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. 389: Is the Internet Hijacking Ambition? + Escaping Messaging Hell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:50:26
It’s natural to feel ambition, as we’re wired to find great satisfaction in accomplishing hard goals. But what impact has the internet had on this instinct? To help explore this question, author Brad Stulberg, author of…
Ep 386: Was 2025 a Great or Terrible Year for AI? (w/ Ed Zitron) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:23:07
Ep 386: Was 2025 a Great or Terrible Year for AI? (w/ Ed Zitron) 2025 was a year that was saturated in AI news, from Deep Seek, through claims of economic “bloodbaths,” to GPT-5, Sora, and Chatbot girlfriends. Frankly, i…
Ep 385: Single-Purpose Notebooks (REPLAY) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:11
In this replay of a classic episode from March 2024, Cal discusses his transformative experience using a small analog notebook to tackle a complicated problem in his life. He makes the broader argument that sometimes sim…
Ep 384: What Should I Read for a Deeper New Year? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:55
In our annual holiday episode, Cal tackles one of the questions he’s asked most often: What should I read? But with a twist. He recommends six books that are not from the self-help or advice genre that will nonetheless h…
Ep. 382: Is the Internet Becoming Television? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:26
Last month, Derek Thompson published an intriguing essay that made waves in technology criticism circles. It was titled: “Everything is Television.” In today’s episode, Cal takes a closer look at this essay, unpacking an…
Ep. Ep 381: Life Advice from Legendary Writers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:40:29
In today’s episode, Cal reviews some of his favorite advice from legendary writers (plus a bonus piece of advice from his own craft). Within each suggestion, he finds a general idea that can apply to anyone looking to bu…