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Cal Newport

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.

Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Last year, when columnist Paul Krugman left the NYT, it seemed like yet another example of the traditional media crumbling. But Krugman, as it turns out, is doing great. His popular substack now reaches massive audiences and earns him a seven-figure salary. Inspired by this story, in the ideas segment of today’s episode, we take a closer look at key numbers relevant to whether paid newsletters can replace traditional print media. Then, in the practices segment, we study some viral advice for spending less time on your phone.

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: Can Substack Save Journalism? + Viral Advice for Ignoring Your Phone [0:02]

PRACTICES SEGMENT: How to successfully delete social media [50:40]

 • Is it ok to use ChatGPT to try to better understand some classics? [1:04:51]
 • How do I decide what to write down when I use the notebook method? [1:06:10]
 • For professional writers trying to succeed today, isn’t Substack the platform of the moment? [1:12:00]

CAL’S READING UPDATE: Cal gives his weekly reading update [1:18:28]

Airframe (Michael Crichton)
The Great Train Robbery (Michael Crichton) 
Fantastic Voyage (Isaac Asimov)

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?
cjr.org/analysis/paul-krugman-leaving-new-york-times-heavy-hand-editing-less-frequent-columns-newsletter.php
substack.com/@paulkrugman
natesilver.net/p/always-be-blogging
reallygoodbusinessideas.com/p/most-popular-substacks
pewresearch.org/journalism/fact-sheet/newspapers/
rnz.co.nz/life/culture/any-attempt-to-simplify-elon-musk-is-futile-the-nz-cofounder-of-substack
daringfireball.net/2024/11/regarding_and_well_against_substack
youtube.com/watch?v=eUSBKj5ZQpo

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

meetfabric.com/deep
pipedrive.com/deep
factormeals.com/deep50off
monarch.com (Use code “DEEP”)

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 387: Can Substack Save Journalism? + Viral Advice for Ignoring Your Phone

Ep 386: Was 2025 a Great or Terrible Year for AI? (w/ Ed Zitron) 

2025 was a year that was saturated in AI news, from Deep Seek, through claims of economic “bloodbaths,” to GPT-5, Sora, and Chatbot girlfriends. Frankly, it was exhausting. As we now look back on 2025 an interesting question arises: all in all, did this end up being a good or bad year for AI? To help me answer this question, I’m joined by hard-hitting AI commentator Ed Zitron, who's been everywhere in the media in recent months helping to make sense of the wild claims being thrown in the public’s direction. Together we go through the biggest AI stories of the year to try to make sense of what just happened. 

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

INTERVIEW: Was 2025 a Great or Terrible Year for AI (w/ Ed Zitron) [3:16]

Cal Reacts to Comments: Is the Internet Becoming Television? [1:58:25] 

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?
bbc.com/news/articles/c5yv5976z9po
axios.com/2025/01/23/davos-2025-ai-agents
blog.google/technology/google-deepmind/gemini-model-updates-february-2025/
openai.com/index/sora/
openai.com/index/introducing-gpt-4-5/
ai-2027.com/
fortune.com/2025/05/28/anthropic-ceo-warning-ai-job-loss/
media.mit.edu/publications/your-brain-on-chatgpt/
usatoday.com/story/tech/2025/08/07/chat-gpt-5-release-date-open-ai/85566627007/#:~:text=GPT%2D5%20release%20date,release%20date%20for%20Part%202
newyorker.com/culture/open-questions/what-if-ai-doesnt-get-much-better-than-this
wsj.com/tech/ai/ai-bubble-building-spree-55ee6128
nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/openai-and-nvidia-announce-strategic-partnership-to-deploy-10gw-of-nvidia-systems
nytimes.com/2025/10/02/technology/openai-sora-video-app.html
anthropic.com/news/claude-opus-4-5
ft.com/content/064bbca0-1cb2-45ab-85f4-25fdfc318d89
youtube.com/watch?v=Z_WEmjygNK0

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

This episode is sponsored by Better Help:
betterhelp.com/deepquestions
reclaim.ai/cal
expressvpn.com/deep
calderalab.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 386: Was 2025 a Great or Terrible Year for AI? (w/ Ed Zitron)

In this replay of a classic episode from March 2024, Cal discusses his transformative experience using a small analog notebook to tackle a complicated problem in his life. He makes the broader argument that sometimes simple analog tools can far exceed the utility of their digital counterparts.

