The Sleep Is A Skill Podcast

Ian Mitchell is a research scientist, pharmaceutical consultant, entrepreneur, and founder of Wizard Sciences. His work focuses on longevity, metabolic health, mitochondrial function, stem cells, quantum biology, and advanced wellness technologies. With a background in chemistry and biochemistry, Ian has spent years researching the biological mechanisms behind aging, cognitive performance, recovery, and human optimization.

Known for bridging complex science with practical applications, Ian develops innovative solutions designed to support health, performance, and longevity. Through his research, clinical collaborations, and educational work, he explores how sleep, metabolism, hydration, consciousness, and regenerative medicine can help people improve their quality...

Dr. Michael J. Breus, PhD has the distinction of being a Diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine and a Fellow of The American Academy of Sleep Medicine. He is one of only 168 people in the world to have passed the Sleep Medical Speciality board without going to Medical School. World-renowned as The Sleep Doctor™, he is a bestselling author, media personality, keynote speaker, and brand advisor, bringing science-backed sleep expertise to the public for nearly three decades.

Tens of millions of Americans silently struggle with poor sleep, from undiagnosed sleep apnea to chronic insomnia. SleepDoctor.co...

😴 Why nasal breathing matters more than most realize when it comes to sleep.

😴 Could nasal valve collapse be affecting your sleep?

😴 What if your deviated septum isn't the whole problem?

😴 How can airway obstruction impact sleep quality?

😴 Why do some CPAP users still struggle?

😴 Could mouth tape make breathing harder for some people?

😴 What makes VivAer different from traditional surgery?

😴 How can better nasal airflow improve performance?

😴 Why is morning sunlight important for sleep health?

😴 Could poor sleep habits be limiting recovery?

😴 What role d...

Meredith Oke is the host of the Quantum Biology Collective podcast and non-profit founder, Meredith has been down the sleep rabbit hole for years, learning what works, what doesn’t and how to raise a family that sleeps.

SHOWNOTES:

😴 Could your light bulbs secretly drain your energy nightly?

😴 Morning sunlight may reset your body faster than expected

😴 Sleeping longer doesn’t guarantee better sleep or recovery

😴 Small light changes created surprising energy improvements daily

😴 Could your evening screens trigger hidden fatigue symptoms?

😴 Blue blockers helped improve...

Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring, MD is a psychiatrist renowned for his expertise in the field of drug tapering and withdrawal management. With years of experience in clinical psychiatry, he has developed a particular interest and specialization in assisting patients with the safe and effective tapering of psychiatric medications. His approach is patient-centered, focusing on individualized plans that prioritize the patient's well-being and functioning.
 

SHOWNOTES:

😴 Why can sleep anxiety worsen insomnia symptoms?
😴 What happens when sleep becomes your biggest fear?
😴 How psychiatric medications may affect long term sleep
😴 Why tapering too quickly overwhelms your nervous...

Kim Rogers spent over 20 years in Western medicine running 25 healthcare colleges, teaching as a professor, authoring medical materials, and earning two healthcare degrees, all while battling chronic illness herself. In 2019, her health declined severely, leading her and her husband to sell everything and move to their property to build a log home and focus on healing. After exploring natural approaches, including mushrooms, Kim discovered parasite cleansing in 2021. Within days, she saw major results, and after sharing her experience online, her story quickly went viral.

Motivated to help others, Kim co-founded RogersHood in 2021, creating ParaFy cleanse kits focused...

Dr. Chris Motley is a globally renowned alternative health practitioner specializing in Traditional Chinese Medicine, frequency medicine, and kinesiology. His mission is to remove fear from health information, and empower individuals to take charge of their well-being. He resides in Nashville.

SHOWNOTES:

😴 Why does your body wake up at the same time?

😴 What if sleep issues are linked to organs?

😴 Could hidden infections be stealing your rest?

😴 Why does healing one organ improve sleep?

😴 What happens when your body feels injured?

😴 Are emotions stored inside your body?<...

Andrej Klokner, a Scale Up Coach, CEO, and licensed productivity expert with over 15 years of experience helping leaders grow from 5 to 30 plus team members with more ease. He’s also the creator of the Integrated Man concept. 

SHOWNOTES:

😴  Why productivity myths keep you stuck in burnout

😴  How your relationship with time affects your sleep and energy

😴  Why trying to do everything leads to mental overload at night

😴  How unfinished tasks create rumination before bed

😴  The impact of reactive living on your focus and nervous system

😴  Why results alone...

😴  Dan shared why light exposure influences sleep quality

😴  Jai explained what you need to know about Circadian rhythm & sleep 

😴  Why sleep struggles persist despite optimal habits

😴  How sunlight benefits support restorative sleep outcomes

😴  Why blue light disrupts evening cognitive readiness

😴  How red light promotes physiological relaxation responses

😴  Why modern lifestyle misaligns biological sleep rhythms

😴  How light signal regulates internal biological timing

😴  Why hormone timing determines sleep and recovery quality

😴  How morning sunlight enhances daytime alertness levels

😴  Why sleep environment impacts nervous system regulation

😴  H...

Dr. Michelle Jorgensen, DDS, FAGD, TNC, CNAS, is an internationally recognized author, speaker, and pioneer in holistic dentistry. She founded Total Care Dental and Living Well with Dr. Michelle, offering resources to help people regain their health.

After mercury exposure in her dental practice made her ill, she became a Board-Certified Holistic Health Practitioner and created "Health-Based Dentistry", linking oral health to overall wellness.

Author of six books including "Living Well with Dr. Michelle", she is passionate about teaching and mentoring. A mother and grandmother, she enjoys gardening, cooking, and embracing nature's gifts.

<...

In addition to being a respected clinical psychiatrist for more than 20 years, Dr. Matt Bernstein is Accord’s chief executive officer and one of the leading voices in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry. After graduating summa cum laude from Columbia University in New York, N.Y., with a bachelor’s degree in English literature, he received his medical degree from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA.

Dr. Bernstein then trained at the MGH McLean Psychiatry Residency Program in Belmont, Mass., where he served as chief resident. He remained at McLe...

Dr. Douglas Krohn is an award-winning primary care physician, a Clinical Professor at New York Medical College, and a sleep apnea patient with deep insights into the patient journey and effective care delivery. He is a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the American Telemedicine Association, and the American Board of Pediatrics.

SHOWNOTES:

😴  Why sleep disorders must be addressed before sleep optimization

😴  Could you have sleep apnea and not know it?

😴  Why do so many people delay getting diagnosed

😴  Can a questionnaire really approximate an overnight sleep study?

Dr. Melissa Sonners is a nervous system guide, brainwave educator, and the author of The Connection Code (Hay House, 2026). After finding herself stretched between motherhood, ambition, and eventually a serious illness, Melissa was forced to rebuild her life from the inside out. Through that journey, she discovered something powerful: true healing doesn’t come from doing more—it comes from learning how to listen to the body more deeply.

Today, Melissa helps people reconnect with their nervous systems using simple, science-backed practices—from understanding brainwaves and syncing with natural rhythms to what she calls “microdoses” of connection, play, and...

Patrick McKeown is an internationally recognized breathing expert and author, specializing in functional breathing, sleep, and mental health. Over the past two decades, he has helped thousands of people worldwide improve their sleep, health, and performance through the science of optimal breathing.

Patrick’s latest book, The Breathing Cure for Better Sleep, brings together cutting-edge research and practical tools to help people overcome snoring, sleep apnea, insomnia, and restless sleep through simple but powerful breathing techniques. His work combines science with real-world application, offering practical solutions for better rest, calmer minds, and healthier bodies.

Patrick is...

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...