
Deep Questions with Cal Newport
Cal Newport
Cal Newport's skeptical takes on technology's role in modern life, with expert guests like Anna Lembke and David Epstein.
Why we picked this
We picked Deep Questions because Cal Newport treats attention as an engineering problem, not a moral failing. Where other shows about technology and productivity offer vague encouragement, Newport builds arguments from specific research—dissecting studies on mobile internet blocking, mapping addiction spectra, and applying the theory of constraints to knowledge work. The show’s posture is prescriptive: it names the bottleneck and tells you what to remove. Listeners who want their screen-time guilt replaced by workable mechanics will find the whole feed useful.
Recent episodes

Why Do Digital Detoxes Fail? What Works Better? | Monday Advice
Jul 27, 20261h 10m

Am I Optimizing Too Much? | Monday Advice
Jul 20, 20261h 18m

Does Claude Have Private Thoughts? (Everyone Settle Down) | AI Reality Check
Jul 16, 202631 min

Should I Use Notebooks More Often? (Cal’s Strategy) | Monday Advice
Jul 13, 20261h 4m

Do Managers Actually Understand AI? (I’m Not So Sure.) | AI Reality Check
Jul 9, 202619 min

Should I Turn Off the Internet? (Lessons From a Family That Did) | Monday Advice
Jul 6, 20261h 5m

Can I Be a Digital Minimalist in 2026? | Monday Advice
Jun 29, 202659 min

Dear AI Companies: Stop the “Doom Trolling” | AI Reality Check
Jun 25, 202622 min

Am I Lazy or Overstimulated? | Monday Advice
Jun 22, 202657 min

Was the Mythos Ban Justified? (Good Idea. Bad Execution.) | AI Reality Check
Jun 17, 202629 min

Do I Need a “Brain Gym”? | Monday Advice
Jun 15, 202658 min

Are We About to Lose Control of AI? | AI Reality Check
Jun 11, 202620 min
Related shows

Hi-Phi Nation
Philosophers and critics discuss ethics and culture in unexpected contexts, from zombies to gig work.

The Partially Examined Life
Four philosophers closely read European thinkers like Hegel and Habermas, often in multi-part episodes.

Word of Mouth
Linguist Michael Rosen's eclectic conversations on language, culture, and communication.

Closereads: Philosophy with Mark and Wes
Mark and Wes dissect dense philosophy texts line-by-line.