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:youtube.com/calnewportmedia

Deep Dive: Single-Purpose Notebooks [1:21]

- If “pseudo-productivity” isn’t effective, why is it so common? [21:58] 

- Can you explain the difference between limiting missions, projects, and daily goals? [29:54] 

- Should everyone buy a $50 notebook? [34:18]

- How does “Slow Productivity” relate to mental models and first principles? [43:08]

- Should I read your new book slowly? [47:40]

- CALL: Struggling writer obsessing over quality [53:10]

CASE STUDY: Applying lifestyle-centric career planning [58:14]

SOMETHING INTERESTING: TikTok Falters [1:01:39]

Links:

Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow 

Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at https://peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/

Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?

https://www.notebookstories.com/2013/05/06/picasso-sketchbook/

https://www.anothermanmag.com/life-culture/10788/remembering-bruce-chatwin-the-greatest-travel-writer-that-ever-lived

https://www.notebookstories.com/2023/12/22/a-notebook-in-the-movie-elf/

https://www.wsj.com/tech/personal-tech/quitting-tiktok-less-swiping-more-sleeping-1e166a39?page=1

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/tiktok-and-the-fall-of-the-social-media-giants

Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

monarch.com/deep
1password.com/deep
makeheadway.com/deep
meetfabric.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 385: Single-Purpose Notebooks (REPLAY)

In our annual holiday episode, Cal tackles one of the questions he’s asked most often: What should I read? But with a twist. He recommends six books that are not from the self-help or advice genre that will nonetheless help you change your life into something deeper. For the rest of the episode, he then answers listener calls.

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

CAL’S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:

Walden by Henry David Thoreau [2:40]
Lincoln’s Virtues by William Lee Miller [7:28]
The Case for God by Karen Armstrong [10:54]
You Are Not a Gadget by Jaron Lanier [21:25]
The Shallows by Nicholas Carr [26:28]
Falling Upward by Richard Rohr [28:45]

CALLS: 

 • Concerned father and husband about smartphones [37:48]
 • Living deeply with multiple gigs [43:27]
 • Effective timeblocking [47:19]
 • The Deep Life for non-knowledge workers [54:01]
 • Dealing with overwhelming technology [58:59]
 • The real cost of AI [1:02:59]
 • Where to start with deep work? [1:07:33]

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: 

monarch.com/deep
wayfair.com
notion.com/cal
reclaim.ai/cal

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 384: What Should I Read for a Deeper New Year?

Earlier this fall, the activist, novelist, and essayist Paul Kingsnorth published an anti-technology polemic called “Against the Machine.” To say it hit a nerve is an understatement. In the months that followed, Kingsnorth has been everywhere; profiled, among places, in the New York Times, the New Yorker, and The Atlantic. In today’s episode, I want to find out why Kingsnorth’s take on technology is resonating so strongly. To help me answer this question, I’m joined by the journalist and scholar Tyler Austin Harper, who wrote a great review of Kingsnorth’s book for The Atlantic. We dive deep into Kingsnorth’s ideas and explore what they teach us about our current moment more generally.

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

INTERVIEW: Why Is Everyone Talking About “Against the Machine”? (w/ Tyler Austin Harper) [0:00] 

 • Is the simple awareness of a notification as harmful as full context switching? [1:15:49]
 • Is there an “ideal ratio” for consuming information across different mediums? [1:17:12]
 • How can I effectively implement your shutdown routine and not keep checking emails? [1:20:21]
 • How can I manage my social media obligations with my marketing job? [1:23:52]

CASE STUDY: Reframing a career to utilize career capital [1:26:07]

CALL: Dealing with conflicting views about digital minimalism in a relationship [1:30:21]

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?
theatlantic.com/books/2025/11/paul-kingsnorth-against-the-machine/684848/

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

This show is sponsored by Better Help:
betterhelp.com/deepquestions
shopify.com/deep
mybodytutor.com
expressvpn.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep 383: Why Is Everyone Talking About “Against the Machine”? (w/ Tyler Austin Harper)

Last month, Derek Thompson published an intriguing essay that made waves in technology criticism circles. It was titled: “Everything is Television.” In today’s episode, Cal takes a closer look at this essay, unpacking and expanding Thompson’s arguments, and ultimately concluding with a series of predictions about what to expect next from the internet. He then answers listener questions and discusses the five books he read in November 2025.

