Back in 2023, Cal gave a detailed deep dive that described the three phases of scientific understanding of smartphones, social media, and kids. In today’s episode, Cal argues that we’ve entered a fourth phase; one that will finally lead to (perhaps rapid) cultural changes about what we think is appropriate when it comes to these tools and kids. He then answers listener questions and describes a recent book he enjoyed in his new WHAT TO READ segment.

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 Smartphones Haven’t Defeated Us. Yet. [2:27]

• Should I temporarily rent a separate space to write my first book? [23:09]
• What should I do when waiting for AI while coding? [25:29]
• How should 11 years old boys get organized? [29:31]
• How can I develop my “soft skills” for my career? [33:54]
• How can my husband find his ideal career path? [38:48]

CASE STUDY: A new dad incorporating lifestyle-centric career planning [43:25]

CALL: Hand written notes [47:08]

WHAT TO READ: The Explorer’s Gene [55:27]

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/2025/06/18/opinion/parents-smartphones-tiktok-facebook.html
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5256747
tonyneufeld.blog

Thanks to our Sponsors:

cozyearth.com/deep
mackweldon.com (Promo code “DEEPQUESTIONS”)
calderalab.com/deep
grammarly.com/podcast

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Few philosophers in recent memory have enjoyed as much attention as Byung-Chul Han. His mix of profundity and pithiness in tackling some of the big issues of the modern technical environment has made him “the internet’s new favorite philosopher” (to quote The New Yorker). But is he saying that is making such an impact? In this episode, Cal seeks to find out. He reports back on five of the biggest ideas he encountered reading Han’s 2017 book, IN THE SWARM. He then answers listener questions and concludes with a WHAT TO READ segment where he tackles a pair of competing articles on AI’s abilities.

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: What Worries the Internet’s Favorite Philosopher? [3:50]

- What’s Cal’s writing schedule when traveling? [29:26]
- How do I adapt to new job duties after making partner? [31:44]
- Should I do memory training? [33:22]
- Can you explain how creativity and productivity are related? [36:16]
- How do Cal’s responsibilities fit into his lifestyle-centric plan? [39:33]

CASE STUDY: A retiree adopts Cal’s principles [43:07]

CALL: Adventure work [46:13]

WHAT TO READ: Two Dueling Takes on AI’s Abilities [54:35]

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?
theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jun/10/billion-dollar-ai-puzzle-break-down
scientificamerican.com/article/inside-the-secret-meeting-where-mathematicians-struggled-to-outsmart-ai/
arxiv.org/pdf/2504.01995
arxiv.org/pdf/2503.21934

Thanks to our Sponsors:

This show 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.

In this episode of IN-DEPTH, Cal is joined by Chris Guillebeau, the author of the new book, TIME ANXIETY, and creator of the beloved Art of Non-Conformity blog and World Domination Summit annual conferences. Cal and Chris reminisce about their old days as early advice bloggers and dive into his new ideas about re-thinking our relationship with time.

Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia

INTERVIEW: The Art of Non-Conformity (w/ Chris Guillebeau) [03:50]

Links:
https://www.calnewport.com/slow

Sponsors:
https://www.donedaily.com

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the theme music, and Mark Miles for mastering.