Sleep is My Waking Passion
Hosted by Dr. Alison Kole, a triple-boarded pulmonary critical care and sleep medicine physician, this podcast explores the real, unfiltered science and personal experience of sleep. Each week, Alison draws on her own history as a chronic insomniac and busy mom to interview experts and everyday people with remarkable sleep stories. The show examines how sleep influences happiness, health, and life outcomes, offering practical wisdom for better rest. It aims to transform listeners' understanding of sleep and its role in reaching their full potential.
Episodes
Will Sleep Apnea End My Military Career? CPAP, Deployment & the Truth About Getting Tested
Afraid that a sleep apnea diagnosis will cost you a promotion, a deployment, or your career? You’re not alone. That fear keeps many service members quiet, tired, and untreated for years.In this episode of Sleep Is My Waking Passion™, I sit down with Jesse J. James, a retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer with 20 years of service, a respiratory therapist, and Director of Military Healthcare Initi
Sleep Like an Astronaut: NASA's Sleep Scientist on Body Clocks, Shift Work & Sleep Apnea in Space
Ever feel jet-lagged on a Monday without leaving your house? Or notice that a few night shifts can scramble your sleep for a week?Now imagine a sunrise every 90 minutes.That's life on the International Space Station, where astronauts circle the Earth on a loop of 45 minutes of light and 45 minutes of dark. So how does NASA get them to sleep? Not with a gadget. With a bedtime.On my birthday (y
Always Tired With COPD? It Might Not Be Your Lungs
Doing everything right for your COPD and still exhausted, foggy and short of breath? It might not be your lungs.In honor of World Oxygen Day (October 2, also my birthday!), I'm joined by fellow pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine physician Dr. Saema Tahir, the NYC Sleep Doctor. We talk about what happens when COPD and obstructive sleep apnea overlap, why it's so often missed, and
19 Years Tired. It Was Narcolepsy. | Lindsay Scola
Ever been told your exhaustion is "just stress"?Lindsay Scola spent 20 years at the center of politics and entertainment, advancing events for President Obama and working the Emmys, while secretly fighting to stay awake. It took 19 years, two "normal" sleep studies, and a meltdown in her doctor's office to finally hear the words: narcolepsy type 1.Dr. Alison Kole and Linds
Your Skin Knows You Didn't Sleep: Sleep, Skin Aging & the Truth About Korean Skincare with Dr. HeeJin Kim
Have you ever looked in the mirror after a bad night and thought, my face did not sign up for this?You're not imagining it. That dullness, the sunken eyes, the fine lines that look a little deeper than they did yesterday — that's your skin talking. And when a few bad nights turn into a few bad months, it stops being about looking tired and starts being about accelerated aging.In this epi
Fix Your Circadian Rhythm | Dr. Olivia Walch, PhD
If you've ever typed "why can't I sleep" or "how do I fix my circadian rhythm" into a search bar at 2 a.m., this episode is for you.Most of us have been taught to think about sleep in one dimension: how many hours did I get? But there's a second dimension almost nobody talks about — rhythm. And when your rhythm is off, more hours in bed won't save you.This w
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 oft
Back To School Sleep Reset featuring Dr. Sujay Kansagra
The Back-to-School Sleep Reset Every Family Needs Right NowSummer 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 neur
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, Med
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 i
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 othe
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&apos
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 (Univer
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 of
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
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 (miniscr
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
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 “mil
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 fron
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 b
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 g
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,
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 focuse
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
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 ch
Cortisol, Tech Addiction, and Sleep: How to Escape “Stress Nation” with Justin Hai
If you’ve ever blamed “high cortisol” for your anxiety, burnout, weight gain, or terrible sleep, this episode is your crash course in what’s really going on with your stress hormones in a tech-obsessed world. Dr. Alison Kole sits down with Justin Hai, CEO of Rebalance Health and bestselling author of Stress Nation: Escape the Technology Trap, Eliminate Stress, and Reclaim Rest, to unpack why corti
Pregnant, Snoring, and Exhausted: When Should You Seek Help?
