Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Ep. 389: Is the Internet Hijacking Ambition? + Escaping Messaging Hell

It’s natural to feel ambition, as we’re wired to find great satisfaction in accomplishing hard goals. But what impact has the internet had on this instinct? To help explore this question, author Brad Stulberg, author of the new book THE WAY OF EXCELLENCE, joins Cal during the ideas segment to explore ways in which the internet hijacks our drive, and what we can do about it. Then, in the practice segment, Cal provides the 2026 of his evolving advice for escaping email and IM overload in your job.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/calnewportmediaIDEAS SEGMENT: Is the internet hijacking ambition? [4:16]PRACTICES SEGMENT: Escaping messaging hell [1:03:06]QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS:Have new AI tools actually been as transformative as claimed? [1:23:49]CAL RESPONDS TO COMMENTS [1:38:15]WHAT CAL’S READING: Cal gives his weekly reading update [1:44:52]Future Boy (Michael J. Fox)The Unauthorized Story of Disney’s Haunted Mansion (Jeff Baham)Links:Get The Way of Excellence:  A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0063385945/ref=sw_img_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1Buy 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?podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/old-school-with-shilo-brooks/id1841566275instagram.com/p/DFh_mNGSvuZ/?img_index=2microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/breaking-down-infinite-workdayreddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1o2g1xq/with_all_the_billions_trillions_going_into_it/calnewport.com/a-world-without-email/Thanks to our Sponsors: mybodytutor.commonarch.com (Use code “DEEP”)pipedrive.com/deepmeetfabric.com/deepThanks 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. 388: What’s Worrying Jon Haidt Now? + Should You Buy a Landline? (Cal just did…)

Despite some initial skepticism, Jonathan Haidt’s crusade against kids using smartphones has been more or less completely vindicated. Which got us thinking: what’s he worried about next? In the ideas segment, Cal looks closer at three new technological harms that Haidt has begun sounding the alarm about. Then, in the practices segment, he details a somewhat eccentric technology strategy that he and his wife have deployed in their own home to keep their kids away from smartphones. 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/calnewportmediaIDEAS SEGMENT: What’s worrying Jon Haidt? [0:04]PRACTICES SEGMENT: Should you buy a landline (Cal just did…) [50:44]QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS:Can we put the social media and video game genies back in their lamp? [1:08:55]Can an artist avoid using social media? [1:13:01]Cal responds to comments [1:16:33]WHAT CAL’S READING: Cal gives his weekly reading update [1:19:31]20th Century Fox (Scott Eyman)In the Shadow of Man (Jane Goodall)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?docs.google.com/document/d/1w-HOfseF2wF9YIpXwUUtP65-olnkPyWcgF5BiAtBEy0/edit?tab=t.0x.com/kevinroose/status/2001464352491311196afterbabel.com/p/smartphone-gambling-is-a-disasterfanduel.comafterbabel.com/p/its-not-just-a-game-anymoreafterbabel.com/p/dont-give-your-child-an-ai-companionfuturism.com/artificial-intelligence/ai-toys-dangerinstagram.com/reel/DO_7TzvEkzO/?hl=entincan.kidspunkt.ch/products/mp02-4g-minimalist-phonealiexpress.us/item/3256810412310495.htmlnintendo.com/us/store/products/nintendo-switch-lite-turquoiseThanks to our Sponsors: 1password.com/deepcozyearth.com (Use code “DEEP”)notion.com/calcalderalab.com/deepThanks 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 387: Can Substack Save Journalism? + Viral Advice for Ignoring Your Phone

Last year, when columnist Paul Krugman left the NYT, it seemed like yet another example of the traditional media crumbling. But Krugman, as it turns out, is doing great. His popular substack now reaches massive audiences and earns him a seven-figure salary. Inspired by this story, in the ideas segment of today’s episode, we take a closer look at key numbers relevant to whether paid newsletters can replace traditional print media. Then, in the practices segment, we study some viral advice for spending less time on your phone.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: Can Substack Save Journalism? + Viral Advice for Ignoring Your Phone [0:02]PRACTICES SEGMENT: How to successfully delete social media [50:40]Is it ok to use ChatGPT to try to better understand some classics? [1:04:51]How do I decide what to write down when I use the notebook method? [1:06:10]For professional writers trying to succeed today, isn’t Substack the platform of the moment? [1:12:00]CAL’S READING UPDATE: Cal gives his weekly reading update [1:18:28]Airframe (Michael Crichton)The Great Train Robbery (Michael Crichton) Fantastic Voyage  (Isaac Asimov)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?cjr.org/analysis/paul-krugman-leaving-new-york-times-heavy-hand-editing-less-frequent-columns-newsletter.phpsubstack.com/@paulkrugmannatesilver.net/p/always-be-bloggingreallygoodbusinessideas.com/p/most-popular-substackspewresearch.org/journalism/fact-sheet/newspapers/rnz.co.nz/life/culture/any-attempt-to-simplify-elon-musk-is-futile-the-nz-cofounder-of-substackdaringfireball.net/2024/11/regarding_and_well_against_substackyoutube.com/watch?v=eUSBKj5ZQpoThanks to our Sponsors: meetfabric.com/deeppipedrive.com/deepfactormeals.com/deep50offmonarch.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 386: Was 2025 a Great or Terrible Year for AI? (w/ Ed Zitron)

