Podcasts about Cal Newport

Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News. Video from today's episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia (0:00) Did AI just “solve” math? (2:38) What OpenAI did (6:30) Question #1 - Is this result that important? (7:34) Question #2 - Does this mean LLMs are now smarter than human mathematicians? (17:50) Question #3 - Does this mean all equally hard challenges will now be conquered by AI? (23:27) Question #4 - What is the future of math? (28:27) Concluding thoughts Links: Buy Cal's latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow  https://openai.com/index/model-disproves-discrete-geometry-conjecture/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Br4l9YjCyRU https://x.com/PeterDiamandis/status/2058956956077871275 https://cdn.openai.com/pdf/74c24085-19b0-4534-9c90-465b8e29ad73/unit-distance-remarks.pdf Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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) Point #2 (7:28) Point #3 (7:39) Point #4 (8:35) Solution   Links: Sign up for Cal's newsletter at www.calnewport.com/ideas Buy Cal's latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow https://larsfaye.com/articles/agentic-coding-is-a-trap https://www.infoworld.com/article/4143101/pity-the-developers-who-resist-agentic-coding.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQSNhk5ICTI Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tue, 19 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT http://relay.fm/focused/256 http://relay.fm/focused/256 David Sparks and Mike Schmitz David & Mike discuss the difference between task triage and time architecture when designing your week and using rituals to help you transition from one task to the next. David & Mike discuss the difference between task triage and time architecture when designing your week and using rituals to help you transition from one task to the next. clean 3646 David & Mike discuss the difference between task triage and time architecture when designing your week and using rituals to help you transition from one task to the next. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Vitally: Your Copilot for AI-Powered Customer Success. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting. Keeper: Get 60% off personal and family plans. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Video version of this episode Focused #250: Planning Your Week Don't Plan Your Week, Design It | Practical PKM The Deep Life by Cal Newport #316: Weekly Templates David's Ideal Week Template Mike's Ideal Week Template Plan Your Ideal Week | Free Tool by Mike Schmitz Timery Day One Obsidian Keychron K2 HE Wireless Keyboard Mike's guitar What You're Made For by George Raveling

Tue, 19 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT http://relay.fm/focused/256 http://relay.fm/focused/256 Calendar Modes & Transitions Rituals 256 David Sparks and Mike Schmitz David & Mike discuss the difference between task triage and time architecture when designing your week and using rituals to help you transition from one task to the next. David & Mike discuss the difference between task triage and time architecture when designing your week and using rituals to help you transition from one task to the next. clean 3646 David & Mike discuss the difference between task triage and time architecture when designing your week and using rituals to help you transition from one task to the next. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Vitally: Your Copilot for AI-Powered Customer Success. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting. Keeper: Get 60% off personal and family plans. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Video version of this episode Focused #250: Planning Your Week Don't Plan Your Week, Design It | Practical PKM The Deep Life by Cal Newport #316: Weekly Templates David's Ideal Week Template Mike's Ideal Week Template Plan Your Ideal Week | Free Tool by Mike Schmitz Timery Day One Obsidian Keychron K2 HE Wireless Keyboard Mike's guitar What You're Made For by George Raveling

These are mini episodes where I read articles that I publish monthly on PianoBuffs Substack. I share essays, reflections, and research-informed insights on the pianist's mind. I believe that piano practice can enrich us far beyond the keyboard.I wrote this article after reading Deep Work by Cal Newport—a truly inspiring and insightful book if you feel, too, that we live in an overly chaotic and distracted world.Throughout my musical career, I've been deeply interested in the science behind piano playing and musical performance itself. If you are interested in how music can help develop your brain, visit our Substack. More information about PianoBuffs here. Get full access to PianoBuffs at pianobuffs.substack.com/subscribe

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 measurements actually capture? (12:31-) How are the models getting better? (21:26) Does this mean AI is about to “eat everything”? (26:16) So, what's with all of these hysterical tweets?   Links: Buy Cal's latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow https://metr.org/time-horizons/ https://x.com/SydSteyerhart/status/2053082873847070911 https://x.com/AISafetyMemes/status/2053169358919328172 https://x.com/ramez/status/2041946766598402459?s=61   Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Nate Mechler for research and newsletter, and Jay Kerstens for theme music. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cal Newport, computer scientist and author of Deep Work, joins Offline to explain why we need a revolution in cognitive fitness, and how AI is going to get in the way. Cal and Jon explore how smartphones and AI are destroying our ability to concentrate, how our attention spans are a third of what they were just twenty years ago, and how we can practice “deep work” in our constantly interrupted digital environment.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast, episode title, and episode date.

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? (11:21) Why did they ever think this was a good idea? (24:26) Conclusion Links: Buy Cal's latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFnoQkYUqgU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWxHOrn8-rs https://x.com/sama/status/2050229058425045178 https://fortune.com/2026/05/02/jensen-huang-nvdia-ceo-god-complex-ai-apocalypse-warnings-shortages-critical-jobs/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Kpb8eu1pEY https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/03/opinion/ai-jobs-unemployment-silicon-valley.html https://nickbostrom.com/existential/risks.pdf Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What happens when you delete every app off your phone for 21 days? In this solo episode, Erik shares what he discovered during a Christmas break internet break — and what the research says about why so many of us feel like we can't put the phone down in the first place.In this episode, Erik covers:How We Got Here Without Deciding To: The boiled frog drift into five-to-seven hours of daily screen time wasn't a choice anyone made — it happened gradually, and the data from researcher Gloria Mark at UC Irvine shows exactly what it's cost our attention spans.It's Not Just Social Media: Email, Slack, the news app — your brain doesn't distinguish between Instagram and Outlook. The real pattern is letting an outside ping decide what you think about next, and that pattern is everywhere.The Research That Should Actually Motivate You: Studies from the University of Bath and Beth Israel found measurable reductions in anxiety, depression, and insomnia after just one week off social media — improvements that typically take months of therapy to achieve.The Five-Level Detox Ladder: From turning off notifications and going grayscale all the way to Cal Newport's 30-day deep reset protocol, Erik walks through a tiered framework so you can pick the experiment that fits your life right now.The Healthy Cadence Framework: A reset alone isn't enough — Erik lays out how to build purposeful, sustainable habits around when and why you use each channel, so you don't just slide back to baseline.If you've ever felt less busy the moment you put your phone down — or wondered what your brain might feel like with a little less noise in it — this episode is the permission slip and the practical roadmap to find out. Connect with Erik:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This Podcast is Powered By:Brain.fm - 20% off your first month⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript 101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Castmagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ecamm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podpage⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rodecaster Pro⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Make sure to grab Shortcasts from Beyond The To-Do List by Blinkist. A Shortcast is a 7-10 min version of a podcast where you get the core takeaways. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2039: Cal Newport argues that perfectionism delivers minimal gains while creating disproportionate stress, making it a losing strategy for meaningful work. He shows that true value comes from developing underlying skills and meeting a reasonable quality threshold, not endless polishing. By focusing on long-term improvement instead of obsessive tweaking, you can achieve better results while maintaining a more sustainable and enjoyable life. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.calnewport.com/blog/2012/07/24/perfectionism-is-a-losers-strategy/ Quotes to ponder: "The vast majority of your product's value comes from your underlying ability." "Perfectionism, by contrast, can be incredibly stressful. It puts you in a state of constant worry that you're on the brink of failure." "This is why I call perfectionism a loser's strategy: you're generating a disproportionate amount of stress for a small amount of value." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Seeing Enough Progress 14:09 -LLMS Are Limited 24:19 Conclusion Links: Buy Cal's latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow  https://www.reddit.com/r/AI4tech/comments/1r4tukp/microsoft_ai_ceo_mustafa_suleyman_says_most_if/ https://x.com/TheChiefNerd/status/2045947286518157395 https://www.reddit.com/r/ClaudeAI/comments/1snhfzd/claude_opus_47_is_a_serious_regression_not_an/  https://x.com/mattshumer_/status/2047376179414421957 https://www.newyorker.com/culture/2025-in-review/why-ai-didnt-transform-our-lives-in-2025 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDOmNa9inA4 https://www.ft.com/video/2c428045-bf4f-45bd-ada2-8ba53983cd81 Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Many of us offload heavy thinking to A.I., and our brains are going soft in the process. Cal Newport, professor of computer science at Georgetown University, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how employing computers to do our deepest thinking dulls our ability to concentrate and the things we can do right now to keep us sharp and alert. His recent essay published in The New York Times is “There's a Good Reason You Can't Concentrate.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Dave Birss says you won't be replaced by AI - you'll be replaced by a leader who's been told the wrong story about it.About this episodeDave Birss is back on Business Without BS - author of the Sensible AI Manifesto, co-founder of the Gen AI Academy, and a man who's taught a million-and-a-half people how to use AI without setting their business on fire. He walks Andy and Andrew through what he calls a "corporate poopocalypse" — what happens when you apply AI to a business that hasn't cleaned up its own mess.The episode covers the Sensible AI Manifesto's six points, the CREATE prompting framework, the three Cs for checking AI output, the adequacy trap, why judgment is the most undervalued skill of the next decade, and the practical playbook for rolling out AI across a team without sending the whole organisation into a panic.About the guestDave Birss co-founded the Gen AI Academy with Helena, where they run AI training across governments, the UN, and Fortune 500 companies. He wrote the Sensible AI Manifesto and GPT Junior, the kids' AI book and video course now in over 100 schools. Before all that he spent his career in advertising and creativity, which is where most of his frameworks come from.Key moments[02:46] The Roomba poopocalypse - why AI applied to a dysfunctional business spreads the mess, not the productivity.[05:46] Corporate barnacles - the institutional plaque costing every business 40% in fuel and speed.[08:04] Sensible AI Manifesto Point 1: use AI to augment skills, not to outsource tasks.[09:15] The two-list exercise: tasks that piss you off vs tasks you wish you could do more of. Only the second list is the real opportunity.[12:11] AI slap - 96% of leaders think AI raises productivity, 77% of staff feel buried by unrealistic expectations.[13:48] The adequacy trap - why AI users get stuck at "good enough" and never break through.[22:51] The other five Manifesto points: use data responsibly, support employees, assign AI leaders, keep learning, always add a human layer.[26:40] The CREATE prompting framework — Character, Request, Examples, Adjustments, Type, Extras.[37:59] The three Cs for checking AI output: Confirm, Check, Craft. Why most people skip the third one.[55:14] How business owners keep their thinking sharp: do the work on paper before you open the laptop.[1:01:03] What humans still beat AI at - conceptualisation, creative voice, and judgment. The judgment one matters most.[1:14:17] The line that pisses Dave off: "you won't be replaced by AI, you'll be replaced by someone using AI." His correction is sharper.[1:18:09] The three-stage AI value pyramid — cost cutting → skill amplification → unlocking what wasn't possible before. 80% of companies are stuck on stage one.[1:24:18] How to roll out AI across a team in an afternoon: align with business strategy, declare an AI amnesty, pave the desire lines.Mentioned in this episodeSensible AI Manifesto — Dave's six-point framework for applying AI without breaking your business. Currently being turned into a book.Gen AI Academy - the training company Dave co-founded with Helena, working with governments, the UN and Fortune 500s.GPT Junior - Dave's book and video course teaching kids how to use AI properly, currently in over 100 schools.Perplexity - Dave's preferred AI tool for fact-checking because it gives you the sources.Cal Newport - referenced for the long-form-reading argument and the case that children reading for pleasure is the strongest predictor of life outcomes.Range (David Epstein) - the case for generalists over hyper-specialists; Dave says the book describes him.Yann LeCun - recently left Meta over the limits of next-token prediction; arguing AI needs world models, not just language.Roomba poopocalypse - the family-and-the-dog metaphor that opens the episode and frames the whole thing.Marc Andreessen / lump of labour fallacy — the framing for why we systematically underestimate the new jobs that emerge from disruption.RAF desire lines - the Nissan-hut path-paving story; Dave's metaphor for letting staff show you how AI is already being used.Combinedly - the AI tool Andrew's firm is testing for client-sentiment analysis and email drafting.Find the guestLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davebirss/ Gen AI Academy: https://thegenaiacademy.com/Follow Business Without BSWebsite: https://withoutbs.comYouTube: https://youtube.com/@bwblondonInstagram: https://instagram.com/bwblondonX / Twitter: https://x.com/bwb_londonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-without-bs

