Deep Questions with Cal Newport Ep. 121: Is Writing Everyday Overrated? (with Srini Rao)
Join Srini Rao, the creative mind behind the Unmistakable Creative podcast, as he delves into the evolving landscape of podcasting and the art of storytelling. He discusses the implications of reality TV, sharing insights on how editing shapes narratives. Rao also highlights balancing creativity with metrics in podcasting success and the emotional challenges of self-publishing. The conversation touches on building dedicated audiences and the power of voice in forming connections, all while redefining note-taking strategies for enhanced productivity.
01:44:40
Unmistakable Creative's Origin
- Cal Newport and Srini Rao discuss the evolution of Srini's podcast, Unmistakable Creative.
- It began as Blogcast FM in 2009, initially focused on interviewing bloggers.
Shift to Storytelling
- Srini Rao explains how his podcast evolved from focusing on blogging to storytelling.
- Listener feedback and market research revealed a preference for narrative-driven interviews.
Most Intimidating Guest
- Cal Newport asks Srini Rao about the most nerve-wracking podcast guest he has interviewed.
- Srini shares that Seth Godin is the most intimidating due to his intellect and extensive knowledge.
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Intro
00:00 • 6min
The Power of Voice in Podcasting
05:50 • 5min
Balancing Creativity and Metrics in Podcasting Success
11:06 • 5min
Navigating the Self-Publishing Landscape
16:34 • 8min
Leveraging Existing Audiences in Podcasting Success
24:41 • 3min
Navigating the Podcasting Landscape
27:54 • 14min
Navigating Job Search Challenges
41:34 • 5min
Mastering Networking and Note-Taking Strategies
46:33 • 15min
Reimagining Note-Taking for Enhanced Productivity
01:01:31 • 6min
Navigating Life's Dissatisfactions and Hydration Tips
01:07:17 • 2min
Navigating Life's Deep Buckets
01:09:28 • 18min
Reality TV Unveiled
01:27:36 • 17min
#117
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Thinking in bets
Making Smarter Decisions When You Don't Have All the Facts
Annie Duke
In this book, Annie Duke teaches readers how to make better decisions by treating them as 'bets' on uncertain outcomes.
She emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between the quality of a decision and its outcome, acknowledging the role of luck, and avoiding biases such as 'resulting' and hindsight bias.
Duke draws on her experiences as a professional poker player and combines these with insights from cognitive psychology and other fields to provide tools for making more objective and thoughtful decisions.
The book encourages readers to get comfortable with uncertainty, seek truth through diverse opinions, and learn from outcomes to improve future decision-making.
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How to Take Smart Notes
One Simple Technique to Boost Writing, Learning and Thinking – for Students, Academics and Nonfiction Book Writers
Sönke Ahrens
This book introduces the Zettelkasten method, a note-taking system developed by Niklas Luhmann.
It emphasizes the importance of creating a reliable and simple external structure to compensate for the limitations of our brains.
Ahrens explains how to organize notes in a way that fosters deep thinking, learning, and writing.
The method involves taking atomic notes, linking ideas, and using a slip-box to store and connect these notes.
This approach helps in developing a lifelong pool of rich and interconnected ideas, enhancing productivity, and improving critical thinking and writing skills.
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The third door
Alex Banayan
In 'The Third Door,' Alex Banayan takes readers on an adventure as he tracks down and interviews icons such as Bill Gates, Maya Angelou, Steve Wozniak, Jane Goodall, and many more.
The book highlights the common thread among these successful individuals: they all took the 'Third Door,' an unconventional route to success that involves persistence, creativity, and sometimes unorthodox methods.
Banayan's journey and the lessons he learned provide inspiration and practical advice for achieving one's biggest goals and transforming one's life.
#2
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Atomic Habits
James Clear
Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones.
The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying.
It also emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes (atomic habits) that compound over time to produce significant results.
Clear discusses techniques such as habit stacking, optimizing the environment to support desired habits, and focusing on continuous improvement rather than goal fixation.
The book is filled with actionable strategies, real-life examples, and stories from various fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their habits and achieve personal growth.
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Homo Deus
A Brief History of Tomorrow
Yuval Noah Harari
In 'Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow', Yuval Noah Harari examines the future of humanity, predicting that in the 21st century, humans will strive for happiness, immortality, and god-like powers.
The book discusses how technological developments, such as artificial intelligence and genetic engineering, will shape human society.
Harari speculates on the possibilities of overcoming death, creating artificial life, and the potential risks and philosophical implications of these advancements.
He also explores the impact of humanism, individualism, and transhumanism on our future and questions the continued dominance of humans in a world increasingly driven by data and algorithms.
#6
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Deep Work
Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
Cal Newport
In 'Deep Work', Cal Newport argues that the ability to perform deep work—professional activities in a state of distraction-free concentration—is becoming increasingly valuable in our economy.
The book is divided into two parts: the first part explains why deep work is valuable, rare, and meaningful, while the second part presents four rules to transform your mind and habits to support this skill.
These rules include 'Work Deeply', 'Embrace Boredom', 'Quit Social Media', and 'Drain the Shallows'.
Newport provides actionable advice and examples from various successful individuals to help readers master the skill of deep work and achieve groundbreaking results.
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Proust and the Squid
Maryanne Wolf
In *Proust and the Squid*, Maryanne Wolf delves into the fascinating history of reading, from early writing systems to the neural pathways involved in reading.
The book highlights how reading transforms our brains and culture, and explores challenges such as dyslexia.
Wolf also discusses the implications of digital communication on reading habits.
