Sleep is My Waking Passion

National Sleep Foundation Talks Kids Sleep

Your kid is bouncing off the walls at 7 p.m., melting down over the wrong-colored cup, and you're standing there thinking: how are they not tired? Here's what nobody tells you. When adults are sleep-deprived, we run out of battery — slow, foggy, flat. When kids are sleep-deprived, the system doesn't drain. It glitches. They speed up. Which means the child who looks least tired is often the one who needs sleep most. New data says this is happening in almost half of American homes. I'm joined by Dr. Joseph Dzierzewski, PhD, Senior Vice President of Research and Scientific Affairs at the National Sleep Foundation, to unpack the 2026 Sleep in America® Poll: 44% of U.S. children aren't consistently getting the sleep they need, and most parents underestimate how much their child needs by more than an hour a night. We cover the updated NSF sleep duration guidelines hour by hour, why tired kids look hyperactive instead of sleepy, bed-sharing and the social side of sleep, and what you can change tonight. Read the full poll at thensf.org. Share this with one parent or pediatric provider you know. Until next time — sleep well.

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Back To School Sleep Reset featuring Dr. Sujay Kansagra

The Back-to-School Sleep Reset Every Family Needs Right Now Summer let everyone drift. Later bedtimes, slower mornings, no alarms. Then the school calendar shows up and suddenly you're asking a kid whose body clock is set to midnight to be alert at 7 a.m. You are not alone, and you are not a bad parent. This is biology. This week Dr. Alison Kole sits down with Dr. Sujay Kansagra — pediatric neurologist and sleep medicine specialist at Duke, the voice behind @thatsleepdoc, and the inventor of Lullabee, a smart crib mattress built on actual infant sleep science. He is one of the clearest communicators in sleep medicine, and this conversation is packed with things you can start doing tonight. In this episode: How much sleep kids actually need at every age, so you can measure how far off you really are Why summer drift isn't automatically harmful, and the two things that matter more than a perfect schedule Toddlers are larks. Teenagers are owls. Why fighting either one is a losing strategy The "robotic return to bed" technique for bedtime battles, and why Dr. Kansagra once used it 213 times in a single night How to tell the difference between a child pushing limits and a child who is anxious, especially when they can't name the feeling themselves The 10 to 15 minute rule for shifting a teenager's clock back before day one of school, plus the light, dim, and meal-timing levers that make it stick Where melatonin actually has evidence behind it as a clock-shifting agent, why the dose is far smaller and the timing far earlier than most people assume, and why this is a conversation for your provider and not the gummy aisle Why a consistent wake time matters more than a consistent bedtime The counterintuitive weekend fix: don't sleep in, take a strategic midday nap instead. Twenty to thirty minutes or a full ninety, and why the middle is the worst place to land Why this nap advice is not for chronic insomniacs Permanent standard time vs. permanent daylight saving time: the morning-light argument, the school-bus safety argument, and what happened the last time this country tried it in the 1970s How school start times and daylight saving stack the deck against developing teenage brains The story behind Lullabee: how it soothes, how it weans itself as a baby's sleep matures, and why it re-engages during regressions Sleep is not a luxury. It's a vital sign. And for your kids, it's the foundation the whole school year is built on. About the guest Dr. Sujay Kansagra is a pediatric neurologist and sleep medicine specialist at Duke University Medical Center, the creator behind @thatsleepdoc, and the inventor of Lullabee. Find him: @thatsleepdoc on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, and Threads Lullabee: lullabee.com Connect with Dr. Alison Kole Website: askthesleepmd.com Instagram: @askthesleepmd If this episode helped you build your back-to-school sleep plan, follow the show, share it with one parent who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find it. Great days start the night before. Sleep well. This podcast is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Talk with your own clinician about your family's situation.