Read my new book, The Price of Becoming. www.LearningLeader.com/Becoming The Learning Leader Show with Ryan Hawk This is brought to you by Insight Global. If you need to hire one person, hire a team of people, or transform your business through Talent or Technical Services, Insight Global's team of 30,000 people around the world has the hustle and grit to deliver. My guest: David Epstein is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Range and The Sports Gene. A former investigative reporter at ProPublica and senior writer at Sports Illustrated. His new book is called Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better. Notes   Be part of "Mindful Monday" -- Text Hawk to 66866 Key Learnings The easier move is to let it go. David found a factual error in Ryan's new/my new book. David was supposed to read it and write a blurb on it - but went further and challenged a factual error. The kind move, what great leaders actually do, is being willing to point things out, even if it could cause a little friction.  There is such a thing as too much autonomy. After Range became mega viral, David optimized for autonomy. He individualized his whole life. He no longer was writing about what others assigned him. A year later, he realized there is a thing as too much autonomy. He missed the structure of a work day, the deadlines, the annoyances of working with other people's schedules. This total freedom ended up feeling terrible. "The great thing about being committed by your own choice is that you can stop wondering how to live and start living."  This quote by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi hit David when he was on a dating app for book topics, just swiping and swiping. That day he said, "I'm really interested in constraints. I need some myself. I'm writing a book proposal on this." Two weeks later he was 10 times more interested because he decided to dive into it. Cal Newport says "system shutting down" at the end of his workday. It seems silly, but when you have all that freedom, you need something to close the workday so you can recover and be ready for the next day. Your brain is made for preventing you from having to think whenever possible. Cognitive scientist Daniel Willingham says thinking is energetically costly. So when your calendar is too open, all you'll do is what's convenient. Your brain will be lazy. The path of least resistance. The mere urgency effect: when schedule and structure is too open, people do things that seem urgent even if they're unimportant. When you're too unstructured, you end up doing huge volumes of low value stuff just to have checked off doing something. What David's workday looks like now:  Batching work: people at work check their email on average 77 times a day. The way people are usually doing that is they're toggling all the time between email and something else. When you do that, it lowers your productivity and massively increases your stress. David doesn't start his day with his inbox. He'll check it at the end of the workday because emails can take him away from the most important work at the beginning of the day.  Stress + Rest = Growth. The workday ends when David's son gets home. When writing, you have to program in rest, just like you would if you were an athlete in training.  Daniel Kahneman said writing "Thinking Fast and Slow" was the worst few years of his life. David had lunch with Kahneman and praised the book. Kahneman said, "Never again." He said it was so isolating. He was used to working with a partner or multiple partners and colleagues. He felt so isolated that he said he'd never write a book again, or if he did, he would write it with somebody else. And that's what he did. And David could empathize with that.  David made a one-page architectural outline for how "Inside the Box" would look. If it's not on that page, it is not in the book. He wrote as small as possible to try to defeat his own system. The book's 20% shorter than his other two. He thinks it's much tighter writing. He was so much more efficient that he doesn't feel nearly as burned out. After a mega hit book, two things matter: (1) A lot is out of your control, and (2) Identify as a craftsman. David's colleague at Sports Illustrated told him, "If a book about genetics and vampires comes out the same day, you're screwed, and there's nothing you can do about it." He was right. But David very strongly identifies as a writer now, as a craftsman. He's taken fiction writing courses just to learn about craft. With Inside the Box, he did a structural experiment that he found so engaging because he was focused on the craft itself, not just the commercial outcome. "Docendo discimus" - by teaching, we learn. This is a quote from Seneca. If people think they're going to have to teach certain material, they organize it more coherently in their own mind. They start pulling out main ideas and attaching different ideas together. Teaching it is even better, but just making someone think they're going to have to teach it makes them learn in a much more coherent way. Narrative values: the recurring themes that give coherence to a life. David went back and looked at his life and identified: curiosity, open-mindedness, diligence, and resilience. Now that he's started telling his story in that way, it shows up everywhere. But going forward, he also wanted some things in his story that he didn't have. So he identified forgiveness in particular because that has not been a strong suit for him. Ben Helfgott: the only living Olympian to have survived a concentration camp. Almost everybody in his family was killed in the Holocaust. He just preached forgiveness all the time. When David saw what Ben did, these petty grudges he's holding are nothing. You're just poisoning yourself when you hold these grudges. So David decided he wanted forgiveness to become one of his narrative values.  Herbert Simon won the highest award in computer science, psychology, and the Nobel Prize in economics. His quote serves as the epigraph of the book: "It is a myth, widely believed but not less mythical for that, that people are most creative when they're most free." Simon coined the term "satisficing." It's a combination of satisfy and suffice. It means having good enough decision rules. He contrasted that with maximizing. From a mountain of psychological research, it is almost always bad to be a maximizer. Maximizers are less happy with their decisions, less happy with their lives, more prone to regret. There's not much evidence they actually make better decisions most of the time. Simon was a proactive satisficer. He said you need three sets of clothing: one on your back, one in the wash, and the next one ready to wear. He simplified all the decisions in his life so he could save cognitive bandwidth for the really important ones. He famously said, "The perfect is the enemy of the good." Choose when to choose. Choose when to save and when to use your cognitive bandwidth.  Good enough doesn't mean you have low standards. It means you're saving your bandwidth for the most important things. "How you do anything is how you do everything" is completely wrong. This is one of David's least favorite quotes. It's wrong. Herbert Simon did the same mundane thing, the same breakfast every day, the same socks, so he could crush it in his work. He wasn't doing everything the way he was doing his work. The Fredkins Paradox: We spend the most energy on the least important decisions because we agonize when the options are really similar. General Magic: They invented the smartphone in 1990. The iPhone would not exist without them. They had infinite degrees of freedom. They could do anything. When the device came out, it didn't solve a clear customer problem. It had a 200-page manual. They sold 3,000 units in the first six months. Meanwhile, people inside General Magic who bit off much smaller chunks had success. One low-level engineer started Auction Web. His bosses said no, too small. He left and changed the name to eBay. Another created Graffiti. He said "I'm going to solve a clear customer problem. Busy professionals want contacts and calendars on the go." He did just a calendar, contacts, and a memo pad. That was the Palm Pilot. By doing way less. By doing something, not everything. Tony Fadell (the "podfather"): "If you don't have constraints, make up constraints."  Bill Gurley said, "We have a saying in venture: more startups die of indigestion than starvation." When Tony co-founded Nest, he made his team work inside a literal box. He made them prototype the box before they had the product. If it didn't fit in that box, it was not a priority. Reflection Questions What area of your life has too much freedom right now? Where could you add a constraint (a deadline, a ritual, a boundary) that would actually make you more productive or creative? If you had to pick three narrative values that run through your life story, what would they be? Are they the ones you want, or do you need to add an aspirational value like David did with forgiveness? What's one decision you're maximizing (trying to find the perfect choice) when you should be satisficing (good enough and move on)? How much time and energy would you free up if you applied Herbert Simon's approach? More Learning #310 - David Epstein: Why Generalists Will Rule the World #582 - Cal Newport: Obsess Over Quality #660 - James Clear: The 4 Laws to Behavioral Change Podcast Chapters00:00 The Price of Becoming - Ryan's New Book 01:15 Meet David Epstein 02:39 The Fact Checker: What Great Leaders Do 04:27 Dedication Easter Eggs 05:50 The Problem With Too Much Autonomy 10:47 Why You Actually Need Constraints 12:29 Batching Work: The 77 Email Checks Problem 17:20 Lunch with Kahneman: Thinking Fast and Slow Was Miserable  22:18 What To Do After A Viral Book 27:07 Docendo Discimus: By Teaching, We Learn  29:13 Why Leaders Should Regularly Teach 31:09 Desirable Difficulties 31:56 Narrative Values: The Themes That Define Your Life 34:31 Adding Forgiveness As an Aspirational Value 36:13 Chips on Shoulders vs. Proving People Right 39:10 Herbert Simon: The Man Who Won Everything 40:20 Satisficing Over Maximizing 42:40 Choosing When To Choose 44:29 Good Enough Doesn't Mean Low Standards 46:13 Why "How You Do Anything" is Completely Wrong 47:25 General Magic: Do Something, Not Everything 52:49 One Year From Now: What Are You Celebrating? 54:54 EOPC

