Ep. 352: It’s Okay To Slow Down Deep Questions With Cal Newport podcast

1:14:24

A few years ago, in a spirit of post-pandemic experimentation, multiple countries ran formal trials to test a radical idea: shortening the workweek. In this episode, Cal returns to the results of these trials to identify an astounding finding that has critical implications about how we work in the 21st century and how this could be made much better. He then answers listener questions and concludes with a tech corner that addresses a simple question: when will AI begin to automate most of my work? 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/3U3sTvo Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia Deep Dive: The Workload Fairytale [3:39] - How would you rewrite A World Without Email to account for Slack? [18:16] - How should I manage multiple deadlines? [22:14] - How does Values-Based Lifestyle Centric Career Planning relate to Rutger Bregman's concept of Moral Ambition? [27:28] - How can I avoid burnout and use my career capital to find a less demanding job? [34:24] - Should I do my weekly plan on Sunday night to avoid the scaries? [40:32] CASE STUDY: A lawyer argues in front of the New York Court of Appeals [42:57] CALL: What exactly is considered task switching? [47:15] TECH CORNER: When will AI automate my job? [56:04] 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? bbc.com/news/business-57724779 theguardian.com/money/2023/feb/21/four-day-week-uk-trial-success-pattern dw.com/en/german-firms-tested-4-day-workweek-heres-the-outcome/a-70685885 calnewport.com/ai-and-work-some-predictions/ Thanks to our Sponsors: udacity.com/deep landroverusa.com calderalab.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.…

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Ep. 353: Summer Schedules 1:20:56

14 days ago1:20:56

1:20:56

Summer is here. It’s time to slow down. In this episode, Cal discusses his radically simplified summer schedule and then suggests you similarly inject some “seasonality” into your life, offering tips for finding a slower gear without tanking your job. He then answers listener questions and reacts to the most important AI article that you likely missed last week. 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/3U3sTvo Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia Deep Dive: Summer Schedules [5:25] - How should I structure my summer vacation with a significant injury? [27:40] - How do I learn the secrets to publication if the faculty doesn’t know I exist? [32:10] - Should I even attempt long-term content or is it too hard? [33:31] - How can I develop a deliberate practice for crafting narratives for technical documents? [44:33] - Is there an alternative to formal education to improve quantitative skills? [45:13] CASE STUDY: A father balances his different roles [47:40] CALL #1: Finding a side hustle [51:16] CALL #2: College student wondering the tips to focus better [56:02] CAL REACTS: Is the AI boom slowing? [1:07:01] 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? wsj.com/tech/ai/meta-is-delaying-the-rollout-of-its-flagship-ai-model-f4b105f7 Thanks to our Sponsors: grammarly.com/podcast vanta.com/deepquestions shopify.com/deep cozyearth.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.…

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Ep. 352: It’s Okay to Slow Down 1:09:36

21 days ago1:09:36

1:09:36

When we think about important accomplishments, we think about grinding through long hours of work. But is this really necessary? In this episode, Cal turns to the lives of two famous authors to argue that sometimes a slow and steady approach can work just as well in the end, while making the journey more sustainable along the way. He then answers listener questions and concludes with a Tech Corner segment about a ridiculous new claim from the world of AI. 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: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvo Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia Deep Dive: It’s Okay to Slow Down [2:28] - How should I tell people my email responses will be delayed without using an autoresponder? [18:07] - Should I read for quantity or quality? [20:31] - How does “one email address” per project work and how do I implement it? [24:51] - Can you comment on Conan O’Brien’s burner phone? [30:42] - Am I working hard enough to get tenure? [38:00] CASE STUDY: Email processing protocol [44:25] CALL #1: Organizing creative work [49:19] CALL #2: Fan update about Inbox Zero [53:37] TECH CORNER: A.I. Welfare is a PR Stunt [58:36] 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://thestory.au/articles/daily-routines-famous-writers/ https://youtu.be/cM8HlKoJCHA?si=N-UjnFu-4q-mTJEB https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/24/technology/ai-welfare-anthropic-claude.html Thanks to our Sponsors: This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/deepquestions and get on your way to being your best self! https://www.mybodytutor.com https://www.oracle.com/deepquestions https://www.expressvpn.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.…

