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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

Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News.

 

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

 

(0:00) Is AI about to “eat everything”?

(2:53) What does the METR chart measure?

(8:08) What do these measurements actually capture?

(12:31-) How are the models getting better? 

(21:26) Does this mean AI is about to “eat everything”?

(26:16) So, what’s with all of these hysterical tweets?

 

Links:

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

https://metr.org/time-horizons/

https://x.com/SydSteyerhart/status/2053082873847070911

https://x.com/AISafetyMemes/status/2053169358919328172

https://x.com/ramez/status/2041946766598402459?s=61

 

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Nate Mechler for research and newsletter, and Jay Kerstens for theme music.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is AI About to “Eat Everything”? | AI Reality Check

A new research study reveals that a surprisingly simple intervention into your digital life can yield massive benefits in only two weeks. In this episode, Cal takes a deep dive into this paper, detailing: the intervention, why it works, and tips for increasing your chances of success.

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

 

(0:00) Do I need a digital intervention?

(27:06) AI and academic research

(33:56) Reversing brain rot with cognitive fitness

(37:08) Leaving your phone in the kitchen

(40:07) What Cal is reading

 

Books:

 

How Society Should Deal with Inequality (Frank Newport)

 

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://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/article/4/2/pgaf017/8016017

https://orgsci.substack.com/p/more-versus-better-part-i

 

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

This show is sponsored by Better Help:

https://www.betterhelp.com/deepquestions

https://www.larridin.com

https://www.calderalab.com/deep

 

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do I Need a Digital Intervention? | Monday Advice

Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News.

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

(0:00) Is the AI doom fever breaking?

(4:30) Have the AI CEOs changed their tuen?

(7:23) Why did they change?

(11:21) Why did they ever think this was a good idea?

(24:26) Conclusion

Links:

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFnoQkYUqgU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWxHOrn8-rs

https://x.com/sama/status/2050229058425045178

https://fortune.com/2026/05/02/jensen-huang-nvdia-ceo-god-complex-ai-apocalypse-warnings-shortages-critical-jobs/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Kpb8eu1pEY

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/03/opinion/ai-jobs-unemployment-silicon-valley.html

https://nickbostrom.com/existential/risks.pdf

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is the AI Doom Fever Breaking? | AI Reality Check

What can an obscure theory of industrial productivity teach us about producing better results in a distracted world? In this episode, Cal is joined by the #1 New York Times bestselling author David Epstein to explore this question. They dive deep into a chapter of Epstein’s new book, INSIDE THE BOX, that makes a surprising connection between the so-called “Theory of Constraints” and personal productivity.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Send an email to podcast@calnewport.com. 

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

(0:00) How do I get busy to better?

(3:04) INTERVIEW: How Do I Get from Busy to Better? (w/ David Epstein)

(57:58) Post Interview chatter

(1:00:19) A suggestion to break digital news app addictions

(1:05:54) A reaction to a recent newsletter

(1:15:02) What Cal read

(1:16:29) What’s coming up

Books:

Kook (Peter Heller)

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://calnewport.com/who-asked-for-this/

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

https://www.factormeals.com/deep50off

https://www.wayfair.com

https://www.mybodytutor.com

https://www.shopify.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for mastering and production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why Do Better Tools Make Me Worse at My Job? (w/ David Epstein) | Monday Advice

Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News.

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

0:00 Is AI About to Automate Every Office Job? 
3:02 Other Tech Leaders Don’t Agree
5:49 -We Aren’t Seeing Enough Progress
14:09 -LLMS Are Limited
24:19 Conclusion 

Links:

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

https://www.reddit.com/r/AI4tech/comments/1r4tukp/microsoft_ai_ceo_mustafa_suleyman_says_most_if/

https://x.com/TheChiefNerd/status/2045947286518157395

https://www.reddit.com/r/ClaudeAI/comments/1snhfzd/claude_opus_47_is_a_serious_regression_not_an/ 

https://x.com/mattshumer_/status/2047376179414421957

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/2025-in-review/why-ai-didnt-transform-our-lives-in-2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDOmNa9inA4

https://www.ft.com/video/2c428045-bf4f-45bd-ada2-8ba53983cd81

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is AI About to Automate Every Office Job? | AI Reality Check

In his recent New York Times essay, Cal argued for a “cognitive fitness” revolution to resist the onslaught of digital tools degrading our ability to think. But how does one actually strengthen their brain? In this episode, Cal details a sustainable cognitive fitness routine built around five key components. 

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Send an email to podcast@calnewport.com. 

