How do escape a life of shallowness and distraction to cultivate something deeper and more meaningful? In this episode, Cal draws from both algorithm theory and the habits of a reclusive author to highlight an effective strategy for achieving this goal – one that underscores the advantages of the small targeted changes versus major grand leaps. He then answers listener questions and reviews the five books he read in February.
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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 Good Life Algorithm [1:42]
- How should a federal worker navigate all the negative news? [23:56]
- How do I get my non-geeky partner on board with the deep life! [26:40]
- How can I develop a schedule with flexibility following a health setback? [29:08]
- How should I reshape a once successful aerospace company? [35:06]
- Are there perceived benefits to pseudo productivity? [43:32]
- CALL: What does it mean to work enough each week? [50:19]
CASE STUDY: Can knowledge workers be happy doing less? [58:55]
FEBRUARY BOOKS: The 5 Books Cal Read in February, 2025 [1:07:50]
- Moral Ambition (Rutger Bregman)
- Brotherhood of the Rose (David Morell)
- - How Dante Can Save Your Life (Rod Dreher)
- - Buzz Saw (Jesse Dougherty)
- - The Siren’s Call (Chris Hayes)
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?
newyorker.com/culture/office-space/the-hollow-core-of-elon-musks-productivity-dogma
tim.blog/2019/02/18/jim-collins/
Thanks to our Sponsors:
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.