The Sleep Is A Skill Podcast

BIO:
Rob Sweetman – Former Navy SEAL, MBA, Sleep Scientist

Rob Sweetman is a former Navy SEAL turned sleep scientist dedicated to optimizing human performance in high-stress environments. With firsthand experience of the brutal effects of sleep deprivation in military operations, Rob has spent years researching and developing solutions to improve sleep for service members, first responders, and high-performance teams. His work bridges cutting-edge science with real-world applications, focusing on resilience, cognitive readiness, and operational effectiveness. As the founder of Sleep Genius and an advisor to military and government agencies, Rob is at the forefront of revolutionizing sl...

Ramona is a neuroscientist and scientific strategist with deep experience at the intersection of neuroscience, rehabilitation, and emerging health technologies. She earned her BS in Psychology from Brown University, her PhD in Neuroscience from the Uniformed Services University (where her research focused on the modulation of inflammation following Neurotrauma, including publications on the impact of photobiomodulation on microglial activation), and she completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Neurology Department at the University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School.

Ramona is the Senior Director of US Medical Affairs for Winback America, and serves as a Scientific Advisor...

Chuck McGee III is a breathwork instructor and ACT practitioner known for cutting through wellness noise with practical, no-nonsense nervous system tools. A Type 1 

Diabetic and traumatic brain injury survivor, he combines lived experience, physiology, and breathwork to help people regain agency over stress, pain, and performance.

SHOWNOTES:

😴  How did breathwork become Chuck’s “bartender-to-breath” origin story?

😴  What if every emotional breath has a pattern—what are you unconsciously breathing into today?

😴  Is your phone posture quietly training stress into your body?

😴  How does a long exhale drop heart rat...

😴  Why insomnia feels so personal — like something in you suddenly broke

😴  Is insomnia an early warning sign for depression and anxiety?

😴  If you fix sleep first, can mental health symptoms ease too?

😴  Why caring too much about sleep can quietly make it worse

😴  The bedtime habit that feels logical but keeps insomnia alive

😴  “Helpful” coping strategies that secretly sabotage sleep

😴  Night owl living in a morning world: when biology fights society

😴  The stress–sleep loop: how bad sleep makes life feel heavier

😴  Why CBTI  is considered the gold standard for in...

Diane Ducarme, Founder & CEO of Migraine Heroes is a leading figure in migraine investigation, blending the wisdom of Eastern Medicine with Western science and advanced technology to uncover the true roots of migraine disease. With an MBA from Harvard Business School, a background in science and engineering, and fluency in seven languages—including Mandarin—Diane brings a rich perspective to the complex world of migraine care. Her journey has taken her from engineering to Traditional Chinese Medicine studies in China and, more recently, neuroscience research at Harvard X.

Diane’s approach uniquely emphasizes adding functional foods instead of eli...

Jonathan Robinson is a former psychotherapist and author of 16 books.  He has been a frequent guest on Oprah and CNN, and is well known for his groundbreaking work with MDMA assisted therapy.  He has led over 600 MDMA sessions with people over a 40 year period.  His books about MDMA include "Ecstasy as Medicine" and "Ecstasy for Couples."  

SHOWNOTES:

😴  What happens when sleep tips aren’t enough

😴  Can ecstasy as medicine support sleep, trauma healing, and nervous system regulation?

😴  Why unresolved trauma can teach the body that sleep isn’t safe

😴  How fight-or-fli...

Emily Sadri is a double board-certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner and Certified Nurse Midwife. She studied at the University of Pennsylvania and began her career in New York City, drawn to midwifery for its deep focus on relationships and walking with women—not in front of them.

After a decade in conventional medicine, frustrated by the limits of insurance-based care, Emily founded Aurelia—a telehealth practice for women in midlife—on the belief that real care starts with time, trust, and connection.

A mother of four, Emily lives what she teaches: that women deserve healthca...

Ashley is a Doctor of Physical Therapy with over 20 years of expertise in seating, posture, and pressure management. She began her career leading a pediatric seating clinic before bringing her knowledge to the wheelchair manufacturing industry, where she thrived in clinical sales and training, mentoring new therapists in foundational seating principles.

Her career has been built on a deep understanding of how the way we sit affects everything from musculoskeletal health to long-term function and comfort. Ashley has spoken at regional and international conferences, guest lectured at universities, and now leads the Ambassador Community at Anthros—an er...

