In his recent New York Times essay, Cal argued for a “cognitive fitness” revolution to resist the onslaught of digital tools degrading our ability to think. But how does one actually strengthen their brain? In this episode, Cal details a sustainable cognitive fitness routine built around five key components.
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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:
– How Do I Build “Cognitive Fitness”? | Monday Advice [2:05]
INBOX:
– Message from a social media influencer [30:51]
– Reaction to Amy Timberlake interview [33:02]
– Putting Cal’s advice into practice [38:01]
WHAT IS CAL UP TO:
– What I read [41:20]
– What I’m doing [43:45]
BOOKS:
The Noonday Devil (by Jean-Charles Nault: translated from original French)
YOUTUBE TITLE:
–
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=PdvqpqHSQas
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/27/opinion/technology-mental-fitness-cognitive.html
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/annals-of-inquiry/what-kind-of-writer-is-chatgpt
https://anjalibanerjee.com/paws-and-platen/from-typewritten-draft-to-published-page
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Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.
