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...
Modern knowledge work jobs should be cushy gigs. Fixed hours, air conditioning, no hard manual labor, flexibility. So why are we so often burnt out and what can we do about this reality? In this episode, Cal draws a lesson from an unexpected corner of computer science, computer security research, about how we can fix some of the big problems of work in a digital age. He then answers listener questions and returns once again to the topic of AI in a final tech corner segment. Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com! 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: You Are Not a Cog [11:00] - Should I break my large tasks into many small ones? [38:18]- How will AI affect living the deep life? [42:47]- How can I say “no” to more incoming requests? [48:14]- Should an architect take on broader roles that don’t necessarily add to career capital? [52:03]- Can a nurse implement time blocking? [54:33]- Can a Kansan system work across all departments without being overly complex? [58:11]- CALL: Organizing the details of a Trello board [1:03:19] CASE STUDY: Lifestyle centric value based planning for a young family [1:07:58] TECH CORNER: AGI is not Super-intelligence [1:15:35] 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?medium.com/@tony.infisical/password-requirements-are-still-confusing-in-2023-also-heres-our-flavor-44ce03a3255cyoutube.com/watch?v=ZzJMxh68RGI Thanks to our Sponsors: This episode is sponsored by to you BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/deepquestionsmybodytutor.comupliftdesk.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.
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1:25:57
Ep. 343: A Minimal Protocol for Taking Control of Your LIfe
One of the most commonly recurring themes on this show is the conflict between too much versus not enough productivity. In this episode, Cal attempts to find new clarity in this debate by identifying a minimal viable productivity system – that is, what are the bare minimum components needed to escape the chaos and stress of total disorganization. He then answers listener questions and dives into a A.I. themed Tech Corner segment. Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com! 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 Minimal Protocol for Taking Control of Your Life [3:23] - Is “finding purpose” and “following your passion” the same thing? [32:38]- How can I capture key takeaways from podcasts if I’m always on the move? [37:18]- Can you elaborate on project work with your PhD students? [39:22]- How can I deal with my federal job with drastic priority changes due to political party shifts? [41:40]- Is it possible for some managers to avoid pseudo-productivity? [49:15]- CALL: Writing a book as a side hustle [51:58] CASE STUDY: An athletic trainer makes a career transition [59:19] TECH CORNER: A.G.I. versus SkyNet [1:07:30] 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?nytimes.com/2025/03/04/opinion/ezra-klein-podcast-ben-buchanan.html Thanks to our Sponsors: cozyearth.com/deepbyloftie.com (Code: DEEP20)oracle.com/deepquestionsindeed.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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1:30:50
IN-DEPTH: Greatness on Trial (w/ Brad Stulberg and Clay Skipper)
In this episode of IN-DEPTH, Cal is joined by the writers Brad Stulberg and Clay Skipper to talk about the topic of “greatness.” They attempt to pick apart the weird moment we are in where, on the one hand, we feel aversion to performative demonstrations of “pseudo-greatness” (think: Elon Musk on-stage with his chainsaw) but on the other, still admire useful skill and seek it in our own lives. Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmediaINTERVIEW: Greatness on Trial (w/ Brad Stulberg and Clay Skipper)Links:https://www.landroverusa.comhttps://www.calnewport.com/slowThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the theme music, and Mark Miles for mastering.
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1:18:44
Ep. 342: The Good Life Algorithm
How do escape a life of shallowness and distraction to cultivate something deeper and more meaningful? In this episode, Cal draws from both algorithm theory and the habits of a reclusive author to highlight an effective strategy for achieving this goal – one that underscores the advantages of the small targeted changes versus major grand leaps. He then answers listener questions and reviews the five books he read in February. Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com! 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 Good Life Algorithm [1:42] - How should a federal worker navigate all the negative news? [23:56]- How do I get my non-geeky partner on board with the deep life! [26:40]- How can I develop a schedule with flexibility following a health setback? [29:08]- How should I reshape a once successful aerospace company? [35:06]- Are there perceived benefits to pseudo productivity? [43:32]- CALL: What does it mean to work enough each week? [50:19] CASE STUDY: Can knowledge workers be happy doing less? [58:55] FEBRUARY BOOKS: The 5 Books Cal Read in February, 2025 [1:07:50] - Moral Ambition (Rutger Bregman)- Brotherhood of the Rose (David Morell)- How Dante Can Save Your Life (Rod Dreher)- Buzz Saw (Jesse Dougherty)- The Siren’s Call (Chris Hayes) 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?newyorker.com/culture/office-space/the-hollow-core-of-elon-musks-productivity-dogmatim.blog/2019/02/18/jim-collins/ Thanks to our Sponsors: landroverusa.comshopify.com/deepthrivemarket.com/deepvanta.com/deepquestions 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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1:18:36
Ep. 341: Drowning, Treading, or Swimming
Tim Ferris is working on a new book about saying “no” and has posted the introduction online. In this episode, Cal reads an excerpt from this introduction and then tries to make sense of it with a metaphor about a shipwreck that helps unwind the complexity of dealing with the scourge of having too much to do. Cal then answers listener questions and reacts to a productivity meme inspired by a recent episode. Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com! 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: Drowning, Treading, or Swimming [6:27] - Will AI productivity gains reduce quality? [27:30]- Can you elaborate on the Digital Declutter? [33:38]- Is reading a book considered deep work? [38:41]- What are Cal’s thoughts on content aggregator services such as Inoreader? [43:49]- Can a large team with ever-changing demands avoid pseudo-productivity? [51:47]- CALL: Dealing with doom-scrolling [58:31] CASE STUDY: A UFC announcer applies Cal’s principles [1:07:40] CAL REACTS: Productivity Meme [1:19:42] 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?tim.blog/2025/01/13/the-no-book/ Thanks to our Sponsors: expressvpn.com/deepzocdoc.com/deeporacle.com/deepquestionslandroverusa.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.
Cal Newport is a computer science professor and a New York Times bestselling author who writes about the impact of technology on society, and the struggle to work and live deeply in a world increasingly mired in digital distractions. On this podcast, he answers questions from his readers and offers advice about cultivating focus, productivity, and meaning amidst the noise that pervades our lives.
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