Deep Questions with Cal Newport
350 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 13 hours ago - ★★★★★ - 1.1K ratingsCal 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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Episodes
Ep. 200: Decoding the Deep Life
June 13, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 36 MBBelow 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: Feedback Councils [2:58] - How can you not lose faith if there is always more to be done? [23:22] - Do you have two shutdowns when you’re working two shifts? [27:04] - CALL: Decoding the Deep Life [32:13] - What are some good Deep Leisure activities? [47:32] - CALL: L...
Ep. 199: Quieting an Ambitious Brain
June 10, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 32.1 MBBelow 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] - Ho...
Ep. 198: The Second Principle of Slow Productivity
May 30, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 44.6 MBBelow 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...
Ep. 197: I’m Writing a New Book
May 23, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 64.5 MBBelow 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 sabba...
Ep. 196: Shutting Down Anxiety
May 15, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 40.7 MBBelow 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...
Ep. 195: Deep Walks
May 09, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 38.8 MBBelow 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: W...
Ep. 194: The Surprising Math of Doing Less
May 02, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 36.2 MBBelow 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: Play...
Ep. 193: How do I read more?
April 25, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 43.5 MBBelow 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 wou...
Ep. 192 : Habit Tune-Up Returns!
April 21, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 28.6 MBBelow 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 t...
Ep. 191: Can We Fix the Internet?
April 18, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 29.7 MBBelow 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 m...
Ep. 190: CALLS: Managing Idea Notebooks
April 14, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 28.8 MBBelow 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] Tha...
Ep. 189: Why Did The Times Drop Twitter?
April 11, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 28 MBBelow 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-...
Ep. 188: The Books I Read in March 2022
April 07, 2022 11:00 - 55 minutes - 25.3 MBBelow 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 PolicyGen...
Ep. 187: Helping 100K Employees Work Deeper
April 04, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 35 MBBelow 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? [3...
Ep. 186: The Power of “Day Batching”
March 31, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 27.7 MBBelow 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)...
Ep. 185: How Do I Escape Filter Bubbles?
March 28, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 30.7 MBBelow 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 ...
Ep. 184: REPLAY: The Productivity Baby Steps
March 24, 2022 11:00 - 45 minutes - 20.9 MBThis 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 unpredicta...
Ep. 183: Crazy or Deep?
March 21, 2022 11:00 - 51 minutes - 23.6 MBBelow 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 investin...
Ep. 183
March 21, 2022 11:00 - 51 minutes - 23.6 MBBelow 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 investin...
Ep. 182: Cal’s Business Model
March 17, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 28.4 MBBelow 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 Blinkis...
Ep. 181: Should I Quit My Lawyer Job?
March 14, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 32.6 MBBelow 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 QUEST...
Ep. 180: CALLS: Four Day Weeks Aren’t Enough
March 10, 2022 12:00 - 59 minutes - 27.5 MBBelow 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/p...
Ep. 179: Do Techniques Beat Talent?
March 07, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 27.9 MBBelow 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] - ...
Ep. 178: CALLS: On Doing Hard Things
March 03, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 32.4 MBBelow 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 Sp...
Ep. 177: Is Ambition Worth It?
February 28, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 33.6 MBBelow 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] - ...
Ep. 176: CALLS: Taming Information Overload
February 24, 2022 12:00 - 56 minutes - 25.9 MBBelow 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/Q...
Ep. 176: CALLS: Taming Information Overload
February 24, 2022 12:00 - 56 minutes - 25.9 MBBelow 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/Q...
Ep. 175: What is the Deep Life?
February 21, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 31.5 MBBelow 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 LIF...
Ep. 174: CALLS: Thinking for Yourself
February 17, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 32 MBBelow 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...
Ep. 173: What is Deep Work?
February 14, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 31.3 MBBelow 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 dist...
Ep. 172: CALLS: The Books I Read in January 2022
February 10, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 31.7 MBBelow 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 ...
Ep. 171: Is Slow Productivity the Solution to Burnout?