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Ep. 351: Making the Internet Good Again 1:13:33

28 days ago1:13:33

1:13:33

Tyler Cowen recently wrote an article arguing that spending lots of time online is in fact a good thing. In this episode, Cal looks deeper at Cowen’s argument and finds some surprising common ground. The internet can be a major source of good in your life, he argues, but only if you use it in the right way. He then answers listener questions and reviews the books he read in April. 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/3U3sTvo Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia Deep Dive: Making the Internet Good Again [5:06] What are good activities for “deep breaks”? [28:38] How can I approach parenting without resenting the sacrifices to deep work? [31:36] How does the deep life compare to David Epstein’s book, “Range”? [38:06] What is the difference between a “winner-take-all” field of work and “auction” field of work? [41:12] Does “following your passion” have any connection to “lifestyle centric planning”? [47:39] CASE STUDY: Implementing the concept of “Eat The Frog” [52:48] CALL: Introducing seasonality and the meetings being the work [55:07] APRIL BOOKS: The 5 books Cal read in April, 2025 [1:06:08] I, Robot (Isaac Asimov) After Disney (Neil O’brien) The Baseball Book of Why (John McCollister) The Technology Republic (Alexander Karp and Nicholas Zamiska) Everything is Tuberculosis (John Green) 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? thefp.com/p/the-case-for-living-online Thanks to our Sponsors: shopify.com/deep auraframes.com [Use promo code “DEEPQUESTIONS”] indeed.com/deep harrys.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.…

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Ep. 350: Is Inbox Zero Possible? 1:09:28

5 weeks ago1:09:28

1:09:28

The white whale of modern productivity discourse is achieving an empty email inbox; a goal state that’s often referred to simply as “inbox zero.” In this episode, Cal looks at why the original advice for achieving inbox zero failed and explores a strategy that might work better. He then answers listener questions and in a final segment reacts to a recent guest on the Tim Ferriss podcast who provides an interesting case study of the deep life in action. 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: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvo Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia Deep Dive: Is Inbox Zero Possible? [2:45] How can I perform beyond the bare minimum on “Survival Days”? [29:40] How can I remain sane with a job that changes schedules every week? [34:55] How are computer systems rewarded in AI? [37:08] How can I stop my boss from interrupting me with constant chatter? [41:34] CALL: Identifying the next action [44:02] CALL: Finding true depth during the final years of college [51:33] CAL REACTS: Craig Mod’s walks through Japan [1:01:18] 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? youtube.com/watch?v=z9UjeTMb3Yk Thanks to our Sponsors: cozyearth.com/deep auraframes.com [Promo Code “DEEPQUESTIONS”] kinsta.com/deepquestions udacity.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.…

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Ep. 349: Sam Altman On Productivity 1:12:04

6 weeks ago1:12:04

1:12:04

Cal talks a lot about his ideas for producing meaningful work in a distracted world. But how do other people tackle this goal? To help better under this question, Cal reacts to a 2018 article from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in which he details his productivity philosophy. Cal then answers listener questions and concludes with a dystopian tech corner. 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/3U3sTvo Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia Deep Dive: Sam Altman On Productivity [2:20] - How do I prevent administrative sprawl? [22:01] - When is the best time to schedule Deep Work? [31:12] - How can a gardener gain career capital? [32:43] - How can one go from good performance to exceptional performance? [36:21] - Is it better to write with a single monitor? [38:33] CALL: Slow Productivity in a changing world [43:09] CALL: Rory Mcllroy and his phone [48:35] TECH CORNER: Will AI Destroy Humanity by 2027? [56:46] 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? blog.samaltman.com/productivity ai-2027.com daveshap.substack.com/p/common-bad-takes-in-ai-safety-a-response Thanks to our Sponsors: shopify.com/deep zocdoc.com/deep vanta.com/deepquestions expressvpn.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.…

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IN-DEPTH: Architecting a Deep Life (w/ David Dewane) 1:35:21