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

2:25 DEEP DIVE: How Do I Build “Cognitive Fitness”? | Monday Advice

INBOX: 

30:51 Message from a social media influencer 

33:02 Reaction to Amy Timberlake interview 

38:01 Putting Cal’s advice into practice 

WHAT CAL IS UP TO:

41:20 What I read 

43:45 What I’m doing 

Books:

The Noonday Devil (by Jean-Charles Nault: translated from original French)

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.youtube.com/watch?v=PdvqpqHSQas

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/27/opinion/technology-mental-fitness-cognitive.html

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/annals-of-inquiry/what-kind-of-writer-is-chatgpt

https://i0.wp.com/www.americamagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/MertonCover.jpeg-427330.jpeg?w=992&ssl=1

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/25/opinion/sunday/steve-jobs-never-wanted-us-to-use-our-iphones-like-this.html

https://anjalibanerjee.com/paws-and-platen/from-typewritten-draft-to-published-page 

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

https://www.calderalab.com/deep

https://www.vanta.com/deepquestions

https://www.shipstation.com/deep

https://www.zapier.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for mastering and production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How Do I Build “Cognitive Fitness”? | Monday Advice

Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News.

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

0:00 What has *Actually* Happened in AI in 2026? 

3:07 Open Claw

27:53 Anthropic and the Department of War

49:06 Data Centers

Links:

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

https://www.axios.com/2026/01/31/ai-moltbook-human-need-tech

https://www.macstories.net/stories/clawdbot-showed-me-what-the-future-of-personal-ai-assistants-looks-like/

https://www.anthropic.com/news/statement-department-of-war

https://futurism.com/science-energy/data-centers-construction-supply

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is AI Trending Up or Down in 2026? | AI Reality Check

Is developing discipline one of the most effective bulwarks against the constant flood of distraction we face daily? And if so, what’s the best way to accomplish this goal? In this Monday Advice episode of the show, Cal Newport investigates these questions with the help of Brad Stulberg, who writes about these ideas in his most recent book, the New York Times bestseller “The Way of Excellence.”

 

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Send an email to podcast@calnewport.com. 

 

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

 

2:27 Do I Need More Discipline? (w/ Brad Stulberg) 

1:07:33 Dealing with abundance of choice in media 

1:11:45 Using typewriters for first drafts 

1:14:44 Success with “information walkabout” 

1:17:22 What I’ve been doing 

1:19:54 What I’ve been reading 

Books:

 

A World Appears (Michael Pollan)

 

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.youtube.com/watch?v=PdvqpqHSQas

 

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

 https://www.cozyearth.com/deep (Use code “DEEP”)

https://www.monarch.com (Use code “DEEP”)

https://www.shopify.com/deep

https://www.drinkag1.com/deep

 

Thanks to Jesse Miller for mastering and production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.

 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do I Need More Discipline? | Monday Advice

Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News.

Today's episode on YouTube: youtube.com/calnewportmedia

0:00 What’s Really Going on with Mythos? 

10:09 Security systems

21:27 Conclusion

Links:

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRsycWRQrc8

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/opinion/anthropic-ai-claude-mythos.html

https://arxiv.org/abs/2404.08144

https://x.com/clementdelangue/status/2041953761069793557?s=61

https://x.com/stanislavfort/status/2041922370206654879

https://www.aisi.gov.uk/blog/our-evaluation-of-claude-mythos-previews-cyber-capabilities

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Claude Mythos “Terrifying”? | AI Reality Check

Ep. 400: Should I Embrace “Slow Technology”?

If there was one word to describe modern digital tools, it would be “fast.” But not everyone thinks this is better. In today’s episode, Cal explores the concept of “slow technology” – the embrace of tools that have fewer features and more friction, but nonetheless produce better work and more satisfaction. His guide in this effort is the acclaimed children’s book author Amy Timberlake, who talks to Cal about her recent shift to using a mechanical typewriter. Cal then reviews other examples of slow technology in action, and then proposes several general principles for applying the philosophy in your own life.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Send an email to podcast@calnewport.com.

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

INTERVIEW: Should I Embrace “Slow Technology”? (w/ Amy Timberlake) [3:20]

INBOX:

- A book about spiritual sloth [1:03:49]

- What is Cal’s opinion about Yuval Harai’s thoughts on AI? [1:05:22]

WHAT CAL IS UP TO:

- Deep or Crazy: 2nd edition signed Andromeda Strain for HQ? [1:18:29]

- Myth buster gear: display in HQ [1:20:13]

- 400th episode [1:23:01]

Books:

Magic Journey (Kevin Rafferty)

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.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/04/02/why-some-are-returning-to-mp3-players

https://ugmonk.com/blogs/journal/analog-the-simplest-productivity-system

https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20240102-oppenheimer-and-the-resurgence-of-blu-ray-and-dvds-were-now-in-the-age-of-streaming-anxiety

https://ignatius.com/the-noonday-devil-ndevp

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=32240681755

Thanks to our Sponsors:

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp:

https://www.betterhlep.com/deepquestions

https://www.calderalab.com/deep

https://www.mybodytutor.com

https://www.grammarly.com

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How Do I Build “Cognitive Fitness”? | Monday Advice

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