Sleep is My Waking Passion

Alison Kole
  • 4.9 (25)
  • FITNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Hosted by Dr. Alison Kole—a triple-boarded pulmonary critical care and sleep medicine physician, reformed chronic insomniac, devoted mom, and unapologetic sleep health creator—this hit podcast takes you on the real, unfiltered journey inside the science and soul of sleep. Each week, with wisdom forged from the trenches of night shifts and the chaos of motherhood, Alison sits down with top-tier experts and ordinary people with extraordinary sleep stories, unraveling how sleep shapes happiness, health, and destiny. If you want the 360° truth—the wins, the setbacks, the breakthroughs—about why every hour of sleep could be the most important hour of your life, this is the show that will change how you see your pillow forever. Sleep isn’t just her passion—it’s the key to waking up to your potential. Hit subscribe and transform your nights, days, and dreams.

  1. 6D AGO

    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.

    35 min

  2. FEB 4

    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 cortisol isn’t the villain—and how our always-on relationship with phones, email, and social media is quietly hijacking our circadian rhythm, sleep, and sanity. They dive into how to work with your natural chronotype, what chronic fight-or-flight does to your hormones and deep sleep, why naps and “anchor sleep” can help (or hurt), and practical ways to cut through device

    38 min

  3. JAN 28

    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 apnea (OSA) during pregnancy. Dr. Bourjeily unpacks why so many pregnant women report loud snoring, how hormonal and anatomical changes can obstruct breathing during sleep, and what that means for both maternal and fetal health. 💤 What you’ll learn: Why snoring and severe fatigue in pregnancy deserve closer attention.The key risk factors that should trigger early screening.How social determinants and insurance barriers affect access to care.The postpartum reality — does sleep apnea go away after birth?This episode is for expecting parents, clinicians, and anyone passionate about women’s health. Early recognition and treatment of sleep apnea in pregnancy can make a life-changing difference — for both mother and baby. 🎧 Tune in on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen — and find out when “just tired” is a warning sign worth acting on.  ...and remember to like, subscribe, and share this with someone who needs to hear it!

    33 min

  4. JAN 21

    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 inconvenience instead of a health crisis. We talk about: 🔹 The real physiological shifts behind 2–3 AM wakeups. 🔹 Why rising sleep apnea rates in women signal a looming epidemic. 🔹 The identity shift needed to stop calling yourself “a bad sleeper.” 🔹 And how to reclaim the rest your body is begging for — without more pills. 🧠 It’s one of the most honest, science‑backed conversations I’ve had yet about the sleep deprivation epidemic no one is talking about loudly enough. Tag a woman who’s been told, “That’s just midlife.” She deserves better sleep — and better answers. Website:  https://soundsleepguru.com/about/?srsltid=AfmBOoqTMkfJ6ghSuEeG8watmeBhaKfWLQQ712WBgx_9NamaB24FeTKf Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sleepdoctormer/?hl=en

    33 min

  5. JAN 14 · BONUS

    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 you of your worth, your strength, and your right to rest. This is your invitation to exhale, to let go of the day, and to remember that success doesn’t have to come at the expense of your inner peace. Press play, close your eyes, and allow yourself to simply be.

    10 min

  6. JAN 14

    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. Drawing on clinical research linking relaxation practices with lower blood pressure, improved sleep quality, and better nighttime cardiovascular health, Alison breaks down why your body responds so strongly to those quiet, “fireside” moments—and how to recreate that state even if you don’t own a fireplace or find fire imagery comforting. You’ll learn how poor sleep and insomnia are tied to elevated nighttime blood pressure and “non‑dipping” patterns, and why an intentional wind‑down routine can be as important as what time you set your alarm. In this episode, you’ll discover: What The Fireplace Effect actually is—and why that calm, slow, dimly lit window before bed is a physiologic reset button, not just an aesthetic.How simple practices like slow breathing, soft light, and single‑tasking can reduce stress, support healthy blood pressure, and set up your brain for sleep.Why winter’s dark mornings and “hibernation” energy make it harder to sleep well—and how bright morning light plus an evening Fireplace Effect can realign your internal clock.A step‑by‑step, no‑perfection version of an evening Fireplace Effect routine you can start tonight, even in a small apartment or busy household.This is not another “just turn off your phone” episode. It’s a practical  framework for designing your nights with the same intentionality you bring to your days: clear inputs, clear boundaries, and a repeatable system that your nervous system can trust.

