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

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Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

In a recent article for The Atlantic, Derek Thompson writes about the troubling trends toward increased solitude. In this episode, Cal looks at the role technology plays in these trends, pointing out some surprising factors and then using these insights to come up with a practical plan for reconnecting with the world. He then answers listener questions and concludes with a tech corner segment inspired by yet another New Yorker column.

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: On Screens and Solitude [3:09]

- How can I study at night after my doctor work? [26:49]

- Can you comment on Leopold Aschenbrenner’s Situational Awareness essay? [36:45]

- How do I successfully pursue my non-work values? [51:33]

- How can I become a better writer? [1:00:56]

- Can someone break into the top 0.1% of their respective field without periods of unsustainable and obsessive work? [1:02:44]

- CALL: Managing active projects [1:08:42]

CASE STUDY: A follow-up from Episode 323 [1:13:02]

CAL REACTS: An Offline Person Tries TikTok for the First Time [1:19:34]

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?

axios.com/2024/06/23/leopold-aschenbrenner-ai-future-silicon-valley

theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/02/american-loneliness-personality-politics/681091/

• newyorker.com/culture/infinite-scroll/what-happened-when-an-extremely-offline-person-tried-tiktok

Thanks to our Sponsors:

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Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

One of the most popular and most derided topics in online productivity spaces are so-called morning routines. In this episode, Cal wades into this content, identifying three major categories of these routines. For each, he explores what’s good and what’s bad. In the end, he uses these lessons to update his own daily routines in some highly specific ways. He then answers reader questions and ends with a “tech corner” segment that builds on Cal’s latest essay for The New Yorker.

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: On Morning Routines [4:04]

- How should I choose what podcasts to listen to? [41:49]

- How does Cal track daily steps? [52:57]

- Can I switch my office hours around? [57:23]

- How long should I remain at a large marketing firm? [1:02:37]

- How can I reject meetings? [1:10:02]

- CALL: How to obsess over quality while researching [1:13:22]

CASE STUDY: A career transition to become a pastor [1:18:57]

TECH CORNER: YouTube and the Creative Middle Class [1:28:18]

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?

x.com/jockowillink

tiktok.com/@spartan/video/7259530421099056427

nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/i-tried-miracle-morning-routine-month-here-s-what-happened-ncna981786

youtube.com/watch?v=roK4g1e28mM

newyorker.com/culture/rabbit-holes/a-lesson-in-creativity-and-capitalism-from-two-zany-youtubers

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Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.