Kristin is a health and high-performance maven, nutrition specialist, certified fitness trainer, and leader in the global breathwork and cold exposure space. Her SHERPA Breath & Cold Instructor Training program has trained over 175 coaches and healers across North America and the Caribbean using the transformative power of breathwork and ice plunges.

Her trademark wit, wisdom, and female biohacking expertise are shared on international stages as well as in her 'Warrior Woman Mode' coaching programs that guide women to optimal health and vitality.

Kristin also hosts the WELLPOWER Podcast which blends biohacking and wellness subject matter expertise...

Dr. Donald (DC, MS, CSCS) works with high-output leaders and pros who want steady energy, sound sleep, and clear decision-making under pressure. Trained as a scientist and former decathlete, he runs a diagnostics-first process: measure first (labs, sleep architecture, HRV, cognitive speed, recovery), act second (light and rhythm, training, sleep, nutrition, travel), then track the deltas in plain numbers. He blends East + West methodologies - nature’s tools before prescriptions - and aligns each client’s MD, trainer, and nutrition so the plan runs as one roadmap. His practice is referral-led and confidentiality is standard. Current work includes select 1:1 advi...

Dr. Ryan Gober, Medical Science Liaison at Electromedical Products International (EPI). Dr. Gober shares his insights on the science behind Alpha-Stim, its clinical applications for anxiety, insomnia, and pain, and the role of non-invasive brain stimulation in mental health treatment.

Electromedical Products International (EPI) is a medical device company specializing in developing neuromodulation technologies including its flagship product, Alpha-Stim.   Alpha-Stim is a FDA cleared medical device which utilizes a form of non-invasive electrical stimulation  to treat symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, and pain.  Ryan Gober is a Medical Science Liaison with EPI's Medical Affairs team responsible for sharing sci...

Mark Dini is a decentralized health consultant specializing in quantum and circadian biology, functional medicine, comprehensive blood testing, tissue-specific bioregulator peptides, signaling peptide therapy, and longevity and healthspan optimization. His career is dedicated to advancing holistic and scientific methods to improve health and well-being on a global scale.

As a business partner at an innovative health tracker startup in Singapore, Mark is contributing to the development of the world’s first preventive health tracking ring, now in the third stage of seed funding. The initiative aims to revolutionize health monitoring and management by enabling early detection and pe...

Dr Joseph Dituri, also known as Dr. Deep Sea, is a biomedical engineer, former U.S. Navy saturation diver, and professor who lived underwater for 100 days as part of Project Neptune— a groundbreaking scientific mission to study how extended high-pressure environments affect the human body and brain. During his time beneath the sea, Dr. Dituri and everyone who visited him experienced something extraordinary — their deep and REM sleep doubled, reaching an unheard-of 60–66% each night.
 

SHOWNOTES: 

😴 What 100 days underwater revealed about deep sleep

😴 How hyperbaric oxygen became a surprising sleep breakthrough

😴 Which hyperbaric...

Andrew Poles is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and ultra-endurance athlete dedicated to helping visionary founders scale their businesses without burning out.

With 20+ years of experience, Andrew has coached over 10,000 leaders from companies like NASA, Dell, Schwab, Epic Games, and Netflix. After leading and turning around multi-million-dollar businesses, he left the corporate world to launch his coaching practice—hitting six figures in six weeks and doubling year over year since.

Andrew’s approach blends neuroscience, leadership psychology, and storytelling, helping first-time founders navigate the leap from individual contributor to visionary CEO.

As an ultr...

Dr. Raleigh Duncan is widely recognized for his expertise in infrared therapy and is one of the most significant contributors to technologies that support healing the human body. He is a Board-Certified Doctor of Chiropractic and founded Clearlight over 28 years ago—now a global leader in infrared saunas and innovative wellness solutions.

He is considered one of the early pioneers in infrared sauna technology, holding multiple patents and patents-pending for Clearlight’s signature innovations. His work includes developing the patented Carbon/Ceramic infrared heaters and Clearlight’s True Wave™ far infrared and full-spectrum heaters, known for deeper infrared...

SENERGY360 founder Brian Johnson began his career in the lumber industry as a certified lumber grader, where he discovered firsthand how conventional building materials could contribute to unhealthy living conditions through issues like mold growth. This early insight sparked his lifelong passion for healthier home construction and ultimately inspired the creation of SENERGY360, a company dedicated to building spaces that support both human and environmental wellness.

