Cal Newport
Deep Questions with 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.
Author
Cal Newport
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Jul 9, 2026
Where to listen?
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Episodes
Ep. 64: Habit Tune-Up: A Look Inside My Book Research Systems 21.01.2021 45:02
Below are the topics covered in today's mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.- Dealing with boring (but important) work. [8:11]- Best tools for day planning. [18:26]- An insider look at my book research process. [20:31]- Advice for returning to school later in life. [32:46]- Making time for non-urgent pursuits. [38:35]Thank...
Ep. 63: How Do I Minimize Meetings? 18.01.2021 1:03:11
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. WORK QUESTIONS - How do I minimize meetings at my large corporation? [5:01] - Hod do I accomplish deep work in a responsive role? [11:30] - How do I prioritize self-learning when earning a PhD? [15:19] - How do I optimize time spend waiting fo...
Ep. 62: Habit Tune-Up: Managing Information in Your Inbox 14.01.2021 40:16
Below are the topics covered in today's mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.- "Thank you" emails and overload. [3:14]- Managing information contained in emails. [5:35]- Dividing time into ten minute chunks. [13:30]- Restarting a drive toward digital minimalism. [26:07]- Personal metrics and weekend planning. [34:21]Thanks...
Ep. 61: How Should I Tackle Big Projects? 11.01.2021 1:27:27
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. Deep Dive: Executing Big Projects [10:18]WORK QUESTIONS - Is pairing a problem for programmers? [20:21] - When do you review past time block schedules? [25:46] - How do I force myself to execute my plans? [29:48] - How do you figure out what p...
Ep. 60: Habit Tune-Up: Getting Things Done on Distracting Days 07.01.2021 46:41
Below are the topics covered in today's mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.- Reflections on productivity during distracting events. [3:35]- Trouble getting started. [12:09]- Dealing with cognitive exhaustion after hard periods. [18:01]- Avoiding tool overload. [27:10]- Focused work that's not demanding. [32:01]- Metric tr...
Ep. 59: Why Be Productive? 04.01.2021 1:19:39
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. WORK QUESTIONS- Preparing for deep work. [6:41]- Keeping on top of everything when you have many roles. [12:32]- Is it possible to time block without a clock? [18:25]- Overcoming graduate student procrastination. [24:18]- Predictable schedules...
Ep. 58: Habit Tune-Up: Clarifying Task Organization, Graduate Student Advice, and My Research Workflow 31.12.2020 39:24
In this mini-episode, I answer audio questions from listeners asking for advice about how best to tune-up their productivity 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:- Struggling with organizing tasks. [7:41]- Advice for becoming a fantastic graduate student. [14:18]- My research wo...
Ep. 57: Troubleshooting Shutdowns, Taming Overflowing Inboxes, and Tuning Core Values 28.12.2020 1:13:16
In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions about solidifying your shutdown routines, taming overflowing inboxes, and tuning core values, among many other topics. We also conclude our deep dive into the topic of the deep reset. To submit your own questions, sign up for my mailing list at calnewport.com. You can also submit audio questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/CalNewportPlea...
Ep. 56: Habit Tune-Up: Escaping Academic Twitter, Time Blocking During Vacation, and Making Time for Big Projects 23.12.2020 33:15
In this mini-episode, I answer audio questions 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: - Using task boards to plan big projects. [2:49] - Academic Twitter. [8:31] - Time block breaks + Workflow...
Ep. 55: Shallow Teams, Vague Goals, and Pandemic Screen Time 21.12.2020 1:20:58
In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions about working deeply with shallow teams, taking action on vague goals, and reducing screen time during a pandemic. We also celebrate reaching the million download milestone for this podcast. To submit your own questions, sign up for my mailing list at calnewport.com. You can also submit audio questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/CalNewp...
Ep. 54: Habit Tune-Up: Capture Tools, Getting Started, and Building Skills at Home 17.12.2020 39:35
In this mini-episode, I answer audio questions 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: - Clarifying capturing and configuring. [2:09] - Time blocking for teachers. [9:24] - Starting from scra...
Ep. 53: Covey's Quads, "Perfect" Productivity Systems, and Reducing Laziness 14.12.2020 1:19:44
In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions about Stephen Covey's quad systems, the quixotic quest for a "perfect" productivity system, and reducing laziness, among many other topics. To submit your own questions, sign up for my mailing list at calnewport.com. You can also submit audio questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/CalNewportPlease consider subscribing (which helps iTunes...
Ep. 52: Habit Tune-Up: Pandemic-Induced Overload, Side Hustles, and Managing for Depth 10.12.2020 36:26
In this mini-episode, I answer audio questions 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: * Capturing ideas outside the office. [4:31] * Prioritizing leisure. [9:08] * Coping with pandemic-induced...