Pregnancy is often described as magical — but for many women, it’s also exhausting. When snoring gets louder and fatigue feels unrelenting, it could be more than just pregnancy catching up with you.In this powerful conversation with Dr. Ghada Bourjeily from Brown University, leading researcher and sleep medicine expert, we explore the growing — yet underrecognized — challenge of obstructive sleep
Is Perimenopause Wrecking Your Sleep? Here’s How to Take It Back with Dr. Meredith Broderick
That’s the question millions of women are asking — but most doctors still aren’t answering.In my latest episode of Sleep Is My Waking Passion, I sat down with Dr. Meredith Broderick, MD — a Stanford-trained sleep neurologist and behavioral sleep medicine specialist — to unpack why women’s sleep so often falls apart in perimenopause… and why our healthcare system still treats it like a midlife inco
A Guided Fireplace Relaxation Bonus
Have you ever done everything “right” all day and still found your mind racing the moment your head hits the pillow? This bonus ASMR track is a guided relaxation created for the women who give their all—in their work, their homes, and their relationships—yet still struggle to switch off at night. Picture a cozy fire crackling in the background as you’re led through gentle affirmations that remind
Can the Fireplace Effect Fix Your Sleep?
The winter “cozy” scene you’re craving might be the most powerful sleep tool you’re not using—and it has nothing to do with perfection, supplements, or a cabin in the woods. In this season‑kickoff episode of Sleep Is My Waking Passion, Dr. Alison Kole introduces The Fireplace Effect: a simple, science‑backed way to calm your nervous system, lower arousal, and finally make it easier to fall asleep.
ANESTHESIA UNCOVERED: What Every Sleep Apnea Patient Must Know Before Surgery (And the 7 Steps to Save Your Life!)
Step into the hidden world of surgery with “Anesthesia Uncovered”—the evidence-packed season finale of Sleep Is My Waking Passion. Dr. Alison Kole hosts the renowned Dr. Christopher O’Mahony, whose 10+ years of expertise cross every corner of the operating room: from general, pediatric, obstetric to high-stakes transplant anesthesia. Trained at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia and SUNY, with a career
Why Losing Weight Is NOT About Willpower—The Science You NEED
Unlock the episode everyone’s talking about! This week on "Sleep is My Waking Passion," Dr. Alison Kole welcomes the pioneering Dr. Linda Anegawa, MD, FACP, Dipl. ABOM, NBPAS—Chief of Metabolic Health and Obesity Medicine at Ognomy Sleep and former CMO of Noom—for a no-holds-barred journey through the dynamic world where obesity, sleep apnea, and innovative medical care collide.Hear the
Optimizing Nutrition on GLP1s
Tired of waiting months for a nutritionist appointment? There's a better way. In this episode, Dr. Alison Kole sits down with registered dietitian Kristina Spellman to reveal how you can access personalized nutrition guidance—without the wait, without the overwhelm, and without the outdated "diet and exercise" lectures.Meet Your Guide: Kristina Spellman, MS, RDWith over 20 years of
The Future of Sleep Apnea Surgery: Inspire vs. Genio—Who Wins the Airway Wars?
What happens when surgical innovation meets sleepless nights? In this episode of Sleep Is My Waking Passion, Dr. Alison Kole sits down with Dr. Ruchir Patel, one of the nation’s most experienced sleep physicians specializing in hypoglossal nerve stimulation, to unpack the fascinating evolution of sleep apnea treatment. If you’ve ever wondered what those Inspire commercials are really about—or what
Dr. Ashtaad Dalal SPILLS the Tea on Sleep Hacks Gone Wrong!
