Single-Purpose Notebooks and Reflection Walks

We often talk on this show about how digital devices undermine our ability to consume more complicated and meaningful ideas. But what about our ability to produce such ideas from scratch? In this episode, Cal identifies a key productive skill –  long thinking – that we’re increasingly losing. He argues that it’s critical for living a deep life and provides a simple strategy to help regain the skill. He then answers listener questions and discusses the books he read in October 2025.

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 Lost Art of Long Thinking [0:02]

• How does Cal organize his notebooks for his books and New Yorker articles? [42:40]
• How can an 18 year old student get better at reading? [45:42]
• How can I restart my creative writing if I don’t want to use a computer? [47:56]
• Is it important to write reflections on the books I read? [56:57]
• How often should I take reflection walks with single purpose notebooks? [59:00]
  CASE STUDY: Trying to live a Deep Life [1:00:47]
  CALL: Adventure Work [1:09:00]
  OCTOBER BOOKS: The 5 Books Cal Read in October 2025 [1:11:57]

The Gift of the Jews (Thomas Cahill)
Lin-Manuel Miranda (Daniel Pollack-Pelzner)
Inspired (Rachel Held Evans)
The Future of Tutoring (Liz Cohen)
Society of the Spectacle (Guy Debord)

Links:

Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?
calnewport.com/solutions-beyond-the-screen-the-adventure-work-method-for-producing-creative-insights/
youtube.com/watch?v=bEusrD8g-dM
calnewport.com/the-notebook-method-how-pen-and-paper-can-transform-you-into-an-star-student/

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Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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