When we think about unhealthy phone usage, we think about the flashing apps, like TikTok and Instagram, in which billions of dollars have been spent to grab our attention. In this episode, Cal points to an unassuming culprit that may be just as responsible: simple messaging apps. He explores research that connects the social stress of pending messages to phone addiction, and explores ways to free yourself from constant messaging without having to isolate yourself socially. He then answers listener questions and discusses what he’s been reading.Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmediaDeep Dive: The Texting Dilemma [5:35]How can I structure my mornings with my sales job if I don’t have two hours for deep work? [31:44]How should I handle mandatory overtime at my aerospace job? [33:18]How can I handle too many open loops with my shutdown ritual? [35:54]How can I better organize communication with my university students? [40:38]Should I take on extra-curricular roles during my first year of my PhD? [44:00]CALL: Household chore task list [48:01]CASE STUDY: 30-day declutter [51:45]WHAT TO READ: An author quits social media [59:45]Links:Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slowGet a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0747563214007626journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/691462pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9671478/carolinecrampton.com/im-done-with-social-media/Thanks to our Sponsors: calderalab.com/deepmiro.comshopify.com/deepgrammarly.com/podcastThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.
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1:10:47
Ep. 361: Do You Need an App Blocker?
Are you worried that you’re using your phone too much? An app blocker might make sense. But how do they work, and which one is right for you? In this episode, Cal goes deep into the motivation, technology, and ultimate end game of this distraction fighting technology. He then answers listener questions and discusses some intriguing comments he’s been seeing about limits to AI’s ability to code.Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmediaDeep Dive: Do You Need an App Blocker? [4:35]- How do I succeed with task management? [29:07]- How can I put boundaries on my administrative work for my university job? [33:58]- How should I manage X if I only use it on my desktop? [39:31]- How should I read through my weekly collection of newsletters? [41:11]- What do you think about Polyphasic sleep to prepare for deep work? [44:22]CASE STUDY: A ticketing system in action [45:21]WHAT TO READ: On the Limits of “Vibe Coding” [50:58]Links:Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slowGet a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newportCal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?sciencefocus.com/science/youre-not-actually-addicted-to-your-smartphonenytimes.com/2020/01/20/style/quit-smartphone.htmlsupport.apple.com/guide/iphone/get-started-with-screen-time-iphbfa595995/iosyoutu.be/OuizzRCALCU?si=FqHzEEFdq7k4ao13x.com/AglaiaCodes/status/1942636133248061590x.com/GaryMarcus/status/1942478390323552588/photo/1Thanks to our Sponsors: This show is sponsored by BetterHelp:betterhelp.com/deepquestionsmybodytutor.comexpressvpn.com/deepindeed.com/deepThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.
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59:42
Ep. 360: One-Page Productivity
Trying to stick to complicated time management systems without any breaks can eventually lead to burn out. But if you stop organizational efforts altogether, your life can become a stressful mess. In this episode, Cal taps the wisdom of an elite running coach to devise what he calls one-page productivity: a minimum time management system, meant to be run for limited periods to help you recharge, but that also maintains just enough organization that you can avoid disaster. He argues such maintenance modes should be an important part of any time management practice. Cal then answers listener questions and concludes by reviewing the books he read in June 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/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmediaDeep Dive: One-Page Productivity [1:52]How do you approach decisions when you’re torn between two reasonable options? [18:17]How can I navigate teaching with phone addicted teenagers? [22:06]Have you considered using LLM’s to assist in your writing? [28:03]How many “thinking” walks do you take each week? [32:31]Do you have any recommendations for learning new material outside of the structured framework of a course? [35:00]CASE STUDY: A son explains his parents lifestyle engineering [37:21]CALL: Setting up workflows as a manager [41:09]JUNE BOOKS: The 5 Books Cal Read in June, 2025 [52:05]The Magic of Code (Samuel Arbesman)In the Swarm (Byung-Chul Han)The Fear Index (Robert Harriss)The Explore’s Gene (Alex Hutchinson)Skywalking (Dale Pollock)Links:Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slowGet 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/athletic/6453809/2025/06/27/bruce-bochy-walking-exercise-creativity/Thanks to our Sponsors:cozyearth.com (Use code “DEEP”)oracle.com/deepquestionsvanta.com/deepquestionsshopify.com/deepThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.
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Ep. 359: Should We Fear Cognitive Debt?
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/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmediaDeep 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/slowGet 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/deepsmalls.com (Use code “DEEP”)notion.com/calharrys.com/deepThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.
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Ep. 358: Are Parents (Finally) Ready to Fight Smartphones?
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/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmediaDeep 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/slowGet 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.htmlpapers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5256747tonyneufeld.blogThanks to our Sponsors: cozyearth.com/deepmackweldon.com (Promo code “DEEPQUESTIONS”)calderalab.com/deepgrammarly.com/podcastThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.
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.
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