🚨 WARNING: Your Oura Ring Might Be RUINING Your Sleep! 🚨Get ready for a mind-bending conversation with Dr. Ashtaad Dalal, the sleep doc who's about to drop some SERIOUS truth bombs about the sleep industry's biggest lies! This Georgetown University sleep medicine expert and president of the DC Sleep Society is here to expose what's really going on behind those viral TikTok sleep hac
Surviving Sleep Deprivation: Science, Real Talk & Rescue Tactics with Dr. Rebecca Acabchuk & Vetern Firefighter Alan Pinsonneault
Is chronic sleep loss just part of “the grind”—or is it a crisis hiding in plain sight? Join Dr. Alison Kole as she sits down with neuroscientist and wellness expert Dr. Rebecca Acabchuk, plus veteran firefighter Alan Pinsonneault of the Holyoke Fire Department, for an eye-opening, actionable episode of “Sleep Is My Waking Passion” .Discover:What sleep deprivation really looks like for frontlin
Insomnia Meets Sleep Apnea: The Double Whammy and a Digital Solution (with Dr. Chelsea Reynolds)
Ever wondered why some people can’t sleep—even after treating their sleep apnea? Or why “just getting more sleep” doesn’t always work? This week, Dr. Alison Kole welcomes Australian clinical psychologist and sleep researcher, Dr. Chelsea Reynolds of Wink Sleep and Bedtime Window, for a deep dive into the world of insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and the little-known but scientifically expl
Behind the White Coat: When the Sleep Expert Has Narcolepsy
What if everything you think you know about narcolepsy is wrong—and what if the doctor teaching you about it is living through it right now? World Narcolepsy Day (Sept 22) sets the stage for this raw, unmissable episode featuring Dr. Lindsay McCullough: Assistant Professor, Associate Program Director at Rush University Medical Center, Project Sleep Ambassador, and a leader shaping tomorrow’s sleep
Sleep Isn’t Simple: What Living With CP and Epilepsy Taught Kayla About Surviving, Thriving, and What Really Restores Us
Guest Spotlight: Kayla IrelandMeet Kayla Ireland—author, disability advocate, and host of Kindly Neurodivergent with Kay. Kayla’s lived experience with cerebral palsy and epilepsy is not just a story of overcoming challenges; it’s a blueprint for thriving in a world that too often overlooks disability, sleep struggles, and neurodivergence.Why This Conversation Will Change EverythingSleep isn’t jus
Stroke & Sleep Apnea: What You’re Missing Could Cost You Everything with Dr. Joyce Lee-Iannotti
Host Dr. Alison Kole sits down with powerhouse neurologist Dr. Joyce Lee-Iannotti for an unfiltered, deeply personal conversation that will make you rethink everything you know about sleep, stroke, and longevity.Guest Spotlight: Dr. Joyce Lee-Iannotti. She’s not just the interim Director of the Petznick Stroke Center and Sleep Division at Barrow Neurological Institute—she’s redefining stroke recov
I Was Just Tired: How Kristen Survived 15 Years Before a Sleep Apnea Diagnosis
What if the thing holding you back isn’t ambition, or effort, or even luck... but sleep? Today, you're going to hear a story that breaks every rule in the sleep medicine playbook.Kristen Cascio spent 15 years searching for answers—dismissed as “just tired,” overlooked by experts, and forced to live in a fog. Diagnosed with sleep apnea at 31 (and with none of the “classic” risk factors), she p
How CrossFit Games Athlete Dr. Julie Foucher Prioritizes Sleep & Health
Welcome to "Sleep Is My Waking Passion" with Dr. Alison Kole! In today’s episode, we’re joined by the legendary Dr. Julie Foucher—a true powerhouse at the intersection of medicine and athletics. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in Biomedical Engineering and completed her medical school and residency training at the Cleveland Clinic. Julie also holds a
Grinding, Snoring & Finding Sleep featuring Dr. Maria Sokolina, DDS
Sleep Is My Waking Passion Podcast: Special FeatureWhere Medicine and Dentistry Collaborate for Your Healthiest SleepDiscover a dynamic conversation between Dr. Alison Kole, host of the Sleep Is My Waking Passion podcast, and renowned dental sleep expert Dr. Maria Sokolina, DDS. With over 15 years' experience, Dr. Sokolina is dedicated to bridging the gap between dental and medical sleep care
Neurospicy & Sleepless: Breaking the Cycle with Science featuring Dr. Jill McGarry
Welcome to the Sleep Is My Waking Passion podcast with Dr. Alison Kole!This episode features guest expert , Dr. Jill McGarry, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist with nearly 30 years of experience in the UK's National Health Service (NHS)—the main provider of healthcare in England.Dr. McGarry began her NHS career in Brain Injury services, but for the past two decades, her main focus has been s
Vincent Arthur on Nascar and Narcolepsy
In this episode of Sleep is My Waking Passion, I sit down with Vincent Arthur—mechanical engineering student, NASCAR race engineer, and fierce advocate for narcolepsy awareness. Vincent shares his journey from years of misdiagnosed symptoms to finding his place on the track and in the sleep community.What you’ll learn:The winding road to a narcolepsy diagnosis, and why it’s so important to trust y
Menopause, Sleep, and the Power of Personalized Care: What Your Doctor Might Miss!