Today, Brian stands as the only General Contractor in the country to hold triple certification from the Building Biology Institute—an achievement that underscores his expertise in integrating health science with co...

Martin is a renowned authority in Breath Science, bringing together an impressive blend of expertise as a Respiratory and Sleep Scientist, Exercise Physiologist, and Behavioural Science Practitioner. With over 15 years of experience in research, clinical work, and training, Martin is not only a consultant, scientist and educator but also a passionate advocate for healthy, connected living. Martin is the founder of Performance Through Health and The School of Breath Science. Who is committed to his vision of creating a world where people can achieve optimal health and happiness his unique blend of academic rigor, clinical expertise, and personal passion...

After dropping out of university Adam started his first digital marketing business from his mother’s hallway aged just 21 and soon went on to found Captify Technologies, a global marketing technology company. Over 10 years, he scaled it to 300 staff across 13 markets and drove revenues to over $60m per year before successfully exiting the business in July 202

Along the way, the relentless pressure of building a global company began to take a toll on his health — a moment that sparked deep self-reflection. As he explored stress, sleep, and nervous system science, he discovered functional breathwork and realized it coul...

Lynne Peeples is an author and journalist covering science, health, and the environment. Her writing has appeared in The Guardian, Scientific American, Nature, HuffPost, NBC News, The Atlantic, and other publications. Before becoming a journalist, she crunched numbers as a biostatistician for HIV clinical trials and environmental health studies. Peeples is a recipient of an MIT Knight Science Journalism fellowship and an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation book grant. She also holds master’s degrees in biostatistics from the Harvard School of Public Health and in science journalism from New York University. She lives in Seattle.
 

SHOWNOTES:

Super Bowl Champion and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Ryan Jensen joins the conversation to discuss a critical health issue that impacts lives both on and off the field — sleep apnea. He recounts the pivotal moment that changed everything: a season marked by significant weight loss, declining mood, and reduced performance, culminating in a candid call from his father that prompted an at-home sleep study. 

The results were alarming, ten hours in bed yielding only eighty minutes of restorative sleep, with over fifty apnea events per hour. Initiating CPAP therapy not only revived his professional career but, mor...

Dr. Dan Pardi is the Chief Health Officer at Qualia Life Sciences, where he leads education initiatives focused on advancing healthspan and optimizing peak performance. Qualia Life Sciences develops products rooted in complex systems science, a framework that recognizes the body’s natural ability to self-regulate and heal. Their growing product line includes support for brain health, cellular health, NAD+ levels, and most recently, Stem Cells.

Dr. Pardi holds a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience from Leiden University and Stanford. His work is dedicated to translating cutting-edge scientific research into practical tools and programs that help people live lo...

Dr. Dan Pardi is the Chief Health Officer at Qualia Life Sciences, where he leads education initiatives focused on advancing healthspan and optimizing peak performance. Qualia Life Sciences develops products rooted in complex systems science, a framework that recognizes the body’s natural ability to self-regulate and heal. Their growing product line includes support for brain health, cellular health, NAD+ levels, and most recently, Stem Cells.

Dr. Pardi holds a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience from Leiden University and Stanford. His work is dedicated to translating cutting-edge scientific research into practical tools and programs that help people live lo...

Seth Jones, CEO of Superstratum, a company turning home detoxification into a simple, DIY process from everyday cleaners to whole home protocols. Seth’s story is wild: he went from DJ nights in L.A. to battling mold and mycotoxin exposure in his own home, then building science backed solutions that help families breathe (and sleep) easier.

SHOWNOTES:

😴  From DJ to building science: How Seth’s mold crisis changed his life and sleep

😴  Are your sleep problems linked to unseen indoor air issues?

😴  Mold vs. Mycotoxins: Why toxins matter more for sleep

...

BIO:

Jonny Miller is the founder of ⁠Nervous System Mastery⁠, a course that has helped hundreds of founders and tech leaders cultivate calm, reduce nervousness, and elevate their sense of aliveness.


SHOWNOTES:

😴  How grief sparked Johnny Miller’s path to nervous system mastery

😴  Why “Sleep is a Skill” starts with the nervous system, not the pillow

😴  What top-down, bottom-up, and outside-in self-regulation really look like

😴  How to break the insomnia anxiety loop with practical downshifts

😴  Why humming and extended exhales can nudge you into parasympathetic mode

😴 ...