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The Shallows
Nicholas Carr
#20
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So Good They Can't Ignore You
Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love
Cal Newport
In this book, Cal Newport challenges the conventional wisdom that following one's passion is the key to career happiness.
Instead, he argues that passion often follows mastery and that developing valuable skills and expertise is essential for creating work you love.
Newport presents four rules: Don't follow your passion, Be so good they can't ignore you, Turn down a promotion, and Think small, act big.
He supports his arguments with case studies from various professionals who have found satisfaction in their careers through hard work and skill development.
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Little Bets
Peter Sims
In 'Little Bets', Peter Sims advocates for a methodical approach to innovation by taking small, low-risk experiments.
He highlights examples from successful figures like Steve Jobs and Chris Rock, demonstrating how these 'little bets' can lead to significant successes by embracing failure and iterating quickly.
The book offers insights into fostering creativity and navigating uncertainty through experimental methods.
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Trust Me, I'm Lying
Confessions of a Media Manipulator
Ryan Holiday
In 'Trust Me, I'm Lying,' Ryan Holiday exposes the inner workings of the online media system, detailing how rumors and false information can quickly spread from low-level blogs to major news outlets.
The book highlights the role of marketers and media manipulators in this process, driven by the toxic economics of the news business.
Holiday shares his own experiences as a media manipulator and provides insights into the social science behind why this system is so vulnerable to manipulation.
He also offers advice on how to spot and combat these manipulative tactics.
#7
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The obstacle is the way
Ryan Holiday
In 'The Obstacle Is the Way', Ryan Holiday presents a framework for turning obstacles into successes.
Drawing from the philosophy of Stoicism and the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Holiday outlines three disciplines: perception, action, and will.
He illustrates these principles with historical anecdotes from figures such as John D. Rockefeller, Amelia Earhart, Ulysses S. Grant, and Steve Jobs.
The book emphasizes the importance of perception in shaping one's response to obstacles, the need for intentional and creative action, and the cultivation of will to persist through challenges.
Holiday argues that by adopting these Stoic principles, individuals can transform their obstacles into opportunities for growth and success.
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Blockchain Revolution
How the Technology Behind Bitcoin is Changing Money, Business, and the World
Alex Tapscott
Don Tapscott
In 'Blockchain Revolution,' Don and Alex Tapscott explain the profound impact of blockchain technology on global commerce and society.
The book discusses how blockchain facilitates peer-to-peer transactions without intermediaries, ensuring privacy, security, and transparency.
It highlights the potential of blockchain to transform various industries, from finance and government to the Internet of Things, and its role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The authors provide a high-level primer on blockchain, making it accessible to readers new to the technology while also exploring its deeper implications and future possibilities.
#175
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Walden
Henry David Thoreau
Published in 1854, 'Walden; Or, Life in the Woods' is a series of 18 essays that reflect Thoreau's experiences living in a small cabin near Walden Pond from July 1845 to September 1847.
The book is a personal declaration of independence, a social experiment, and a voyage of spiritual discovery.
Thoreau details his life in the woods, discussing the construction of his cabin, his daily activities, and his philosophical reflections on economy, social relations, and the importance of living in harmony with nature.
The work is considered a cornerstone of American literature and a foundational text in the Transcendentalist movement, emphasizing the benefits of a simplified lifestyle and the importance of individual freedom and self-reliance.
#6801
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An Audience of One
Destiny Image
#7538
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Hunter S. Thompson
Hunter S. Thompson's works are characterized by a distinctive gonzo journalism style, blending subjective experience with factual reporting.
His writing is known for its immersive, first-person narratives, often infused with humor, satire, and a strong sense of place.
Thompson's works frequently explore themes of counterculture, politics, and the American Dream, often with a cynical and darkly comedic tone.
His most famous works include "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and "Hell's Angels.
" Thompson's influence on journalism and literature is significant, inspiring generations of writers to embrace a more personal and subjective approach to storytelling.
#26062
The Art of Being Unmistakable
Srinivas Rao
The Art of Being Unmistakable by Srinivas Rao emphasizes the importance of authenticity and uniqueness in achieving success.
The book, which originated from a series of Facebook status updates, encourages readers to break free from societal expectations and forge their own paths.
It highlights the value of being true to oneself and creating work that is unmistakably personal, making competition irrelevant.
#27494
Unmistakable
Lauren Abrams
In 'Unmistakable', Lauren Abrams crafts a compelling narrative about Stella Granger, an eighteen-year-old who faces immense challenges after a tragic crime.
The book explores themes of resilience and recovery as Stella navigates her new reality.
Abrams' storytelling is praised for its realistic and lovable characters.
#37626
Dream Job Course
Finding and Obtaining Your Dream Job
Ramit Sethi
Ramit Sethi's Dream Job course provides a structured approach to identifying and landing a dream job.
It includes modules on networking, salary negotiation, and standing out in interviews.
The course is designed to help participants achieve significant career advancements and salary increases.
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How to Be Single and Happy
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Jenny Taitz
In today's episode, I am joined in studio by my longtime podcasting friend Srini Rao, host of the incredible Unmistakable Creative podcast (https://unmistakablecreative.com/), on which I've been a guest many times.
Srini helps me answer your questions on both deep work and the deep life. We also talk about his podcasting company recently raising a series A round of venture capital funding, and what it was like appearing on the Netflix reality show Indian Matchmaker.
I apologize that I don't have timestamps for the individual questions for this episode. In the moment, I forgot to take notes. In future collaborative Q&A episodes I'll make sure to get the questions written down so I can deliver the timestamps to you here.
Thanks to Jay Kerstens for the intro music and Mark Miles for mastering.