This week I've been deep in my SEO and content strategy, and it got me thinking: am I just trading one algorithm for another? I left social media to stop chasing feeds, but now I'm optimizing for Google, YouTube, and even AI search. Here's where I landed. Also: Cal Newport's take on Claude Mythos (spoiler: no, it's not terrifying), Ryan Holiday's Discipline is Destiny and what it has to say to solopreneurs, and a behind-the-scenes Architectural Digest video about the Scrubs revival that made me think hard about where it's actually worth spending your time.On My MindAre we beholden to algorithms no matter what we do?Recommended ReadingIs Claude Mythos Terrifying? | AI Reality CheckDiscipline is DestinyRecommended MediaHow the Scrubs team rebuilt Sacred HeartView the episode transcript (00:00) - It's Friday, April 24, 2026 (00:26) - What's on my mind: Are we beholden to an algorithm? (08:20) - Recommended listening: Cal Newport on Claude Mythos (11:26) - Recommended reading: Discipline is Destiny (12:17) - Recommended video: The Scrubs Sacred Heart rebuild (15:56) - Wrap-up ————Streamlined Solopreneur is the podcast for solopreneurs who want to automate their business and take time off worry-free. Each week, Joe Casabona shares practical systems, tools, and strategies to help you reclaim your time and run your business without sacrificing your the rest of your life, or your health. Start with the free Solopreneur Sweep — a step-by-step method for finding where your business is losing time: https://streamlined.fm/sweepIf this episode helped you, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts helps other solopreneurs find the show — it only takes a minute and means a lot.Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News. Video from today's episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia 0:00 What has *Actually* Happened in AI in 2026?  3:07 Open Claw 27:53 Anthropic and the Department of War 49:06 Data Centers Links: Buy Cal's latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow  https://www.axios.com/2026/01/31/ai-moltbook-human-need-tech https://www.macstories.net/stories/clawdbot-showed-me-what-the-future-of-personal-ai-assistants-looks-like/ https://www.anthropic.com/news/statement-department-of-war https://futurism.com/science-energy/data-centers-construction-supply Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cet épisode solo est un développément de ma newsletter à laquelle vous pouvez vous abonner ici!Depuis vingt ans, la Silicon Valley nous vend la même promesse : une vie fluide, sans résistance, où tout est à portée de clic. Et on a dit oui. Collectivement, sans jamais vraiment en discuter. Le café en dosette plutôt que le café moulu. La playlist algorithmique plutôt que les morceaux glanés un à un. La livraison en deux heures plutôt que la sortie en ville. Individuellement, chaque choix semblait raisonnable.Dans cet épisode, j'explore ce que cette idéologie du "frictionless" nous a réellement coûté, au-delà de l'addiction aux écrans et de la perte d'emplois : une vie qui glisse sans s'accrocher nulle part, une capacité à raisonner qui s'atrophie, un monde commun qui disparaît, et une génération entière structurellement fragile face aux vraies tempêtes.J'interroge les travaux de Matthew Crawford sur la résistance productive, de Tim Wu sur la commodité comme idéologie dominante, d'Hannah Arendt sur le monde commun, de Jonathan Haidt sur la santé mentale des adolescents depuis l'arrivée des smartphones, de Pablo Servigne sur le "réseau des tempêtes" comme seule vraie résilience, et d'Hartmut Rosa sur la résonance. Je m'appuie aussi sur Viktor Frankl, Harry Frankfurt, Sherry Turkle et Cal Newport.Ce n'est pas un texte technophobe. Je commande sur Amazon, je prends des Uber, j'utilise Claude Cowork tous les jours. Mais je me demande, honnêtement, ce qu'on a accepté de sacrifier sans jamais en discuter collectivement. Et si le vrai futur, ce n'était pas un futur sans friction, mais un futur dans lequel on utilise les outils pour monter le niveau d'exigence, pas pour le faire descendre.CITATIONS MARQUANTES1. "La commodité, dans sa version la plus avancée, ne supprime pas juste la contrainte. Elle supprime aussi l'expérience."2. "Une vie dans laquelle il n'y a aucune friction est une vie dans laquelle nous mourons dans le même état que celui dans lequel nous sommes nés. Il ne s'est strictement rien passé." (Michael Dandrieux)3. "On a remplacé le raisonnement par l'accumulation de contenus et de données. Et ces deux choses ne sont pas du tout équivalentes."4. "Des livrables plus beaux, des décisions moins bonnes." (dirigeant d'un cabinet de conseil en stratégie)5. "La démocratie est un effort. Pas seulement un effort de l'intelligence rationnelle. Un effort de confiance aussi. D'aimer son prochain qu'on ne connaît pas." (Edward Snowden, via Flore Vasseur)IDÉES CENTRALES1. La friction n'est pas un bug, c'est ce qui nous constitue Timestamp estimé : 06:30 – 14:30 Matthew Crawford le formule mieux que quiconque : l'engagement avec la résistance du monde réel est précisément ce qui nous constitue comme humains. Quand vous apprenez un instrument, la difficulté des cordes, les fausses notes, la coordination des doigts, c'est ce qui crée la compétence. Et avec la compétence : la fierté, la dignité, le sens. Une application qui jouerait à votre place vous donnerait le son mais pas la musique. Le résultat sans le chemin. Et sans ce chemin, vous avez perdu l'essentiel. La Silicon Valley a fondé son modèle entier sur l'idée inverse : le chemin est le problème, le résultat est tout ce qui compte. C'est une erreur anthropologique majeure.Pourquoi c'est important : Cette inversion du rapport à la difficulté n'est pas anodine. Elle redéfinit ce qu'on entend par compétence, par satisfaction, par vie accomplie.2. Le monde commun est en train d'être démantelé, et c'est une catastrophe démocratique Timestamp estimé : 17:30 – 26:00 Hannah Arendt avait conceptualisé le "monde commun" comme l'espace partagé où se construit la politique, l'humanité, la rencontre avec l'Autre. Ce que la Silicon Valley a systématiquement attaqué, pas par malveillance mais par logique économique, c'est exactement cet espace : chaque moment dans le monde commun est un moment non monétisé. Résultat : des "fantômes collectifs" qui occupent le même espace physique mais vivent dans des réalités informationnelles complètement différentes. Et une démocratie qui continue à s'animer mais qui a perdu sa fonction : elle produit du bruit, pas de la délibération.Pourquoi c'est important : La montée des autocraties, le repli tribal, l'incapacité à cohabiter avec la différence : ce n'est pas qu'un problème politique. C'est un problème d'espace. On a supprimé les lieux où on apprenait à vivre avec ceux qui ne pensaient pas comme nous.3. Déléguer la pensée, c'est perdre la capacité d'apprendre de ses erreurs Timestamp estimé : 26:00 – 37:30 Les grands modèles de langage prédisent sans comprendre pourquoi. Ils corrèlent sans expliquer. Et quand on utilise un outil qui prédit sans expliquer, on obtient des réponses dont on ne peut pas évaluer la validité si on n'a pas cheminé sur le sujet. L'effet de contentement fait le reste : le résultat a l'air assez bon pour qu'on ne dépense pas l'énergie cognitive à voir si on serait arrivé à autre chose par soi-même. Des livrables plus beaux, des décisions moins bonnes.Pourquoi c'est important : La question n'est pas "est-ce que l'IA va remplacer les journalistes ?" La vraie question : est-ce qu'une société dans laquelle pas suffisamment de personnes ne s'entraînent à évaluer un argument est encore capable de se gouverner elle-même ?4. Une génération protégée de l'inconfort mineur devient catastrophiquement fragile face à l'inconfort majeur Timestamp estimé : 37:30 – 46:30 Jonathan Haidt montre comment la corrélation entre smartphones et dégradation de la santé mentale des adolescents depuis 2012 est réelle et préoccupante. La thèse intuitive de Greg : si on protège quelqu'un de tout inconfort mineur, on lui retire les occasions de développer la capacité à gérer les inconvénients majeurs. Pablo Servigne ajoute la dimension collective : la résilience, ce n'est pas une infrastructure, c'est du lien. Et ce que la Silicon Valley a vendu, ce sont des substituts de lien : larges et superficiels plutôt qu'étroits et profonds.Pourquoi c'est important : La logique frictionless crée ses propres victimes : elle optimise pour les conditions normales et rend les gens catastrophiquement fragiles face aux conditions anormales.5. La discipline de la résistance comme réponse systémique, pas individuelle Timestamp estimé : 01:03:00 – 01:08:00 Greg refuse le solutionnisme individuel. Il ne propose pas une liste de hacks. Il propose un concept : choisir consciemment de ne pas déléguer certaines choses précises, pas toutes, pas par idéologie, mais parce qu'elles vous construisent. Ce qu'Hartmut Rosa appelle la résonance : ces moments où quelque chose dans le monde vous touche vraiment, vous transforme, vous répond. La résonance ne se commande pas. Elle surgit dans la lenteur, l'attention, le contact vrai avec quelque chose qui résiste.Pourquoi c'est important : Le futur dont Greg parle n'est pas nostalgique et pas technophobe. Il utilise les outils pour monter le niveau d'exigence, pas pour le faire descendre. C'est une position nuancée dans un débat qui ne l'est généralement pas.QUESTIONS STRUCTURANTES THÉMATIQUES(Newsletter solo : pas d'invité. Voici les questions que le texte soulève et auxquelles il répond, utilisables comme fil éditorial ou comme amorces de discussion.)1. En quoi la promesse d'une vie "sans friction" est-elle devenue une idéologie, et pas seulement une amélioration technique ?2. Qu'est-ce qu'on a vraiment perdu en supprimant les petites résistances du quotidien, au-delà de l'inconfort évident ?3. Pourquoi la difficulté est-elle constitutive de la compétence, de la fierté et du sens, selon Matthew Crawford ?4. Comment la logique économique des plateformes explique-t-elle l'attaque systématique sur le "monde commun" d'Arendt, sans qu'il y ait besoin d'invoquer une théorie du complot ?5. Quelle différence y a-t-il entre raisonner et générer, et pourquoi cette distinction est-elle cruciale pour comprendre ce que l'IA fait à notre capacité de décision ?6. Comment l'atrophie de l'esprit critique, accélérée par les outils IA, peut-elle devenir un problème démocratique, pas seulement individuel ?7. En quoi une génération numériquement protégée de l'inconfort mineur devient-elle structurellement vulnérable face aux crises majeures ?8. Quelle est la différence entre une technologie qui augmente les capacités humaines et une technologie qui les remplace ? Comment faire la distinction dans ses propres usages ?9. Qu'est-ce que le concept de "résonance" de Hartmut Rosa apporte au débat sur la relation à la technologie, au-delà du débat sur l'addiction aux écrans ?10. Que signifie concrètement "une discipline de la résistance", et pourquoi ce n'est pas la même chose qu'un retour en arrière ou un rejet de la technologie ?RÉFÉRENCES CITÉESPhilosophes et penseursMatthew Crawford, philosophe américain entre philosophie et mécanique moto. Livre cité : "The World Beyond Your Head". Thèse : l'engagement avec la résistance du monde réel constitue l'humain. Bloc 4, ~08:00Tim Wu, professeur à Columbia. Livre cité : "Les marchands de l'attention". Concept : la commodité comme valeur suprême ayant remplacé la liberté et l'individualité. Bloc 5, ~11:30Hannah Arendt, philosophe. Concept cité : le "monde commun", espace public partagé nécessaire à la démocratie et à la rencontre avec l'Autre. Bloc 7, ~19:00Harry Frankfurt, philosophe américain. Distinction : le mensonge vs le "bullshit". L'IA comme infrastructure industrielle pour le bullshit. Bloc 10, ~35:00Viktor Frankl, psychiatre, fondateur de la logothérapie, survivant des camps de concentration. Thèse : les humains supportent n'importe quelle difficulté si elle a un sens, et s'effondrent face au confort vide de sens. Bloc 15, ~59:00Hartmut Rosa, sociologue allemand. Concept cité : la "résonance", ces moments où quelque chose dans le monde nous touche et nous transforme. Livre sous-jacent : "Résonance". Bloc 16, ~01:03:30Sociologues et psychologuesMichael Dandrieux, sociologue, ami de Greg. Citation : "Une vie sans friction est une vie dans laquelle nous mourons dans le même état que celui dans lequel nous sommes nés." Bloc 6, ~16:00Jonathan Haidt, psychologue américain. Thèse : corrélation entre l'arrivée des smartphones (2012) et la dégradation de la santé mentale des adolescents, en particulier les filles. Bloc 11, ~38:00Sherry Turkle, professeure au MIT. Livre cité : "Ensemble mais chacun seul". Thèse : on peut être hyperconnecté et ne jamais vraiment rencontrer personne. Bloc 8, ~24:30Cal Newport, auteur. Formule citée : "La capacité de produire quelque chose de valeur est proportionnelle à la capacité de se concentrer sur des choses difficiles." Bloc 9, ~29:30Pablo Servigne, chercheur sur les effondrements, invité de Vlan!. Concept cité : le "réseau des tempêtes" comme seule vraie résilience. La résilience, c'est du lien, pas une infrastructure. Bloc 11, ~41:00Invités de Vlan! citésKim Chapiron, réalisateur, ancien invité de Vlan!. Observation : depuis 2001, aucune superproduction hollywoodienne sans un musulman armé présenté comme terroriste. Bloc 10, ~32:00Flore Vasseur, réalisatrice de "Meeting Snowden", ancienne invitée de Vlan!. Citation d'Edward Snowden extraite du film : "La démocratie est un effort." Bloc 15, ~01:00:00Sociologue de la ville (non nommé), ancien invité de Vlan!. Observation : plus une ville est grande, plus elle rend seul. Bloc 8, ~25:30Études et donnéesÉtude dans le métro canadien : des passagers forcés à parler à des inconnus pendant 3 semaines étaient significativement plus heureux que ceux qui ne l'étaient pas. Bloc 7, ~18:30Rapport d'Universciences cité : 76% des Français pensent avoir un bon esprit critique, mais 40% refusent de parler avec des personnes ayant un avis opposé. Bloc 10, ~33:00Plateformes et dirigeantsReed Hastings (CEO Netflix), citation paraphrasée : "Mon plus grand concurrent, c'est votre sommeil." Bloc 7, ~22:00Outils technologiques mentionnés par GregClaude Cowork, Amazon, Uber, Dropbox, Google Maps, Deliveroo, Uber Eats, Netflix, ChatGPT, Instagram, Tinder, Duolingo, Khan Academy.TIMESTAMPS CLÉS00:00 - Intro : je déteste la discipline, mais j'ai peur qu'on me vole ma vie Greg installe la tension centrale : son aversion à la contrainte vs sa lucidité sur ce qu'on accepte de sacrifier sans s'en rendre compte. L'expression "c'est pratique" comme porte d'entrée d'une idéologie.01:30 - La voiture à 10 cm du sol La métaphore fondatrice. Une voiture de sport surélevée de quelques centimètres ne roule pas, le moteur tourne en vain. Sans friction entre les pneus et le sol, aucun mouvement. C'est exactement ce que la Silicon Valley nous a vendu depuis 20 ans.04:00 - Google Maps décide de ton chemin. Netflix de ce que tu regardes. Tinder de ta vie. L'inventaire de la délégation totale. Chaque décision existentielle progressivement confiée à une plateforme. Et la question posée : confondons-nous facilité et progrès ?06:30 - L'anecdote du frigo vide à Lisbonne Greg rentre chez lui, frigo vide, premier réflexe : app, Uber Eats, Netflix. Il réalise ce qu'il rate : les conversations avec les commerçants, les rencontres fortuites, les surprises de la rue. "Ces petites collisions ponctuent la réalité et lui donnent de la texture."09:00 - Matthew Crawford : la friction n'est pas un bug, c'est ce qui vous constitue comme humain Introduction du philosophe qui travaille entre la philosophie et la mécanique moto. Son idée centrale : la résistance du monde réel est ce qui nous fait humains. Exemple de l'apprentissage d'un instrument de musique : sans la difficulté des cordes et des fausses notes, on a le son mais pas la musique.11:30 - Tim Wu : la commodité est devenue une idéologie, plus prégnante que n'importe quelle position politique Professeur à Columbia, auteur des "Marchands de l'attention". La commodité a remplacé la liberté et l'individualité. Et on y est arrivé micro-décision par micro-décision, sans jamais voter pour.14:30 - La journée où il ne s'est rien passé Le sentiment de regarder ses journées et de réaliser que rien n'a résisté. Rien n'a laissé de trace. Michael Dandrieux, sociologue : une vie sans friction, c'est mourir dans le même état qu'on est né.17:30 - L'étude du métro canadien et Hannah Arendt Des passagers forcés à parler à des inconnus pendant 3 semaines sont les plus heureux. Arendt et le "monde commun" : l'espace partagé sans lequel la démocratie ne tient pas. Ce que la Silicon Valley a attaqué, par logique économique pure : chaque moment dans le monde commun est un moment non monétisé.23:00 - "Les fantômes collectifs" et Sherry Turkle Des gens qui occupent le même espace physique mais vivent dans des réalités informationnelles parallèles. Turkle : "Nous sommes ensemble mais chacun seul." Et le paradoxe : plus on est connecté, moins on rencontre l'Autre qui dérange.26:00 - L'IA rend les présentations plus belles et les décisions moins bonnes Un dirigeant de cabinet de conseil stratégique. La distinction entre raisonner et générer. L'effet de contentement. Cal Newport : la valeur est proportionnelle à la capacité de se concentrer sur des choses difficiles.31:30 - L'esprit critique sous perfusion 76% des Français pensent avoir un bon esprit critique, 40% refusent de parler à qui pense différemment. L'IA comme la plus grande expérience d'atrophie collective de l'esprit critique. Harry Frankfurt : l'IA comme infrastructure industrielle pour le bullshit.37:30 - Jonathan Haidt et la génération fragile Depuis 2012 et l'arrivée des smartphones : hausse spectaculaire de l'anxiété et de la dépression chez les adolescents. Protéger de l'inconfort mineur, c'est retirer les occasions de développer la capacité à gérer l'inconfort majeur.41:00 - Pablo Servigne et le réseau des tempêtes La résilience n'est pas une infrastructure. C'est du lien. Des liens denses, réels, entre des gens qui se connaissent vraiment. Ce que la Silicon Valley a vendu : des substituts de lien, larges et superficiels, qui ne tiennent pas quand la vraie tempête arrive.46:30 - La question inconfortable : pouvez-vous rester seul deux heures sans écran ? Pas en retraite de méditation. Juste un dimanche après-midi ordinaire. Le silence dans la salle, c'est la réponse. L'idéologie frictionless a détruit notre capacité à supporter notre propre compagnie.52:00 - Duolingo, Khan Academy : la friction productive comme modèle alternatif Des technologies qui construisent des capacités plutôt que de s'y substituer. L'intelligence conative comme test ultime : est-ce que cet outil libère ma puissance d'agir ou crée une béquille ?57:00 - Ce que la Silicon Valley n'a pas compris La paresse intellectuelle n'est pas californienne ("Panem et circenses" date de 2000 ans). Ce qui est nouveau : l'échelle et la sophistication. Viktor Frankl : les humains supportent n'importe quelle difficulté si elle a un sens.01:03:00 - La discipline de la résistance et Hartmut Rosa Pas une liste de hacks. Un principe : choisir consciemment de ne pas déléguer certaines choses parce qu'elles vous construisent. Rosa et la résonance : elle surgit dans la lenteur et le contact vrai avec ce qui résiste. Le futur qu'on n'a pas encore construit. Suggestion d'épisode à écouter : [SOLO] Qu'est-ce qu'une bonne vie et autres questions métaphysiques de rentrée (https://audmns.com/DHiQJnu)Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