7 weeks ago1:35:21

1:35:21

In this episode of IN-DEPTH, Cal is joined by David Dewane, the architect responsible for the “eudaimonia machine” featured in DEEP WORK. In this wide-ranging conversation, Cal and David talk about the challenges of finding depth in a distracted world, and the results of David’s personal experimentation in creating a deep life of his own. Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia INTERVIEW: Architecting a Deep Life (w/ David Dewane) [04:06] Links: https://www.calnewport.com/slow https://donedaily.com/ Thanks 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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Ep. 348: Manage Your Time in 5 Minutes a Day 1:22:45

7 weeks ago1:22:45

1:22:45

Cal has been writing about time management for a *long* time. In this episode, he returns to a chapter from a book he wrote twenty years ago that is titled “manage your time in 5 minutes a day.” He revisits his old advice to see what he thinks still works and what needs updating. He then answers listener questions and returns to the tech corner to get back in the weeds on a topic involving AI. 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/3U3sTvo Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia Deep Dive: Manage Your Time in 5 Minutes a Day [3:11] - How specific should I make my Quarterly Plan? [27:28] - Does reading Mangas count as reading? [29:30] - How do I store information related to tasks? [34:14] - How do I speak better at work in spontaneous conversations? [38:31] - Are paper and pencil calendars suitable to use if my work is in two different time zones? [45:42] CALL: Utilizing coaching [51:38] CALL: Embracing boredom [57:48] TECH CORNER: RL vs. LLM [1:08:04] 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? Thanks to our Sponsors: grammarly.com/podcast cozyearth.com/deep oracle.com/deepquestions expressvpn.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.…

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Ep. 347: The Forgotten Phone Harms 1:09:17

8 weeks ago1:09:17

1:09:17

Phones have been receiving a lot of criticism recently, but what if these concerns are missing the mark? In this episode, Cal introduces the difference between primary and secondary phone harms, and argues how our obsession with the former hides the importance of the latter. He then answers reader questions and reviews the books he read in March 2025. 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/3U3sTvo Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia Deep Dive: The Forgotten Phone Harms [3:32] - What do you do when your writing doesn’t quite feel right? [24:32] - How should I prioritize responding to different types of communication? [33:29] - Should personal and work tasks be split into different Trello boards? [39:10] - What is the difference between a two-status board and a reverse task list? [41:47] CASE STUDY: A student adopts the Tao of Cal [45:17] CALL: Structuring weekly templates [49:00] MARCH BOOKS: The 5 books Cal read in March 2025 [57:24] - Believe (Ross Douhut) - How to Winter (Kari Leibowitz) - Letter and the Scroll (Jonathan Sacks) - I and Thou (Martin Buber) - Coming into the Country (John McPhee) 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? Thanks to our Sponsors: This show is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/deepquestions and get on your way to being your best self. shopify.com/deep indeed.com/deep mybodytutor.com Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.…

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Ep. 346: Getting Smarter in a Dumb World 1:10:01

9 weeks ago1:10:01

1:10:01

In last week’s episode, Cal discussed data that indicate that the rise of the smartphones is making humans measurably dumber. Here he discusses aggressive strategies for resisting this reality. He then answers listener questions and ends with a tech corner. 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/3U3sTvo Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia Deep Dive: Getting Smarter in a Dumb World [3:47] - With remote work dwindling, should I change careers to achieve my ideal lifestyle? [31:14] - Should a 24-year-old ditch his college degree to pursue another field? [36:25] - How should merit be rewarded in a revenue-constrained environment? [40:40] - How can one find and engage with these more niche online communities? [44:34] - How can partners support each other in building a deep life? [46:48] CASE STUDY: Using lifestyle planning to turn down a promotion [48:53] TECH CORNER: How do AI’s “reason”? [57:53] 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? Thanks to our Sponsors: zocdoc.com/deep kinsta.com/deepquestions udacity.com/deep [Use code DEEP] notion.com/cal Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.…

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Ep. 345: Are We Getting Dumber? 1:08:48

