Ep. 337: Hacking Remote Work

Ep. 337: Hacking Remote Work

Author: Cal Newport January 27, 2025 Duration: 1:43:27
Remote work is a hot discussion topic right now as president Trump moves to eliminate it from government work. For those who are still allowed to work from home this new focus provides a good chance to rethink how to get the most out of these arrangements. In today’s episode, Cal presents three foundational ideas from his reporting about what makes remote work actually work, and for each provides concrete advice individuals can apply to make their own virtual setups better. He then answers reader questions and ends with a tech corner focused on what the law says about whether social media should be banned for kids.   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: Hacking Remote Work [4:58]   - How does Cal explain time management vs. focus and attention management? [40:53] - How can I self study hard, technical concepts? [50:12] - Should I quit my PhD program after 3.5 years? [54:13] - Does Slow Productivity work for college students? [1:08:35] - CALL: Organizing a writing sabbatical [1:16:55]   CASE STUDY: A software engineer removes distractions [1:25:41]   TECH CORNER: Is Social Media More Like Cigarettes or Junk Food? [1:33:11]   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/infinite-scroll/is-social-media-more-like-cigarettes-or-junk-food youtu.be/-U7D4Fw67Zs?si=srHaYr3inZ9uAd0p   Thanks to our Sponsors:   zocdoc.com/deep oracle.com/deepquestions notion.com/cal indeed.com/deep   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

Cal Newport, a computer science professor and bestselling author, brings his thoughtful exploration of technology's role in our lives into an audio format with Deep Questions with Cal Newport. Moving beyond the pages of his books, this podcast creates a direct dialogue where he addresses the real-world challenges submitted by his readers. Each episode feels like a focused conversation, tackling the practicalities of building a meaningful and productive life in an age of constant connectivity. You’ll hear specific strategies for cultivating sustained focus, designing a work life that allows for depth, and establishing boundaries with the digital tools that so often fragment our attention. The discussions are grounded in his research and philosophy, avoiding simplistic life-hacks in favor of sustainable systems. Whether it's navigating the demands of a distracted workplace, finding time for deep hobbies, or managing technology without feeling overwhelmed, Newport provides nuanced advice that connects the dots between personal effectiveness and broader societal trends. This isn't just another productivity podcast; it's a consistent source for rethinking how we engage with our work, our time, and our devices to reclaim a sense of purpose and control. The overall tone is both analytical and accessible, making complex ideas about living and working deeply feel immediately applicable to daily routines. Tuning into this podcast offers a regular opportunity to step back from the noise and consider a more intentional approach to everything you do.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Deep Questions with Cal Newport
Podcast Episodes
Ep. 397: Why Do “Productivity Technologies” Make My Job Worse? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:19
A new study finds that for many workers, AI increases shallow efforts while decreasing time focusing on what really matters. This is not the first digital productivity technology to create this paradoxical effect. In tod…
AI Reality Check: Did AI Just Become Sentient? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:42
Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News. Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia STORY #1: Did an AI Agent Email an AI Researcher? [1:01] STORY #2: Does the Pentagon Think Claude Has a Soul? […
Ep. 396: Can I Learn To Love My Phone Again? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:01
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 so…
AI Reality Check: Is the Economy About to Collapse? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:53
Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News. Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvo Video from toda…
Ep. 395: Should I Try a “Social Media Pause”? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:03
Do you need social media? Which services? For what purposes? These are complicated questions and in today’s episode Cal proposes a simple route to answers: conducting a “social media pause.” To help investigate this stra…
AI Reality Check: Did the LLM Job Apocalypse Begin Last Week? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:30
AI Reality Check: Did the LLM Job Apocalypse Begin Last Week? Cal Newport takes a closer look at recent AI news. Below are the topics covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal…
Ep. 394: Do I Need a Better Planning System? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:36:38
It’s hard to live deeply in a distracted world if you don’t have control over how you spend your time. This goal requires a planning system that both works and can last. Do you have a reasonable planning system in place?…
Ep. 393: Can Movies Save Us From Our Phones? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:36
Last month, the Atlantic reported that film students are now struggling to sit through entire films. In this episode, Cal argues that this is both an issue and an opportunity. The fact we can’t watch full movies indicate…
Ep. 391: Is AI Reporting Broken? + Rethinking Morning Routines [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:33
Is there something rotten in the state of AI reporting at the moment? In the ideas segment of this episode, Cal details three common traps in AI coverage that distort or distract from the reality of this technology. Once…