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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

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

How do you escape a world where constant digital distractions and darkness threatens to pull you down? Maybe take a page out of Abraham Lincoln’s life. In this episode, Cal argues that Lincoln faced analog versions of many of the same issues we face in our contemporary digital world, and by studying how he escaped we can learn a method to accomplish something similar. He then answers listener questions on this theme and revisits the comments from a 2008 essay where he first introduced some of these questions.

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 Lincoln Protocol [0:30]

 • When do you read long-form articles amongst your book reading? [41:39]
 • Will reading improve my focus? [44:03]
 • What are the mechanics of keeping a deep reading habit alive? [48:17]
 • At what point does it make sense to prioritize autonomy and alignment over prestige and security? [54:48]
 • How do you suggest spending the time playing with the toddler, while also balancing reasonable stimuli without a phone? [1:00:01]

CASE STUDY: A military spouse goes back to work after motherhood [1:03:47]

CALL: Cal’s thoughts on Apple Watches [1:07:35]

CAL READS THE COMMENTS: What people thought about digital distraction in 2008 [1:12:06]

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/would-lincoln-have-become-president-if-he-had-e-mail/
calnewport.com/would-lincoln-have-become-president-if-he-had-e-mail/

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

drinklmnt.com/deep
miro.com
calderalab.com/deep
1password.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. 376: The Lincoln Protocol

Techno-philosopher Eliezer Yudkowsky recently went on Ezra Klein's podcast to argue that if we continue on our path toward superintelligent AI, these machines will destroy humanity. In this episode, Cal responds to Yudkowsky’s argument point by point, concluding with a more general claim that these general styles of discussions suffer from what he calls “the philosopher’s fallacy,” and are distracting us from real problems with AI that are actually afflicting us right now. He then answers listener questions about AI, responds to listener comments from an earlier AI episode, and ends by discussing Alpha schools, which claim to use AI to 2x the speed of education. 

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 Case Against Superintelligence [0.01]

 • How should students think about “AI Literacy”? [1:06:35]
 • Did AI blackmail an engineer to not turn it off? [1:09:06]
 • Can I use AI to mask my laziness? [1:12:31]

COMMENTS: Cal reads LM comments [1:16:58]

CALL: Clarification on Lincoln Protocol [1:21:36]

CAL REACTS: Are AI-Powered Schools the Future? [1:24:46]

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=2Nn0-kAE5c0
alpha.school/the-program/
astralcodexten.com/i/166959786/part-three-how-alpha-works-part

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

byloftie.com (Use code “DEEP20”)
expressvpn.com/deep
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. 377: The Case Against Superintelligence

Ep. 375: Did OpenAI Just Kill Social Media?

OpenAI has been making waves recently with their release of their Sora 2 video generation model, which they have launched alongside a TikTok-style social media sharing app. The internet is usually pretty excited about AI innovations, but this one has people unsettled. In today’s episode, Cal looks at one implication of Sora 2 in particular that is both important but currently overcooked: the impact of AI content generation on the existing social media giants. He then answers listener questions on AI and social media and reacts to a new Sam Altman tweet that signals bad news for OpenAI.

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: Did OpenAI Just Kill Social Media? [0:02]

 • Will Sora 2 kill creativity? [46:12]
 • Am I doing myself a disservice by using AI tools to help me code? [51:36]
 • Is Substack better than social media? [55:55]
 • What are your thoughts on a “family smartphone”? [1:06:35]
 • What should I do when others disregard the structures that are meant to reduce the digital back and forth? [1:07:53]

CASE STUDY: A Digital Declutter [1:15:38]

CALL: Children with dumb phones or smartphones [1:19:49]

CAL REACTS: Sam Altman Proposes AI Erotica [1:27:46]

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?
SORA: the all Ai TikTok Clone. will slop end creativity?
youtube.com/watch?v=Vz0oQ0v0W10
newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/tiktok-and-the-fall-of-the-social-media-giants
youtube.com/watch?v=I1dW-nZqhew
x.com/sama/status/1978129344598827128

Thanks to our Sponsors:

This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp:
betterhelp.com/deepquestions
expressvpn.com/deep
calderalab.com/deep
shopify.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. 375: Did OpenAI Just Kill Social Media?

It’s hard to cultivate a deep life when you cannot go more than a few minutes without checking your phone. In this episode, Cal looks closer at the precise neural mechanisms at play that make the physical act of looking at your phone irresistible. Then armed with this knowledge, he explains why many popular remedies fail, and which specific responses are most likely to succeed. He then answers listener questions and discusses the five old-fashioned analog books (!) that he read last month.

