On-Demand
Recharge with David Ko
In each episode of Recharge with David Ko, the CEO of Calm brings listeners intimate, candid conversations with today’s most influential voices: CEOs reimagining leadership, athletes redefining resilience, iconic actors opening up about their personal journey, and thought-leaders shaping culture worldwide.
From beating burnout to building connection, from overcoming loneliness to unlocking lasting well-being, guests reveal how they recharge in a world that never slows down. These honest conversations aren’t just inspiring—they’re a roadmap for living and leading with purpose.
Listen to Recharge on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, YouTube or anywhere you get your podcasts.
Season 3 Episodes
Episode 1: Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt – January 27
New York Times best-selling author, mother, and podcast host Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt joins David Ko to talk about her sixth book, Kat and Brandy. In this candid conversation, Katherine and David explore the powerful impact animals can have on the mental health of humans of all ages. Katherine shares insights on managing her busy lifestyle as a working mother and how she applies the parenting lessons learned from her own parents, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver about raising a family in the public eye. Katherine also opens up about meditation and how finding her own personal practice “dramatically” changed her life.
Episode 2: Jennifer Wallace – February 3
In this episode, David Ko sits down with best-selling author Jennifer B. Wallace to discuss her new book, Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose. Moving beyond the high-pressure achievement culture explored in her first book, Never Enough, Jennifer reveals why feeling valued—and having the opportunity to add value—is essential to solving our current mental health crisis. From the “battery” of adult resilience to the shift from individual suffering to a “social health crisis,” this conversation explores how the stories we tell ourselves about our place in the world dictate our ability to thrive.
Episode 3: John Driscoll (Part 1) – February 10
In part one of a two-part conversation, Recharge host David Ko sits down with John Driscoll, a seasoned healthcare executive, author, and activist, to discuss the intersection of leadership, personal purpose, and systemic change. Currently the Chair of Waystar, UConn Health, and Magnit Global, Driscoll shares the deeply personal experiences that shaped his “heart-centered” approach to the industry—from growing up with a mother who was a nurse to the tragic loss of his sister to cystic fibrosis. He also explains how he implemented his professional philosophy of “Whole Person Care,” at CareCentrix by addressing the non-clinical barriers (like transport and nutrition) that often prevent patients from recovering. Driscoll provides a candid look at how vulnerability and empathy must be reintegrated into the business of saving lives.
Episode 4: John Driscoll (Part 2) –February 17
Episode 5: Bill Gurley-February 24
Season 2 Episodes
Episode 1: Matthew McConaughey
Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey, author of the new book Poems and Prayers, opens up about his lifelong relationship with sleep, his fight against cynicism, and how belief shapes his outlook as a leader, parent, and partner. He shares how growing up in a household where “sleep was a sin” shaped his habits, why he’s unapologetically a 9½-hour sleeper now, and how daily rituals—from family dinners to naps, puzzles, or even quiet time with his wife—help him recharge. McConaughey also reflects on leadership as both responsibility and joy, the importance of solitude, and his vision of being inspired by “myself in ten years” and who his children are becoming.
Episode 2: Dr. Vivek Murthy
Dr. Vivek Murthy joins David to talk candidly about why mental health is “the defining public-health issue of our time,” and how leaders can protect their own battery and their teams’ well-being in a chaotic year. He lays out practical habits that fill (sleep, movement, meditation, time with loved ones) vs. drain (doom-scrolling, excess news, the wrong meetings) our “emotional tank,” and shares how modeling boundaries at work turns minutes of true presence into real impact. Murthy connects sleep to resilience (including his own shift from “badge-of-honor” sleep loss to disciplined routines), explains why loneliness is a health epidemic with physical consequences, and offers a simple prescription for volatile times: rebuild community through relationships, purpose, and service.
Episode 3: Malala Yousafzai
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai joins David Ko to discuss her new memoir Finding My Way and her journey of reclaiming her own story. She opens up about the weight of being thrust into the global spotlight as a teenager, the transformative role of college in helping her find her identity, and her candid experiences with mental health—including panic attacks and therapy. Malala reflects on the cultural stigmas around mental health in Pakistan, how she is redefining traditions for women and girls, and why sleep, friendship, and support systems are as vital as activism. In a year marked by global volatility, she offers a powerful reminder that even leaders need to rest, recharge, and find balance between tradition and modern life.
Episode 4: Arianna Huffington
Arianna Huffington, founder of Thrive Global and longtime advocate for sleep and well-being, opens up about her collapse from burnout, raising awareness of mental health through her personal and family story, and the importance of sleep as a “keystone habit.” She and David explore how leaders must “unlearn” unhealthy habits, embrace vulnerability, and prioritize spiritual and mental recharge in a world of uncertainty, AI disruption, and nonstop pressures at work.
