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 wo...
We cover a lot of advice on this podcast, covering a lot of different topics. In today’s episode, Cal takes on the challenge of summarizing every big idea he promotes in less than five minutes. He then provides some theoretical connective tissue to explain how they all connect. This is followed by reader questions and a rant about “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: The Tao of Cal [2:53] - Why is time blocking more demanding than using a weekly template? [25:04] - Is moving to the country a bad idea? [29:54] - How can I consolidate my email accounts without being stressed out? [34:47] - What’s the best approach to read for general knowledge? [36:20] - How do I apply Slow Productivity without losing career capital? [43:12] - CALL: Should I adjust my deep life lifestyle? [45:58] CASE STUDY: Cultivating the deep work muscle [56:38] CAL REACTS (e.g., Rants): “Productivity” Tracking Software [1:05:58] Links: Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slowGet a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?reddit.com/r/sysadmin/comments/1gwg7rk/employee_monitoring_software_has_gone_off_the/?rdt=41693 Thanks to our Sponsors: This show is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/deepquestionszocdoc.com/deepgrammarly.com/podcastshopify.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.
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1:17:37
Ep. 328: Analog Mode
There’s a video trending on the internet at the moment arguing that its audience (presumably, young men) should disappear from the world to focus on going “beast mode” on their goals. Cal takes a closer look at this video and argues that it points toward a much larger issue – a mismatch between the modern digital environment and our human brains – that affects all of us. He then answers listener questions and calls and concludes with a 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: Analog Mode [2:39] - How do I go about restructuring my life after a shake-up? [29:50] - Should I take breaks from my AirPods? [36:03] - How can I adopt the discipline ladder to “multi-scale” planning? [38:54] - How do I regain a sense of time in a period of isolation and challenge? [43:41] - Should I quit some of my side projects? [48:50] - CALL: How should I time block on sabbatical? [55:27] CASE STUDY: Building Studio Z [1:03:18] TECH CORNER: Section 230 and Poison Pills [1:15:10] Links: Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slowGet a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?youtube.com/watch?v=p5a7whN1k64promarket.org/2020/12/13/liberals-conservatives-wrong-section-230-reform-repeal/ Thanks to our Sponsors: eightsleep.com/deepzbiotics.com/deepblinkist.com/deepdrinklmnt.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.
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1:29:22
Ep. 327: Would Kant Use TikTok?
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.
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1:28:52
Ep. 326: Time to Unplug
During the election season our devices take a particularly hard tole 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/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmediaDeep 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-t171345Thanks to our Sponsors: mybodytutor.comcozyearth.com/deepnotion.com/calrhone.com/calThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.
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1:32:36
Ep. 325: Simple Focus Protocols
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/slowGet 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/deepshopify.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.
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.