SHOWNOTES:

😴 Low vs. high iron: What’s the real difference in symptoms, and why can both wreck your sleep?

😴 Ferritin ranges decoded: Why Dr. Christy keeps it under ~100, and how men vs. women differ

😴 Your iron panel & action steps: Which labs to request, what ranges to note, and how to talk to your clinician

😴 High iron, low ferritin: When can genes or hemolysis create this confusing picture?

😴 Hemochromatosis wake-up call: How can unaddressed iron overload hit brain, liver, hormones—and sleep?

😴 Brain on Iron: How do Gaba and melatonin suffer wh...

BIO:

Dylan Gemelli is a prominent figure in the fitness and biohacking industry. He is known for his expertise in health, fitness, and performance enhancement. Dylan is the creator of the Dylan Gemelli Podcast, which features enlightening discussions with experts and influencers in the health and wellness space. His work focuses on improving the quality of life through biohacking, fitness, and longevity strategies. He is currently working on his masters degree in dietetics along with certifications as an integrative health professional and cellular health advisor.  

Dylan is a God first family man that has his si...

BIO:

Dr. Upneet (Neety) Chawla, MD, is a double board-certified physician in Internal Medicine and Sleep Medicine. She serves as an Assistant Professor at Rush University Medical Center with roles in both the Departments of Internal Medicine and Sleep Medicine. Her efforts are dedicated to merging the fields of sleep health with hospital medicine and extending this knowledge to the public. Dr. Chawla completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center in Ohio and her fellowship in Sleep Medicine at Rush University Medical Center.

Beyond her clinical and academic roles, Dr...

BIO:
DR. NAYAN PATEL is a sought after pharmacist, wellness expert, and thought leader in his industry. He has been working with physicians since 1999 to custom develop medication for their clients and design a patient specific drug and nutrition regimen. He has been the pharmacist of choice to celebrities, CEOs and physicians themselves. He recently published his first comprehensive book, The Glutathione Revolution: Fight Disease, Slow Aging & Increase Energy. After 11 years of clinical research on the master antioxidant, glutathione, Dr. Patel and his team developed a patented technology to deliver Glutathione topically, changing the game on how best...

BIO: 

Kaely McDevitt is a Registered Dietitian specializing in nutrition for women's health. She owns a virtual private practice where she and her team help their clients reclaim their energy, optimize fertility and overcome hormone symptoms through personalized nutrition. Having experienced the pitfalls of a conventional approach to women's health first hand, Kaely is passionate about empowering women to build health from a place of connection: to self, to nature and to community.

SHOWNOTES:

😴 How do hormones, ovulation, and fertility connect with sleep?

😴 What personal health struggles led our guest to...

Campbell looks at health from a 'nervous system' first approach, teaching the importance of movement and breathing as it relates to the nervous system. He combines his background in physiotherapy with a specialisation in breathwork that focuses not on the experience, but on the restoration of optimal breathing. His outlook focuses on systems over symptoms and people over problems.
 

SHOWNOTES:

😴 How does your breathing during the day influence your ability to fall asleep at night?

😴 What’s the difference between “offline” tools: daytime breath practices, and “online” tools: in-the-moment fixes at 3am?

😴 How can sl...

BIO:

Ed Harrold is an author, inspirational leader, public speaker, coach and educator. Ed’s mastery in the science of mindful breathing blends the fields of neuroscience and the wisdom of contemplative traditions into effective strategies to improve health, well-being and performance.   Ed is the author of Life With Breath IQ + EQ = NEW YOU & BodyMindBusiness: The Business Of BE’ing Within.

Ed’s Breath AS Medicine Trainings offer Continuing Education in the healthcare, health & wellness, fitness, allied health and sleep medicine communities.  His trainings were also a CME course with George Washington University School of Medicine...

BIO:
Zora Benhamou is a gerontologist passionate about aging and longevity. She is on a mission to disrupt ageist stereotypes in social media and is host of the Hack My Age podcast focusing on biohacking for women in menopause.

Zora is a 52 year old digital nomad, traveled to over 50 countries, lived in 8, and speaks 6 languages. She founded the website HackMyAge.com, the Hack My Age podcast, and is the author of the Longevity Master Plan and cookbook Eating For Longevity. Her social media and podcast following reaches over 100,000 people and is growing quickly. She is also...

