logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2025
1h 12m

Ep. 349: Sam Altman On Productivity

CAL NEWPORT
About this episode
Cal talks a lot about his ideas for producing meaningful work in a distracted world. But how do other people tackle this goal? To help better under this question, Cal reacts to a 2018 article from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in which he details his productivity philosophy. Cal then answers listener questions and concludes with a dystopian tech corner. 
Up next
Mar 26
AI Reality Check: Are LLMs a Dead End?
Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News. Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia SUB QUESTION #1: What is Yan LeCun Up To? [2:55] SUB QUESTION #2: How is it possible that LeCun could be right about LLM’s begin a dead-end? We’ve been hearing non-stop re ... Show More
30m 38s
Mar 23
Ep. 397: Why Do “Productivity Technologies” Make My Job Worse?
A new study finds that for many workers, AI increases shallow efforts while decreasing time focusing on what really matters. This is not the first digital productivity technology to create this paradoxical effect. In today’s episode, Cal dives deep into why this happens and then ... Show More
1h 7m
Mar 19
AI Reality Check: Did AI Just Become Sentient?
Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News. Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia STORY #1: Did an AI Agent Email an AI Researcher? [1:01] STORY #2: Does the Pentagon Think Claude Has a Soul? [10:20] STORY #3: What’s Going on with Anthropic Revenues? [1 ... Show More
23m 42s
Recommended Episodes
May 2024
194. Reviewing Cal Newport’s “Slow Productivity”
<p>#194: In this episode, Sharif and Dr. Kevin Majeres discuss Cal Newport's new book, “Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout.” “Slow Productivity” builds on themes he explores in his previous books: for instance, mastering your craft and focusing on t ... Show More
34m 28s
Jan 2025
Break Free from Productivity Prison
Scott Smith challenges the traditional pursuit of productivity, advocating instead for efficiency and effectiveness. Drawing from decades of entrepreneurial experience, he shares five practical rules for getting more done with less effort, emphasizing automation and pattern recog ... Show More
11m 35s
Apr 2022
24. how to actually be productive
Productivity vs. deep work - today I compare and contrast my mindset shift from focusing on high productivity to now focusing on deep work to maximize results and avoid burnout. This episode is inspired by author and professor, Cal Newport, whose work is linked below! Deep Work: ... Show More
27 m
Oct 2025
What Gets in the Way of Your Productivity?
What Gets in the Way of Your Productivity? October 14, 2025 | Episode 5202 Host: Scott Smith Episode Description Ever feel like you just want to get your work done so you can hit the beach? Scott's broadcasting from sunny Daytona Beach with a reality check about productivity that ... Show More
14m 6s
Jun 2021
Abigail Barnes On: Turn Your Time Into Productivity EP 38
<p>Do you know how to turn your time into productivity? This search for a more productive life has led to a particular miscategorization about what time management is and how it relates to productivity-- the simple truth is that it is far more than simply having a to-do list and ... Show More
52m 39s
Jun 2020
Brave New Work 39. Getting Things Done with David Allen
We recorded this episode almost two months ago, and while so much has changed since then (look for an upcoming episode on DEI and BLM), the challenges we face sitting down at our computers every morning have not. They've only intensified. How are we supposed to move our work forw ... Show More
45m 44s
Aug 2025
Why You Delay Tasks & What to Do About It with Jim Kwik
<p>What productivity or brain hacks can help you avoid procrastination and boost your motivation?</p><p>Everyone struggles with procrastination from time to time. It can be one of the biggest barriers to your performance, impacting not only your productivity, but the results you ... Show More
9m 28s
Feb 2019
182 -- David Allen -- Mastering Productivity
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">David Allen is a <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author of <em>Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity</em>, the first edition of which was published in 2001. He is also the godfather of productivity. He has been a management ... Show More
50m 47s
Listen to millions of songs and podcasts on Anghami