Ep. 51: Saying "No", Building an Email List Without Social Media, and Falling Short of High Expectations | DEEP QUESTIONS 07.12.2020 1:19:39
In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions about saying "no" when others will say "yes" to the same offer, building an email list without social media, and falling short of high expectations for your life, among many other topics. To submit your own questions, sign up for my mailing list at calnewport.com. You can also submit audio questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/CalNewport...
Ep. 50: Habit Tune-Up: Artificial Overload, Deep Retirement, and Motivational Crises 03.12.2020 38:42
In this mini-episode, I answer audio questions 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: * When deep work creates more shallow obligations. [2:49] * Avoiding artificial overload. [10:00] * Deep re...
Ep. 49: Organizing Massive Projects, Taming IM, and Exploring the Deep Life Canon 30.11.2020 1:34:30
In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions about organizing massive projects, taming IM, and elaborating the books I would include in the Deep Life Canon. To submit your own questions, sign up for my mailing list at calnewport.com. You can also submit audio questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/CalNewportPlease consider subscribing (which helps iTunes rankings) and leaving a revi...
Ep. 48: Habit Tune-Up: Deep Athletes, Idea Capture, and Distracting Rumination 26.11.2020 49:10
In this mini-episode, I answer audio questions 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:* Time blocking versus calendar planning [6:07]* Deep work for professional athletes [12:24]* Capturing non-...
Ep. 47: BRAD STULBERG on Burn Out, Career Transformation, and Intentional Living 23.11.2020 1:48:23
In this episode of DEEP QUESTIONS we're joined by a guest host: Brad Stulberg. Brad is a bestselling writer who focuses on human performance. He's known for his books PEAK PERFORMANCE and THE PASSION PARADOX, as well as for his popular "Do It Better" column for Outside Magazine. We go deep on Brad's story, using it to illustrate timeless points on burnout, recovery, transformation, and intentional...
Ep. 46: Habit Tune-Up: Mastering Teaching, Containing Emotional Emails, and Working Deeply with a Newborn 19.11.2020 1:01:00
In this mini-episode, I answer audio questions 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: Opening: When did productivity become personal? (My new article for The New Yorker.)* Becoming so good they...
Ep. 45: My Trello Setup, Student and Screens, My Call for a Deep Reset | DEEP QUESTIONS 16.11.2020 1:38:18
In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions about dealing my Trello setup, reducing student screen time, and our collective need for a "deep reset," among many other topics. To submit your own questions, sign up for my mailing list at calnewport.com. You can submit audio questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/CalNewportPlease consider subscribing (which helps iTunes rankings) and l...
Ep. 44: Habit Tune-Up: Prioritizing Tasks, Balancing My Many Endeavors, and Resisting Radicalization 12.11.2020 57:54
In this mini-episode, I answer audio questions 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: * Prioritizing tasks when you have too much to do [9:28]* Making the most of the weekend [18:53]* Balancing...
Ep. 43: Unproductive Days, Content Fatigue, and Cultivating Character | DEEP QUESTIONS 09.11.2020 1:37:11
In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions about dealing with unproductive days, avoiding curated content fatigue, and the importance of developing character, among many other topics. To submit your own questions, sign up for my mailing list at calnewport.com. You can submit audio questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/CalNewportPlease consider subscribing (which helps iTunes rank...
Ep. 42: GREG MCKEOWN and I Discuss Unplugging, Doing Less, and Finding Focus 05.11.2020 53:14
In this special episode of DEEP QUESTIONS, I rebroadcast a conversation recorded earlier this summer, featuring me and the bestselling author Greg McKeown. It originally aired on Greg's fantastic podcast, WHAT'S ESSENTIAL (https://gregmckeown.com/podcast/).You probably know Greg from his influential 2014 book, ESSENTIALISM, which I recommend all the time. In this conversation, we talk about unplug...
Ep. 41: Selling Your First Book, Shallow Spouses, and My Dream Schedule | DEEP QUESTIONS 02.11.2020 1:20:47
In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions about selling your first book (and end up accidentally ranting about publishing industry misconceptions), going deep when your spouse is defiantly shallow, and day dreaming about my ideal schedule, among many other topics. To submit your own questions, sign up for my mailing list at calnewport.com. You can submit audio questions at https:...
Ep. 40: Habit Tune-Up: Optimal Notebook Usage, Quarterly Planning, and Combating Burn Out 29.10.2020 53:54
In this mini-episode, I answer audio questions 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: * Notebooks for personal reflections vs. business organization. [5:50]* Elite quarterly planning tactics. [...
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