Board-certified OBGYN Dr. Meryl Kahan joins Dr. Kole for a candid, empowering conversation about the realities of women’s health, menopause, and why the traditional medical model often leaves women behind. Together, they break down the myths, the science, and the practical solutions for sleep and wellness at every stage of life.Key Takeaways from the Episode:The Problem with the Traditional Model
Cerebral Palsy, Neurodivergence, and Sleep: understanding Unique Challenges and Holidtic Solutions
In this powerful episode of Sleep Is My Waking Passion™, Dr. Alison Kole sits down with Kayla Ireland—host of @KindlyNeurodivergentwithKay, advocate, and educator living with cerebral palsy and epilepsy—to explore the intersection of sleep and neurodivergence.From autism and ADHD to sensory sensitivities, delayed circadian rhythms, and sleep apnea in CP, this episode is packed with research-backed
Dr. Chris’s Sleep Apnea Journey: How Personal Struggles Transform Patient Care
Welcome to Sleep Is My Waking Passion, the podcast where sleep medicine gets personal, practical, and empowering. Hosted by Dr. Alison Kole, a board-certified sleep specialist, each season explores the science, challenges, and breakthroughs in sleep health—one honest conversation at a time.This season, Dr. Kole is joined by Dr. Christopher Allen, renowned pediatric neurologist, sleep specialist, a
Wired for Sleep: Dr. Ruchir Patel on Neuromodulation for OSA & CSA
Please welcome returning guest, Dr. Ruchir Patel, a board-certified sleep medicine physician, entrepreneur, and consultant with over 15 years of experience in sleep medicine and neuromodulation. Dr. Patel is recognized for his deep expertise in both medical devices and advanced therapies for sleep disorders. He’s the founder of a multi-location sleep medicine practice, has worked extensively with
Mollie Eastman’s Secrets to Sleeping Like a Pro
Mollie Eastman is the creator of Sleep Is A Skill and host of the #2-ranked Sleep Is A Skill Podcast. After overcoming her own insomnia while traveling the world, Mollie combined her background in behavioral change with a passion for chronobiology to help others optimize their sleep. Through her company, she offers a technology-forward approach blending accountability, science, and practical tools
Paddling Through Sleep Deprivation: Ultra Marathon Adventures with Chris Thomas Part 2
Welcome to Season 6 of Sleep Is My Waking Passion! In this episode, I sit down with Chris Thomas, pharmacist by day and ultra-marathon paddler by passion. Chris shares his incredible experiences tackling extreme endurance paddle races like the Yukon 1000 and Alabama 650, where sleep deprivation, physical exhaustion, and mental resilience are all part of the challenge.Together, we explore:Part 1:Th
Paddling Through Sleep Deprivation: Ultra Marathon Adventures with Chris Thomas Part 1
Welcome to Season 6 of Sleep Is My Waking Passion! In this episode, I sit down with Chris Thomas, pharmacist by day and ultra-marathon paddler by passion. Chris shares his incredible experiences tackling extreme endurance paddle races like the Yukon 1000 and Alabama 650, where sleep deprivation, physical exhaustion, and mental resilience are all part of the challenge.Together, we explore:Part 1:Th
Anthony Russamano on the Unique Nutrition and Sleep Needs of Elite Ultrarunners
In this episode of the Sleep Is My Waking Passion podcast, host Dr. Alison Kole sits down with Anthony Russomano, founder of Mano Wellness, coach, and endurance athlete. Anthony shares his journey from playing rugby to becoming an ultra-runner and triathlete, discussing the mental and physical challenges of endurance sports.Key topics include:The importance of mindset in endurance athletics and en
Can Weight Loss Drugs Cure Sleep Apnea? Dr. Ruchir Patel Breaks It Down"
