Ep. 373: The Internet’s Best Advice for Reinventing Your Life
In 2023, I published an episode about resetting your life that became one of my most popular. In the years since, multiple major podcasters and YouTubers have done their own videos on the same theme. In today’s episode, I extract the best ideas from five such recent videos to create an all-star reset strategy. I connect this to my work on technology and its impacts, by noting that taking control of your life can be the most important first step toward taking control of your devices.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: The Internet’s Best Advice for Reinventing Your Life (0:02)How do I extract ideas for living deeply from books? [55:44]How do I avoid being overwhelmed by everything required to seriously change my life? [58:31]How do I visualize my ideal lifestyle in a fast-changing world? [1:02:42]I just quit my teaching job due to burn-out. How do I find what to do next? [1:09:28]CASE STUDY: Crafting a deep life [1:13:21]CALL: How to revise expectations with young kids [1:18:45]CAL REACTS: The Great Lock-In of 2025 [1:28:11]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?youtube.com/watch?v=mSaI8Rluel8youtu.be/wXcEtxlrPMAyoutu.be/PvvS-0mqD4cyoutube.com/watch?v=2ZXJZnAxHHIyoutube.com/watch?v=0G7Wu4DnDawcalnewport.com/the-great-lock-in-of-2025/Thanks to our Sponsors: cozyearth.com/deepshopify.com/deepvanta.com/deepquestionsexpressvpn.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.
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Ep. 372: Decoding TikTok’s Algorithm
Last week, it was announced that Oracle would take over operation of TikTok in the US. One of the primary reasons proposed for this deal is that it was in national interests for us to take over control of TikTok’s fabled “algorithm.” But what is this algorithm? How does it work? To what extent can it be controlled? In today’s episode, Cal looks deeper at these questions and arrives at a broader philosophical point about the role these services, in general, should play in our civic culture. He then answers listener questions on the same topic and reacts to the three recent news articles about TikTok’s influence on our culture.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: Decoding TikTok’s Algorithm [0:03]Should I quit social media, even if I don’t live on the slope of terribleness? [44:44]Is it bad to use TikTok to keep up with the news? [49:41]How does quantum computing relate to AI? [53:48]CASE STUDY: Trying to become a great composer [1:02:29]CALL: Tips for dealing with growing kids [1:08:58]CAL REACTS: Three Articles about TikTok (and Three Sighs of Exasperation) [1:18:04]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?the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/tiktok-surfing-challenge-manslaughter-b2832760.htmlyahoo.com/news/world/article/why-people-on-tiktok-think-the-rapture-is-coming-and-that-the-world-is-ending-this-week-202334215.htmlbbc.com/news/articles/c4gj5lqq52loyoutube.com/watch?v=z7Df9yGofLoyoutube.com/shorts/xWIVA0ZJm-wThanks to our Sponsors:monarchmoney.com (Use code “DEEP”)reclaim.ai/calwayfair.commakeheadway.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.
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IN-DEPTH: Focus like a Nobel Prize Winner (w/ Brian Keating)
In this episode of IN-DEPTH, Cal is joined by Dr. Brian Keating, the Chancellor’s Distinguished Professor of Physics at UCSD, and one of the most prolific popularizers of science around (you may have seen him recently chatting about cosmology with Joe Rogan and Andrew Huberman). They talk about Keating’s new book, HOW TO FOCUS LIKE A NOBEL PRIZE WINNER, as well as many other topics, including a deep look at Keating’s unusual path to academia, and a deconstruction of what’s needed to succeed at the highest levels of academia.Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmediaINTERVIEW: Focus like a Nobel Prize Winner (w/ Brian Keating) [3:20]Links:https://www.amazon.com/Into-Impossible-Laureates-Collaboration-Imagination/dp/1544523491Sponsors:https://www.donedaily.comThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Kieron Rees for the theme 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.
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Ep. 371: Is it Finally Time to Leave Social Media?
We seem to be stuck in a purgatory when it comes to the worst of the social media platforms. We know they’re not great, but it’s hard to muster enough motivation to bother to leave. In today’s episode, motivated by the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Cal puts on his technology critic hat and offers a step-by-step technical explanation for why these platforms are strictly and incessantly making your life worse and why the only reasonable response is to quit them. He then answers listener questions on the topic and reacts to some recent news about the US Congress getting involved.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: Is it Finally Time to Leave Social Media? [0:40]How do I find everything I should be blocking on my kid’s phone? [38:59]Is it okay that I make YouTube Videos? [43:39]Shouldn’t we focus on using social media better? [49:13]CASE STUDY: A musician and social media [58:00]CAL REACTS: US House panel asks internet CEOs to testify after Charlie Kirk assassination [1:10:42]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?reuters.com/world/us/us-house-panel-asks-online-forum-ceos-testify-after-charlie-kirk-assassination-2025-09-17/youtube.com/watch?v=gjVm0K_ETX8Thanks to our Sponsors:calderalab.com/deepmiro.comgrammarly.com/podcast1password.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.
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Ep. 370: Deep Work in the Age of AI
A recent study called into question a core assumption about the generative AI revolution: that these tools, at the very least, will make us more productive. In this episode, Cal dives deep into the study and argues that when it comes to efforts that require deep work, AI can sometimes make things worse. He then answers listener questions and then takes a closer look at an article claiming that the lack of Wi-Fi in a West Virginia school is making their students dumber. 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: Deep Work in the Age of AI [0:38]Can ChatGPT chats act as single purpose notebooks for projects? [26:16]When should I apply active recall? [29:34]Do you have insights into AI’s environmental impact? [31:16]What would you do if you left academia? [38:40]CASE STUDY: Using strategies to develop a Deep Life [43:04]CAL REACTS: Does lack of Wi-Fi make students dumber? [53:09W]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?metr.org/blog/2025-07-10-early-2025-ai-experienced-os-dev-study/theatlantic.com/economy/archive/2025/09/ai-bubble-us-economy/684128/marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2025/08/the-school-without-wifi.htmleducationrecoveryscorecard.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/report_WV_5401140_pocahontas-county-schools.pdfThanks to our Sponsors: This show is sponsored by BetterHelp:betterhelp.com/deepquestionscozyearth.com/deepshopify.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.
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.
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