This isn't the timeline I'm supposed to be on, you think. This isn't how it was supposed to go. But what if it is?Reading Marcus Aurelius can change your life, but only if you know how to read his work

Episode Description:In this From the Archive episode, James talks with Cal Newport about a simple but uncomfortable idea: most people are working hard on the wrong things.Newport breaks down the difference between deep work—focused, cognitively demanding effort that produces rare and valuable output—and shallow work, which fills time but doesn't move the needle. In a world engineered to fragment attention, the ability to focus without distraction is becoming both rarer and more valuable.The conversation moves from theory to application. Newport explains why “follow your passion” is misleading, how career capital actually drives opportunity, and why deliberate practice—not repetition—is what builds real skill. The thread tying it together is practical: if you want meaningful work and success, you have to train your ability to concentrate and aggressively eliminate distractions.What makes this episode useful is that it reframes productivity entirely. It's not about working more hours or hustling harder—it's about doing fewer things, better, with full attention.What You'll Learn:Why becoming “so good they can't ignore you” is more reliable than chasing passionThe difference between deep work and shallow work—and why most people overvalue the latterHow career capital (rare and valuable skills) creates leverage for autonomy and successWhy deliberate practice—not repetition—is the fastest path to masteryHow attention residue and constant distraction quietly destroy cognitive performanceTimestamped Chapters:[02:00] The attention economy and why distraction is engineered[02:17] The “deep life” and prioritizing focus[03:01] Why success comes from rare and valuable output[04:16] Why better content beats growth hacks[05:00] “Be so good they can't ignore you” explained[05:57] Why deep work is becoming rare—and valuable[06:29] The Steve Martin story and mastery over shortcuts[08:08] Innovation only happens at the cutting edge[09:00] Why passion is often discovered, not predefined[10:00] Passion follows skill—not the other way around[11:11] Career capital: what it is and why it matters[13:00] How to build leverage in your career[14:53] Real-world example: designing a flexible life through skill[16:00] Deliberate practice vs repetition[17:34] Why discomfort is required for improvement[19:50] The cost of distraction and attention fragmentation[20:20] The “deep life” as an intentional lifestyle[21:21] Why eliminating low-value communication matters[23:25] Training focus as a skill, not a habit[25:00] Fighting your brain and attention residue[27:00] How deep work actually improves output[30:12] Balancing academic work and writing[32:00] Why audience engagement has diminishing returns[34:00] The danger of the “any benefit” mindset[36:00] Why busyness is not productivity[38:00] Limits of deep work and cognitive intensity[39:25] Embracing boredom to retrain attention[41:05] The future of knowledge work[42:20] Goals vs process: a historical perspective[44:29] Why biographies teach excellence best[45:07] Teddy Roosevelt as a deep work example[46:43] Deep work as a “superpower”[47:15] Handling disappointment through craft[48:22] Passion follows skill—final takeawayAdditional Resources:Deep WorkSo Good They Can't Ignore YouCal Newport's official websiteLittle Bets by Peter SimsThe Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund MorrisSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ironically, you should put your phone away....AFTER listening to this episode. Michael explores a growing crisis hiding in plain sight: the loss of contemplation in modern life. Drawing on research from The Washington Post and Georgetown professor Cal Newport, Michael examines how constant audio, smartphones, and even AI may be eroding our ability to think deeply. With Americans consuming hours of content daily and attention spans shrinking dramatically, what are we losing—and what are the consequences for our minds, our productivity, and even the economy? Through reflections on historian David McCullough's disciplined thinking process and conversations with callers, Michael makes the case for a “mental fitness” revolution—one that prioritizes silence, reading, and intentional thought in an age of endless distraction. Listen here, and then rate, review and share this podcast...and then put your phone away and take some time to contemplate. Original air date 21 April 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Is developing discipline one of the most effective bulwarks against the constant flood of distraction we face daily? And if so, what's the best way to accomplish this goal? In this Monday Advice episode of the show, Cal Newport investigates these questions with the help of Brad Stulberg, who writes about these ideas in his most recent book, the New York Times bestseller “The Way of Excellence.”   Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Send an email to podcast@calnewport.com.   Video from today's episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmedia   2:27 Do I Need More Discipline? (w/ Brad Stulberg)   1:07:33 Dealing with abundance of choice in media 1:11:45 Using typewriters for first drafts 1:14:44 Success with “information walkabout”   1:17:22 What I've been doing 1:19:54 What I've been reading Books:   A World Appears (Michael Pollan)   Links: Buy Cal's latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow Get a signed copy of Cal's “Slow Productivity” at https://peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/ Cal's monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdvqpqHSQas   Thanks to our Sponsors:  https://www.cozyearth.com/deep (Use code “DEEP”) https://www.monarch.com (Use code “DEEP”) https://www.shopify.com/deep https://www.drinkag1.com/deep   Thanks to Jesse Miller for mastering and production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can't concentrate? What about thinking deeply? Attention spans are shrinking rapidly. Cal Newport, a professor of computer science at Georgetown University and the author of the bestselling book 'Deep Work' says we're facing a crisis -- an attack on our ability to think. He's calling for what he calls a revolution in defence of thinking. He outlines the steps for reclaiming your attention.

