Ep. 339: Let Brandon Cook

Ep. 339: Let Brandon Cook

Author: Cal Newport February 10, 2025 Duration: 1:37:04
Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com!   In a recent appearance on the Tim Ferriss podcast, the prolific fantasy author Brandon Sanderson revealed how he reshaped his media company to help him do what he does best. In this episode, Cal explores the idea, and asks the key question: why is this not more common? While exploring an answer, Cal uncovers a bigger issue in modern digital knowledge work and points towards potential answers. He then answers listener questions and concludes with a tech corner about Alan Turing.   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: Let Brandon Cook [4:56]   - What is your opinion on mind mapping and have you ever used it? [32:35] - What “really matters” to develop career capital for a civil servant? [36:28] - What’s your view on Daniel Immerwahr’s recent New Yorker article on the attention crisis? [42:23] - How does mentoring fit into knowledge work development? [49:54] - Is it possible to use Paul Jarvis’s approach to start a company to merge the divide with Slow Productivity? [57:20] - CALL: A 15-year-old and a smartphone [1:03:28]   CASE STUDY: Using AI to expand work skills [1:07:59]   TECH CORNER: Let Turing Cook [1:21:41]   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? tim.blog/2025/02/05/brandon-sanderson/ spectrum.ieee.org/alan-turings-delilah podcast.feedspot.com/computer_science_podcasts/   Thanks to our Sponsors:   cozyearth.com/deep byloftie.com (Code: DEEP20) indeed.com/deep grammarly.com/podcast   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
How Do I Escape the “Busyness Singularity”? | Monday Advice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:56
There has been lots of discussion recently about AI eliminating jobs. But what if the real fear is that AI will instead make existing jobs miserable? In this episode, Cal argues that LLM–based tools are poised to acceler…
How Do I Reclaim My Schedule? (w/ Laura Vanderkam) | Monday Advice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:59
It’s common to feel like you don’t have enough time in your schedule to build a life that’s both professionally successful and personally deep. But is this true? In today’s episode, Cal interviews time management expert…
Has AI Conquered Coding? (It’s Not So Simple…) | AI Reality Check [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:33
Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News. Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia (0:00) Has AI conquered coding? (3:21) Lars Faye quote (5:25) Skipping the struggle step (6:42) Point #1 (7:08)…
Am I Addicted to My Phone? (w/ Anna Lembke) | Monday Advice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:38
Many of us ask the question if phone addiction is similar to other addictions. In this episode, Cal is joined by the #1 New York Times bestselling author Anna Lembke to explore this question. They dive deep into her book…
Is AI About to “Eat Everything”? | AI Reality Check [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:50
Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News. Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia (0:00) Is AI about to “eat everything”? (2:53) What does the METR chart measure? (8:08) What do these measureme…
Do I Need a Digital Intervention? | Monday Advice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:01
A new research study reveals that a surprisingly simple intervention into your digital life can yield massive benefits in only two weeks. In this episode, Cal takes a deep dive into this paper, detailing: the interventio…
Is the AI Doom Fever Breaking? | AI Reality Check [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:30
Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News. Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia (0:00) Is the AI doom fever breaking? (4:30) Have the AI CEOs changed their tuen? (7:23) Why did they change? (…
Is AI About to Automate Every Office Job? | AI Reality Check [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:03
Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News. Video from today’s episode also at: youtube.com/calnewportmedia 0:00 Is AI About to Automate Every Office Job? 3:02 Other Tech Leaders Don’t Agree 5:49 -We Aren’t Seei…