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Artwork for Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Cal Newport
Productivity
Deep Work
Slow Productivity
Discipline
Transformative Goals
Time Management
Deep Life
Note-Taking
Reverse Goal Setting
Mental Health
Deep Living
Personal Organization
Curiosity
Laziness
Digital Organization
Psychological Barriers
Productivity Techniques
Career Change
Lifestyle Design
Goal Setting

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes400Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TechnologyEducationSelf-Improvement

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Artwork for Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Latest Episodes

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 w... more

It’s natural to feel ambition, as we’re wired to find great satisfaction in accomplishing hard goals. But what impact has the internet had on this instinct? To help explore this question, author Brad Stulberg, author of the new book THE WAY OF EXCELL... more

Despite some initial skepticism, Jonathan Haidt’s crusade against kids using smartphones has been more or less completely vindicated. Which got us thinking: what’s he worried about next? In the ideas segment, Cal looks closer at three new technologic... more

Last year, when columnist Paul Krugman left the NYT, it seemed like yet another example of the traditional media crumbling. But Krugman, as it turns out, is doing great. His popular substack now reaches massive audiences and earns him a seven-figure ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Ed Zitron
Notable AI commentator, host of Better Offline podcast and writer at Where Is Your Eds on Substack
Episode: Ep 386: Was 2025 a Great or Terrible Year for AI? (w/ Ed Zitron)
Tyler Austin Harper
Journalist and critic, who has written extensively about environmentalism and technology.
The Atlantic
Episode: Ep 383: Why Is Everyone Talking About “Against the Machine”? (w/ Tyler Austin Harper)
Brian Keating
Chancellor's Distinguished Professor of Physics and principal investigator of the Simons Observatory
University of California, San Diego
Episode: IN-DEPTH: Focus like a Nobel Prize Winner (w/ Brian Keating)
Dario Amadei
CEO of Anthropic, talks about AI and its impacts on entry-level jobs and employment.
Anthropic
Episode: Ep. 367: What if AI Doesn’t Get Much Better Than This?
Brad Stulberg
Author and expert on human performance
Episode: Ep. 359: Should We Fear Cognitive Debt?
Chris Guillebeau
Author and entrepreneur, writer of 'Time Anxiety'
Chris Guillebeau
Episode: IN-DEPTH: The Art of Non-Conformity (w/ Chris Guillebeau)
David Blaine
World-renowned illusionist, endurance artist, and mentalist
Episode: You Might Also Like: On Purpose with Jay Shetty
David Dewane
An architect known for the eudaemonia machine concept.
Chief Experience Officer at Geniant
Episode: IN-DEPTH: Architecting a Deep Life (w/ David Dewane)
Michael Easter
Health and science journalist
Author of The Comfort Crisis and Scarcity Brain
Episode: IN-DEPTH: The Comfort Crisis (w/ Michael Easter)

Host

Cal Newport
Host of Deep Questions

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 4.3k ratings
  • Always makes me think

    I really like this podcast because Cal makes me think about digital life in new ways and slowly develop my own philosophy on tech use slowly but surely. I’m a dumb phone user and consider myself a digital minimalist, so this compliments my lifestyle well. Cal seems to have a good head on his shoulders. I also like how he explains tech boundaries in a very practical way that never feels extreme, just logical. Thank you for the show!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    surfchick97
    United States3 months ago
  • Is it for everyone?

    Haha ask your students if chat bots will be here in a couple years.

    You should read the book! It’s not a slog, it’s readable and short. The interview didn’t do the book justice, so it doesn’t make sense to review the interview without reading the book.

    I honestly did not think Eleazer aimed the point at Cal lol “Cal get off my lawn” it was more that people didn’t thought it could develop into this and so quickly but it did (remember the “limitations” to understanding nuances of speech and conv... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mbller
    United States3 months ago
  • Always helpful

    Helpful, pretty insightful and often funny! Looking forward to the return of Jesse Skeleton….

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lizzyloula
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • No Shortcut Wisdom!

    With so much optimization noise, Cal stands out! Deeply caring about what is important to you is NOT a trend that can be hacked and/ or automated.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cnaloha
    United States8 months ago
  • Cool, but repetitive

    I like this podcast and listened to it every week for over a year before I realized that it’s very repetitive and the same ideas are said over and over. Cal’s books are fantastic and well worth reading, but I think after a while this becomes a weekly hour long ad for the books. Not a lot of value is provided

    Also, recently the AI talk is getting out of hand. Not specific to this podcast but I am a bit burnt out on all the AI hype and Cal has turned it into a new segment of late

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Chewbacca’s Dingleberries
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Overall, it is seen as an enriching resource for those aiming to lead more intentional lives.
Listeners appreciate the practical strategies and actionable advice for personal productivity.
There are mixed feelings about the repetitiveness of topics and the host's emphasis on his published works.
The podcast is praised for engaging discussions yet criticized for commercial interruptions.
Many find the insights on digital distractions and deep work to be transformative for their work and life.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep 385: Single-Purpose Notebooks (REPLAY)
Q: How does slow productivity relate to mental models and first principles?
Slow productivity offers a new mental model that rejects pseudo-productivity in favor of fewer, more meaningful outputs, and establishes generative first principles for effective action and decision making.
Ep 385: Single-Purpose Notebooks (REPLAY)
Q: Can you elaborate on investing in tools and how that can help, but also be taken too far?
Invest in high-quality tools proportionate to the value you intend to create, acknowledging that good tools signal commitment and can enhance productivity, but avoid overextension based on current capabilities.
Ep 385: Single-Purpose Notebooks (REPLAY)
Q: How do you determine what to focus on each day with limit daily goals?
Limit daily goals should be focused on project-level commitments and follow your mission, reducing distractions and allowing you to prioritize effectively based on your weekly plan.
Ep 385: Single-Purpose Notebooks (REPLAY)
Q: What are your thoughts on how all these knowledge work or businesses are still profitable with all these workers pretending to work?
Pseudo-productivity persists due to managerial capitalism, where managers optimize for stability and efficiency rather than actual productivity, combined with the separation of knowledge work and direct contributions to the bottom line.
Ep 383: Why Is Everyone Talking About “Against the Machine”? (w/ Tyler Austin Harper)
Q: What can we learn or take away from this book?
The takeaway is that what he's really trying to say is that what we think of as culture wars are wars about nature.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Deep Questions with Cal Newport

What is Deep Questions with Cal Newport about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on the interplay between technology and productivity, the content engages listeners with thought-provoking discussions about digital minimalism, work-life balance, and the importance of deep work. The host frequently answers audience questions, offering practical advice and insights aimed at enhancing personal efficiency and fostering a more meaningful professional life. Notably, the podcast covers historical perspectives, current trends regarding AI, and psychological impacts of digital distractions, appealing to listeners seeking actionable strategies for improvement in both personal and professional domains. Its blend of humor and philosophical inquiry distinguishes this podcast in the self-improvement space, likely resonating wi... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Deep Questions with Cal Newport?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Deep Questions with Cal Newport:

1. The Tim Ferriss Show
2. The Daily Stoic
3. Huberman Lab
4. The Knowledge Project
5. excellence, actually

How many episodes of Deep Questions with Cal Newport are there?

Deep Questions with Cal Newport launched 6 years ago and published 400 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Deep Questions with Cal Newport?

Recent guests on Deep Questions with Cal Newport include:

1. Ed Zitron
2. Tyler Austin Harper
3. Brian Keating
4. Dario Amadei
5. Brad Stulberg
6. Chris Guillebeau
7. David Blaine
8. David Dewane

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