“I have the most ill-regulated memory. It does those things which it ought not to do and leaves undone the things it ought to have done. But it has not yet gone on strike altogether.” I've been reading Dorothy L Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey novels. Set in the 1920s and 30s, the stories feature an aristocratic private detective in a style similar to Sherlock Holmes. And that quote comes from Lord Peter Wimsey himself. In this week's episode, I share some of the productivity methods these fictional characters followed, as well as some from the biographies of these authors. Links: Email Me | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Linkedin Get the Designing The Perfect Retirement Programme Interview with Harvey Smith Get Your Copy Of Your Time, Your Way: Time Well Managed, Life Well Lived The Working With… Weekly Newsletter Carl Pullein Learning Centre Carl's YouTube Channel Carl Pullein Coaching Programmes Subscribe to my Substack  The Working With… Podcast Previous episodes page Script | 413 Hello, and welcome to episode 413 of the Your Time, Your Way Podcast. A podcast to answer all your questions about productivity, time management, self-development, and goal planning. My name is Carl Pullein, and I am your host of this show.  1920s and 30s England was an interesting time. The country was changing. The First World War broke down many of the class barriers that existed before the war, and while many manual labour jobs remained brutal, conditions were slowly improving.  The way people lived their lives was also changing. There was more leisure time, and cars were becoming more common, giving people more freedom to travel, certainly at weekends.  And yet, with all these changes, there were still some customs and habits people followed that gave them structure and balance. They also used nature far more than we do today. Lives were much simpler; heart attacks and cancer were rare; there was little waste; and recycling was part of life.  It could be asked, what went wrong? I began this episode with a quote from the character Lord Peter Wimsey.  Lord Peter was very much in the style of Sherlock Holmes, and throughout the novels, many of Lord Peter's friends would often accuse him of being “Sherlockian”.  What I noticed about these characters was that in the 1920s and 30s, some customs helped people avoid procrastination.  You can also see these in play in the Downton Abbey and Jeeves and Wooster TV series as well. The first productivity method you will see is that days were structured around meal times. Breakfast was informal, and people ate when they were ready. However, lunch was always a proper meal, not a quick snack taken at a desk. It would have been unthinkable not to take the one-hour lunch break.  Even manual workers would stop for lunch and eat together.  Taking a proper lunch break can do wonders for your productivity. First, it gives you a break from doing tasks, and it should always be eaten with other people.  But the biggest impact on your productivity was having a natural deadline. Because you were dining with others, you had to stop at the right time. No, “I'll just finish this and take a quick lunch break”.  It was down your tools and go out.  This gave you a hard deadline to finish what needed to be finished before lunch. And when you have a hard deadline, Parkinson's law comes in. This is “work fills the time available” If you have two hours to finish a task, it will take you two hours. If you only have an hour, it will take you an hour. What happens is that you enter a deeper state of focus when you are under time pressure. That's how Parkinson's law works. But it can have the reverse effect.  If an email would normally take you 30 minutes to respond to, but you have an hour before your next appointment, that email will take you the full hour to write.  This is why procrastination is now a thing; in the 1920s and 30s, it was rare. The natural mealtime deadlines prevented a lot of procrastination. Today, those mealtimes are woolly and ill-defined, removing a natural deadline, causing you to procrastinate.  What people ate also had an impact. It was largely fish or meat with vegetables. No HPFs (highly processed foods) or low-value carbs. It was foods that didn't mess with your blood sugar, which leads to the afternoon slump. Alcohol was often also included. How on earth deep focused work got done in the afternoons, I don't know.  Dinner was an altogether different affair. The time was set, and you dressed for dinner too. The ladies wore evening gowns, and the gentlemen wore dinner suits (tuxedo for those of you living on the other side of the Atlantic).  This meant if you did have a job and were not of “independent means”, you had to leave work on time to be home in time to dress for dinner.  After dinner was interesting. The ladies would gather together in the drawing room for music and conversation. The gentlemen would retire to the smoking room for brandy, coffee and cigars. There, the day's business was often discussed.  This was the aristocracy, not the middle or working classes. Although even the lower classes treated dinner more formally than we do today. It was the family meal of the day, and everyone was expected to be there.  After that, people often wrote letters, read books, or, in the case of people like Winston Churchill, went back to their studies and did some more work.  And that was something I have noticed. Because there were no fixed working hours for the upper classes, work occurred at all hours of the day. A lot of work happened after dinner, rarely in the early hours of the day.  This gave a lot more flexibility for things like admin and communications. Most letter writing was done late in the day. The founder of the British Intelligence Service (MI6), Sir Mansfield Cumming, would retire to his study after dinner to read through all the papers he'd received that day and send out letters to his agents around the world, often until 2 in the morning.  Yet Cumming was famous for two to three-hour lunches and late starts to the day.  The problems we have today are caused by on-demand entertainment. There's always something to watch on YouTube or Netflix. And our sofas are very tempting after a nice dinner.  Once there, it's a real challenge to get up. Take those temptations away, and what else will you do?  If you think about that for a moment. If a family had dinner together at 7:00 pm, discussed the day, and afterwards joined in an activity, they would be spending quality time together every day.  Then at 9:00 pm, you could go back and clean up your messages, clear any admin tasks for an hour or so and still have time for reading or a hobby.  It's often our fixation with work-life balance that puts unnecessary barriers in our day. No personal stuff during office hours and no work stuff in our personal time.  And yet, what do we do in our personal time? Spend hours in front of a screen, not talking with our family or friends, instead sending WhatsApp messages and commenting on social media posts.  Cal Newport and Tim Ferriss write their books late in the evening. In Cal Newport's case, he spends time with his young family until they go to bed, and then goes to his home office and writes for two or three hours.  Cal Newport is a good example because he's completely rejected social media, so he has time to write after his kids have gone to bed.  Rest was taken very seriously in the 1920s and 30s. A lot of it was social. Parties and weekend getaways.  I've spoken about Ian Fleming's work habits before, particularly when he was in Jamaica writing the next James Bond book. But when he was back in London, he still worked in very much the same way.  Mornings were intensely focused work, followed by a long lunch, then letters, and then home for dinner, or out with a friend. Afterwards, he would go to his study and edit a manuscript or read through the papers he'd received from his foreign correspondents around the world. (He was the foreign news editor at The Sunday Times Newspaper) The most noticeable thing I learned from this era has been to structure your days around meal times. I now do intense creative work in the mornings, followed by more leisurely afternoons, and then, after dinner, go back to doing some work for an hour or two.  I still work for around eight to ten hours a day, but I find that my energy levels remain strong whenever I am working. There are plenty of breaks throughout the day where I can socialise, spend time with my family and still get a lot of work done.  And then there was movement. A lot of movement.  The 1920s and 30s were a lot less convenient than they are today. This meant we had to walk a lot more than we do now.  Weirdly, people have become obsessed with their step count today. They struggle to get even 8,000 steps in. And gyms are everywhere. There were no gyms, and nobody was counting steps back then. They didn't have to. It was natural to walk 10,000+ steps every day. If you wanted food, you had to prepare it; there was no app to order it.  Although the upper classes did have servants who could produce it for them when necessary. But given that refrigerators and microwaves were not a thing then, a sudden order of food would have resulted in a cold meat salad and not much else. As an aside, just do a search for 1950s New York or London and look at the images. There's a significant difference between the size of people then and people today. Yet, no gyms, no smartwatches calculating steps, sleep cycles, or anything else.  It was purely natural. Real food, not processed rubbish, plenty of natural movement, and no gyms.  If you want to be more productive every day, move more. This is really what balance is all about. The so-called work-life balance is a modern concept, but what really matters at life level is the movement-rest balance.  With the right movement-rest balance, your productivity will naturally increase. You will be a lot less mentally tired, and when you do move, you can map out what you will do next.  I find that the biggest benefit of working from home has been that I can get up between work sessions to do the laundry or take Louis out for his walk. It gives me a natural mental break, and I do something physical. That refreshes my brain, and I can come back and do some more mental work feeling energised.  I know it will be impossible to turn back the clock and go back to living the way people did in the 1920s. Technology and cultural changes would make that impossible.  However, there are things we can do, as people did back then, that will naturally increase our productivity.  First, focus on the rest-movement balance. If you're mentally tired, do something physical instead of collapsing on the sofa. If you're physically tired, do something mental.  And move more than you currently do. We have become alarmingly sedate today. Dance while you're cooking or making tea or coffee (I do that hahaha) Eat real food, not processed rubbish, and take proper lunch breaks. Get out, move and socialise if you can. Treat them as a non-negotiable.  Be relaxed about work-life balance. It's not natural. There will be times when the best thing you can do is to clear some backlogs in the evening, and equally, there are times when the best thing you can do at 3:00 pm is go out for a walk or hang out the washing.  Another aside. The worst invention has been the tumble dryer. Before we had them, we had to hang out the washing. This involved bending down to pick up clothes from the washing basket and then reaching up to hang them on the line. Possible one of the best workouts you would ever get.  I know today's episode has been different. I hope you've found it interesting. It's well worth reading some of these older novels to learn how people used to live their lives.  Thank you for listening, and it just remains for me now to wish you all a very, very active, yet productive week.   