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: Is the Internet Becoming Television [00:03]

 • Can AI 
reduce • distractions for developers? [38:32]
 • How do I time block in a job with heavy interruptions? [44:03]
 • How should I manage what I read, watch and listen to for books, magazines, shows, and podcasts? [47:31]
 • How should I cope with family and friends always scrolling TikTok during the holiday season? [52:50]
 • Does endless scrolling make people less motivated to be physically active? [54:48]

CASE STUDY: Developing a Deep Life after selling a company [56:15]

CALL: Eliminating Instagram in graduate school [1:04:19]

NOVEMBER BOOKS: The 5 Books Cal Read in November 2025 [1:09:08]

Realityland (David Koening)
Becoming Mary Poppins (Todd James Pierce)
Tradition in an Untraditional Age (Rabbi Jonathan Sacks)
What is the Bible? (Rob Bell)
Notes on Being a Man (Scott Galloway)

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?
flowingdata.com/2025/10/03/passed-peak-social-media-maybe/
derekthompson.org/p/why-everything-became-television
youtube.com/watch?v=QaiecWzeHFM
csmonitor.com/1985/0610/z2vid1.html

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

cozyearth.com/DEEP (for up to 40% off)
auraframes.com (Use code “DEEPQUESTIONS” to get $35 off)
indeed.com/deep
grammarly.com/podcast

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep. 382: Is the Internet Becoming Television?

In today’s episode, Cal reviews some of his favorite advice from legendary writers (plus a bonus piece of advice from his own craft). Within each suggestion, he finds a general idea that can apply to anyone looking to build a deep life in an increasingly distracted world. He then answers listener questions and responds to comments about last week’s episode.

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: Life Advice from Legendary Writers [0:02]

 • How do you balance managing your energy vs. time? [45:29]
 • How can I recharge without feeling antsy as a working mom? [48:39]
 • Should I eliminate Reddit to gain a more intentional mind? [50:56]
 • What’s the difference for reading based on the Lincoln protocol and for sheer joy? [54:53]
 • Does active podcast listening qualify as a learning endeavor? [57:01]

CASE STUDY: A project manager reorganizes his life [1:02:19]

CALL: Developing a 5-year plan for work [1:06:54]

CAL READS THE COMMENTS: Can LLMs be Conscious? [1:09:51]

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?
youtube.com/watch?v=CQHK_AlJTQc

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

calderalab.com/deep
auraframes.com (Use code “DEEPQUESTIONS”)
shopify.com/deep
vanta.com/deepquestions

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep. Ep 381: Life Advice from Legendary Writers

There has been a lot of loose talk online recently about the capabilities of existing AI tools. In this episode, Cal reacts to a specific recent clip from the Joe Rogan podcast in which the guest argues that language models are like a child’s brain, and may already be conscious. Cal puts on his (always stylish) computer scientist had to explain why this cannot be true. He then answers listener questions and reacts to feedback on his recent episode about using a notebook to enhance long thinking.

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: ChatGPT is Not Alive [0:04]

 • Are there other forms of dangerous AI other than LLMs? [49:03]
 • What are the immediate concerns of AI? [53:24]
 • Will AI be smart enough to evolve to not destroy itself? [55:47]
 • Does James Somers make a valid argument in his recent New Yorker article that the AI can think? [1:01:49]
 • How can I build career capital if I’m forced to integrate AI into my workflow? [1:04:52]

CASE STUDY: A Workplace Productivity System [1:06:31]

CAL READS THE COMMENTS: Regaining Your Ability to Think (in 60 Minutes a Week) [1:10:48]

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?
youtube.com/watch?v=gXbsq5nVmT0
youtube.com/watch?v=NnA2OoH_NFY

Thanks to our Sponsors:

calderalab.com/deep
auraframes.com (Use code “DEEPQUESTIONS”)
byloftie.com (Use code “DEEP20”)
cozyearth.com (Use code “DEEP”)

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep. 380: ChatGPT is Not Alive!

