We recently launched Work in Progress, an interview series in which we pick the brains of the people in charge: CEOs, founders, and executives who are shaping the way we do business. What’s their best advice for a new manager? Their biggest regret? The Next Big Thing in their industry?
First up, we’ve got David Ko, the CEO of Calm, a sleep and meditation app that’s valued at a staggering $2 billion. Ko’s been at the helm since 2022, and before that he co-founded the healthcare technology company Ripple Health.
We asked Ko about his experiences with anxiety, approach to leadership, and the beloved TV character who best embodies the Calm ethos. Check out our full Q&A below, and subscribe right here to catch the rest of our eye-opening conversations from the corner office.
You’ve written about your experience with panic attacks. How do you personally stay centered in such a high-pressure job?
David Ko: I started having panic attacks when I was 14, but I didn’t understand what was happening until decades later. Calm gave me the language to name what I had long experienced as stress and anxiety. I stay centered now by doing frequent internal battery checks — asking myself, What’s my charge level today, and what do I need to do to recharge it? I wrote a book called Recharge, which explores how to reconnect with your inner battery and stay centered. My biggest recharge is having honest conversations with the people around me. That’s more restorative than any productivity hack.
How does Calm navigate the tension between being a tech company and a mental health resource — especially when tech is often blamed for rising anxiety and burnout?
Most people reach for their phones to unwind — scrolling social media or headlines in an endless stream of alerts. The problem is, none of it is truly relaxing. These experiences are designed for quick dopamine hits, not restoration.
Calm offers a safe space where people can use their phones for genuine rest and recovery. For those without access to traditional mental health care, a phone can be a lifeline that delivers tools to improve well-being. Our goal is to help people build a mindful relationship with their devices, one that leaves them feeling better, not worse. We design for time well-spent — helping people reset and step away, instead of staying glued to their screens.
What’s one regret you’ve had as CEO, and what would you have done differently?
Early on, I tried to “power through” challenges the way I had growing up. I didn’t always model vulnerability because I thought leadership meant showing certainty. But I’ve come to see that sharing challenges and bringing more people into the fold isn’t weakness — it builds trust. Especially in a mission-driven company like Calm, clarity and openness help align the team. If I could go back, I would have led that way from the start.
What’s the best leadership advice you’ve ever received — and from whom?
Jack Rowe, former CEO of Aetna, once told me that he used to schedule time to “get out of gear and into neutral.” He knew if he didn’t carve out time to think, he’d crash. That advice stuck with me. We don’t grow if we don’t challenge ourselves — but we also can’t keep pushing without making time to recharge. Leadership is about recognizing when to go full throttle and when to pause.
What’s one thing you always look for in a potential hire?
Curiosity. It’s the one trait that tells me someone will grow with the company. At Calm, we’re constantly evolving — from a meditation app to a full-fledged mental healthcare company. I want to work with people who are hungry to learn, unafraid to ask questions, and excited by change.
Who’s a current CEO you admire?
I’ve always admired Satya Nadella for how he transformed Microsoft’s culture through empathy. He showed me that kindness and performance aren’t mutually exclusive. That mindset — where emotional intelligence drives business results — is something I try to bring to my own leadership every day.
What’s your go-to Calm story?
It’s a tie, but the first is It’s a Wonderful Sleep Story with Jimmy Stewart. We used A.I. to bring his voice back in a way that was respectful, nostalgic, and moving. My daughter loves it, and it’s a great example of how Calm is using A.I. to create meaningful experiences for our community.
The second is Caring for Aging Parents with Confidence on Calm Health. It’s practical, empathetic content that meets people where they are in one of life’s more challenging moments.
If you could hire one fictional character to join your company, who would it be and why?
Probably Ted Lasso. Calm is built on the belief that mental health doesn’t have to be clinical or cold — it can be human, funny, and warm. Ted would fit right in because of his relentless optimism and emotional intelligence.