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Sleep Like a Pro: Stealing the Elite Athlete Playbook with Dr. Abhinav Singh, "The Sleep Vigilante"

What if waking up refreshed wasn't luck — but strategy? Elite athletes don't leave sleep to chance. They treat it like training, nutrition, and recovery — because at the pro level, the margins are a game of inches. This week, Dr. Alison Kole is joined by Dr. Abhinav Singh — better known as "The Sleep Vigilante" — sleep physician for the Indiana Pacers and WNBA Indiana Fever, Medical Director of the Franciscan Sleep Disorders Program, Associate Clinical Professor at Marian University, and author of Sleep to Heal. Together they translate elite-level sleep strategy into something you can use in real, everyday life — whether you're a road-warrior executive, a weekend athlete, or just tired of being tired. In this episode: The "Athlete Sleep Paradox": why the people who need the most sleep get the least Why a bad night isn't "just tired" — it's under-recovery, with real consequences for injury, repair, and performance "Tomorrow starts tonight": protecting your sleep window like a standing appointment with your future self The PACE method: Predictable timing, Air, Calm, Environment Sleep banking, jet lag strategy, and why melatonin is "the dinner bell, not the dinner" Travel non-negotiables: sun before screen, a digital last call, and a portable sleep kit (mask, earplugs, a familiar scent) What actually happens during deep sleep and REM — muscle repair, growth hormone, memory filing, and mood regulation Why consistently sleeping 5-6 hours is chronic under-recovery — "cooking your body on a slow crock pot burner" Napping done right: the 20-30 minute midday recharge (a healthy snack, not a meal) Process over perfection: why chasing a perfect sleep score will drive you crazy — and what to do instead Dr. Singh's bottom line: treat sleep like a standard, not a suggestion. Don't go chasing sleep — set the stage, and let it come to you. ⚠️ And remember: if you're doing everything right and still waking unrefreshed, don't sleep on your sleep disorders. Talk to a professional sooner rather than later. 📖 Dr. Singh's book: Sleep to Heal 🧭 Alison's jet lag tool mentioned in the episode: Timeshifter app If this episode changed the way you think about sleep — even a little — share it with someone who needs to hear it. Like, follow, subscribe, and help spread the message!

What if your political stress is quietly wrecking your sleep — and your relationships?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Beth Ann Malow — neurologist, sleep medicine specialist, and 2026 AASM Sleep Health Advocate Award recipient — to discuss her bold new book, Beyond the Politics of Contempt. We explore how outrage-driven culture, social media algorithms, and the 24-hour news cycle are affecting our mental health, cardiovascular risk, and sleep quality. From "doomscrolling insomnia" to fractured family relationships, we dig into the real consequences of living in constant political tension — and the practical, evidence-informed strategies that help. You'll learn how to break free from the outrage cycle, protect your sleep from stress and media overload, rebuild relationships even when you strongly disagree, and communicate with empathy without compromising your values. We also tackle daylight saving time: why the science strongly supports permanent standard time, and why public buy-in is so hard — a masterclass in science communication and listening across differences. If you've ever lost sleep after watching the news, avoided conversations because of politics, or felt stuck between speaking up and protecting your peace, this episode is for you. About Dr. Beth Ann Malow: Neurologist, sleep medicine specialist, and former director of the Vanderbilt Sleep Division, Dr. Malow is a national leader in sleep health, autism research, and civil discourse. She co-authored Beyond the Politics of Contempt, a practical guide to bridging divides while standing firm in your beliefs. Resources: Book: Beyond the Politics of Contempt (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and more) Website: https://beyondthepoliticsofcontempt.com Substack: https://togethernow.substack.com If this episode resonates, share it with someone you care about — even someone you disagree with. And subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of sleep, health, and real life.

How Your Gut Controls Your Sleep featuring Marissa Sharkey

Registered dietitian Marissa Sharkey — aka the Gutsy Dietitian — returns to unpack the gut-sleep connection and why so many busy adults feel exhausted, bloated, and stuck. From simple meal-prep swaps to the daily habits quietly sabotaging your rest, this is a practical playbook for feeling better from the inside out. In this episode, you'll learn: How gut health and sleep quality feed each other — and where most people go wrong Realistic meal-prep strategies for busy schedules (no all-day Sunday cooking required) The everyday nutrition habits worth changing first if you want more energy and better rest CTA: Loved this one? Follow Sleep Is My Waking Passion so you never miss an episode, and share it with a friend who's tired of being tired. You can find Marissa on Instagram @thegutsy_dietitian, grab her free meal-prep guide via her bio link, or reach her at marissa-sharkeynutrition.com.