Dr. Ruchir Patel is a trailblazing sleep medicine expert, entrepreneur, and industry consultant with over 15 years of experience in the field. As the founder of multiple innovative healthcare ventures, including Knightly, Attara Labs, and the Insomnia and Sleep Institute of Arizona, Dr. Patel is redefining how sleep disorders are diagnosed and treated. With expertise spanning neuromodulation, tran
Unmasking the Hidden Health Crisis: Dr. Monica Mallampalli Exposes the Truth About Women's Sleep
Dr. Monica Mallampalli is a transformative figure in women's health, renowned for her work as a biomedical scientist, science policy expert, and advocate. With a background that spans bench research to policy and advocacy, she has dedicated her career to bridging knowledge gaps in women's health. Currently, she serves as the CEO of the Alliance for Sleep Apnea Partners, where she focuses
Katie Huddleston on transforming your life (and sleep) with Pilates
Katie Huddleston is a Nationally Certified Pilates Instructor ( NPCP-PMA) with over 10+ years of teaching experience. Led to Pilates through an expansive dance career, she completed her comprehensive Pilates training through Core Pilates NYC in 2014 before starting a family. Now based in NJ, and three children later, she teaches at Pure Pilates, located in Summit, NJ where she teaches an array of
Sleep Apnea Breakthroughs with Dr. Atul Malhotra
Dr. Atul Malhotra is a leading expert in sleep medicine, pulmonary care, and critical care medicine. He serves as a Professor of Medicine and Director of Sleep Medicine at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Dr. Malhotra's groundbreaking research focuses on the pathophysiology and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and other sleep-related breathing disorders. With over 300
The Sleep Secret Every Exhausted Person Needs to Hear: How Haley Wall’s Mystery Diagnosis Could Save Your Life
BEFORE YOU SCROLL PAST – this isn’t another generic "get more sleep" lecture. Haley Wall, a 25-year-old occupational therapist and viral patient advocate, spent years being dismissed as the "tired friend" before uncovering the shocking truth: she has idiopathic hypersomnia (IH), a rare neurological disorder that traps sufferers in a cycle of relentless exhaustion even after 10+
Robert Miller
Join me for a sit-down with Robert Miller, VP of Sleep Business for Apria Healthcare, a nationally recognized CPAP supply company in the United States. He is a seasoned sleep technologist with 30+ years of experience in sleep medicine and durable medical equipment (DME). In this candid conversation, Robert sheds light on:The evolution of sleep studies: From paper-based diagnostics to modern digit
Why Sleep Telemedicine Must Be Permanent – And What It Means for You
K Praveen Vohra, MD, MBA is a pulm, critical care and sleep medicine specialist with Ascension Medical Group in Carmel, Indiana. He completed his residency at the State University of New York at Buffalo and his fellowship at the University of Pittsburg. He has volunteered his time to the AASM for years, and is the first author on an incredibly important position statement by the AASM in support of
From Dreams to Destinations" Travel Tips from Dr. Anne Marie Morse
Dr. Anne Marie Morse is a TikTok superstar, phenomenal public speaker, and one of the OG social media Sleep Medicine physician advocates promoting sleep health. She is a Pediatric Sleep Medicine specialist and Neurologist, Director, Child Neurology, Director, Pediatric Sleep Medicine, and Program Director, Child Neurology Residency at Geisinger Medical Center in Pennsylvania. She is both a resea
Your Way to Better Sleep
I am a fellowship-trained and Board Certified Sleep Medicine specialist, and chronic insomniac turned sleep biohacker, who is on a mission to empower my listeners to improve their sleep naturally. Season 6 begins on 1/29/2025, so catch up now and have a listen! Visit our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@asktheSleepMDhttps://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_toke
Real Talk about Puppies and Sleep featuring Dr. Sarah McCormack, DMV
