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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1:48:05
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.
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1:02:08
Ep. 357: What Worries the Internet’s Favorite Philosopher?
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/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmediaDeep 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/slowGet a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newportCal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jun/10/billion-dollar-ai-puzzle-break-downscientificamerican.com/article/inside-the-secret-meeting-where-mathematicians-struggled-to-outsmart-ai/arxiv.org/pdf/2504.01995arxiv.org/pdf/2503.21934Thanks to our Sponsors:This show is sponsored by BetterHelp:betterhelp.com/deepquestionsexpressvpn.com/deepshopify.com/deepmybodytutor.comThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.
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1:12:50
IN-DEPTH: The Art of Non-Conformity (w/ Chris Guillebeau)
In this episode of IN-DEPTH, Cal is joined by Chris Guillebeau, the author of the new book, TIME ANXIETY, and creator of the beloved Art of Non-Conformity blog and World Domination Summit annual conferences. Cal and Chris reminisce about their old days as early advice bloggers and dive into his new ideas about re-thinking our relationship with time. Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmediaINTERVIEW: The Art of Non-Conformity (w/ Chris Guillebeau) [03:50]Links:https://www.calnewport.com/slowSponsors:https://www.donedaily.comThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the theme music, and Mark Miles for mastering.
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1:07:41
Ep. 356: How Much Should We Work?
The data shows knowledge workers really are more exhausted and more prone to burnout than ever before. But why? In this episode, Cal draws inspiration from an unlikely source to help unpack this troubling trend and then suggest a perhaps radical solution. He then answers listeners’ questions and discusses his latest New Yorker article on the challenges of taming AI. As a bonus, he briefly discusses Cal Network’s new bestselling book.Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com!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: How Much Should We Work? [3:33]- What’s your advice on having a career backup plan? [28:27]- Do you know of any executive coaches who teach your principles? [30:33]- Is my retirement plan too ambitious? [35:13]- Are accountability support tools acceptable to use in order to build discipline? [38:43]- How can I identify if I have an inventory of "rare and valuable skills"? [41:21]CASE STUDY: Crafting a storytelling profession [43:14]CALL: Creating a life dashboard [46:14]TECH CORNER: Why Can’t We Tame AI? (Cal’s latest New Yorker article) [52:08]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?newyorker.com/culture/open-questions/what-isaac-asimov-reveals-about-living-with-aiThanks to our Sponsors:drinklmnt.com/deeporacle.com/deepquestionsindeed.com/deepvanta.com/deepquestionsThanks 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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