PTSD Is Treatable — Even 65 Years Later

Most people think trauma is something you just have to live with. It isn't. In Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Courtney Worley — board-certified clinical psychologist and diplomate in behavioral sleep medicine — we break down the evidence-based therapies that actually treat PTSD and the sleep it steals. If you or someone you love struggles with nightmares, insomnia, or trauma, this one's for you. What you will learn: It's never too early — and never too late. PTSD is a problem in recovery, not a life sentence. Dr. Worley has treated trauma 65 years after the event. Older vets in their 80s and 90s get better. That capacity to heal never closes. 2. Five sessions can change everything. Written Exposure Therapy treats trauma in as few as five sessions, with no between-session homework. Alongside Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure, 60–80% of people see real symptom reduction. Three paths, same mountain. 3. Don't wake someone from a nightmare. Sleeping through a disturbing dream helps the brain process and store the trauma. Waking them interrupts the healing. And nightmares themselves? Treatable — most people just never knew to ask. Sleep isn't a luxury. It's part of healing. 💙

Nightmares in Narcolepsy Are Way Worse Than You Think (And We Can Rewrite Them)

Narcolepsy isn’t just about “falling asleep at the wrong time.” For many patients, the scariest part is what happens inside their sleep—long, vivid, emotionally intense nightmares that can blur into sleep paralysis, hallucinations, and even waking life. In this episode of Sleep Is My Waking Passion, Dr. Alison Kole sits down with clinical psychologist and sleep researcher Dr. Jennifer Mundt (University of Utah) to unpack a symptom almost no one is talking about: nightmares in narcolepsy—and how cognitive behavioral therapy for nightmares (CBT-N) and imagery rehearsal techniques may help rewrite them. You’ll learn: How narcolepsy nightmares differ from typical “bad dreams” Why dream-reality confusion and lucid dreaming can make these episodes feel dangerously real What current research suggests about nightmare burden in narcolepsy, type 1 and type 2, and idiopathic hypersomnia How CBT-N and imagery rehearsal therapy work, step by step, and how they can be adapted for excessively sleepy patients How to learn more about Dr. Mundt’s DAWN Study and remote participation options This episode is essential viewing for: Clinicians treating narcolepsy, idiopathic hypersomnia, or trauma-related sleep disorders Researchers interested in REM dysregulation, dream phenomenology, and behavioral sleep medicine Patients and families living with narcolepsy, sleep paralysis, and disturbing dreams If you’re ready to look beyond medications and explore how behavioral treatment might change the dream landscape in narcolepsy, start here. 👉 If this topic fascinates you, hit Subscribe, so you don’t miss upcoming episodes!

Yes, Nightmares Are Treatable featuring Dr. Courtney Worley, PhD.

Nightmares aren’t just “bad dreams”—and you don’t have to live with them. In this episode, Dr. Alison Kole sits down with behavioral sleep medicine expert Dr. Courtney Worley to break down what actually defines a nightmare disorder, why nightmares happen (far beyond trauma), and—most importantly—how to treat them. They dive into the gold-standard, evidence-based therapy you’ve probably never been offered (imagery rehearsal therapy), how your brain can be retrained to stop recurring nightmares, and when it’s time to seek professional help. If you—or your patients—are struggling with persistent nightmares, this episode is a must-listen. LinkedIn Post Nightmares are common. Nightmare disorder is not—and it’s highly treatable. In this episode of Sleep Is My Waking Passion, I sat down with Dr. Courtney Worley, a clinical psychologist and behavioral sleep medicine specialist, to unpack one of the most overlooked sleep conditions: nightmares. Here are 3 key takeaways: Nightmares are a transdiagnostic symptom: They’re not just about trauma. Nightmares can show up in insomnia, narcolepsy, depression, anxiety, medication effects, and more—making proper evaluation essential. There is a first-line, evidence-based treatment: Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT) helps patients “rewrite” their nightmares using neuroplasticity—and it works in as little as 4–6 sessions. Not all “nightmares” are the same: Distinguishing between REM nightmares, non-REM parasomnias, and conditions like obstructive sleep apnea can completely change management. Most patients never report nightmares—and many clinicians don’t ask. That needs to change. Listen to the full episode to learn how to recognize, treat, and rethink nightmares in your patients (and yourself).