On the Season 5 podcast finale, I am joined by a dear friend of over 20 years, Dr. Sarah McCormack, a 2009 graduate of Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, began her career in Boston, MA, working in feline-only and diverse companion animal practices. After moving to Portland, she joined VCA Rock Creek in 2023, bringing expertise in internal medicine, surgery, dentistry, and exotic animal
Myofunctional Therapy for Sleep Apnea featuring Karese Laguerre, RDH.
Karese Laguerre is a Registered Dental Hygienist and Myofunctional Therapist. She founded The Myo Spot, a practice aimed at amplifying oral wellness to whole body wellness. Through tele-therapy she helps clients of all ages overcome tongue ties, TMJ disorders, sleep apnea, grinding, anxiety, and various breathing and orofacial dysfunction.She is also the author of Accomplished: How to Sleep Better
Pelvic Power: Mastering Nighttime Urination with Mariah Lohr PT, DPT, PRPC
Mariah Lohr, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, specializes in treating pelvic health conditions with a focus on helping patients achieve their best health and wellness through optimized movement. After completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from South College. Mariah is dedicated to empowering patients to live fuller, m
Wny Later School Start Times? featuring Dr. Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, MD.
Dr. Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, MD is a sleep neurologist at the University of Pittsburgh and an advocate for adolescent sleep health. With expertise in the medical and public health implications of sleep deprivation, she has been actively involved in policy advocacy, including championing later school start times. Dr. Fong-Isariyawongse has testified before the Pennsylvania Senate Education Commit
Jemma Munford Returns with more tips for Taming Toddler Sleep
Jemma Mumford is a former corporate powerhouse turned busy mum of two who shares my passion for the science of sleep. She has completed training with Lyndsey Hookway and Gordon Neufeld and is a now Toddler Sleep Consultant And author of The Better Sleep Blueprint. She is launching her new online program entitled Taming Toddler Sleep. On this episode, Jemma introduces her Taming Toddler Sleep progr
Optimizing Sleep in Perimenopause featuring Dr. Parul Yadav, MD
Parul Yadav, MD, is an OB-GYN who has transitioned into a successful career as a medical writer. After completing her medical training and practicing as an OB-GYN in India, she moved to the United States and completed a residency in OB-GYN at Baystate Medical Center, UMass School of Medicine, affiliated with Tufts University. Her clinical experience, both internationally and in the U.S., has give
Overcoming Obesity and OSA featuring Patient Advocate Jasmine Steele
n this episode, we explore the remarkable journey of Jasmine Steele, a 43-year-old mother of three, writer, author, U.S. Air Force veteran, and owner of Steele Intentional LLC, a life coaching platform. Jasmine's mission to help others heal and step into their authentic selves began with her own health struggle—a battle with sleep apnea that nearly cost her life. What she thought was a single
Beyond Tired Book Launch! with Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown
Welcome to today's episode! Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown returns! She is a triple board-certified pediatric sleep and pulmonary medicine physician known for her expertise in pediatric sleep disorders. As the founder and CEO of RestfulSleepMD and The Restful Sleep Place, Dr. Afolabi-Brown provides holistic and comprehensive sleep care for children and young adults, addressing everything from physic
The Menopause Shift: Easing Symptoms and Finding Healthy Weight Loss featuring Dr. Caissa Troutman, MD