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3984: Cal Newport draws on the myth of Odysseus to reveal how disruption can become a catalyst for building a deeper, more meaningful life. Instead of resisting hardship or numbing ourselves, he shows how embracing struggle, restoring order, and then intentionally reinventing ourselves leads to lasting fulfillment. This perspective reframes difficult moments as rare opportunities for profound personal transformation. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.calnewport.com/blog/2020/05/14/the-deep-reset/ Quotes to ponder: “The best response to deep disruption, in other words, is often a deep reset.” “Odysseus's journey is a metaphor for the proper human response to unexpected difficulty.” “It's one of the earliest extant works to describe a pattern absolutely fundamental to the human condition: hardship unlocking a deeper, more authentic, more satisfying life.” Episode references: The Odyssey by Homer: https://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-Homer/dp/0140268863 The Archetypes and The Collective Unconscious by Carl Jung: https://www.amazon.com/Archetypes-Collective-Unconscious-Collected-Works/dp/0691018332 Falling Upward: https://www.amazon.com/Falling-Upward-Spirituality-Two-Halves/dp/0470907754 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3984: Cal Newport draws on the myth of Odysseus to reveal how disruption can become a catalyst for building a deeper, more meaningful life. Instead of resisting hardship or numbing ourselves, he shows how embracing struggle, restoring order, and then intentionally reinventing ourselves leads to lasting fulfillment. This perspective reframes difficult moments as rare opportunities for profound personal transformation. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.calnewport.com/blog/2020/05/14/the-deep-reset/ Quotes to ponder: “The best response to deep disruption, in other words, is often a deep reset.” “Odysseus's journey is a metaphor for the proper human response to unexpected difficulty.” “It's one of the earliest extant works to describe a pattern absolutely fundamental to the human condition: hardship unlocking a deeper, more authentic, more satisfying life.” Episode references: The Odyssey by Homer: https://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-Homer/dp/0140268863 The Archetypes and The Collective Unconscious by Carl Jung: https://www.amazon.com/Archetypes-Collective-Unconscious-Collected-Works/dp/0691018332 Falling Upward: https://www.amazon.com/Falling-Upward-Spirituality-Two-Halves/dp/0470907754 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3984: Cal Newport draws on the myth of Odysseus to reveal how disruption can become a catalyst for building a deeper, more meaningful life. Instead of resisting hardship or numbing ourselves, he shows how embracing struggle, restoring order, and then intentionally reinventing ourselves leads to lasting fulfillment. This perspective reframes difficult moments as rare opportunities for profound personal transformation. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.calnewport.com/blog/2020/05/14/the-deep-reset/ Quotes to ponder: “The best response to deep disruption, in other words, is often a deep reset.” “Odysseus's journey is a metaphor for the proper human response to unexpected difficulty.” “It's one of the earliest extant works to describe a pattern absolutely fundamental to the human condition: hardship unlocking a deeper, more authentic, more satisfying life.” Episode references: The Odyssey by Homer: https://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-Homer/dp/0140268863 The Archetypes and The Collective Unconscious by Carl Jung: https://www.amazon.com/Archetypes-Collective-Unconscious-Collected-Works/dp/0691018332 Falling Upward: https://www.amazon.com/Falling-Upward-Spirituality-Two-Halves/dp/0470907754 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#707: Joe and I traveled to the campus of Texas A&M University-Texarkana for a very special live recording. We were joined by Jay Davis, the Executive Director of Financial and Entrepreneurship Engagement, to answer questions from an incredible audience of students. Whether you're just starting your career or looking to "reset" your habits, this episode covers the essential transition from the classroom to the professional world.  Student Questions Hannah (Psychology Major): How do I navigate the trade-offs between passion, a paycheck, and peace of mind in my 20s without having regrets later? Hannah (Second Student): As I move from a student budget to a professional salary, how do I prevent "lifestyle creep" from eating my first big raise? Gabriel: How do I find the middle ground between being responsible for "Future Me" and actually enjoying my life while I'm young? Stephano: When is the right time to start investing, and how do I balance that with paying down student loans? Valarie: How do I build a solid credit score as a student without falling into the trap of high-interest debt? Thomas: What are the most important "marketable skills" I should be developing now to ensure financial security later? Key Takeaways Follow Curiosity Over Passion: Passion is often a side effect of mastery, not the starting point. Follow your curiosity into deep learning; the fulfillment (autonomy, mastery, and purpose) will follow once you become an expert in your craft. Build Your "Bravery Fund": High marketable skills and a solid emergency fund give you the freedom to take risks. If you have a financial cushion and low fixed costs, you have the "bravery" to pivot careers if your first choice isn't the right fit. Automate Your Success: The most effective way to beat lifestyle creep is to "hide" your raise from yourself. Set up automated transfers to retirement accounts or debt repayment for the same day your paycheck hits your account. Beware of High Fixed Costs: Avoid the "new grad" trap of heavy car payments ($700–$1,000/month). These high monthly obligations are the biggest inhibitors to your future housing flexibility and career mobility. The 24-Hour "Fun" Rule: To balance current enjoyment with future savings, create a deliberate "yes" list. If you want to spend on a hobby or experience, wait 24 hours to ensure it's a conscious choice rather than an impulse. Resources mentioned: Don't miss the YFRP Webinar on May 12th! ⁠https://affordanything.com/rental2026 A&M University Website: https://www.tamut.edu Grab a copy of Deep Work by Cal Newport: https://amzn.to/4truxs3 Receive our newsletters https://affordanything.com/newsletter Don't miss the YFRP Webinar on May 12th! https://affordanything.com/rental2026 YNAB for students: https://www.ynab.com/college Chapters Note: Timestamps are approximate and may vary across listening platforms due to dynamically inserted ads.  (00:00) The Abridged Live Performance from Texas A&M Texarkana (01:19) Hannah's Question: Passion vs. Paycheck (06:31) The "Bravery Fund" & Your Freedom to Pivot (13:35) Hannah's Question: Defeating Lifestyle Creep (20:43) Gabriel's Question: Future You vs. Present You (30:57) Stephano's Question: Debt vs. Investing (41:55) Valarie's Question: Building Credit Responsibly (50:15) Thomas's Question: Developing Marketable Skills Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Coming Back to Ourselves, Ken Anselment sits down with Angel Pérez CEO of NACAC to explore how silence, solitude, and intentional time away can help leaders reconnect with themselves—and lead more effectively.Angel shares how a period of burnout early in his tenure led him to meditation, journaling, and solo time in nature. What began as a personal reset has become a core leadership practice.Together, they explore:Why silence and solitude are essential in a noisy professionHow slowing down can actually improve decision-makingThe idea of “working in seasons” instead of constant outputHow meditation sharpens awareness and presenceWhy time away should be considered part of your work strategyFinding awe—even in small, everyday momentsThe conversation also touches on gratitude, journaling, and the power of noticing what's already around us—but often unseen.For folks navigating pressure, pace, and constant demand, this episode offers a different path forward—one grounded not in doing more, but in coming back to yourself.(Recommended reading: Cal Newport's Slow Productivity: The Lost of Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout)00:00 — Introduction to Angel Pérez and the idea of “coming back to ourselves”02:00 — When you need to step away… where do you go?03:00 — “I turn to silence”: solitude as a leadership practice04:10 — Meditation as training (start small, build the muscle)06:25 — Silence as problem-solving: letting answers emerge09:00 — Solitude, rest, and showing up as your best self12:45 — “You can go faster by going slower”14:00 — Seeing the world differently after slowing down16:15 — Burnout → awakening: the moment that changed everything18:30 — Investing in yourself (and why it matters now)20:10 — Shenandoah: perspective, gratitude, and being a “tiny speck”22:35 — Holding onto silence after the moment ends24:00 — Accessing awe anywhere—even in the middle of a city25:30 — Gratitude journaling and capturing moments that matter27:30 — Creating a daily “fortress of solitude”29:00 — Time away as part of your work strategy (not separate from it)31:30 — Working in seasons and protecting your energy33:15 — Listening for the “whispers”34:30 — Noticing what's already there (the “trust the process” moment)36:45 — Final reflections: making space, slowing down, and coming back to yourself38:00 — ClosingThe ALP is supported by Human Capital Education. Music arranged by Ryan Anselment

Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News. Today's episode on YouTube: youtube.com/calnewportmedia 0:00 What's Really Going on with Mythos?  10:09 Security systems 21:27 Conclusion Links: Buy Cal's latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRsycWRQrc8 https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/opinion/anthropic-ai-claude-mythos.html https://arxiv.org/abs/2404.08144 https://x.com/clementdelangue/status/2041953761069793557?s=61 https://x.com/stanislavfort/status/2041922370206654879 https://www.aisi.gov.uk/blog/our-evaluation-of-claude-mythos-previews-cyber-capabilities Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today's ep, Sarah answers questions for the month of April! Topics include: Why no planner reviews lately + notes on spring releases Tips for reminding others of tasks you are attempting to delegate (with a listener tip as one possible answer!) To-be-read list management Struggles with planning vs execution Resources + Links: Simplified planners: emilyley.comHobonichi April start: https://www.1101.com/store/techo/en/lineup/Episode with Cal Newport: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LejRmFRxXbY&t=3702sEpisode on The Gap Between Planning and Doing: https://theshubox.com/2025/04/ep-245-the-gap-between-planning-and-doing.htmlCourses: BLPA2.0 is almost full - details at theshubox.com/coursesOUR SPONSORS: IXL: Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠ Mint Mobile: Shop affordable cell phone plans at ⁠mintmobile.com/BLP⁠ Green Chef: Healthy eating made easy. Visit ⁠greenchef.com/50bestlaid ⁠and use code 50bestlaid to get 50% your first month, then 20% off for two months. PrepDish: Healthy and strategic meal plans to fit your family's nutritional needs! Visit ⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠ for your first two weeks free! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In der heutigen Ausgabe geht Thomas Mangold dem weitverbreiteten Phänomen der Pseudoproduktivität auf den Grund: Warum fühlen wir uns trotz historisch hoher Auslastung oft so unproduktiv? Mit Bezug auf Cal Newports Prinzipien aus „Slow Productivity“ erfährst du, wie weniger gleichzeitig zu tun, im eigenen Tempo zu arbeiten und auf Qualität zu setzen echte Ergebnisse statt bloßer Geschäftigkeit erzielt. Wir beleuchten den Generationswechsel hin zum „Anti-Hustle“-Trend, zeigen praktische Methoden zur Umstellung deines Arbeitens auf und verraten, warum weniger Tun dich langfristig schneller voranbringen kann. Mach dich bereit für eine inspirierende Reflexion über deinen Umgang mit Produktivität und erfahre, wie du durch gezielte Priorisierung spürbar mehr bewegen kannst. **Hier geht es zum Werbepartner dieser Podcast-Folge**: https://selbst-management.biz/podcast-partner Links: - Buch von Cal Newport: https://amzn.to/47U5UM5 - Kostenloser Mangold-Academy Bonus-Bereich: https://my.mangold.academy/anmeldung-vip-bereich-2/ - Goodie des Monats: https://my.mangold.academy/courses/einstieg-in-das-selbstmanagement/lessons/goodie-des-monats/ - SelbstmanagementRocks Masterclass: https://selbst-management.biz/selbstmanagement-rocks-masterclass/ - Mein LinkedIn Profil: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasmangold/

AI Reality Check: Is AI Stealing Entry-Level Jobs? Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News. Video from today's episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia OPENING: Is AI stealing entry-level jobs? [1:29] MAIN STORY: Torsten Slok essay [3:06] CONCLUSION: AI is not stealing entry-level jobs now [11:32] Links: Buy Cal's latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/careers/ai-entry-level-jobs-graduates-b224d624 https://www.apolloacademy.com/busting-the-ai-youth-unemployment-myth/ https://www.theatlantic.com/economy/2026/04/job-market-artificial-intelligence/686659/ Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan and Ian break down the real use cases they're seeing inside DC companies right now — not theory, not hype, but the actual workflows founders are using to make and save money. They cover: ● The difference between sidecar AI, AI-first companies, and AI-native businesses ● Real-time dashboards, CRM systems, financial intelligence, and onboarding workflows ● Why founders can suddenly revisit old projects, landing pages, pricing, and customer journeys ● The biggest question every founder needs to answer in 2026: what are we actually going to do with this thing? Tropical MBA is a podcast for entrepreneurs building location-independent businesses. Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, money, and the entrepreneurial lifestyle. How A.I. Helped One Man (and His Brother) Build a $1.8 Billion Company Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK Our sponsor, Bento - Email marketing for bootstrapped founders CHAPTERS (00:00:00) “Every Business Needs an AI Implementation” (00:05:23) Why “Sidecar AI” Is No Longer Enough (00:08:00) What an AI-First Business Actually Looks Like (00:10:49) The Future: AI-Native Companies (00:12:58) Real-Time Dashboards, Reports, and Scoreboards (00:15:36) CRM, Campaigns, and Customer Data (00:18:32) Why Financial Intelligence Matters More Than Ever (00:21:44) Building Landing Pages Without Developers “These are revenue experiments, growth experiments.” (00:24:23) The First Workflows Founders Should Rebuild CONNECT: Dan@tropicalmba.com Ian@tropicalmba.com Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella. PLAYLIST: The $10K Projects You Never Do (AI Just Changed That) How to Build a 6-Figure Digital Business with Claude Code We Got Claude-Pilled

Burnout isn't caused by doing too much—it's caused by using stress as your limit. Learn 3 slow productivity shifts to work less and feel better. Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp, connects you to a licensed professional from the comfort of your own home. Try it now for 10% off your first month: https://betterhelp.com/therapyinanutshell Learn more in one of my in-depth mental health courses: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com Therapy in a Nutshell and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health. In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger Institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life's direction. And deeper than all of that, the Gospel of Jesus Christ orients my personal worldview and sense of security, peace, hope, and love https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/believe If you are in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or your local emergency services. Copyright Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC

Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News. Video from today's episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia ACT #1: Look Closer at the Article [1:20] ACT #2: A Closer Look at the Paper [3:21] ACT #3: But What About… [7:24] Links: Buy Cal's latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/27/number-of-ai-chatbots-ignoring-human-instructions-increasing-study-says https://x.com/summeryue0/status/2025774069124399363 https://www.axios.com/2025/05/23/anthropic-ai-deception-risk Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aaron Anderson runs a link building agency — 8 years in, fully remote, team of 10. A year ago, his business was in negative growth. He decided to go all-in on AI and hired an agency to rebuild his systems. He paid them nearly $40,000. They delivered nothing he could use. While waiting on that agency, he started tinkering with Claude Code. Then he started building. Then he realized he was building better than they were. Today Aaron walks us through what he's actually built, what it's made and saved him, and his answer to the biggest question in our inbox right now: what do I actually do with this thing? Tactics include: automating the work you'd otherwise hire a VA for, rebuilding legacy tools without a developer, and the mindset shift from "what can I do with AI?" to "what can't I do?" Tropical MBA is a podcast for entrepreneurs building location-independent businesses. Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, money, and the entrepreneurial lifestyle. Aaron's company Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK Our sponsor, Bento - Email marketing for bootstrapped founders CHAPTERS (00:00:00) AI Feels Like a Superpower (00:04:33) How Aaron Built a Lean Agency Business (00:09:26) Why Revenue Started Falling (00:10:04) “Maybe I Should Train an AI Instead” (00:10:33) The Moment Aaron Got Claude-Pilled (00:16:03) What an AI-Native Business Looks Like (00:21:52) Why the Old SEO Agency Model Is Breaking (00:23:28) Aaron's Advice for Founders CONNECT: Dan@tropicalmba.com Ian@tropicalmba.com Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella. PLAYLIST: The $10K Projects You Never Do (AI Just Changed That) How to Build a 6-Figure Digital Business with Claude Code We Got Claude-Pilled

Summary:In this episode, Benjamin Lee shares transformative insights from Cal Newport's Deep Work, a book that helped him drastically improve focus, reduce distractions, and boost productivity. Discover how applying deep work principles can elevate your own performance and life.Key Topics:How Deep Work helped Benjamin break free from social media and superficial tasksThe definition and importance of deep work: focused, distraction-free, cognitively demanding tasksThe contrast between deep work and shallow work, with practical examplesStrategies for cultivating deep work, including time blocking and social media fastingThe lasting impact of deep work on personal growth and professional successThe relevance of deep work in the age of artificial intelligence and digital distractionsTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction to the impact of books that change lives00:27 - The significance of displacing superficial tasks with meaningful deep work00:55 - Overview of "Deep Work" by Cal Newport and its influence on Benjamin01:24 - The two main questions: personal impact and potential benefits for listeners01:54 - How Deep Work helped Benjamin focus and get off social media02:24 - The formula: high-quality work equals time times focus02:54 - Defining deep work and contrasting it with shallow work03:24 - Practical steps Benjamin took to create more focus and value03:54 - Challenges and remedies, including social media fasting and calendar management04:24 - The enduring importance of deep work in the AI era04:53 - Final recommendation: Read Deep Work by Cal NewportResources & Links:Connect with Benjamin Lee:Buy my books on Amazon and read my blogs here: https://benjaminlee.blogCheck out all of my podcasts: https://icandopodcast.com

Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News. Video from today's episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia SUB QUESTION #1: What is Yan LeCun Up To? [2:55] SUB QUESTION #2: How is it possible that LeCun could be right about LLM's begin a dead-end? We've been hearing non-stop recently about how fast they're advancing. [14:55] SUB QUESTION #3: What would happen next if LeCun is right? [22:26] Links: Buy Cal's latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/10/technology/ami-labs-yann-lecun-funding.html     Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Most founders assume scaling means hiring. Jesse Hanley built a 7-figure SaaS and refused to. From Japan, Jesse runs Bento — a profitable email marketing platform — almost entirely on his own. In this episode, he explains why he turned down a ~$10M acquisition offer and the frameworks that make a one-person company possible today. Topics include: ● The “Main Quest vs Side Quest” framework for staying focused in an AI-everything world ● Why Jesse refuses to hire full-time employees (and his “cockroach business” philosophy) ● Turning down a ~$10M acquisition offer to protect his lifestyle ● How AI agents now handle support, bugs, and development tasks ● Building a new product in 5 days with AI that now generates ~$10K MRR ● The Max MRR framework that explains why SaaS companies plateau ● The revenue milestone that finally made him feel financially secure Tropical MBA is a podcast for entrepreneurs building location-independent businesses. Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, money, and the entrepreneurial lifestyle. Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK Our sponsor, Bento - Email marketing for bootstrapped founders CHAPTERS (00:00:00) Solo Founder Lifestyle & Intro (00:03:16) Meet Jesse & Bento + Why Build Email SaaS (00:04:53) AI Models, Tooling & Product Direction (00:07:32) Work Grind, Family & Financial Goals (00:11:12) No Hiring, Contractors & AI Leverage (00:17:48) Main Quest vs Side Quest (Core Strategy) (00:22:13) Getting Customers, Self-Serve & Churn Limits (00:26:44) MRR, Pricing & Positioning (00:34:45) AI Workflows, Agentic Tools & Discipline (00:40:24) Revenue Goals, Daily Routine & 4-Hour Vision CONNECT: Dan@tropicalmba.com Ian@tropicalmba.com Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella. PLAYLIST: The $10K Projects You Never Do (AI Just Changed That) How to Build a 6-Figure Digital Business with Claude Code 4 Ways to Start a Business From Scratch in 2026

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2003: Cal Newport argues that the real solution to email overload isn't checking your inbox less, it's redesigning how work flows outside of it. He shares three practical rules that move coordination, tasks, and conversations into better systems, helping knowledge workers escape the exhausting cycle of constant message checking. His approach shows how small structural changes can dramatically reduce digital busyness and restore focus. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.calnewport.com/blog/2020/04/14/beyond-the-inbox-rules-for-reducing-email/ Quotes to ponder: "The key to spending less time in your inbox is not simply to check it less often." "You can't, in other words, avoid this work, but you can find better alternatives to simply passing messages back and forth in an ad hoc manner throughout the day." "This approach is an order of magnitude more efficient than instead collapsing all of these obligations into a haphazard jumble piled up in a single undifferentiated inbox." Episode references: Acuity Scheduling: https://acuityscheduling.com Calendly: https://calendly.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Une confession professionnelle et personnelle sur vingt ans passés à l'intérieur d'un système que j'ai contribué à construire, à défendre, à enseigner, et que je regarde aujourd'hui avec un mélange de lucidité et de fatigue.Dans cet épisode, je parle de la fin d'une relation. Pas d'une rupture spectaculaire, pas d'un manifeste militant, mais d'un désamour doux et irréversible avec les réseaux sociaux. Je remonte aux débuts, en 2005, quand les blogs servaient avant tout à organiser des rencontres physiques dans des appartements et des cafés parisiens. Je traverse la professionnalisation progressive, l'arrivée du Klout, la corruption silencieuse par l'argent et les algorithmes, jusqu'au moment où j'ai supprimé quasi tout le contenu de mon Instagram personnel, tranquillement, presque avec soulagement.J'ai questionné cette histoire sur ce que les données disent vraiment, sur le concept d'enshittification de Cory Doctorow, sur la Dark Forest Theory, sur la "connected privacy" d'Eugene Healey et sur ce que tout ça dit de ce qu'on cherche vraiment. Et pourquoi, malgré tout, je reste optimaliste.3. Citations marquantes"La dégradation n'est pas un bug, c'est une fonctionnalité." (Cory Doctorow, cité dans l'épisode)"Seulement 7% du temps passé sur Instagram concerne des échanges entre amis et proches. Meta l'a admis en justice.""Être offline est devenu le nouveau luxe. Il y a quinze ans, le symbole de statut c'était le BlackBerry. Aujourd'hui c'est de pouvoir être délibérément hors ligne.""L'authenticité est devenue performative. Ce qui est un contresens évident.""Être vu est algorithmique. Être connu est analogique. Huit personnes autour d'une table qui se souviennent comment vous prenez votre café."Idées principales1. L'enshittification : la dégradation programmée (~16:00) Cory Doctorow décrit en trois temps la mécanique infaillible de toutes les plateformes : séduction des utilisateurs, exploitation au profit des annonceurs, pillage pour les actionnaires. J'ai vécu ces trois phases de l'intérieur depuis 2005. Ce n'est pas un accident, c'est le modèle.2. L'authenticité comme format (~20:00) Le moment où quelqu'un a découvert que la vulnérabilité performait mieux que la perfection a tout changé. Les confessions personnelles sont aujourd'hui rédigées avec la même minutie qu'une campagne publicitaire. L'authenticité est devenue une stratégie de contenu, ce qui la détruit par définition.3. La Dark Forest Theory : la fuite silencieuse (~26:00) Face au bruit algorithmique, les utilisateurs ne quittent pas internet, ils se réfugient dans ses recoins privés. WhatsApp, Discord, Substack restreint, dîners sans téléphone. Ce mouvement est massif, silencieux, et parfaitement rationnel.4. Être vu versus être connu (~30:00) Eugene Healey pose une distinction fondamentale : des milliers de followers qui regardent vos stories versus huit personnes qui savent comment vous prenez votre café. Le premier est scalable à l'infini. Le second ne l'est pas. Et c'est exactement pour ça qu'il redevient désirable.5. La "selective friction" comme réponse (~32:00) Pas la déconnexion totale comme idéologie, mais remettre volontairement de la difficulté dans ses usages numériques. Appeler quelqu'un plutôt que lui envoyer un message. Demander à un ami plutôt que googler. Ce n'est pas de la résistance, c'est une hygiène de l'attention.Questions structurantes que je me poseEst-ce que vous ressentez encore du plaisir à être sur les réseaux sociaux ? Pas de l'utilité, du plaisir ?Comment l'argent et les algorithmes ont-ils progressivement changé la nature des relations dans l'écosystème digital ?Qu'est-ce que le refus de Twitter de se vendre à Facebook a changé pour toujours dans notre rapport à l'information ?Pourquoi l'authenticité est-elle devenue un format, et qu'est-ce que ça dit sur nous ?Que révèlent les 93% de temps non-social sur Instagram sur la promesse originelle des réseaux ?La déconnexion est-elle un luxe réservé à ceux qui ont déjà une réputation établie ?Qu'est-ce que l'IA va changer dans notre rapport aux plateformes dans les 2 à 3 prochaines années ?Pourquoi les "third places" ont-ils disparu, et pourquoi leur retour semble-t-il inévitable ?Quelle est la différence entre être vu et être connu, et pourquoi cette distinction devient-elle centrale ?Vingt ans après avoir évangélisé les réseaux sociaux, est-ce que je regrette quelque chose ?Références citéesConcepts & auteursCory Doctorow — essayiste canadien, concept d'"enshittification" (merdification), élu mot de l'année 2023 aux États-Unis (~16:00)Eugene Healey — stratégiste australien, Substack "Considered Chaos", concepts de "connected privacy" et "selective friction" (~26:00–35:00)Venkatesh Rao — essayiste américain, concept du "cozyweb" (~29:00)Sherry Turkle — psychologue américaine, formule "seuls ensemble" (~29:00)Cal Newport — professeur à Georgetown, auteur de Digital Minimalism, concept de "deep life" (~36:00)Frances Haugen — lanceuse d'alerte Meta sur les contenus haineux (~18:00)Données & étudesEnquête GWI / Financial Times : 250 000 adultes dans 50 pays, pic d'usage en 2022 puis chute de ~10%, Gen Z en tête du décrochage (~15:00)Meta en justice : 7% du temps sur Instagram = échanges entre amis, 93% = contenus algorithmiques (~16:00)4,1% des Américains ont participé à un événement social un week-end ordinaire en 2023 (~33:00)Article"The Anti-Social Century" — The Atlantic (~33:00)Personnalités mentionnéesHugo Travers (HugoDécrypte), Cyprien, Éric Maillard, Fanny Bouton ("Fanny's parties") — anecdotes des débuts de l'écosystème blog (~04:00)Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 22:00:00 GMT http://relay.fm/focused/252 http://relay.fm/focused/252 David Sparks and Mike Schmitz David has a new Field Guide, and both he & Mike discuss the ways they're using AI to have their robot assistants help with the donkey work. David has a new Field Guide, and both he & Mike discuss the ways they're using AI to have their robot assistants help with the donkey work. clean 4506 David has a new Field Guide, and both he & Mike discuss the ways they're using AI to have their robot assistants help with the donkey work. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Gusto: Payroll, HR, Benefits. Simplified. Get 3 months free. Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Video for this episode Robot Assistant Field Guide | MacSparky Field GuidesSave 10% with code FOCUSROBOT LifeTheme Cohort Did the AI Job Apocalypse Just Begin? (Hint: No.) | Cal Newport's AI Reality Check OpenClaw Claude The Ultimate AI Masterclass For Businesses in 2026 | The Nathan Barry Show Claude for Chrome Obsidian FreshBooks DJI Osmo Pocket 3 The Science of Storytelling by Will Storr