When companies began instituting return-to-office plans after the pandemic, a disproportionate number of women chose instead to leave the workforce. Why? The obvious answer is that they wanted the flexibility of remote work. But in this episode, Cal draws on a recent New York Times op-ed that offers a deeper explanation – one that affects all knowledge workers. He then explores solutions to the problem, answers listener questions, and (God help him) respond to comments on his recent Superintelligence episode.

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 Flexibility Myth [0:02]

 • How should a venture backed startup team design their work schedule? [51:42]
 • How do I stop my boss from e-mailing me at all hours? [57:02]
 • How should a professor on break schedule his deep work? [1:02:35]
 • How can I better schedule my blocks to prepare for technical interviews? [1:09:59]
 • When considering lifestyle-centric planning, what practices may help determine the type of work to pursue? [1:12:16]

CASE STUDY: Completing a Thesis [1:19:08]

CALL: Details about time blocking [1:25:08]

CAL READS THE COMMENTS: The Case Against Superintelligence [1:33:58]

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/2025/11/02/opinion/women-work-force-flexibility-shifts.html
youtube.com/watch?v=y0RI5CnoDvs

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

This episode is sponsored by Betterhelp. 
betterhelp.com/deepquestions
expressvpn.com/deep
shopify.com/deep
mybodytutor.com

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep. 379: The Flexibility Myth

We often talk on this show about how digital devices undermine our ability to consume more complicated and meaningful ideas. But what about our ability to produce such ideas from scratch? In this episode, Cal identifies a key productive skill – long thinking – that we’re increasingly losing. He argues that it’s critical for living a deep life and provides a simple strategy to help regain the skill. He then answers listener questions and discusses the books he read in October 2025.

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 Lost Art of Long Thinking [0:02]

 • How does Cal organize his notebooks for his books and New Yorker articles? [42:40]
 • How can an 18 year old student get better at reading? [45:42]
 • How can I restart my creative writing if I don’t want to use a computer? [47:56]
 • Is it important to write reflections on the books I read? [56:57]
 • How often should I take reflection walks with single purpose notebooks? [59:00]

 • CASE STUDY: Trying to live a Deep Life [1:00:47]

 • CALL: Adventure Work [1:09:00]

 • OCTOBER BOOKS: The 5 Books Cal Read in October 2025 [1:11:57]

The Gift of the Jews (Thomas Cahill)
Lin-Manuel Miranda (Daniel Pollack-Pelzner)
Inspired (Rachel Held Evans)
The Future of Tutoring (Liz Cohen)
Society of the Spectacle (Guy Debord)

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/solutions-beyond-the-screen-the-adventure-work-method-for-producing-creative-insights/
youtube.com/watch?v=bEusrD8g-dM
calnewport.com/the-notebook-method-how-pen-and-paper-can-transform-you-into-an-star-student/

Thanks to our Sponsors:

indeed.com/deep
cozyearth.com/deep for up to 40% off
wayfair.com
grammarly.com/podcast

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep. 378: The Lost Art of Long Thinking

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: Executing Big Projects [10:18]

WORK QUESTIONS

 - Is pairing a problem for programmers? [20:21]
 - When do you review past time block schedules? [25:46]
 - How do I force myself to execute my plans? [29:48]
 - How do you figure out what projects to pursue? [36:38]
 - Should you take personality traits into mind when choosing a job? [41:39]
 - Organizing rapidly expanding research rabbit holes. [47:27]
 - How do I pursue depth surrounded by toddlers? [54:53]

TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS

 - Why do I use Overleaf as my LaTex editor? [59:40]
 - How do I stay informed about current events without falling into the "Twitter Trap"? [1:02:26]
 - What is the deal with Zettelkasten note taking? [1:09:10] 

DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS

 - Should I time block personal time? [1:16:54]
 - Should I relax between college and my first job? [1:20:39]
 - How can I develop curiosity? [1:22:38]

Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.

 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep. 61: How Should I Tackle Big Projects?

Lyt når som helst, hvor som helst

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