Dr. Caissa Troutman, MD is the Physician Founder of WEIGHT reMDy, a Direct Care Wellness practice in central Pennsylvania, focusing on Weight Wellness and Midlife Empowerment. As a quadruple board-certified physician (Obesity, Family Medicine, Culinary Medicine, Menopause), she offers a holistic, individualized approach to sustainable weight loss using the 4M Pillar Foundation Plan, integrating nu
Gut Feeling: The Microbiome's Role in Sleep Health featuring Dr. Ellen Joseph, PhD
Bio: Ellen Joseph, PhD (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Health Psychologist working at GI Psychology in Virginia. She earned her doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of Denver and has trained at numerous academic health centers across the country, including Cooper University Health Care, the University of Texas Health Science Center, and Denver Health.Dr. Joseph has a wealth of e
Optimizing sleep when travelling with Dr Sophia Konstantanopoulou
Dr. Sofia is a board-certified pediatric pulmonologist and sleep medicine specialist. She trained at the prestigious Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and served as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Currently, she practices at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi, where she leads the Pediatric Sleep Service
The One, the only...Emma Cooksey shares her Sleep Apnea Story!
Emma Cooksey is a writer, speaker, and patient advocate. She was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea at the age of 30, after more than a decade of unexplained health issues. In 2020, Emma launched a weekly podcast, “Sleep Apnea Stories” to break down stereotypes of sleep apnea while also raising awareness of symptoms and treatment options. In 2023, Emma released "The 6-Week CPAP Solution
Season 5 Teaser
Season 5 of Sleep Is My Waking Passion is launching on September 11th! Join me as I chat with experts in sleep, physical therapy, and much more! This will be a women's health-focused season, packed with essential topics like sleep in perimenopause, hormonal changes, pelvic floor health, travel tips, and tips for optimizing sleep with new additions like kids or pets in the home. Whether you&ap
Circadian Health Optimization featuring Dr. Sarah Silverman, PsyD
Dr. Sarah Silverman is a Stanford-trained holistic sleep specialist, insomnia expert, and wellness consultant who's passionate about sleep health and wellness. Dr. Sarah uses a personalized, mindfulness-based approach to help improve sleep problems. Notably, she is an expert in Cognitive Behavior Therapy for insomnia (CBTi), the first-line, drug-free approach for adults with chronic insomnia.
Exploring Sleep in Perimenopause: A Dentist’s Insight featuring Dr. Mary Burns
I am thrilled to have Dr. Mary E. Burns share her perspective on sleep changes in women, particularly during perimenopause and menopause. Dr. Burns is a highly accomplished, board-certified orthodontist with over 40 years of experience in the dental field. She has spent 26 years in private practice, specializing in adult orthodontics, interdisciplinary care, and the treatment of obstructive sleep
INSPIRE'd sleep: Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation for OSA featuring Dr. Ahmad Mahmoud
Join me for an insightful and candid conversation with Dr. Ahmad Mahmoud, MD, who is both a friend and colleague. He is an Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) specialist who trained at University of Pennsylvania and is affiliated with Hackensack Meridian Health and the founder of the INSPIRE program at a multispecialty practice in northern New Jersey. In this episode, Dr. Mahmoud candidly discusses Hypoglossa
The Intersection of Sleep and Healthy Lifestyle featuring Lifestyle Medicine physician Solmaz Amirnazmi, MD
Dr. Solmaz Amirnazmin is a Boston-based, Stanford and Harvard trained physician, board-certified in Lifestyle Medicine with 14 years of clinical experience and a Weight Loss and Wellness Coach with training in culinary medicine and extensive background in nutrition research. She started her own lifestyle coaching practice called Enso Lifestyle Health, where she offers evidence-based lifestyle medi
