Remember how much we loved our iPhones when they first came out? Can we get back to that relationship with these devices? In this episode, Cal explores five pieces of advice for transforming your current phone back to something that’s less distracting, more useful, and fun once again – a goal he calls “2007 mode.”
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Below are the questions covered in today’s episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.
DEEP DIVE:
– Can I learn to love my phone again? [3:23]
INBOX:
– A new study on brain fry [31:44]
– Use of phones in The Pitt [40:09]
– 17th Century scholar dealing with overload [43:48]
WHAT IS CAL UP TO:
– What I’m trying [45:41]
– What Cal read [50:43]
– What Cal watched [51:29]
Movies:
Secret Agent
YOUTUBE TITLE:
– Reduce Your Screentime (5 Simple Steps) | Cal Newport
LINKS:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow
Order a signed copy of “Slow Productivity” here: https://peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7qPAY9JqE4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ4lsi2RtaI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENUO7dbZ-TY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jVb1lLniEw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aC0JKAN5xVI
https://hbr.org/2026/03/when-using-ai-leads-to-brain-fry
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUxCG_BDvWX/?igsh=a3pyZXNlNTZvdDVp
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Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for episode music, and Mark Miles for mastering.
