Dennis Han didn’t set out to build a mental health app. He was just trying to get through a breakup.

Like so many of us, he started looking for support — only to hit wall after wall. Long waitlists. High costs. Confusing systems. All at a time when he just needed someone to talk to.

So, he built what he couldn’t find.

That idea became Calmi — a voice-based AI that offers real-time emotional support in 10–30 minute sessions. No waitlists. No pressure. Just a calm, empathetic voice when you need it most.

What’s wild is how fast it resonated. Calmi reached 60,000 users off just six Instagram videos. No funding. No launch strategy. Just something real, built with care. By the time you’re hearing this, they’ve crossed over 100,000 users.

In this episode, Dennis and I talk about what it looks like to actually back yourself, the quiet confidence that comes from building with intention, and how to stop talking yourself out of the thing you know you’re meant to do.

If you’ve ever sat on an idea, second-guessed your gut, or waited for the perfect time to start — this one’s for you.

Check out Calmi: https://calmi.so
Follow Dennis on Instagram: Dennis Han