Deep Work, Digital Minimalism and Becoming So Good They Can’t Ignore You with Cal Newport

06/29/22 • 70 min

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#63: New York Times bestselling author and professor, Cal Newport, joins Chris to discuss building and living what he calls a “deep life.” We also delve into strategies that increase efficiency and quality of output, why constant email and messages are making you less productive (and what to do about it) and how to implement “high-quality leisure” into your life.

Cal Newport is a professor of Computer Science at Georgetown University and the award-winning author of seven books that have been published in over 40 languages, including “Deep Work”, “Digital Minimalism”, and most recently, “A World Without Email.”

Full show notes at: https://www.allthehacks.com/deep-life-cal-newport

Partner Deals

RocketMoney: Easily cancel your unused subscriptions

Inside Tracker: 20% off personalized wellness & nutrition plans backed by science

For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: allthehacks.com/deals

Resources Mentioned

Connect with Cal Newport: Newsletter | Podcast: Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Cal’s Books:

All the Hacks Podcast: The Power of Regret, Motivation and Good Timing with Daniel Pink

Study Hacks Blog: Work Less to Work Better: My Experiments with Shutdown Routines

Resources Mentioned:

Paul Jarvis: Company Of One: Why Staying Small Is the Next Big Thing for Business
Sebastian Junger
Simon Winchester
Steve Martin: Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life
Steve Martin Quote: Charlie Rose Interview with Steve Martin (52:14)
TEDTalk: Why You Should Quit Social Media
Mouse Books

Personalizing Your Productivity:

Cal’s Takoma Park Recommendations: Republic | Takoma Bev Co

Full Show Notes:

(1:22) The Meaning of "Deep Life"

(03:05) Radical Categories for a Deep Life

(05:44) The Five Cs and Fostering Deeper Relationships

(9:26) Data Supporting Lifestyle Changes

(12:03) Lifestyle-Centric Planning and Dreams

(15:50) Pursuing Passion in Life

(18:53) Steve Martin's Impact on Cal

(22:05) Hacks and Mindset Shifts

(26:02) "Deep Work" and Cognitive Context

(30:06) Time-Blocking and Avoiding Distractions

(35:26) Slow Productivity and Quality Output

(38:53) Office Hours for Focused Interactions

(44:01) Overcoming Boredom Scrolling

(46:20) Categories of Meaningful Leisure

(51:13) Cal's Digital Minimalism Philosophy

(55:03) Intellectual Activities for Boredom

(57:29) Workday Boundaries and Shutdown Routine

(1:02:35) Balancing Family and Work

(1:05:35) Takoma Park Recommendations

(1:07:18) Cal's Current Focus

Full show notes at: https://www.allthehacks.com/deep-life-cal-newport

Partner Deals

RocketMoney: Easily cancel your unused subscriptions

Inside Tracker: 20% off personalized wellness & nutrition plans backed by science

For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: allthehacks.com/deals

Resources Mentioned

Connect with Cal Newport: Newsletter | Podcast: Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Cal’s Books:

All the Hacks Podcast: The Power of Regret, Motivation and Good Timing with Daniel Pink

Study Hacks Blog: Work Less to Work Better: My Experiments with Shutdown Routines

Resources Mentioned:

Paul Jarvis: Company Of One: Why Staying Small Is the Next Big Thing for Business
Sebastian Junger
Simon Winchester
Steve Martin: Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life
Steve Martin Quote: Charlie Rose Interview with Steve Martin (52:14)
TEDTalk: Why You Should Quit Social Media
Mouse Books

Personalizing Your Productivity:

Cal’s Takoma Park Recommendations: Republic | Takoma Bev Co

Full Show Notes:

(1:22) The Meaning of "Deep Life"

(03:05) Radical Categories for a Deep Life

(05:44) The Five Cs and Fostering Deeper Relationships

(9:26) Data Supporting Lifestyle Changes

(12:03) Lifestyle-Centric Planning and Dreams

(15:50) Pursuing Passion in Life

(18:53) Steve Martin's Impact on Cal

(22:05) Hacks and Mindset Shifts

(26:02) "Deep Work" and Cognitive Context

(30:06) Time-Blocking and Avoiding Distractions

(35:26) Slow Productivity and Quality Output

(38:53) Office Hours for Focused Interactions

(44:01) Overcoming Boredom Scrolling

(46:20) Categories of Meaningful Leisure

(51:13) Cal's Digital Minimalism Philosophy

(55:03) Intellectual Activities for Boredom

(57:29) Workday Boundaries and Shutdown Routine

(1:02:35) Balancing Family and Work

(1:05:35) Takoma Park Recommendations

(1:07:18) Cal's Current Focus

Previous Episode

Protect Your Family, Mitigate Taxes and Preserve Your Wealth with Patrick Hicks and Mani Mahadevan

#62: Estate Planning experts Patrick Hicks from Trust & Will and Mani Mahadevan from Valur join me to discuss all the fundamentals of estate planning and what you need to do to protect yourself and your family. We also dig deeper into advanced tactics commonly used by high net worth families to mitigate taxes, grow their savings and preserve their wealth for the future.

