From wellness and podcast apps to AI assistants and shared to-do lists, I asked six founders and execs to share the one app that genuinely helps them stay grounded, productive, or just a little more sane.
Here’s what they said.
Alexis Law: “The Calm app has sleep stories that I just love.”
“I use the Calm app and the Google Calendar app/widget daily. Having ADHD, I have a hard time shutting my brain off at night, and the Calm app has sleep stories that I just love. Usually, it takes me some time to fall asleep. Instead of waiting to unwind until I’m exhausted, the Calm app helps me start my nighttime routine before that point.
The Google Calendar app lets me share schedules with my husband. I keep a widget on my phone screen so I can see at a glance if I have anything important going on. I know this is an app most people use but using it in a way to help with daily life vs. events can be really helpful. I will often tell people to put details in – such as when they want to work out – to help them find time to be active.”
— Alexis Law, Certified Registered Dietitian for top nutrition coaching
Dan Cotet: “Spotify is my go-to app for podcasts.”
“Spotify has become an essential part of my daily routine. I rely on it for podcasts that help me grow, such as The Diary of a CEO, Lex Fridman or Joe Rogan. Whether it’s industry insights, leadership advice, wellness content, or even just a good story, having instant access to inspiration during my commute or a quick walk really makes a difference.
As a product leader and a parent, I don’t always have extra time to sit down and learn. But podcasts let me stay informed, spark new ideas, and recharge throughout the day.”
— Dan Cotet, Chief Product Officer at ZeroBounce
David Ly Khim: “I use it to remind me to move my car each week.”
“ChatGPT has been a big time saver for research tasks and for working through ideas. I use it to rewrite marketing content and emails and to refine raw thoughts and ideas. I use it a lot to research products, summarize product reviews, and compare products. It reduces the amount of time I spend researching, helps me synthesize information, and makes decisions more quickly.
For example, I needed to get my car’s side mirror repaired. I wanted to know if the quote the dealer gave me was in line with average costs, figure out if my insurance would cover the repair, and understand how much my insurance premium might increase if I use it to cover the cost. Then I had to decide whether to pay out of pocket or use insurance. That might’ve taken hours of research (and distractions) without ChatGPT.
Another app I really like is Todoist. I primarily use it to keep track of tasks, but also to track reminders, notes, and articles and videos to consume. One silly thing I use it for is to remind me to move my car each week. Where I live, I can’t park my car on a certain side of the street on the first and third Monday of each month. I’ve gotten a lot of parking tickets because I forgot to move my car. Now, I have a recurring task in Todoist to remind me to move my car. My girlfriend and I also use Todoist to keep track of errands we need to run and things we ask each other to do, like ordering more dog food.”
— David Ly Khim, Co-founder & CEO, Omniscient Digital
Also by Corina Leslie: 14 Entrepreneurs Share Their No. 1 Productivity Hack
Arti Devaki: “Beyond business, it’s where I go to recharge.”
“As the CEO of MassMailer, I juggle strategy, growth, and team leadership every single day. The one app I keep coming back to is YouTube. It’s honestly been a game-changer.
From learning the latest trends in SaaS, marketing, and leadership, to staying up to date with what our customers care about — it’s my go-to learning hub. I’ve found some of my biggest breakthroughs just watching founders share raw stories, or marketing experts break down complex funnels in 10 minutes.
Beyond business, it’s where I go to recharge. Quick meditations, inspiring talks, or just stepping outside the echo chamber. YouTube helps me grow as a leader, stay creative, and keep perspective. It’s a 24/7 mentor, motivator, and sounding board. So, if you’re building something big, don’t sleep on YouTube. It might just become your best-kept secret.”
— Arti Devaki, Co-founder and CEO of MassMailer
Dr. Letitia Wright: “Perplexity.ai is my go-to choice.”
“Without hesitation, I can say that Perplexity.ai is my go-to choice. It’s similar to ChatGPT, but I find it works a little better for me. I use it to explain any research I come across that I don’t understand. I simply say, ‘You’re my expert in XYZ. Please explain the topic at a 5th-grade level for me.’
I also rely on it for problem-solving and organizing. It allows me to format data however I need, which boosts my productivity in a personalized way, not just with a generic, one-size-fits-all response.”
— Dr. Letitia Wright, Owner of Wright Place Studios
Jean-Louis Benard: “It has helped us drive employee engagement and brand advocacy.”
“As the CEO of Sociabble, my role often requires managing a large volume of communications and staying connected with a wide network of clients, partners, and team members. For this reason, the app that has genuinely improved my life both personally and professionally is Sociabble itself. It plays a crucial role in streamlining internal and external communications, enabling real-time collaboration, and providing valuable insights into social engagement.
Beyond that, Sociabble’s platform has helped us drive employee engagement and brand advocacy, ensuring that our team is aligned and motivated while empowering them to amplify our company’s values.
I use it daily to manage content curation, track engagement metrics, and share updates across multiple channels. The ability to integrate our social media and communication strategies within one platform has enhanced our overall productivity and has provided me with the tools to maintain a strong connection with our team.”