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: This is your brain on phones [0:02]

 • My 11 year-old is bullied for not having a smartphone. What should I do? [47:00]
 • How can I overcome my irrational urge to show off on social media? [55:39]
 • How is video game addiction different than phone addiction? [59:12]
 • Can I become addicted to messaging? [1:03:23]
 • Is it ok to use newspaper apps on my phone? [1:06:42]

CASE STUDY: A 5th grader drops her Apple Watch [1:13:51]

CALL: An aspiring photographer and Instagram [1:18:11]

SEPTEMBER BOOKS: The 5 Books Cal in September 2025 [1:22:51]

The Ice Limit (Lincoln Child and Douglas Preston)
The Burnout Society (Byung-Chul Han)
Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom (Cory Doctorow)
As a Jew (Sarah Hurwitz)
The Searcher (Tana French)

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: 

rag-bone.com (Use code “DEEP”)
grammarly.com/podcast
mybodytutor.com
indeed.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. 374: This is Your Brain on Phones

In 2023, I published an episode about resetting your life that became one of my most popular. In the years since, multiple major podcasters and YouTubers have done their own videos on the same theme. In today’s episode, I extract the best ideas from five such recent videos to create an all-star reset strategy. I connect this to my work on technology and its impacts, by noting that taking control of your life can be the most important first step toward taking control of your devices.

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 Internet’s Best Advice for Reinventing Your Life (0:02)

 • How do I extract ideas for living deeply from books? [55:44]
 • How do I avoid being overwhelmed by everything required to seriously change my life? [58:31]
 • How do I visualize my ideal lifestyle in a fast-changing world? [1:02:42]
 • I just quit my teaching job due to burn-out. How do I find what to do next? [1:09:28]

CASE STUDY: Crafting a deep life [1:13:21]

CALL: How to revise expectations with young kids [1:18:45]

CAL REACTS: The Great Lock-In of 2025 [1:28:11]

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=mSaI8Rluel8
youtu.be/wXcEtxlrPMA
youtu.be/PvvS-0mqD4c
youtube.com/watch?v=2ZXJZnAxHHI
youtube.com/watch?v=0G7Wu4DnDaw
calnewport.com/the-great-lock-in-of-2025/

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

cozyearth.com/deep
shopify.com/deep
vanta.com/deepquestions
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. 373: The Internet’s Best Advice for Reinventing Your Life

Last week, it was announced that Oracle would take over operation of TikTok in the US. One of the primary reasons proposed for this deal is that it was in national interests for us to take over control of TikTok’s fabled “algorithm.” But what is this algorithm? How does it work? To what extent can it be controlled? In today’s episode, Cal looks deeper at these questions and arrives at a broader philosophical point about the role these services, in general, should play in our civic culture. He then answers listener questions on the same topic and reacts to the three recent news articles about TikTok’s influence on our culture.

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: Decoding TikTok’s Algorithm [0:03]

 • Should I quit social media, even if I don’t live on the slope of terribleness? [44:44]
 • Is it bad to use TikTok to keep up with the news? [49:41]
 • How does quantum computing relate to AI? [53:48]

CASE STUDY: Trying to become a great composer [1:02:29]

CALL: Tips for dealing with growing kids [1:08:58]

CAL REACTS: Three Articles about TikTok (and Three Sighs of Exasperation) [1:18:04]

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?
the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/tiktok-surfing-challenge-manslaughter-b2832760.html
yahoo.com/news/world/article/why-people-on-tiktok-think-the-rapture-is-coming-and-that-the-world-is-ending-this-week-202334215.html
bbc.com/news/articles/c4gj5lqq52lo
youtube.com/watch?v=z7Df9yGofLo
youtube.com/shorts/xWIVA0ZJm-w

Thanks to our Sponsors:

monarchmoney.com (Use code “DEEP”)
reclaim.ai/cal
wayfair.com
makeheadway.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. 372: Decoding TikTok’s Algorithm

In this mini-episode, I take "calls" from listeners asking for advice about how best to tune-up their productivity and work habits in a moment of increased distraction and disruption.

You can submit your own audio questions at speakpipe.com/calnewport.

Here are the topics we cover: 

* Coping with surprise shallow tasks (aka., "slaying the productivity hydra") [2:09]
* Reading strategies for PhD students [12:37]
* Switching to a more fulfilling career [16:33]
* Improve or quit in response to a challenging new job [24:32]

As always, if you enjoy the podcast, please considering subscribing or leaving a rating/review.

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. 24: Habit Tune-Up: Slaying the Productivity Hydra, Upgrading Careers, and Mastering a Difficult Job

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