Ep. 356: How Much Should We Work?

Ep. 356: How Much Should We Work?

Author: Cal Newport June 9, 2025 Duration: 1:05:30
The data shows knowledge workers really are more exhausted and more prone to burnout than ever before. But why? In this episode, Cal draws inspiration from an unlikely source to help unpack this troubling trend and then suggest a perhaps radical solution. He then answers listeners’ questions and discusses his latest New Yorker article on the challenges of taming AI. As a bonus, he briefly discusses Cal Network’s new bestselling book. Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com! 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: How Much Should We Work? [3:33] - What’s your advice on having a career backup plan? [28:27]- Do you know of any executive coaches who teach your principles? [30:33]- Is my retirement plan too ambitious? [35:13]- Are accountability support tools acceptable to use in order to build discipline? [38:43]- How can I identify if I have an inventory of "rare and valuable skills"? [41:21] CASE STUDY: Crafting a storytelling profession [43:14] CALL: Creating a life dashboard [46:14] TECH CORNER: Why Can’t We Tame AI? (Cal’s latest New Yorker article) [52:08] Links:Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slowGet 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/open-questions/what-isaac-asimov-reveals-about-living-with-ai Thanks to our Sponsors: drinklmnt.com/deeporacle.com/deepquestionsindeed.com/deepvanta.com/deepquestions Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro 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…