Live from London with ENT Sleep Apnea Surgeon Dr. Ryan Cheong

Live from London, Sleep Is My Waking Passion joins forces with multi‑award‑winning ENT and specialist sleep surgeon Dr. Ryan Chin Taw Cheong to break down how obstructive sleep apnea is managed in the UK versus the USA. From earlier ENT involvement and airway‑focused surgery in the NHS to faster access to sleep testing and PAP in many American settings, we highlight what each system gets right—and where patients still fall through the cracks. We cover recognition gaps, long wait times (up to a year for some UK pathways), CPAP and BiPAP, oral appliances, nasal and upper‑airway surgery, and the latest wave of “mask‑free” and metabolic treatments that everyone is Googling right now. If you or your patients are navigating sleep apnea care in the US or UK—or looking for real‑world guidance on when to see an ENT sleep surgeon—this episode is your practical, evidence‑based starting point.

On The Fringe: Sleep Apnea Treatment You Haven’t Heard Of featuring Dr. Audrey Yoon, DDS, MS

What if treating sleep apnea isn’t just about machines, mouthguards, or surgery—but actually changing the structure of your airway? In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Alison Kole sits down with Stanford sleep expert and orthodontist Dr. Audrey Yoon to explore a rapidly emerging—and often overlooked—approach to sleep-disordered breathing: airway expansion. You’ll hear how techniques like MARPE (miniscrew-assisted palatal expansion) are reshaping the future of sleep medicine. From children with subtle red flags like mouth breathing and bedwetting… to adults struggling with CPAP intolerance… to complex cases like Down syndrome—this conversation uncovers how jaw development, facial structure, and airway anatomy are deeply connected. If you’ve ever wondered: Is there a way to treat sleep apnea without wearing a mask forever? Could airway structure be the missing piece in treatment-resistant patients? Are we overlooking critical signs in kids that could prevent lifelong sleep issues? This episode challenges the current treatment algorithm and offers a glimpse into where sleep medicine is heading next. Whether you’re a clinician or someone struggling with sleep apnea, this is the conversation that may completely change how you think about breathing at night.

Can Women Have Sleep Apnea Without Snoring? A Sleep Doctor's Story | REM OSA & Heart Risk

What if a sleep doctor didn't recognize her own sleep apnea? Dr. Valerie Cacho shares her personal journey from diagnosing patients to becoming one—revealing how women's sleep apnea symptoms look nothing like the textbook. In this episode, Dr. Cacho and Dr. Alison Kole dive into why women with "mild" sleep apnea may face serious cardiovascular risks, the unique phenomenon of REM-related sleep apnea in women, and why Asian populations are at higher risk despite normal BMI. Skool community: https://www.skool.com/sleephoria YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sleephoria

Talking Women’s Sleep in Atlanta and Beyond: An Interview with Sleep Legend Dr. Nancy Collop

When does “crappy sleep” in women stop being a normal part of aging and start being a dangerous, underdiagnosed sleep apnea? In this episode, living legend Dr. Nancy Collop, MD—former AASM president and former director of the Emory Sleep Center in Atlanta—joins Dr. Alison Kole to unpack how menopause, hormones, and REM‑related apnea uniquely raise women’s cardiovascular risk. You’ll learn why “mild” sleep apnea numbers can be misleading, which red‑flag symptoms should trigger testing, and how new treatments and wearables are transforming the future of women’s sleep health.

