How do you unwind after a long day?

What’s your favorite way to relax quickly?

Today, Jay sits down with David Ko, the CEO of Calm and author of the groundbreaking book Recharge. Together, they unravel the complexities of stress, mental health, and how to create a fulfilling life in today’s fast-paced world.

David shares his personal journey, from navigating childhood stress to becoming a leader who champions mental wellness. He introduces the “battery analogy,” a simple yet profound way to gauge our mental and emotional energy levels. Drawing from his book, David explains how understanding and managing our “battery” can transform our approach to stress, productivity, and personal growth.

Jay and David discuss the power of presence, the necessity of balance, and how redefining stress—from harmful to helpful—can lead to resilience and growth. Their conversation dives deep into actionable strategies, such as creating rituals to recharge, fostering vulnerability at work, and redefining leadership to prioritize mental health. 

In this interview, you'll learn:

How to Recognize When You Need to Recharge

How to Foster Vulnerability in Leadership

How to Balance Good Stress and Bad Stress

How to Build a Culture of Gratitude in the Workplace

How to Take Breaks for Better Productivity

How to Identify and Remove Stress-Inducing Triggers

Recharge your mind, body, and spirit—not just to keep going, but to thrive with purpose and joy. Prioritize yourself, because when you’re recharged, you’re unstoppable.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro

02:10 What’s Something You’re not Calm About?

03:31 How's Your Battery?

05:42 The Four Battery Zones

10:59 The Importance of Recharging

14:24 Vulnerability in Leadership

18:37 Good Stress vs Bad Stress

25:25 Mental Health in the Workplace

28:56 Listen and Become More Purposeful

28:57 How to Take Care of Your Team

30:44 Supporting Employees’ Mental Health

38:10 Tools for Managing Burnout

44:19 How Do You Deal with Stress?

52:02 Put Your Focus on Healthy Stress 

53:27 Daily Practices for Recharging

01:01:42 What is a Quality Decision?

01:07:08 David on Final Five

01:14:90 Is Your Battery Full?

Episode Resources:

David Ko | Instagram

David Ko | LinkedIn

Calm | Website

Calm | Instagram

Calm | Facebook

Calm | X