February 07, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 38.4 MBBelow 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...
Ep. 170: CALLS: Don’t Follow Your Passion
February 03, 2022 12:00 - 51 minutes - 23.5 MBBelow 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. [...
Ep. 169: How Do I Manage My Time?
January 31, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 35.4 MBBelow 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: Time Management [4:37] DEEP WORK QUESTIONS: - What does deliberate practice look like for computer programming? [30:15] - Is it rational to quit your job if it implies a potential harm to society? [36:04] - When is deep work not the most important metric? [39:04] -...
Ep. 168: Should I Quit My Law Partner Job?
January 27, 2022 12:00 - 44 minutes - 20.4 MBBelow are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. Videos of today’s questions: https://tinyurl.com/b2rkctfj DEEP WORK QUESTIONS: - How should we use a ticketing system? [4:15] - Should I resign after my boss does? [9:19] - Are breaks to rest your eyes considered context switching? [13:10] - How do you time block long but ambiguous intellectual activity? [21:49] - How do you get ba...
Ep. 167: What Do We Look Like? (Videos Are Now Live!)
January 24, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 29.7 MBBelow are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. ANNOUNCEMENT: Videos of the podcast are now live! (You can find then here: https://tinyurl.com/b2rkctfj DEEP WORK QUESTIONS: - How do I decide how much work is enough? [13:35] - How do I eliminate post-shutdown anxiety? [28:15] - How do I get back to work effectively after a lunch break? [37:43] - Why don’t you (Cal) use Zettelkasten...
Ep. 166: LISTENER CALLS: The Deep Life vs. The Good Life
January 20, 2022 12:00 - 55 minutes - 25.6 MBBelow are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. OPENING DISCUSSION: How I schedule podcasting LISTENER CALLS: - My thoughts on psychedelics and the pursuit of awe. [8:38] - Time-block planning for the visually impaired. [19:07] - Struggling to escape a job. [23:24] - Concerns about book editors. [33:26] - My blog writing process. [43:41] - The deep life vs. the good life...
Ep. 166: LISTENER CALLS
January 20, 2022 12:00 - 55 minutes - 25.6 MBBelow are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. OPENING DISCUSSION: How I schedule podcasting LISTENER CALLS: - My thoughts on psychedelics and the pursuit of awe. [8:38] - Time-block planning for the visually impaired. [19:07] - Struggling to escape a job. [23:24] - Concerns about book editors. [33:26] - My blog writing process. [43:41] - The deep life vs. the good life...
Ep. 165: Why Are We Burnt Out?
January 17, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 28.9 MBBelow are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. DEEP DIVE: Why Are We Burnt Out? [1:31] DEEP WORK QUESTIONS: - Should I exercise before or after deep work? [20:28] - Why plan every quarter instead of every month or year? [23:56] - How do I master a hard technical skill? [26:12] - What does my (Cal) knowledge management system look like? [30:17] DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS: - Are my (...
Ep. 164: LISTENER CALLS: Training for Hard Intellectual Work
January 13, 2022 12:00 - 55 minutes - 38 MBBelow are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. LISTENER CALLS: - Optimal amounts of advanced scheduling. [6:46] - Recommendations for not going overboard with strategic planning. [14:31] - Training for hard intellectual work. [19:12] - Convincing students to limit social media (rant alert). [28:30] - Keeping eyes healthy. [43:45] Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, ...
Ep. 163: The Books I Read in December 2021
January 10, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 46 MBBelow are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. OPENING CHAT: The Books I Read in December 2021 DEEP WORK QUESTIONS: - How do I handle insecurity about my writing ability? [35:39] - How do I balance non-work and work activities? [39:51] - How can I take regular breaks to avoid eye strain? [43:53] - How can I reduce anxiety around long term projects? [45:43] - How should academic han...
