Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Ep. 394: Do I Need a Better Planning System?

It’s hard to live deeply in a distracted world if you don’t have control over how you spend your time. This goal requires a planning system that both works and can last. Do you have a reasonable planning system in place? If not, don’t worry. Today, Cal is joined by planning expert Sarah Hart-Unger (author of “Best Laid Plans”) to discuss the nitty-gritty details of creating sustainable systems that can help you regain autonomy over your schedule without becoming an over-scheduled drone. 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 IDEAS SEGMENT:  Interview with Sarah Hart-Unger [2:12] AUDIENCE FEEDBACK, NOTES, AND CHATTER:  Dopamine addictions and TV shows [1:05:06] Watching entire films [1:09:43] Attention span and movies [1:16:38] WHAT CAL IS UP TO: Update on my AI Programmer Project [1:21:12] Other Updates [1:28:02] What Cal Consumed [1:29:17] The Last Kings of Hollywood (Paul Fischer) Movies: The Smashing Machine Song Sung Blue 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? vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/07/why-are-movies-sooooo-long-an-investigation science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adz9311 Sarah Hart-Unger online: Sarah Hart-Unger (MD, if you want to use that but I typically don't even bother in my creative work!) practicing pediatric endocrinologist, author, and podcaster Best Laid Plans Podcast Best of Both Worlds Podcast (cohosted with Laura Vanderkam) Best Laid Plans: A Simple Planning System for Living a Life That You Love, Sourcebooks Dec 2025 Website (since 2004 . . .): theshubox.com Social media: none :) Partially due to your influence, I quit FB in 2016, IG in 2021, and thankfully never got into anything else! I guess I do have minimal Youtube (occasional planner videos + feed of podcast eps) @youtube.com/@BestLaidPlansVideo Thanks to our Sponsors:  This show is sponsored by Better Help:  betterhelp.com/deepquestions zapier.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. 393: Can Movies Save Us From Our Phones?

Last month, the Atlantic reported that film students are now struggling to sit through entire films. In this episode, Cal argues that this is both an issue and an opportunity. The fact we can’t watch full movies indicates the impact of digital tools on our brains is worse than we assumed. But in this problem, we also find a solution: maybe teaching ourselves to become better movie watchers can be the first step to reclaiming our own minds. Cal then dissects a viral AI essay that seems to have everyone worried (spoiler: Cal’s not impressed), reads a reader note about social media and the Olympics, and gives an update on his next book project. 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 IDEAS SEGMENT:  Can Movies Save Us From Our Phones? [2:36] NEWS AND NOTES SEGMENT:  Something Big is Happening [31:23] Digital Minimalism and the Olympics [49:31] WHAT CAL’S READING: Cal gives his weekly reading update [56:03] Attensity The Lost Island (Eilis Dillon) 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? theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/01/college-students-movies-attention-span/685812/ fortune.com/2026/02/11/something-big-is-happening-ai-february-2020-moment-matt-shumer/ Thanks to our Sponsors:  pipedrive.com/deep drinkag1.com/deep butcherbox.com/deep grammarly.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. 392: Are “Micro-Streamers” the Future of Media? + Why Cal Spent $60 on a Task App

There remains a gap between the production values of professional streaming services like Netflix and independent content that appears on platforms like YouTube. But what happens when that gap disappears? In the ideas segment of today’s episode, Cal sends a correspondent to investigate a fascinating new “micro-streaming” service producing Netflix-quality shows with a small team. Then, in the practices segment, he explains why he spent $60 on a single productivity application.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:  Are “Micro-Streamers” the Future of Media? [3:12]PRACTICES SEGMENT: Why Cal Spent $60 on a Task App? [36:33]QUESTIONS:How can I find time to become a Biblical scholar? [45:25]Should I freak out about this AI Superintelligence article? [49:23]WHAT CAL’S READING: Cal gives his weekly reading update [57:41]The Hidden Book in the Bible (Richard Elliott)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?https://www.masterclass.com/calnewporthttps://culturedcode.com/things/Thanks to our Sponsors: 1password.com/deepcozyearth.com/deep (Use code “DEEP” for 20% off)calderalab.com/deepshopify.com/excellenceThanks 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. 391: Is AI Reporting Broken? + Rethinking Morning Routines

Is there something rotten in the state of AI reporting at the moment? In the ideas segment of this episode, Cal details three common traps in AI coverage that distort or distract from the reality of this technology. Once you know what to look for, these traps become easy to avoid – greatly improving your experience when trying to keep up to date on the latest advancements. Then, in the practice segment, Cal asks why morning routines have become so popular among young people. His explanation (hint: it involves the fight for depth in a distracted world) uncovers new ideas about how to make morning routines actually useful.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 AI Reporting Broken? [1:43]PRACTICES SEGMENT: Rethinking Morning Routines [29:27]QUESTIONS:Did I see somewhere that you’re filming a MasterClass? [41:24]Now that David Brooks left the NYT, will he start a Substack? [46:25]Cal reacts to comments [48:25]WHAT CAL’S READING: Cal gives his weekly reading update  [50:45]Time Freedom (Brian Heriott) ARCThe Vampire, The Tutor, and the Madman (Josh Douglas)One Direction (Charles Duhigg)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?qz.com/amazon-layoffs-ai-tech-job-lossescnbc.com/2026/01/28/amazon-layoffs-anti-bureaucracy-ai.htmlcalnewport.comnytimes.com/2025/07/28/arts/video-games-artificial-intelligence.htmlnypost.com/2026/01/31/tech/moltbook-is-a-new-social-media-platform-exclusively-for-ai/news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46838834youtube.com/@WesRoth/videosyoutube.com/@airevolutionx/videosyoutube.com/watch?v=JoQG25gQyRgnewyorker.com/magazine/2026/02/02/what-maga-can-teach-democrats-about-organizing-and-infightingThanks to our Sponsors: factormeals.com/deep50offmonarch.com (Use code “DEEP”)pipedrive.com/deepmybodytutor.comThanks 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. 390: What Happens When You Ditch Your Smartphone? + Assessing the Internet’s Latest Self-Help Sensation

Everyone knows that excessive smartphone use can be harmful. But the question we don’t ask enough is what the advantages are of not using these devices. In the ideas segment, Cal examines the testimonials of four subjects who spent significant time without phones, to learn what they actually experience. Then, in the practices segment, he dissects the latest viral online self-help sensation to see if it holds up or is just fluff. Finally, in the Q&A segment, he tackles a surprising (and distressing) way in which technology plays a role in the violent ICE raids happening in Minnesota.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 (Really) Happens When You Ditch Your Smartphone? [3:07]PRACTICES SEGMENT: Assessing the Internet’s Latest Self-Help Sensation [31:53]QUESTIONS:What do the ICE raids in Minnesota teach us about technology and its impacts on our society? [53:17]WHAT CAL’S READING: Cal gives his weekly reading update [1:08:17]The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney (Michael Barrier)Links:Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at [calnewport.com/slow](https://www.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?youtube.com/watch?v=kzXOyW8Zumgyoutube.com/watch?v=gh5CYvi5E40youtube.com/watch?v=C-Iewo7zUFoyoutube.com/watch?v=5FI1gP_K5K0youtube.com/watch?v=FshYuO6Opwkx.com/thedankoe/status/2010751592346030461prospect.org/2026/01/27/ice-greg-bovino-minneapolis-one-battle-after-another-sean-penn/youtube.com/watch?v=elF0YmsCHvQThanks to our Sponsors: This episode is sponsored by Better Help:betterhelp.com/deepquestionrag-bone.com (Use code “DEEP”)calderalab.com/deepshopify.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.