’s career capital theory. [29:58] - Cal’s thoughts on shorter work weeks. [37:53] - Obsessive reading. [51:59] Thanks to our Sponsors: PolicyGenius: policygenius.com Workable: workable.com/podcast Ex...

Mar 10, 20221 hrEp 180Transcript available on Metacast

Ep. 179: Do Techniques Beat Talent?

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast . Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia The Books I Read in February 2022 [4:45] DEEP WORK QUESTIONS: - Can you implement Cal’s productivity tips without time-blocking? [32:46] - Does technique beat talent? [37:28] - Do you recommend multiple email accounts for someone who works at different institutions? [43:12] - Can inten...

Mar 07, 20221 hr 1 minEp 179Transcript available on Metacast

Ep. 178: CALLS: On Doing Hard Things

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast Video from today’s episode: tinyurl.com/b2rkctfj DEEP DIVE: On Doing Hard Things [4:42] LISTENER CALLS: - People who are bad at planning [31:56] - What did Cal learn from his mom the computer programmer [40:42] - Students working on weekends [45:49] - Living a deep life with anxiety (warning: lecture alert) [56:52] Thanks to our Sponsors: Bli...

Mar 03, 20221 hr 11 minEp 178Transcript available on Metacast

Ep. 177: Is Ambition Worth It?

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast Video from today’s episode: tinyurl.com/b2rkctfj DEEP DIVE: Is Ambition Worth It? [2:45] DEEP WORK QUESTIONS: - Should you ditch your to-do list with slow productivity mindset? [27:20] - What should I do while waiting for code to compile? [33:20] - What do you do when you get tired? [36:26] - How do I succeed as a postdoc? [39:17] - What do y...

Feb 28, 20221 hr 13 minEp 177Transcript available on Metacast

Ep. 176: CALLS: Taming Information Overload

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast . Video from today’s episode: tinyurl.com/b2rkctfj DEEP DIVE: Is TikTok a Good Thing? [2:47] CALLS: - Deep work for sales. [16:10] - Where to find arguments I disagree with. [20:18] - Little bets. [25:37] - Taming information overload. [39:45] - Minimalism as a med student. [48:56] Thanks to our Sponsors: Headspace: Headspace.com/QUESTIONS Bl...

Feb 24, 202257 minEp 175Transcript available on Metacast

Ep. 175: What is the Deep Life?

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast . Video from today’s episode: tinyurl.com/b2rkctfj CORE IDEAS: The Deep Life [4:55] DEEP WORK QUESTIONS: - Does time blocking work with ADHD? [33:39] - How should I approach my PhD? [35:38] - How can I meet other deep workers? [39:40] - How can I improve Zoom meetings? [44:19] - How do I shutdown while watching kids? [47:21] DEEP LIFE QUESTIO...

Feb 21, 20221 hr 9 minEp 175Transcript available on Metacast

Ep. 174: CALLS: Thinking for Yourself

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast . Video from today’s episode: tinyurl.com/b2rkctfj BEHIND THE CURTAIN: Jesse asks Cal questions about his life. [2:41] - Listening to arguments on both sides of an issue. [24:49] - Designing a fantastic gap year. [33:51] - Juggling too many hobbies. [42:27] - Struggling to stay disciplined with home chores. [46:56] - Cal’s thoughts on the Met...

Feb 17, 20221 hr 10 minEp 174Transcript available on Metacast

Ep. 173: What is Deep Work?

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast . Video from today’s episode: tinyurl.com/b2rkctfj CORE IDEA: Deep Work [5:10] DEEP WORK QUESTIONS: - How much should I care about promoting my work? [28:07] - When do you write your weekly plan? [33:22] - What does Cal think about digital notebooks? [34:00] - Why is everyone so bad at email? [36:45] - What is Cal’s advice for a distracted hi...

Feb 14, 20221 hr 8 minEp 173Transcript available on Metacast

Ep. 172: CALLS: The Books I Read in January 2022

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast . Video from today’s episode: tinyurl.com/b2rkctfj Cal's January Books: [2:00] Listener Calls: - Implementing the deep life [21:30] - Physical vs. e-books [33:33] - Finding hobby motivation [37:39] - Asking for help [45:14] - Deep student life [52:34] - Deep work for a new father [1:04:27] Thank you to this episode's Sponsors: Policy Genius: ...

Feb 10, 20221 hr 9 minEp 172Transcript available on Metacast

Ep. 171: Is Slow Productivity the Solution to Burnout?

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast . Video from today’s episode: tinyurl.com/b2rkctfj CORE IDEAS: Is Slow Productivity the Solution to Burnout? [2:58] DEEP WORK QUESTIONS: - How does Cal manage information? [35:56] - What notebooks does Cal use? [38:52] - What’s the deep approach to job searching? [44:20] - What did Cal’s readers learn about deep work? [48:00] -Can I work deep...

Feb 07, 20221 hr 24 minEp 170Transcript available on Metacast

Ep. 170: CALLS: Don’t Follow Your Passion

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. Video from today’s episode: https://tinyurl.com/b2rkctfj CORE IDEA: Don’t Follow Your Passion [3:07] - Dividing time between multiple pursuits. [17:38] - Implementing ideas from A World Without Email in small businesses. [22:17] - Estimating the tie required to complete tasks. [27:42] - Organizing household space for productivity. [34:12] - ...

Feb 03, 202251 minEp 170Transcript available on Metacast
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