    23 min

  7. 11/12/2025

    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 spanning leading medical centers like RWJBarnabas, Newark Beth Israel, and Hackensack Meridian, Dr. O’Mahony is the definition of veteran skill. But what really sets him apart? His calm, patient-focused approach—even in the most high-acuity, nerve-rattling environments. In this episode, you’ll hear first-hand why colleagues trust him in crises, and why patients remember his warmth, empathy, and power to turn anxiety into reassurance in their most vulnerable moments. What does a top anesthesiologist wish every patient knew? What mistakes still put millions at risk, and how can YOU avoid them? 🔑 Action Takeaways & Teaching Points: 📝 Always tell your anesthesia team about all health issues—especially sleep apnea!🫁 Arrive with your CPAP/BiPAP (clearly labeled)—make sure the staff can set it up.🍽️ Follow fasting instructions religiously; safety starts with an empty stomach.💊 Bring an up-to-date, complete medication list—including injectables and supplements.🏠 Never go home solo—arrange for an adult to monitor you after your procedure.💤 Post-op “deep sleep,” trouble waking, or breathing issues? Immediate attention required.📞 Any doubt? Call your doctor, your surgery center, or head straight to the ER.👑 Meet the Guest: Dr. Christopher O’Mahony is more than a board-certified anesthesiologist—he’s a leader with over a decade of hands-on experience at the highest levels. His impressive background stretches from Columbia University Medical Center to serving New Jersey’s busiest hospitals. Colleagues revere his calm control in high-pressure situations. Patients remember the way he turns fear into trust, explaining every step and treating every concern with genuine human care. Dr. O’Mahony’s combination of clinical mastery and empathetic bedside manner sets the gold standard in perioperative medicine. 📈 Viral Hashtags: #AnesthesiaUncovered #SurgerySecrets #PatientPower #SIMWPseasonfinale #WhatDoctorsKnow #BePrepared #SleepApneaAwareness #MedicalTruths #TrustYourAnesthesiologist #DiaryOfASurgeon Don’t miss your chance to listen, learn, and share—because every surgery story should end well-prepared!

    36 min

  8. 11/05/2025

    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 truth behind the bi-directional link between obesity and obstructive sleep apnea; why sleep loss drives our hunger hormones; and how GLP-1 meds are shaking up obesity care in 2025—without judgment or shaming. Dr. Anegawa reveals the secrets big media gets wrong about weight loss, exposes the power of fat as a living, active organ, and gives you a front row seat to the next wave of weight health tools and certifications for clinicians. Packed with advice, science, and real-world strategy for both patients and providers, this episode is pure gold for anyone ready to crush weight stigma, understand the latest in sleep-metabolic medicine, and get actionable insights you won’t hear anywhere else. Don’t miss Dr. Kole and Dr. Anegawa’s witty, empowering energy—plus, a surprise preview of the future of GLP-1 therapy, insurance hacks, and why metabolically healthy obesity might be the topic you never knew you needed. Hit play, subscribe, and join the sleep health revolution now! #sleepismywakingpassion #sleeppodcast #obesitymedicine #sleepapnea #metabolichealth #GLP1 #healthadvocacy #restrevolution #weightlossjourney #cuttheweightstigma

    42 min
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Trailers

4.9
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

Hosted by Dr. Alison Kole—a triple-boarded pulmonary critical care and sleep medicine physician, reformed chronic insomniac, devoted mom, and unapologetic sleep health creator—this hit podcast takes you on the real, unfiltered journey inside the science and soul of sleep. Each week, with wisdom forged from the trenches of night shifts and the chaos of motherhood, Alison sits down with top-tier experts and ordinary people with extraordinary sleep stories, unraveling how sleep shapes happiness, health, and destiny. If you want the 360° truth—the wins, the setbacks, the breakthroughs—about why every hour of sleep could be the most important hour of your life, this is the show that will change how you see your pillow forever. Sleep isn’t just her passion—it’s the key to waking up to your potential. Hit subscribe and transform your nights, days, and dreams.

Information

  • Creator
    Alison Kole
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    102
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Sleep is My Waking Passion
  • Show Website
    Sleep is My Waking Passion

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