Patrick Hicks, J.D. LL.M. is Head of Legal with Trust & Will, serving as their General Counsel overseeing all attorney-related operations, including regulatory efforts and legal affairs.

Mani Mahadevan is the Founder and CEO of Valur a company created to help entrepreneurs and investors keep more of their hard-earned gains.

Full show notes at: https://allthehacks.com/estate-planning-patrick-hicks-mani-mahadevan

Partner Deals

Vuori: 20% off the most comfortable performance apparel I've ever worn

Athletic Greens: Free 1 year supply of Vitamin D and 5 free travel packs

Trustworthy: 20% off The Family Operating System®

Daffy: Free $25 to give to the charity of your choice

For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: allthehacks.com/deals

Resources Mentioned

Connect with Patrick: Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | Website

Connect with Mani: Twitter | LinkedIn | Website

All the Hacks Newsletter: Protecting Your Family with Estate Planning (what you need to know and do)

Trust & Will: Get 15% off any estate plan at Trust & Will

Valur: Get 3 months of trust administration free when you mention All the Hacks during signup

Valur Blog Posts

Full Show Notes

(1:34) Will Essentials and Relevance

(04:37) Unplanned Demise: Consequences of No Will

(09:00) Debts and Liabilities: Posthumous Impact

(10:53) Will vs. Estate Plan: Core Distinction

(12:07) Health Documents and Their Crucial Role

(16:42) Revocable Living Trust: Benefits and Comparison

(19:59) Navigating Probate: Process and Expenses

(25:16) Templates vs. Attorneys: Choosing Assistance

(29:10) Trust Advantages: Beyond the Basics

(30:48) Trustee Responsibilities: Admin and Finance

(37:04) Conversations with Estate Managers

(38:58) Plan Updates: Staying Current

(40:09) Secure Document Storage: A Must

(41:30) Safeguarding Your Legacy: Patrick's Insights

(44:29) Trust & Will Exclusive Deal for All the Hacks

(46:20) Tax and Estate Planning Overview

(49:43) Charitable Remainder Trusts: Purpose and Tax Benefits

(54:48) Investment Restrictions in Charitable Trusts

(58:02) Estate Tax Minimization: Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts

(1:04:26) Tax Strategy: Navigating High-Income Years

(1:11:30) ILITs: Tax Opportunities and Beyond

(1:13:41) Chris' Life Insurance Wisdom

(1:16:17) Estate Planning Tactics: Three Key Approaches

(1:19:25) Stretch IRAs, Secure Act, and Tech Innovations

(1:25:01) Valur's Accessible Estate Planning Endeavors

Connect with All the Hacks

All the Hacks: Newsletter | Website | Membership | Email

Chris Hutchins: Twitter | Instagram | Website |

Next Episode

Inflation and All Things Money with Jacob Goldstein

#64: Podcasting legend Jacob Goldstein joins Chris to discuss what's going on with inflation and what you can do about it. They also delve into everything money – how it originated, what its future might look like, how crypto fits in and some of Jacob’s favorite money hacks.

Jacob Goldstein is a journalist, writer, and podcast host. He’s written for the Wall Street Journal, co-hosted NPR’s “Planet Money” for a decade, authored “Money: The True Story of a Made-Up Thing” and recently launched a new podcast, “What’s Your Problem?”

Full show notes at: https://allthehacks.com/money-jacob-goldstein

Partner Deals

Vuori: 20% off the most comfortable performance apparel I've ever worn

Masterworks: VIP access to skip the waitlist

Daffy: Free $25 to give to the charity of your choice

Fabric: Affordable term life insurance for you and your family

For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: allthehacks.com/deals

Resources Mentioned

Connect with Jacob Goldstein: Twitter | Podcast: What’s Your Problem? | Podcast: Planet Money

Jacob’s Book: Money: The True Story of a Made-Up Thing

What’s Your Problem? Podcasts: Squeezing the Entire Internet Into a Shoebox

Jacob’s San Diego Recommendations: