Episode · The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett · 2022-01-31

Steven Bartlett & Michael Acton Smith: books mentioned on The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

Calm App Founder: From $0 To $2 Billion By Making The World Meditate: Michael Acton Smith

5 books · With Michael Acton Smith · Listen · Watch on YouTube

Michael Acton-Smith is best known as the co-founder of Calm, the $2 billion meditation, sleep and wellness app, but he is so much more than that. Because Calm is just one of four companies Michael has built.

Michael Acton Smith recommended The Science of Storytelling by Will Storr, Factfulness by Hans Rosling and others, and Lost Connections by Johann Hari, and discussed Doing business on the Internet by Fay Sudweeks and Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker.

Books mentioned, in the order they came up

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1. 

   Doing business on the Internet

   Fay Sudweeks · at 10:25

   Discussed

   “We went into a bookshop and we saw this book that was called doing business on the internet and we knew we were both aware Tom did AI and computer science at university.”

   Michael Acton Smith Calm App Founder: From $0 To $2 Billion By Making The World Meditate: … 2022-01-31 Listen at 10:25

   Where to get it

   Listen free with an Audible trialAmazon
2. 

   The Science of Storytelling

   Will Storr · at 17:05

   The Science of Storytelling by Will Storr is a compelling non-fiction book that explores the neuroscience and deep psychological mechanics behind how humans craft and respond to narratives.

   Recommended

   “There's a an amazing book by Will Storr called The Science of Storytelling which kind of talks about this in in great great detail and I think about it with every business I create”

   Michael Acton Smith Calm App Founder: From $0 To $2 Billion By Making The World Meditate: … 2022-01-31 Listen at 17:05

   Where to get it

   Listen free with an Audible trialAmazon
3. 

   Factfulness

   Hans Rosling; Ola Rosling; Anna Rosling Rönnlund · at 56:39

   Factfulness by Hans Rosling, Ola Rosling, and Anna Rosling Rönnlund is a data-driven exploration of global health and societal progress that challenges widespread human misconceptions and negativity biases about the state of the world.

   Recommended

   “You know there's a wonderful book factfulness which talks about the data of how the world is getting better.”

   Michael Acton Smith Calm App Founder: From $0 To $2 Billion By Making The World Meditate: … 2022-01-31 Listen at 56:39

   Where to get it

   Listen free with an Audible trialAmazon
4. 

   Why We Sleep

   Matthew Walker · at 1:03:34

   Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker is a prominent work of sleep science that explores the biological mechanisms and profound health implications of human slumber.

   Discussed

   “Matthew Walker's book Why We Sleep has has played a huge part in that.”

   Michael Acton Smith Calm App Founder: From $0 To $2 Billion By Making The World Meditate: … 2022-01-31 Listen at 1:03:34

   Where to get it

   Listen free with an Audible trialAmazon
5. 

   Lost Connections

   Johann Hari · at 1:05:18 · mentioned 2 times

   Lost Connections by Johann Hari is a profound exploration of the underlying social and psychological causes of depression and anxiety, arguing that modern distress stems largely from a loss of meaningful human connections.

   Recommended

   “Johann Hari talks about in his book. Lost Connections is one of my favorite books.”

   Michael Acton Smith Calm App Founder: From $0 To $2 Billion By Making The World Meditate: … 2022-01-31 Listen at 1:05:18

   Where to get it

   Listen free with an Audible trialAmazon