10 weeks ago1:08:48

1:08:48

Multiple listeners recently sent in a Financial Times article that asks whether humans have passed “peak intelligence.” In this episode, Cal looks closer at the data in this article to try to understand why we seem to be getting dumber, and more importantly, what are the practical steps individuals can take to avoid the trend. He then answers listener questions and ends with a tech corner segment that highlights a blind spot in current discussions of AI. 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/3U3sTvo Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia Deep Dive: Are We Getting Dumber? [2:58] - Is it possible to build a better Twitter? [24:58] - Should I ditch my higher paying job to avoid stress? [29:59] - Can I remain relevant with younger, tech-savvy colleagues? [34:56] - How should I navigate my time during while receiving severance? [38:35] - What should I do next after being fired from my federal job? [41:18] - CALL: Practicing focus on the weekends [45:01] CASE STUDY: An engineering Kansan system [48:41] TECH CORNER: The AI Blind Spot [1:00:04] 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? on.ft.com/3DIItJK Thanks to our Sponsors: factormeals.com/deep50off landroverusa.com expressvpn.com/deep grammarly.com/podcast Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.…

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Ep. 344: You Are Not a Cog 1:25:57

11 weeks ago1:25:57

1:25:57

Modern knowledge work jobs should be cushy gigs. Fixed hours, air conditioning, no hard manual labor, flexibility. So why are we so often burnt out and what can we do about this reality? In this episode, Cal draws a lesson from an unexpected corner of computer science, computer security research, about how we can fix some of the big problems of work in a digital age. He then answers listener questions and returns once again to the topic of AI in a final tech corner segment. 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/3U3sTvo Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia Deep Dive: You Are Not a Cog [11:00] - Should I break my large tasks into many small ones? [38:18] - How will AI affect living the deep life? [42:47] - How can I say “no” to more incoming requests? [48:14] - Should an architect take on broader roles that don’t necessarily add to career capital? [52:03] - Can a nurse implement time blocking? [54:33] - Can a Kansan system work across all departments without being overly complex? [58:11] - CALL: Organizing the details of a Trello board [1:03:19] CASE STUDY: Lifestyle centric value based planning for a young family [1:07:58] TECH CORNER: AGI is not Super-intelligence [1:15:35] 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? medium.com/@tony.infisical/password-requirements-are-still-confusing-in-2023-also-heres-our-flavor-44ce03a3255c youtube.com/watch?v=ZzJMxh68RGI Thanks to our Sponsors: This episode is sponsored by to you BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/deepquestions mybodytutor.com upliftdesk.com/deep shopify.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.…

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Ep. 343: A Minimal Protocol for Taking Control of Your LIfe 1:30:50

12 weeks ago1:30:50

1:30:50

One of the most commonly recurring themes on this show is the conflict between too much versus not enough productivity. In this episode, Cal attempts to find new clarity in this debate by identifying a minimal viable productivity system – that is, what are the bare minimum components needed to escape the chaos and stress of total disorganization. He then answers listener questions and dives into a A.I. themed Tech Corner segment. 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/3U3sTvo Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia Deep Dive: A Minimal Protocol for Taking Control of Your Life [3:23] - Is “finding purpose” and “following your passion” the same thing? [32:38] - How can I capture key takeaways from podcasts if I’m always on the move? [37:18] - Can you elaborate on project work with your PhD students? [39:22] - How can I deal with my federal job with drastic priority changes due to political party shifts? [41:40] - Is it possible for some managers to avoid pseudo-productivity? [49:15] - CALL: Writing a book as a side hustle [51:58] CASE STUDY: An athletic trainer makes a career transition [59:19] TECH CORNER: A.G.I. versus SkyNet [1:07:30] 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? nytimes.com/2025/03/04/opinion/ezra-klein-podcast-ben-buchanan.html Thanks to our Sponsors: cozyearth.com/deep byloftie.com (Code: DEEP20) oracle.com/deepquestions indeed.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.…

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IN-DEPTH: Greatness on Trial (w/ Brad Stulberg and Clay Skipper) 1:18:44

13 weeks ago1:18:44

1:18:44

In this episode of IN-DEPTH, Cal is joined by the writers Brad Stulberg and Clay Skipper to talk about the topic of “greatness.” They attempt to pick apart the weird moment we are in where, on the one hand, we feel aversion to performative demonstrations of “pseudo-greatness” (think: Elon Musk on-stage with his chainsaw) but on the other, still admire useful skill and seek it in our own lives. Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia INTERVIEW: Greatness on Trial (w/ Brad Stulberg and Clay Skipper) Links: https://www.landroverusa.com https://www.calnewport.com/slow Thanks 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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Ep. 342: The Good Life Algorithm 1:18:36

13 weeks ago1:18:36