
technologyMar 16, 202654:01failed
Ep. 396: Can I Learn To Love My Phone Again?
About this episode
Remember how much we loved our iPhones when they first came out? Can we get back to that relationship with these devices? In this episode, Cal explores five pieces of advice for transforming your current phone back to something that’s less distracting, more useful, and fun once again – a goal he calls “2007 mode.”
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: Can I learn to love my phone again? [3:31]
INBOX:
A new study on brain fry [30:29]
Use of phones in The Pitt [38:58]
17th Century scholar dealing with overload [42:05]
WHAT CAL IS UP TO:
What I’m trying [43:57]
What Cal read [48:45]
What Cal watched [49:44]
Movies:
Secret Agent
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=x7qPAY9JqE4youtube.com/watch?v=mJ4lsi2RtaIyoutube.com/watch?v=ENUO7dbZ-TYyoutube.com/watch?v=7jVb1lLniEwyoutube.com/watch?v=aC0JKAN5xVIhbr.org/2026/03/when-using-ai-leads-to-brain-fryinstagram.com/reel/DUxCG_BDvWX/?igsh=a3pyZXNlNTZvdDVp
Thanks to our Sponsors:
butcherbox.com/deepvanta.com/deepquestions1password.com/deepshopify.com/deep
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro 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