BIO:
Dr. Alexis Cowan is a Princeton-trained PhD whose interests and specialities lie at the intersection of circadian and photobiology, metabolism, and the microbiome. After completing her doctoral research in one of the top metabolism labs in the world, she started her private practice where she works with athletes and highly motivated individuals looking to optimize their health and performance as well as health coaches and professionals looking to expand the repertoire of tools in their toolkits.

SHOWNOTES:

😴 How did a life-changing psychedelic experience shift Alexis’ entire career path—and eventually lead to found...

Todd Shipman is a wellness enthusiast, entrepreneur, and advocate for cutting-edge quantum technologies that enhance health and well-being. With a background in anti aging, physical performance, water revitalization, and holistic living, Todd’s passion lies in helping people unlock their optimal wellness potential by connecting with nature-inspired solutions.

Todd’s journey has brought him to the forefront of innovative products like those from Leela Quantum Tech, a company revolutionizing energy healing through quantum-charged tools and EMF-neutralizing technologies. From wearable quantum devices to solutions for homes and bodies, Todd is dedicated to sharing the transformative power of quantum ener...

Mauro Zappaterra obtained his MD and PhD from Harvard Medical School. He is board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation with a focus on optimizing human performance, increasing awareness and decreasing suffering. He has been practicing mindfulness since 1998, and teaching mindfulness to patients with chronic pain since 2018, and he is the Director of Multidisciplinary Care at Synovation Medical Group.  He has led the Awakening Awareness Program and Inward Inquiry for the Emerging Sciences Foundation which can be found on YouTube.  He has published numerous scientific papers and medical book chapters on the cerebrospinal fluid, disability, and pain management. 

He...

Julie Westervelt is the Founder of Sleep Crown Pillows. With a background in Restorative Yoga, her life's work is to help people feel the calm, soft side of life. Inhale, exhale, rest.

SHOWNOTES:

😴  How did a lifelong “pro sleeper” build a business from her bedtime ritual?

😴  Could putting a pillow over your head & eyes be the ultimate sleep hack?

😴  What happens when you create a “cocoon” for your nervous system?

😴  Why are people saying they can’t sleep without this one product?

😴  Can light pressure on your face trick your body into deep...

Dr. Raleigh Duncan is widely recognized for his expertise in infrared therapy, as one of the most significant contributors to technologies for healing the human body, and as a leader in advancing the industry over the past three decades. Dr. Duncan is a Board-Certified Doctor of Chiropractic and started Clearlight more than 28 years ago. Today, Clearlight is the industry leader in infrared saunas and a pioneer in innovative health and wellness solutions. The Berkeley-based wellness company designs, manufactures, and distributes infrared saunas and other complementary healing devices worldwide.

Dr. Duncan is widely considered one of the early...

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 her current role as Sleep Apnea Program Manager, Emma runs Project Sleep’s Sleep Apnea Education and Awareness Program. Through this program, she develops and implements new awareness and educational initiatives, events, and activities to empower people with sleep apnea to seek diagnos...

BIO:
Julie Flygare, JD, serves as President & CEO of Project Sleep. Flygare is an internationally recognized patient-perspective leader, an accomplished advocate, and the award-winning author of Wide Awake and Dreaming: A Memoir of Narcolepsy. In March 2022, she delivered the TEDx Talk, “What Can You Learn from a Professional Dreamer?” In 2024, Flygare was awarded the Sleep Research Society's Public Service Award for significantly advancing the mission of the SRS through advocacy and public policy efforts.
 

SHOWNOTES:

😴  Julie shares her terrifying moment of realizing something was deeply wrong with her sleep?

😴  The turning point in Juli...

Dr. Dylan Petkus is on a mission to help educate and empower those with sleep apnea and other sleep issues to live fuller, healthier lives. Dr. Petkus knows firsthand the frustration of CPAPs and the daily struggles of brain fog, exhaustion, and the range of issues related to sleep apnea. Motivated by his struggles with sleep apnea, Dr. Petkus embarked on a multi-year-long research journey to uncover a different way to address sleep apnea.

Dr. Petkus' innovative approach to sleep apnea is simple and effective. He discovered that snoring and sleep apnea can be addressed by simply...