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Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Deep Questions with Cal Newport

By: Cal Newport
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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.© 2024 Deep Questions with Cal Newport Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • Ep. 359: Should We Fear Cognitive Debt?
    Jun 30 2025

    A blockbuster new study out of MIT takes a closer look at the impact of writing with the help of AI. In today’s episode, Cal breaks down this paper with the help of author Brad Stulberg (who made waves online recently with his reaction to its findings), picking apart the role of AI in deep work activities. Cal then answers listeners questions, and presents a twist on his typical final segment in which he now describes what he is not reading this week, which provides him a thinly-concealed excuse to rant about AI coverage.

    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: Should We Fear Cognitive Debt? [2:15]

    • Can AI be creative? [44:35]
    • What’s the smallest change I can make to address my disorganization? [48:31]
    • How do I find time for personal projects? [53:12]
    • How should I choose my next internship? [1:06:08]
    • How did you develop your goal-setting philosophy? [1:11:46]

    CALL: Inbox Zero and Notion [1:14:50]

    CASE STUDY: A Thoreau Schedule [1:24:01]

    WHAT I’M (NOT) READ: AI CEO’s hot takes on work [1:32:49]

    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?
    fortune.com/2025/06/20/openai-ceo-sam-altman-ai-phds-entry-level-corporate-job-cuts-what-is-left-gen-z-college-gradautes/

    Thanks to our Sponsors:

    shipstation.com/deep
    smalls.com (Use code “DEEP”)
    notion.com/cal
    harrys.com/deep

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

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    1 hr and 48 mins
  • Ep. 358: Are Parents (Finally) Ready to Fight Smartphones?
    Jun 23 2025

    Back in 2023, Cal gave a detailed deep dive that described the three phases of scientific understanding of smartphones, social media, and kids. In today’s episode, Cal argues that we’ve entered a fourth phase; one that will finally lead to (perhaps rapid) cultural changes about what we think is appropriate when it comes to these tools and kids. He then answers listener questions and describes a recent book he enjoyed in his new WHAT TO READ 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: The Smartphones Haven’t Defeated Us. Yet. [2:27]

    • Should I temporarily rent a separate space to write my first book? [23:09]
    • What should I do when waiting for AI while coding? [25:29]
    • How should 11 years old boys get organized? [29:31]
    • How can I develop my “soft skills” for my career? [33:54]
    • How can my husband find his ideal career path? [38:48]

    CASE STUDY: A new dad incorporating lifestyle-centric career planning [43:25]

    CALL: Hand written notes [47:08]

    WHAT TO READ: The Explorer’s Gene [55:27]

    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/2025/06/18/opinion/parents-smartphones-tiktok-facebook.html
    papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5256747
    tonyneufeld.blog

    Thanks to our Sponsors:

    cozyearth.com/deep
    mackweldon.com (Promo code “DEEPQUESTIONS”)
    calderalab.com/deep
    grammarly.com/podcast

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

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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Ep. 357: What Worries the Internet’s Favorite Philosopher?
    Jun 16 2025

    Few philosophers in recent memory have enjoyed as much attention as Byung-Chul Han. His mix of profundity and pithiness in tackling some of the big issues of the modern technical environment has made him “the internet’s new favorite philosopher” (to quote The New Yorker). But is he saying that is making such an impact? In this episode, Cal seeks to find out. He reports back on five of the biggest ideas he encountered reading Han’s 2017 book, IN THE SWARM. He then answers listener questions and concludes with a WHAT TO READ segment where he tackles a pair of competing articles on AI’s abilities.

    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: What Worries the Internet’s Favorite Philosopher? [3:50]

    - What’s Cal’s writing schedule when traveling? [29:26]
    - How do I adapt to new job duties after making partner? [31:44]
    - Should I do memory training? [33:22]
    - Can you explain how creativity and productivity are related? [36:16]
    - How do Cal’s responsibilities fit into his lifestyle-centric plan? [39:33]

    CASE STUDY: A retiree adopts Cal’s principles [43:07]

    CALL: Adventure work [46:13]

    WHAT TO READ: Two Dueling Takes on AI’s Abilities [54:35]

    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?
    theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jun/10/billion-dollar-ai-puzzle-break-down
    scientificamerican.com/article/inside-the-secret-meeting-where-mathematicians-struggled-to-outsmart-ai/
    arxiv.org/pdf/2504.01995
    arxiv.org/pdf/2503.21934

    Thanks to our Sponsors:

    This show 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.

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    1 hr and 13 mins
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