Episode 5: Chloe Kim
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Chloe Kim joins David to talk about the mental side of elite performance and the pressures of being a global icon at such a young age. She shares her experience stepping away from snowboarding after the 2018 Olympics to protect her mental health, the role therapy and sleep have played in her recovery, and how she’s learning to balance ambition with joy. In a year when so many people feel stretched thin and overexposed, Chloe offers an honest look at burnout, identity, and what it really means to recharge.
Episode 6: Nick Jonas
Musician and actor Nick Jonas shares his journey living with Type 1 diabetes for 20 years, the mental toll of managing a chronic condition, and why community and technology like Dexcom G7 have been game-changers. He connects this personal health journey to resilience in leadership and fatherhood, underscoring how physical health and mental health are inseparable.
Episode 7: Karen S. Lynch
David sits down for a candid conversation with Karen Lynch, a trailblazing leader known for her transformative work at the helm of major healthcare organizations like Aetna and CVS Health. Karen shares her deeply personal journey of vulnerability and resilience from the childhood tragedy that shaped her passion for mental health and reflects on the leadership lessons she’s learned throughout her career. She shares her personal strategies for finding balance, knowing when to recharge, and offers invaluable insights for leaders at any stage of their career.
Episode 8: All About Sleep
In this special season 2 finale, David Ko presents a timely end-of-year gift: a compilation of advice on the single most crucial element for good mental health—sleep. This episode features the collective wisdom and top tips from all of this season’s amazing guests, providing actionable insights to help you achieve a restful night’s sleep.
Season 1 Episodes
Episode 1: Recharge with Kevin Bacon: From Footloose to Philanthropy
Hollywood legend Kevin Bacon joins David Ko to discuss his iconic 40+ year career spanning from “Footloose” to “Apollo 13” and “A Few Good Men.” Beyond the spotlight, Kevin reveals his commitment to giving back through SixDegrees.org, demonstrating how fame can become a platform for meaningful change. He also opens up about the #IGETIT campaign, a new initiative aimed at promoting empathy, understanding, and meaningful action around mental health.
With refreshing candor, he reflects on his early hunger for fame before eventually embracing the true craft of acting.
Kevin shares valuable life lessons about personal growth, humility, and one regret that might surprise listeners: wishing he’d said “no” more often throughout his career. His perspective emphasizes that longevity matters more than perfection, and that even disappointing experiences contribute to professional development and personal wisdom.
The episode blends humor with profound insights, offering listeners both entertainment and practical wisdom about navigating life’s unpredictable journey with grace and resilience, regardless of whether you’re pursuing stardom or simply seeking inspiration.
Episode 2: Recharge with Chelsea Handler: Unapologetic Resilience
Comedian and author Chelsea Handler joins David Ko to discuss her seventh New York Times bestseller “I’ll Have What She’s Having” and her remarkable journey to self-acceptance. Chelsea recounts her entrepreneurial childhood—from spiked lemonade stands to a neighborhood babysitting business—before sharing how a disastrous Montreal Comedy Festival performance paradoxically launched her career.
With heartfelt appreciation, she credits her third-grade teacher Mrs. Schekman for instilling the confidence that would define her career. Chelsea’s therapeutic journey becomes a central theme as she discusses processing grief, family dynamics, and developing unshakable self-assurance despite public criticism.
The conversation explores practical mental health practices including meditation and quality sleep, while Chelsea offers refreshingly straightforward advice on resilience: embrace failure as essential to growth and maintain authenticity regardless of consequences.
Chelsea reveals her personal recharging methods—skiing in beautiful environments and helping others—while emphasizing the transformative power of gratitude. The episode balances humorous anecdotes with thoughtful reflections on finding joy and purpose in a highly visible career, concluding with details about her upcoming standup special and Las Vegas residency.
Episode 3: Recharge with Jordan Chiles: Olympic Triumphs & Resilience
Olympic champion Jordan Chiles joins Ko for a memorable talk about excellence, authenticity, and the power of self-expression. Not only does she dish on her viral performances and her friendship with Simone Biles, but she also reflects on finding the strength to overcome negativity. Chiles’ journey is all about resilience and inspiring the next generation to be bold.
Episode 4: Recharge with Common: Rhythms of Resilience
Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy winner Common joins Ko to discuss creativity and living with purpose. In a soulful conversion, the singer reflects on how he stays mentally strong and what he wants others to know about protecting their own wellbeing. With wisdom and warmth, Common, who also authored the book, “And Then We Rise: A Guide to Loving and Taking Care of Self,” shares lessons on ambition, humility, and the power of art.
Episode 5: Recharge with Sheryl Lee Ralph: Emmy Magic & Unstoppable Joy
“Abbot Elementary” fans will want to hear star Sheryl Lee Ralph open up to Ko about her inspiring career, including her historic Emmy win at 66. The actress and founder of the DIVA Foundation also discusses turning tragedy into activism, fighting for Black representation, and being a champion for mental health and racial equity. Ralph encourages listeners to push forward, “build [their] own tables” when they face exclusion, and have the courage to be themselves.