In this festive episode of Deep Questions, Jesse, Cal Newport's producer, takes center stage by asking Cal the questions he's always wanted to explore. They dive into various topics, including Cal's reading habits, where he highlights the joy of discovery rather than worrying about missing out. He also shares insights into his writing process, likening it to his background in theoretical computer science, and discusses his shutdown ritual. When it comes to retirement, Cal emphasizes the importance of financial independence. He reflects on Elon Musk's impact on X, suggesting that its decline might actually be a good thing, and mentions his ongoing use of his Remarkable tablet. The episode wraps up with a retrospective on Cal's book “Slow Productivity” and offers a glimpse into his forthcoming work, “The Deep Life,” which delves into the art of intentional life transformation.