Ep. 362: The Texting Dilemma episode artwork

EPISODE · Jul 21, 2025 · 1H 12M

Ep. 362: The Texting Dilemma

from Deep Questions with Cal Newport · host Cal Newport

When we think about unhealthy phone usage, we think about the flashing apps, like TikTok and Instagram, in which billions of dollars have been spent to grab our attention. In this episode, Cal points to an unassuming culprit that may be just as responsible: simple messaging apps. He explores research that connects the social stress of pending messages to phone addiction, and explores ways to free yourself from constant messaging without having to isolate yourself socially. He then answers listener questions and discusses what he’s been reading. Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo Video from today’s episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmedia Deep Dive: The Texting Dilemma [5:35] How can I structure my mornings with my sales job if I don’t have two hours for deep work? [31:44] How should I handle mandatory overtime at my aerospace job? [33:18] How can I handle too many open loops with my shutdown ritual? [35:54] How can I better organize communication with my university students? [40:38] Should I take on extra-curricular roles during my first year of my PhD? [44:00] CALL: Household chore task list [48:01] CASE STUDY: 30-day declutter [51:45] WHAT TO READ: An author quits social media [59:45] 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?sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0747563214007626journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/691462pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9671478/carolinecrampton.com/im-done-with-social-media/ Thanks to our Sponsors:  calderalab.com/deepmiro.comshopify.com/deepgrammarly.com/podcast Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When we think about unhealthy phone usage, we think about the flashing apps, like TikTok and Instagram, in which billions of dollars have been spent to grab our attention. In this episode, Cal points to an unassuming culprit that may be just as responsible: simple messaging apps. He explores research that connects the social stress of pending messages to phone addiction, and explores ways to free yourself from constant messaging without having to isolate yourself socially. He then answers listener questions and discusses what he’s been reading. Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo Video from today’s episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmedia Deep Dive: The Texting Dilemma [5:35] How can I structure my mornings with my sales job if I don’t have two hours for deep work? [31:44] How should I handle mandatory overtime at my aerospace job? [33:18] How can I handle too many open loops with my shutdown ritual? [35:54] How can I better organize communication with my university students? [40:38] Should I take on extra-curricular roles during my first year of my PhD? [44:00] CALL: Household chore task list [48:01] CASE STUDY: 30-day declutter [51:45] WHAT TO READ: An author quits social media [59:45] 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?sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0747563214007626journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/691462pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9671478/carolinecrampton.com/im-done-with-social-media/ Thanks to our Sponsors:  calderalab.com/deepmiro.comshopify.com/deepgrammarly.com/podcast Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Ep. 362: The Texting Dilemma

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This episode is 1 hour and 12 minutes long.

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This episode was published on July 21, 2025.

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When we think about unhealthy phone usage, we think about the flashing apps, like TikTok and Instagram, in which billions of dollars have been spent to grab our attention. In this episode, Cal points to an unassuming culprit that may be just as...

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