Executive burnout isn’t just about being tired. Executive burnout is about running your mental battery into the red while everyone else depends on you. Executive burnout is what happens when productivity becomes identity and rest feels like weakness.

In this episode of Men Talking Mindfulness, Will Schneider and Jon Macaskill sit down with Calm CEO David Ko to unpack executive burnout from the inside out.

David shares what executive burnout actually looks like at the highest levels of leadership — from C-suite overwhelm to silent anxiety and the pressure of performance. He explains why 48% of executives report feeling overwhelmed and nearly half consider quitting — even when they look successful on paper.

You’ll hear:
• Why executive burnout costs organizations billions
• The “mental battery” framework and how to monitor your energy
• Why vulnerability is a leadership strength — not a liability
• The real cost of sleep deprivation in high performers
• Why checking email before bed fuels executive burnout
• How to create tech boundaries without losing productivity
• The link between mental health and physical health
• Why men struggle to talk about well-being — and how to change it

David also shares practical tools leaders can use immediately:
Water. Window. Walk.
Breath resets.
Energy-based scheduling.
Sleep discipline.

This conversation speaks directly to high achievers, entrepreneurs, executives, veterans, and driven men who feel like they can’t slow down.
If you’ve ever wondered:
Why am I exhausted even when I’m winning?
Why can’t I turn work off at night?
Why does success still feel draining?
This episode is for you.

Follow David Ko & Calm:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidkocalm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-ko
Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/calm
Website: https://www.calm.com/

Sponsor:
Peptides for Health by Mark L. Gordon, M.D. is a two-volume series exploring the science and clinical application of therapeutic peptides.
Medical Edition Vol. 1 Release: December 22, 2025
Consumer Edition Vol. 1 Release: January 20, 2026
Discount Code: PFH25
Medical Edition Offer Window: Dec 20, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026
Consumer Edition Offer Window: Jan 20 – Feb 20, 2026
Proceeds support the Children of Veterans Program.
Preview both editions: https://tbihelpnow.org/biohack-yourself

More episodes, Resources & Spartan Race: https://mentalkingmindfulness.com
Mental fitness & coaching with Will: https://willnotfear.com
Book Jon to speak with your team: https://jonmacaskill.com

If this episode resonates, follow the show, leave a rating and review, and share it with one man who’s trying to hold it all together.

This episode was co-produced by Robert Lopez of www.cratesaudio.com

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

¿Qué significa realmente ser un “buen chico”… y por qué ese enfoque suele llevar a frustración, resentimiento y relaciones rotas? En este episodio de Men Talking Mindfulness, conversamos con el Dr. Robert Glover, autor del influyente libro No More Mr. Nice Guy, para explorar el síndrome del buen chico, la masculinidad sana, los contratos encubiertos, la validación externa y cómo muchos hombres pierden autenticidad intentando evitar el conflicto. Hablamos sobre: Masculinidad saludable e integrada Por qué “ser agradable” no es lo mismo que ser auténtico Límites, honestidad y dirección personal Relaciones, sexualidad y presencia emocional Cómo dejar de vivir para la aprobación externa 👉 Este episodio fue traducido al español utilizando inteligencia artificial de Riverside. La traducción es generada por IA para ampliar el acceso al contenido y puede no reflejar palabra por palabra la grabación original en inglés. Si eres un hombre que quiere dejar de complacer a todos, recuperar su centro y vivir con más claridad, propósito y honestidad… este episodio es para ti. 🔗 Más información: https://mentalkingmindfulness.com

What does it really mean to be a “nice guy”… and why does that pattern so often lead to resentment, burnout, and broken relationships? In this episode of Men Talking Mindfulness, we sit down with Dr. Robert Glover, author of the bestselling book No More Mr. Nice Guy, to unpack the Nice Guy Syndrome, healthy masculinity, covert contracts, external validation, and why so many men lose themselves trying to avoid conflict. We discuss: Healthy and integrated masculinity Why people-pleasing isn’t the same as kindness Boundaries, honesty, and self-direction Relationships, sexuality, and emotional presence How to stop living for approval and start living authentically 👉 This episode has been translated using Riverside’s AI-powered translation tools. The translation is AI-generated to improve accessibility and may not perfectly match the original English recording. If you’re ready to stop playing small, reclaim your voice, and live with clarity and purpose, this conversation is essential listening.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Curiosity in mindfulness is one of the most effective tools men have for breaking free from rumination—the endless replaying of conversations, mistakes, and imagined outcomes that keeps the nervous system stuck in stress.

In this solo episode of Men Talking Mindfulness, Will Schneider explores how curiosity in mindfulness helps men notice rumination without feeding it. Instead of trying to stop thoughts or force calm, curiosity creates space to observe mental loops with awareness, allowing the nervous system to settle naturally.

Will breaks down why rumination isn’t a thinking problem—it’s a regulation issue. When men feel under pressure, overwhelmed, or emotionally charged, the mind searches for certainty by looping. Curiosity interrupts this pattern by shifting attention from judgment to observation.

Throughout the episode, Will explains how curiosity in mindfulness helps men step out of overthinking, reconnect with the body, and return to presence without shutting down. You’ll hear how curiosity softens self-judgment, why trying to “let go” often backfires, and how staying curious builds emotional regulation and self-trust.

This episode is for men who feel stuck in their heads, replay conversations, or struggle to stop thinking—even when they want peace. Curiosity in mindfulness offers a grounded, practical way to relate differently to thoughts, stress, and inner pressure without forcing change.

Sponsor:
Peptides for Health by Mark L. Gordon, M.D. is a two-volume series exploring the science and clinical application of therapeutic peptides.
Medical Edition Vol. 1 Release: December 22, 2025
Consumer Edition Vol. 1 Release: January 20, 2026
Discount Code: PFH25
Medical Edition Offer Window: Dec 20, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026
Consumer Edition Offer Window: Jan 20 – Feb 20, 2026
Proceeds support the Children of Veterans Program.
Preview both editions: https://tbihelpnow.org/biohack-yourself

Links & Resources
Join the Men Talking Mindfulness team at the 2026 Spartan Race and take mindfulness into real-world challenge. This is about grit, presence, and brotherhood under pressure. Learn more and join the team here: https://mentalkingmindfulness.com/spartan-race-2026

More episodes & resources: https://mentalkingmindfulness.com
Mental fitness & coaching with Will: https://willnotfear.com
Book Jon to speak with your team: https://jonmacaskill.com

If this episode resonates, follow the show, leave a rating and review, and share it with one man who’s trying to hold it all together.

This episode was co-produced by Robert Lopez of www.cratesaudio.com

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.