The Cal Newport Show

Episodes

• Has AI Conquered Coding? (It’s Not So Simple…) | AI Reality Check

  May 21, 2026

  AI in coding is stirring excitement but also significant challenges, especially regarding skill erosion and sustainable practices.

• Am I Addicted to My Phone? (w/ Anna Lembke) | Monday Advice

  May 18, 2026

  Digital addiction activates the brain’s reward pathway similarly to substance addiction, involving dopamine neuroadaptation.

• Is AI About to “Eat Everything”? | AI Reality Check

  May 14, 2026

  The METR AI time horizon chart measures progress in solving specific programming tasks, not general intelligence.

• Do I Need a Digital Intervention? | Monday Advice

  May 11, 2026

  A temporary block of mobile internet on smartphones can significantly improve attention, mental health, and overall well-being within just two weeks.

• Is the AI Doom Fever Breaking? | AI Reality Check

  May 7, 2026

  AI industry leaders are shifting from alarmist rhetoric to more measured, optimistic views on AI’s role in the future.

• Why Do Better Tools Make Me Worse at My Job? (w/ David Epstein) | Monday Advice

  May 4, 2026

  Identifying and managing bottlenecks or constraints in your workflow is crucial for meaningful productivity, whether in business, sports, or personal projects.

• Is AI About to Automate Every Office Job? | AI Reality Check

  Apr 30, 2026

  Suleiman's prediction of full office job automation within 12-18 months is an outlier and overly optimistic.

• How Do I Build “Cognitive Fitness”? | Monday Advice

  Apr 27, 2026

  Daily reading rewires your brain to handle complex, nuanced thoughts and improves internal focus.

• Is AI Trending Up or Down in 2026? | AI Reality Check

  Apr 23, 2026

  AI news is often sensationalized, making it vital to slow down and critically assess what is truly happening.

• Do I Need More Discipline? | Monday Advice

  Apr 20, 2026

  Discipline acts as a life anchor, grounding your focus amidst distractions and superficial busyness.

• Is Claude Mythos “Terrifying”? | AI Reality Check

  Apr 16, 2026

  Mythos's cybersecurity abilities, while an improvement, do not represent a revolutionary leap but rather a continuation of existing progress.

• Ep. 400: Should I Embrace “Slow Technology”?

  Apr 13, 2026

  Speed is often overrated as a metric of productivity; taking more time can lead to higher quality work.

• AI Reality Check: Is AI Stealing Entry-Level Jobs?

  Apr 9, 2026

  Current data does not support the claim that AI is presently causing a spike in youth unemployment or displacing entry-level jobs.

• Ep. 399: Is Deep Work Still Possible in 2026?

  Apr 6, 2026

  Deep work remains valuable and relevant, but strategies to achieve it must adapt to today's digital distractions.

• AI Reality Check: Can LLMs “Scheme”?

  Apr 2, 2026

  Media often sensationalizes AI behavior, leading to public fear about AI misalignment.

• Ep. 398: How Do I Find Purpose in a Distracted World? (w/ Arthur Brooks)

  Mar 30, 2026

  Technology, notably smartphones, has contributed to a pervasive sense of meaninglessness and unhappiness in society.

• AI Reality Check: Are LLMs a Dead End?

  Mar 26, 2026

  Yann LeCun's AMI Labs presents a modular approach to AI, diverging from the limitations of large language models.

• Ep. 397: Why Do “Productivity Technologies” Make My Job Worse?

  Mar 23, 2026

  AI and productivity technologies can increase workload and distract from deep work, creating a digital productivity paradox.

• AI Reality Check: Did AI Just Become Sentient?

  Mar 19, 2026

  The narrative of AI consciousness is often exaggerated and requires critical scrutiny.

• Ep. 396: Can I Learn To Love My Phone Again?

  Mar 16, 2026

  Transform your phone interface to a monochromatic display that lists app functions as text for a more focused usage.