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Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Ep. 350: Is Inbox Zero Possible?

Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Cal Newport

Education, Technology, Self-improvement

4.8 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 28 April 2025

⏱️ 69 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

The white whale of modern productivity discourse is achieving an empty email inbox; a goal state that’s often referred to simply as “inbox zero.” In this episode, Cal looks at why the original advice for achieving inbox zero failed and explores a strategy that might work better. He then answers listener questions and in a final segment reacts to a recent guest on the Tim Ferriss podcast who provides an interesting case study of the deep life in action. Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com! Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvo Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia Deep Dive: Is Inbox Zero Possible? [2:45] How can I perform beyond the bare minimum on “Survival Days”? [29:40] How can I remain sane with a job that changes schedules every week? [34:55] How are computer systems rewarded in AI? [37:08] How can I stop my boss from interrupting me with constant chatter? [41:34] CALL: Identifying the next action [44:02] CALL: Finding true depth during the final years of college [51:33] CAL REACTS: Craig Mod’s walks through Japan [1:01:18] Links:Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slowGet a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newportCal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?youtube.com/watch?v=z9UjeTMb3Yk Thanks to our Sponsors: cozyearth.com/deepauraframes.com [Promo Code “DEEPQUESTIONS”]kinsta.com/deepquestionsudacity.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

I'm Cal Newport, and this is Deep Question, the show about cultivating a deep life in a distracted world.

0:23.5

Here in my DeepWork, H.Q.

0:25.8

I joined, as always by my producer, Jesse.

0:29.5

One of our first days with the AC on in the HQ.

0:32.5

I feel like summer is here.

0:34.1

Yeah.

0:34.6

I just got back from Boston.

0:37.5

That was a trip.

0:38.8

Took the boys to Finway.

0:40.6

Oh,

0:40.9

nice.

0:41.2

Who did they play?

0:41.6

White Sox?

0:42.2

Yeah.

0:43.1

Yeah, they lost.

0:44.7

They won yesterday, though.

0:45.7

Okay, good.

0:46.4

Yeah.

0:47.0

It wasn't a rousing showing by the home team.

0:50.1

My memory is when I lived, I lived in Boston for a long time when I was a graduate

0:53.9

student and a postdoc.

0:55.7

And I couldn't afford Red Sox tickets.

...

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