
About this episode
It has become second nature to maintain a continuous partial participation in the world of digital networks. In today’s episode, Cal reflects on a week in which he spent too much time online, and argues why this continuous partial participation is dehumanizing, and what you can do to escape. He then takes questions and calls from listeners and reviews the five books he read in September.
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: How Your Phone Is Changing You [1:43]
- How do I teach my bosses to be deeper? [28:34]
- How can I focus as a doctor when I have to keep switching from one patient to the next?” [35:46]
- How do I overcome notebook overwhelm? [39:13]
- Can “creativity” be added to the deep life buckets? [40:47]
- How do I overcome the guilt of no longer being pseudo-productive? [44:51]
- CALL: The Pomodoro Technique and overcoming distraction [49:33]
CASE STUDY: A 39-year-old changes careers [54:21]
FINAL SEGMENT: The 5 Books Cal Read in September 2024 [1:02:50]
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
zocdoc.com/deep
shopify.com/deep
zbiotics.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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Get every episode summarized
Each time Deep Questions with Cal Newport publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Is AI About to Automate Every Office Job? | AI Reality Check
Deep Questions with Cal Newport
Apr 30, 202633:03failed

How Do I Build “Cognitive Fitness”? | Monday Advice
Deep Questions with Cal Newport
Apr 27, 202651:39failed

Is AI Trending Up or Down in 2026? | AI Reality Check
Deep Questions with Cal Newport
Apr 23, 20261:13:03failed

Do I Need More Discipline? | Monday Advice
Deep Questions with Cal Newport
Apr 20, 20261:26:40failed