Sleep Apnea Nearly Killed Me: ‘Out of Breath’ Documentary (with NJ Sleep Doctor Dr. Alison Kole & George Nierenberg)

What if the thing quietly stealing your energy, memory, and even your life was happening while you sleep? In this powerful episode of Sleep Is My Waking Passion, Dr. Alison Kole sits down with legendary documentary filmmaker George T. Nierenberg to explore his deeply personal sleep apnea journey and his new film, Out of Breath—the first feature documentary to put the human cost of sleep apnea front and center. You’ll hear raw, intimate stories from patients and families who filmed their own lives over two years, from falling asleep at the wheel with loved ones in the car to marriages, parenting, careers, and mental health slowly unraveling—then rebuilding—with effective treatment. We dig into why up to 80% of people with sleep apnea remain undiagnosed, the fear and stigma around CPAP, evolving options like oral appliances and airway-focused dentistry, and how reframing sleep as the foundation of health (not just a “pillar”) can literally save lives. 🎬 Watch the film: sleepapneafilm.com 👩‍⚕️ Learn more about Dr. Kole’s work: AskTheSleepMD.com If this conversation sounds like you—or someone you love—share this episode, leave a review, and be the nudge that finally gets them diagnosed and treated. Suggested YouTube tags/keywords (optional to add below the fold): sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea, CPAP, oral appliance therapy, Out of Breath documentary, George Nierenberg, Dr Alison Kole, Sleep Is My Waking Passion, undiagnosed sleep apnea, snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, falling asleep at the wheel, sleep apnea documentary, sleep doctor, sleep medicine, New Jersey sleep specialist, airway dentistry

Is Your Child’s Snoring Dangerous? Red-Flag Signs of Pediatric Sleep Apnea with Sleep Doctor Chris

Every child deserves more than “they’ll grow out of it.” In this comeback episode, Dr. Alison sits down with viral pediatric sleep specialist Sleep Doctor Chris to unpack why so many kids are snoring, melting down at bedtime, and dragging through the day—and when it’s actually a red flag, not “normal kid stuff.” You’ll hear Dr. Chris’s deeply personal journey from exhausted, snoring kid to double board-certified sleep doctor and author of the new children’s book Sweet Dreams, a story that helps families and schools recognize sleep apnea and other sleep disorders through a child’s eyes. They break down what to watch for at night, how to advocate with your pediatrician (including the exact buzzwords to use), what really happens during a pediatric sleep study, and the key numbers on your child’s sleep report that most parents overlook. If you’ve ever wondered whether your child’s “ADHD,” mood swings, or school struggles might actually be a sleep problem, this episode will give you practical language, real-world treatment options—from nasal steroids to tonsil/adenoid surgery to CPAP—and the confidence to push for answers.

Better Questions, Better Sleep: Why Smarter OSA Conversations Could Be the Data We’re Missing featuring Dr. Fariha Abbasi-Feinberg

Starting CPAP, an oral appliance, or an implant but still not feeling heard? In this episode, Dr. Alison Kole and Dr. Fariha Abbasi-Feinberg unpack PLATO—the Patient-reported Longitudinal Assessment Tool for OSA—and the 11 questions your doctor should ask to truly understand how you feel, personalize your treatment, and finally put you back at the center of your sleep apnea care.

Kratom, Alcohol & Sleep: A Near‑Death Wake‑Up Call featuring Xavier Schumann

In this episode of Sleep Is My Waking Passion, Dr. Alison Kole sits down with 25‑year‑old Xavier Schuman, who went from “just partying,” working night shifts, and using a kratom pill to help him sleep… to turning blue, going into cardiac arrest, and waking up days later in the ICU. Together, they unpack how alcohol, kratom, and untreated sleep apnea collided to create a perfect storm: terrifying gasping and choking during sleep, the moment his dad started CPR, and the real physiology behind how these substances can shut down your breathing and destabilize your heart. You’ll hear the story straight from Xavier—what he remembers, what his family saw, and how his follow‑up sleep study and heart testing tell a very different story once the substances are removed. This conversation is also about hope and what comes after a near‑death experience. Xavier talks honestly about chronic alcoholism in his 20s, the surprising relief in his anxiety and depression after he stopped drinking, and the very real cravings and “little excuses” that still show up months into sobriety. If you recognize yourself or someone you love in this story, please don’t try to white‑knuckle it alone. Reaching out for help—calling an addiction helpline, connecting with a local treatment program, or walking into an AA/NA/SMART Recovery meeting—can be the moment everything starts to change. You are not weak for asking for support; you are choosing to stay alive and give yourself a different ending than the one Xavier narrowly escaped.