In today's episode, Sarah answers a question from Nate (who heard Sarah on Cal Newport's Deep Questions Podcast), who asked where it makes sense to START in terms of implementing all of the planning systems she talks about on this podcast (and in her book!). How does one begin to build a system - all at once, or piece by piece?Useful references mentioned:Airtight Task Management Episode: https://theshubox.com/2026/02/blp-ep-288-your-guide-to-airtight-task-management.htmlAnnual Planning Episode: https://theshubox.com/2024/11/ep-226-your-mini-guide-to-2025-annual-planning.htmlSeasonal Planning Episode: https://theshubox.com/2024/03/blp-episode-189-diving-into-quintile-2.htmlMonthly Planning Episode: https://theshubox.com/2025/05/blp-ep-252-monthly-planning-rhythms-completist-mini-review.htmlWeekly Planning Episode: https://theshubox.com/2020/08/day-140-blp-ep-2-weekly-review.html (note: this is the SECOND EVER ep of BLP, so stay tuned for a renewed weekly planning episode coming soon!)Daily Planning Episode: https://theshubox.com/2021/02/blp-ep-28-daily-planning-routines-and-crowding-out-bad-habits.htmlThen, Sarah interviews September Gerety, an CEO in her empty nest phase who has found herself with a thriving community and social life -- and it all started with some planned. She shares her story (as well as a bit about her current systems!). If you have questions for September, you can find her via this episode's show notes at theshubox.com. Episode Sponsors IXL:  Make an impact on your child's learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans  listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠.  Green Chef:  Healthy meals that fit your nutrition goals (and are delicious too!).  Head to Greenchef dot com/50bestlaid and use code 50bestlaid to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping.  Mint Mobile:  Save money by changing your wireless plan to Mint Mobile!  Shop plans at ⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP⁠⁠⁠.  PrepDish: Healthy meal plans straight to your inbox (and now with easy Instacart ordering!).  Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠for a free 2-week trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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? [10:20] STORY #3: What's Going on with Anthropic Revenues? [14:16] Links: Buy Cal's latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow  https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/philosopher-ai-consciousness-startled-ai-email https://x.com/dioscuri/status/2029227527718236359 https://x.com/thomaschattwill/status/2029273517175263679 https://x.com/ns123abc/status/2032122638852640951 https://www.reuters.com/commentary/breakingviews/anthropic-gives-lesson-ai-revenue-hallucination-2026-03-10/ https://pluralistic.net/2026/03/12/normal-technology/ Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After a week of going all-in with Claude and agentic AI, Dan and Ian share what happened when they plugged AI directly into their company workflows. What followed felt less like using software — and more like jockeying a team of agents. ● The 4–5× productivity gap between AI teams and normal teams ● Building a working app in a weekend without being a developer ● Innovation cycles shrinking from 45 days to 45 minutes ● The rise of “vibe entrepreneurship” ● Why this moment feels like the early internet all over again Tropical MBA is a podcast for entrepreneurs building location-independent businesses. Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, money, and the entrepreneurial lifestyle. Nat Eliason case study Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK Our sponsor, Bento - Email marketing for bootstrapped founders CHAPTERS (00:00:00) The 4–5× AI Gap (00:03:20) AI as the New Electricity (00:04:30) Are Founders Already Behind? (00:06:54) Getting Claude-Pilled (00:07:18) Is This an iPhone Moment? (00:09:59) Vibe Entrepreneurship (00:16:33) The AI Privacy Tradeoff (00:17:25) 45 Days → 45 Minutes (00:20:26) Talking and Jockeying (00:22:45) The Hive Mind Company (00:30:10) The AI Gold Rush (00:33:50) Learning AI Together CONNECT: Dan@tropicalmba.com Ian@tropicalmba.com Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella. PLAYLIST: The $10K Projects You Never Do (AI Just Changed That) How to Build a 6-Figure Digital Business with Claude Code 4 Ways to Start a Business From Scratch in 2026

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 today's episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmedia ARTICLE #1: America Isn't Ready for What AI Will Do to Jobs [2:15] ARTICLE #2: Mass Hysteria. Thousands of Jobs Lost. Just How Bad Is It Going to Get? [9:23]  ARTICLE #3: THE 2028 GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE CRISIS: A Thought Exercise in Financial History, from the Future [14:39] Links: Buy Cal's latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow  https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/2026/03/ai-economy-labor-market-transformation/685731/ https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/05/opinion/ai-jobs-white-collar-apocalpyse.html https://www.citriniresearch.com/p/2028gic https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/25/business/citrini-ai-stock-market.html https://www.citadelsecurities.com/news-and-insights/2026-global-intelligence-crisis/ Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We're often great at making money, terrible at managing it. Multi-exit entrepreneur David McKeegan joins us to discuss personal finance built specifically for founders: The "refrigerator number" — what it is and how to find yours The 4% rule — is it still relevant, and what rate would you actually bet on? Concentration vs. diversification: when to double down and when to spread out Portfolio construction for 7-8 figure entrepreneurs (ETFs, TIPS, bonds — the real breakdown)

Many of us feel like we're drowning in invisible complexity. So I wanted to hit pause and ask a simple question: What are 1-3 decisions that could dramatically simplify my life in 2026? To explore that, I invited five long-time listener favorites: Maria Popova, Morgan Housel, Cal Newport, Craig Mod, and Debbie Millman.This episode is brought to you by:Shopify global commerce platform, providing tools to start, grow, market, and manage a retail business: Shopify.com/timHelix Sleep premium mattresses: HelixSleep.com/TimTimestamps:Intro: [00:00:00]Maria Popova [00:01:49]Morgan Housel [00:04:40]Cal Newport [00:12:20]Craig Mod [00:24:04]Debbie Millman [00:33:08] More about today's guests:Maria Popova (@mariapopova) thinks and writes about our search for meaning, lensed sometimes through science and philosophy, sometimes through poetry and children's books, always through wonder. She is the creator of The Marginalian (born in 2006 under the name Brain Pickings), which is included in the Library of Congress permanent digital archive of culturally valuable materials. Her books and projects include Traversal, The Universe in Verse, Figuring, The Coziest Place on the Moon, and An Almanac of Birds: 100 Divinations for Uncertain Days.Morgan Housel (@morganhousel) is a partner at The Collaborative Fund. His book The Psychology of Money has sold more than three million copies and has been translated into 53 languages. Morgan is also the author of Same As Ever: A Guide to What Never Changes and The Art of Spending Money.Cal Newport is a professor of computer science at Georgetown University, where he is also a founding member of the Center for Digital Ethics. In addition to his academic work, Newport is a New York Times bestselling author who writes for a general audience about the intersection of technology, productivity, and culture. His books have sold millions of copies and been translated into over forty languages. He is also a contributor to The New Yorker and hosts the popular Deep Questions podcast. His latest book is Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout.Craig Mod (@craigmod) is a writer, photographer, and walker living in Tokyo and Kamakura, Japan. He is the author of Things Become Other Things and Kissa by Kissa. He also writes the newsletters Roden and Ridgeline and has contributed to The New York Times, The Atlantic, Wired, and more. Debbie Millman (@debbiemillman) has been named one of the most creative people in business by Fast Company and one of the most influential designers working today by Graphic Design USA. She is the host of Design Matters—a great show and one of the world's longest-running podcasts. She is also chair of the Masters in Branding Program at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, editorial director of Print magazine, a Harvard Business School Case Study, and a member of the board of directors at the Joyful Heart Foundation.*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim's email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim's books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cal Newport is a computer science professor at Georgetown University, a productivity expert and an author. Has AI “workslop” damaged our ability to focus? When AI entered the workplace, many thought it would replace knowledge workers. Instead, we're flooded with AI-generated noise that feels productive but often isn't. In this new era, is the real competitive advantage simply the ability to focus? Expect to learn what the future of work will be with major advancements in AI, what most people's relationship with productivity is like at the moment, why your ability to focus is becoming increasingly more important, how people should deal with a lot of work messages, if new AI tools actually have been as transformative as they have claimed to be, if AI in the workplace has been a huge disappointment so far and why and much more… Sponsors: See discounts for all the products I use and recommend: ⁠https://chriswillx.com/deals⁠ Get up to 20% off the leading longevity and cellular health supplement at https://timeline.com/modernwisdom Get up to $350 off the Pod 5 at https://eightsleep.com/modernwisdom Get the brand new Whoop 5.0 and your first month for free at https://join.whoop.com/modernwisdom Get a Free Sample Pack of LMNT's most popular flavours with your first purchase at https://drinklmnt.com/modernwisdom Extra Stuff: Get my free reading list of 100 books to read before you die: ⁠https://chriswillx.com/books⁠ Try my productivity energy drink Neutonic: ⁠https://neutonic.com/modernwisdom⁠ Episodes You Might Enjoy: #577 - David Goggins - This Is How To Master Your Life: ⁠https://tinyurl.com/43hv6y59⁠ #712 - Dr Jordan Peterson - How To Destroy Your Negative Beliefs: ⁠https://tinyurl.com/2rtz7avf⁠ #700 - Dr Andrew Huberman - The Secret Tools To Hack Your Brain: ⁠https://tinyurl.com/3ccn5vkp⁠ - Get In Touch: Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx⁠ Twitter: ⁠https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/modernwisdompodcast⁠ Email: ⁠https://chriswillx.com/contact⁠ - Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! Here's the link: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvo Video from today's episode:youtube.com/calnewportmedia STORY #1: Jack Dorsey announces layoffs at Block [1:28] STORY #2: The education level of LLM-based tools [11:45] STORY #3: What's happening in the world of computer programming? [19:24] Links: Buy Cal's latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow  Get a signed copy of Cal's “Slow Productivity” at https://peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/ https://x.com/jack/status/2027129697092731343 https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/26/technology/block-square-job-cuts-ai.html https://x.com/emollick/status/2027153371241607420 https://www.forbes.com/sites/ronshevlin/2026/02/27/block-lays-off-40-of-staff-and-blames-it-on-ai-dont-buy-the-excuse/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56HJQm5nb0U http://calnewport.com Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.