Person
Every book Michael Acton Smith recommended on podcasts
Michael Acton Smith's appearance on The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett reveals an entrepreneur deeply interested in human psychology, well-being, narrative structure, and societal progress. As the founder of Calm, Acton Smith frequently highlights literature that explores the mechanics of human connection, mental health, and modern disconnection. Among his top recommendations is Johann Hari's 'Lost Connections', which he describes as one of his favorite books for understanding the roots of modern malaise. To emphasize the critical role that narrative plays in business and human bonding, Acton Smith recommends Will Storr's 'The Science of Storytelling', noting that he applies its lessons to every business he creates. He also touches upon practical and optimistic views of the world by discussing Hans Rosling's 'Factfulness', using its data to highlight how society is continuously improving, and references Matthew Walker's 'Why We Sleep' to underscore the cultural shift toward recognizing the biological necessity of rest. Additionally, he recalls early business ventures inspired by instructional literature like Fay Sudweeks' 'Doing Business on the Internet'. Together, these choices paint a portrait of a leader driven by a blend of empirical optimism, storytelling mastery, and psychological awareness.
Books recommended by Michael Acton Smith
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Lost Connections
Lost Connections by Johann Hari is a popular non-fiction book that investigates the social and environmental roots of depression and anxiety, arguing that modern alienation plays a primary role in mental distress.
Recommended“Johann Hari talks about in his book. Lost Connections is one of my favorite books.”
Where to get it
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The Science of Storytelling
The Science of Storytelling by Will Storr is an insightful exploration of how the human brain processes narratives and why stories are fundamentally powerful in shaping human behavior.
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”
Where to get it
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Doing business on the Internet
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.”
Where to get it
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Factfulness
Factfulness by Hans Rosling, alongside Ola Rosling and Anna Rosling Rönnlund, is an enlightening book that uses global health and economic data to dismantle common misconceptions about how the world is actually developing.
Discussed“You know there's a wonderful book factfulness which talks about the data of how the world is getting better.”
Where to get it
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Why We Sleep
Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker is a comprehensive scientific examination of the profound impact that slumber has on human health, cognitive performance, and longevity.
Discussed“Matthew Walker's book Why We Sleep has has played a huge part in that.”
Where to get it
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calm App Founder: From $0 To $2 Billion By Making The World Meditate: Michael Acton Smith | The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett | 2022-01-31 | 5 |