Living With Narcolepsy Type 1: Cataplexy and the Invisible Attacks of Emotion with Sol Briggs

Type 1 narcolepsy isn’t just about falling asleep—it’s about losing control of your body in the middle of laughter, joy, or surprise. In this Patient Spotlight episode of Sleep Is My Waking Passion, Dr. Alison Kole sits down with independent patient advocate, writer, and artist Solomon Briggs (The Narcoplexic). Saul shares his journey from childhood cataplexy episodes to a late‑in‑life diagnosis, and how living with severe cataplexy reshaped his relationships, career, and creative expression. Learn how people with narcolepsy search for answers about “cataplexy attacks,” “narcolepsy with cataplexy,” and “why I collapse when I laugh,” and hear what it’s really like to walk through life with a condition that silences your smile before it fully forms.

Somatic Therapy, EMDR, and DBT for High‑Achiever Insomnia featuring Anthony Fontana

What if your insomnia isn’t “just stress” or bad habits at bedtime—but unprocessed trauma, a fried nervous system, and a body that never got to stand down from the war? In this episode of Sleep Is My Waking Passion, I sit down with holistic psychotherapist Anthony Fontana, MA, AMFT, APCC to unpack the therapies most insomniacs have never been offered: DBT, ACT, narrative therapy, emotionally focused therapy, EMDR, TRE, somatic experiencing, tapping, and more. We go straight into the witching hour (2–4 a.m. wakeups), physician burnout, COVID vicarious trauma, people-pleasing, and why Type A high achievers struggle to slow down—even when life finally lets them. If you’ve tried CBT-I, sleep hygiene, or “just relaxing” and still wake up wired, this episode is your permission slip to heal on a deeper level, get back into your body, and finally let your nervous system rest.

When Faith Meets Insomnia featuring Dr. Benjamin Long

In this episode of Sleep Is My Waking Passion, Dr. Alison Kole sits down with Dr. Benjamin Long, a dual board‑certified sleep medicine physician and pediatrician, seminary student, and debut author of Sleep Habits Journal: Practices, Prayers, and Devotions to Ease Your Sleepless Nights. They explore how evidence‑based cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT‑I) can be thoughtfully integrated with Christian faith, prayer, and Scripture to support patients who are spiritually minded and struggling with chronic insomnia. You’ll hear about Ben’s “Sleepless Night Rules” (his faith‑infused take on stimulus control), why worldviews like consumerism and strict scientism shape how we respond to sleeplessness, and how a simple spiritual history question can transform the therapeutic relationship. If you’ve ever wondered whether your beliefs belong in the exam room—or if insomnia has become a place of both suffering and spiritual growth—this conversation will give you language, tools, and hope.

Why Your Insomnia Isn’t About Sleep Time (And How Digital CBT-I Can Actually Cure It) with Dr. Jason Ong

Chronic insomnia is not a “bad habit” you fix with lavender spray and blue‑light blocking glasses—it’s a learned pattern of wakefulness in bed that needs to be rewired. In this episode, Dr. Jason Ong, PhD, DBSM, explains why clinical guidelines now recommend cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) as the first‑line treatment over sleep medications and how prescription digital CBT-I is changing access to care. Dr. Ong is a clinical psychologist, Diplomate in Behavioral Sleep Medicine, and Director of Behavioral Sleep Medicine and Clinical Science at Nox Health. Before joining Nox, he was an Associate Professor of Neurology at Northwestern University, where he directed the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program and led NIH‑funded research on insomnia and digital therapeutics. He helped develop Somryst, an FDA‑cleared, prescription digital CBT-I program that delivers structured, six‑session insomnia treatment through your phone or computer. If you’re searching for “how to fix chronic insomnia,” “CBT-I vs sleeping pills,” or “does digital CBT-I work,” this episode is for you.