Ep. 389: Is the Internet Hijacking Ambition? + Escaping Messaging Hell

episode

Deep Questions with Cal Newport not yet transcribed

▲ 0

Transcript

This episode hasn't been transcribed yet Upvotes decide what gets transcribed next — 0 so far. Sign in to upvote

Source

Recorded26 Jan 2026

Publisherrss.pdrl.fm ↗

Handlerec:15511381

Show notes

It’s natural to feel ambition, as we’re wired to find great satisfaction in accomplishing hard goals. But what impact has the internet had on this instinct? To help explore this question, author Brad Stulberg, author of the new book THE WAY OF EXCELLENCE, joins Cal during the ideas segment to explore ways in which the internet hijacks our drive, and what we can do about it. Then, in the practice segment, Cal provides the 2026 of his evolving advice for escaping email and IM overload in your job.Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmediaIDEAS SEGMENT: Is the internet hijacking ambition? [4:16]PRACTICES SEGMENT: Escaping messaging hell [1:03:06]QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS:Have new AI tools actually been as transformative as claimed? [1:23:49]CAL RESPONDS TO COMMENTS [1:38:15]WHAT CAL’S READING: Cal gives his weekly reading update [1:44:52]Future Boy (Michael J. Fox)The Unauthorized Story of Disney’s Haunted Mansion (Jeff Baham)Links:Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slowGet a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/old-school-with-shilo-brooks/id1841566275instagram.com/p/DFh_mNGSvuZ/?img_index=2microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/breaking-down-infinite-workdayreddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1o2g1xq/with_all_the_billions_trillions_going_into_it/calnewport.com/a-world-without-email/Thanks to our Sponsors: mybodytutor.commonarch.com (Use code “DEEP”)pipedrive.com/deepmeetfabric.com/deepThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

More from Deep Questions with Cal Newport