Ep. 162: LISTENER CALLS: Ambition and the Deep Life
January 06, 2022 12:00 - 41 minutes - 28.5 MBBelow are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. LISTENER CALLS: - Getting better vs. selling harder. [3:29] - Convincing a girlfriend to use less social media [9:15] - Time-blocking tips [20:29] - Ambition and the deep life [26:17] - Advice of an ideal desk set up [32:56] Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.
Ep. 161: Should I Follow My Skill or My Passion?
January 03, 2022 12:00 - 50 minutes - 34.5 MBBelow are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. DEEP WORK QUESTIONS: - How can a freelancer perform deep work? [9:56] - Should I follow my skill or my passion? [12:50] - How do you manage group projects in college? [21:51] - Do you recommend listening to music while doing deep work? [24:16] - What do you do when your boss has allocated you to a team “half time”? [26:20] DEEP LIFE Q...
Ep. 160: REPLAY: What is Discipline (and How Do I Get It?)
December 30, 2021 12:00 - 50 minutes - 23 MBBecause I'm away on vacation these week, I'm replaying a classic show from the Deep Questions archives. This is Episode 125, which originally ran back in August. --- Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. DEEP DIVE: How Reachable Should We Be? [1:45] DEEP WORK QUESTIONS - What should I do if I finish a time block early? [8:28] - How do I work deeply at home with a cry...
Ep. 159: REPLAY: How Much Should I Read?
December 27, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 31.8 MBBecause I'm away on vacation these week, I'm replaying a classic show from the Deep Questions archives. This is Episode 109, which originally ran back in June. --- Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. BOOK REPORT: The Square and the Tower [04:28] DEEP WORK QUESTIONS - What should I do if I like my job but dislike the industry? [12:32] - How hard should I push back a...
Ep. 159: REPLAY: How Much Should I Read?
December 27, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 31.8 MBBecause I'm away on vacation these week, I'm replaying a classic show from the Deep Questions archives. This is Episode 109, which originally ran back in June. --- Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. BOOK REPORT: The Square and the Tower [04:28] DEEP WORK QUESTIONS - What should I do if I like my job but dislike the industry? [12:32] - How hard should I push back a...
Ep. 158: LISTENER CALLS: The Story of My First Book Deal
December 23, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 27.9 MBBelow are the topics covered in today's listener calls episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. LISTENER CALLS: - Was Tesla the ultimate deep thinker? [4:01] - Writing for academic audiences (bonus: the story of my first book deal). [7:03] - The difference between deep work and the deep life buckets (bonus: Jesse and I discuss the latest progress on my new book). [19:05] - Do YouTubers have a terrible job? [45:06] - Prepar...
Ep. 157: JENNY BLAKE: Help Me Do Less!
December 20, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 41.1 MBIn this episode, author Jenny Blake joins me for a conversation about her new book, FREE TIME: Lose the Busywork, Love Your Business (https://itsfreetime.com/book), which helps entrepreneurs engineer the stress out of their work. I ask her to use myself as a case study and apply her principles to helping me reduce stress in my working life. Though FREE TIME doesn’t come out until March, if you pre-order a copy now (at https://itsfreetime.com/book) you’ll get immediate access to a pair of f...
Ep. 156: LISTENER CALLS: My Process for Writing New Yorker Articles
December 16, 2021 12:00 - 48 minutes - 33.1 MBBelow are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. OPENING CHAT: Cal is excited about his new email setup. LISTENER CALLS: - Shutdown struggles. [13:58] - The difference between value-based planning and the deep life buckets. [17:47] - Drowning in meeting prep. [28:21] - Fiction book recommendations. [32:34] - My process for writing New Yorker Articles. [40:27] Thanks to...
Ep. 155: Is Your Productivity System Leaking?
December 13, 2021 12:00 - 59 minutes - 27.5 MBBelow are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. DEEP DIVE: Is your productivity system leaking? [6:01] DEEP WORK QUESTIONS: - How do I accomplish big projects in small amounts daily effort? [12:50] - How do I make more money as I become more efficient? [17:28] - What’s the best way to add structure to chaotic non-profit? [21:22] - How do I build an autopilot schedule for unpredicta...