Calm: Alex Tew and Michael Acton Smith
Alex Tew and Michael Acton Smith, co-founders of Calm, recount the journey from their early internet ventures (Firebox, Moshi Monsters) to building the meditation app Calm. They discuss overcoming investor skepticism about monetizing mindfulness, the strategic pivot to 'Sleep Stories' narrated by celebrities like Matthew McConaughey and Harry Styles, and the scrappy user acquisition tactics that drove growth without early VC funding. The episode highlights their decision to step down as CEOs to focus on healthcare expansion via the acquisition of Ripple Health Group.