Ep 386: Was 2025 a Great or Terrible Year for AI? (w/ Ed Zitron) 2025 was a year that was saturated in AI news, from Deep Seek, through claims of economic “bloodbaths,” to GPT-5, Sora, and Chatbot girlfriends. Frankly, it was exhausting. As we now look back on 2025 an interesting question arises: all in all, did this end up being a good or bad year for AI? To help me answer this question, I’m joined by hard-hitting AI commentator Ed Zitron, who's been everywhere in the media in recent months helping to make sense of the wild claims being thrown in the public’s direction. Together we go through the biggest AI stories of the year to try to make sense of what just happened. 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/calnewportmediaINTERVIEW: Was 2025 a Great or Terrible Year for AI (w/ Ed Zitron) [3:16]Cal Reacts to Comments: Is the Internet Becoming Television? [1:58:25]  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?bbc.com/news/articles/c5yv5976z9poaxios.com/2025/01/23/davos-2025-ai-agentsblog.google/technology/google-deepmind/gemini-model-updates-february-2025/openai.com/index/sora/openai.com/index/introducing-gpt-4-5/ai-2027.com/fortune.com/2025/05/28/anthropic-ceo-warning-ai-job-loss/media.mit.edu/publications/your-brain-on-chatgpt/usatoday.com/story/tech/2025/08/07/chat-gpt-5-release-date-open-ai/85566627007/#:~:text=GPT%2D5%20release%20date,release%20date%20for%20Part%202newyorker.com/culture/open-questions/what-if-ai-doesnt-get-much-better-than-thiswsj.com/tech/ai/ai-bubble-building-spree-55ee6128nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/openai-and-nvidia-announce-strategic-partnership-to-deploy-10gw-of-nvidia-systemsnytimes.com/2025/10/02/technology/openai-sora-video-app.htmlanthropic.com/news/claude-opus-4-5ft.com/content/064bbca0-1cb2-45ab-85f4-25fdfc318d89youtube.com/watch?v=Z_WEmjygNK0Thanks to our Sponsors: This episode is sponsored by Better Help:betterhelp.com/deepquestionsreclaim.ai/calexpressvpn.com/deepcalderalab.com/deepThanks 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 385: Single-Purpose Notebooks (REPLAY)

In this replay of a classic episode from March 2024, Cal discusses his transformative experience using a small analog notebook to tackle a complicated problem in his life. He makes the broader argument that sometimes simple analog tools can far exceed the utility of their digital counterparts.Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode:youtube.com/calnewportmediaDeep Dive: Single-Purpose Notebooks [1:21]- If “pseudo-productivity” isn’t effective, why is it so common? [21:58] - Can you explain the difference between limiting missions, projects, and daily goals? [29:54] - Should everyone buy a $50 notebook? [34:18]- How does “Slow Productivity” relate to mental models and first principles? [43:08]- Should I read your new book slowly? [47:40]- CALL: Struggling writer obsessing over quality [53:10]CASE STUDY: Applying lifestyle-centric career planning [58:14]SOMETHING INTERESTING: TikTok Falters [1:01:39]Links:Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at https://peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?https://www.notebookstories.com/2013/05/06/picasso-sketchbook/https://www.anothermanmag.com/life-culture/10788/remembering-bruce-chatwin-the-greatest-travel-writer-that-ever-livedhttps://www.notebookstories.com/2023/12/22/a-notebook-in-the-movie-elf/https://www.wsj.com/tech/personal-tech/quitting-tiktok-less-swiping-more-sleeping-1e166a39?page=1https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/tiktok-and-the-fall-of-the-social-media-giantsGet your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmediaThanks to our Sponsors: monarch.com/deep1password.com/deepmakeheadway.com/deepmeetfabric.com/deepThanks 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.