In today’s episode, Cal reviews some of his favorite advice from legendary writers (plus a bonus piece of advice from his own craft). Within each suggestion, he finds a general idea that can apply to anyone looking to build a deep life in an increasingly distracted world. He then answers listener questions and responds to comments about last week’s episode.

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: Life Advice from Legendary Writers [0:02]

• How do you balance managing your energy vs. time? [45:29]
• How can I recharge without feeling antsy as a working mom? [48:39]
• Should I eliminate Reddit to gain a more intentional mind? [50:56]
• What’s the difference for reading based on the Lincoln protocol and for sheer joy? [54:53]
• Does active podcast listening qualify as a learning endeavor? [57:01]

CASE STUDY: A project manager reorganizes his life [1:02:19]

CALL: Developing a 5-year plan for work [1:06:54]

CAL READS THE COMMENTS: Can LLMs be Conscious? [1:09:51]

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=CQHK_AlJTQc

Thanks to our Sponsors:

calderalab.com/deep
auraframes.com (Use code “DEEPQUESTIONS”)
shopify.com/deep
vanta.com/deepquestions

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.

There has been a lot of loose talk online recently about the capabilities of existing AI tools. In this episode, Cal reacts to a specific recent clip from the Joe Rogan podcast in which the guest argues that language models are like a child’s brain, and may already be conscious. Cal puts on his (always stylish) computer scientist had to explain why this cannot be true. He then answers listener questions and reacts to feedback on his recent episode about using a notebook to enhance long thinking.

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: ChatGPT is Not Alive [0:04]

• Are there other forms of dangerous AI other than LLMs? [49:03]
• What are the immediate concerns of AI? [53:24]
• Will AI be smart enough to evolve to not destroy itself? [55:47]
• Does James Somers make a valid argument in his recent New Yorker article that the AI can think? [1:01:49]
• How can I build career capital if I’m forced to integrate AI into my workflow? [1:04:52]

CASE STUDY: A Workplace Productivity System [1:06:31]

CAL READS THE COMMENTS: Regaining Your Ability to Think (in 60 Minutes a Week) [1:10:48]

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=gXbsq5nVmT0
youtube.com/watch?v=NnA2OoH_NFY

Thanks to our Sponsors:

calderalab.com/deep
aura.com (Use code “DEEPQUESTIONS”)
byloftie.com (Use code “DEEP20”)
cozyearth.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.

When companies began instituting return-to-office plans after the pandemic, a disproportionate number of women chose instead to leave the workforce. Why? The obvious answer is that they wanted the flexibility of remote work. But in this episode, Cal draws on a recent New York Times op-ed that offers a deeper explanation – one that affects all knowledge workers. He then explores solutions to the problem, answers listener questions, and (God help him) respond to comments on his recent Superintelligence episode.

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 Flexibility Myth [0:02]

• How should a venture backed startup team design their work schedule? [51:42]
• How do I stop my boss from e-mailing me at all hours? [57:02]
• How should a professor on break schedule his deep work? [1:02:35]
• How can I better schedule my blocks to prepare for technical interviews? [1:09:59]
• When considering lifestyle-centric planning, what practices may help determine the type of work to pursue? [1:12:16]

CASE STUDY: Completing a Thesis [1:19:08]

CALL: Details about time blocking [1:25:08]

CAL READS THE COMMENTS: The Case Against Superintelligence [1:33:58]

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/2025/11/02/opinion/women-work-force-flexibility-shifts.html
youtube.com/watch?v=y0RI5CnoDvs

Thanks to our Sponsors:

This episode is sponsored by Betterhelp.
betterhelp.com/deepquestions
expressvpn.com/deep
shopify.com/deep
mybodytutor.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.