Ep. 342: The Good Life Algorithm

Deep Questions with Cal Newport

How do escape a life of shallowness and distraction to cultivate something deeper and more meaningful? In this episode, Cal draws from both algorithm theory and the habits of a reclusive author to highlight an effective strategy for achieving this goal – one that underscores the advantages of the small targeted changes versus major grand leaps. He then answers listener questions and reviews the five books he read in February.

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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

Deep Dive: The Good Life Algorithm [1:42]

- How should a federal worker navigate all the negative news? [23:56]

- How do I get my non-geeky partner on board with the deep life! [26:40]

- How can I develop a schedule with flexibility following a health setback? [29:08]

- How should I reshape a once successful aerospace company? [35:06]

- Are there perceived benefits to pseudo productivity? [43:32]

- CALL: What does it mean to work enough each week? [50:19]

CASE STUDY: Can knowledge workers be happy doing less? [58:55]

FEBRUARY BOOKS: The 5 Books Cal Read in February, 2025 [1:07:50]

- Moral Ambition (Rutger Bregman)

- Brotherhood of the Rose (David Morell)

• - How Dante Can Save Your Life (Rod Dreher)
• - Buzz Saw (Jesse Dougherty)
• - The Siren’s Call (Chris Hayes)

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?

newyorker.com/culture/office-space/the-hollow-core-of-elon-musks-productivity-dogma

tim.blog/2019/02/18/jim-collins/

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Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.