The 3AM Teacher Wake-Up: Sleep Apnea, Stress, and Burnout  episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 29, 2026 · 38 MIN

The 3AM Teacher Wake-Up: Sleep Apnea, Stress, and Burnout

from Everything But The Lesson Plan · host Franchesca Thompson

Why do so many teachers wake up between 2–4 AM with racing thoughts and a heavy heart?In this powerful episode, Franchesca Thompson and sleep expert Emma Cooksey uncover the hidden connection between stress, anxiety, unresolved emotions, and disrupted sleep — and what educators can do to finally reclaim their rest.Podcast Legal DisclaimerThe views, information, or opinions expressed during Everything But The Lesson Plan are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of any other organization or entity. This podcast is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, medical, or financial advice.Listeners are encouraged to seek independent advice from qualified professionals regarding their specific circumstances. Any mention of products, services, or organizations does not imply endorsement.By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree that neither the host nor the guests shall be held liable for any loss, damage, or issues that may arise from the use of or reliance on the information presented.All content is copyrighted by Everything But The Lesson Plan and may not be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted without prior written permission.About Emma Cooksey Emma Cooksey is an award-winning patient advocate, speaker, and writer dedicated to improving the lives of people with sleep apnea. After a life-changing moment at age 30—falling asleep at the wheel with her baby in the car—Emma was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and turned her personal experience into a powerful mission of awareness and support.She launched the highly rated Sleep Apnea Stories podcast in 2020 and built a thriving online community that amplifies patient voices and features experts in sleep health. Emma now serves as Sleep Apnea Program Manager at Project Sleep, a national nonprofit, where she creates free resources and leads programs that help individuals confidently navigate diagnosis, treatment, and life with sleep apnea.Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/sleepapneastories/https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-cooksey-sleep-apnea/https://www.instagram.com/project_sleep About Franchesca ThompsonFranchesca Thompson is the owner of Thrive12 and host of Everything But The Lesson Plan. With a passion for supporting teachers in and out of the classroom, she shares real stories, resources, and conversations that inspire educators to thrive personally and professionally.LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/franchesca-thompson95/⁠Facebook:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/ithrive12⁠Instagram: ithrive_12Website:⁠ ⁠⁠www.thrive12.com⁠Amazon Store:⁠ https://www.amazon.com/stores/Thrive12/page/7B59A01F-7FDB-460B-AB17-E71E26836B3A?lp_asin=B0F1QNLKC4&ref_=ast_bln

Why do so many teachers wake up between 2–4 AM with racing thoughts and a heavy heart?In this powerful episode, Franchesca Thompson and sleep expert Emma Cooksey uncover the hidden connection between stress, anxiety, unresolved emotions, and disrupted sleep — and what educators can do to finally reclaim their rest.Podcast Legal DisclaimerThe views, information, or opinions expressed during Everything But The Lesson Plan are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of any other organization or entity. This podcast is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, medical, or financial advice.Listeners are encouraged to seek independent advice from qualified professionals regarding their specific circumstances. Any mention of products, services, or organizations does not imply endorsement.By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree that neither the host nor the guests shall be held liable for any loss, damage, or issues that may arise from the use of or reliance on the information presented.All content is copyrighted by Everything But The Lesson Plan and may not be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted without prior written permission.About Emma Cooksey Emma Cooksey is an award-winning patient advocate, speaker, and writer dedicated to improving the lives of people with sleep apnea. After a life-changing moment at age 30—falling asleep at the wheel with her baby in the car—Emma was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and turned her personal experience into a powerful mission of awareness and support.She launched the highly rated Sleep Apnea Stories podcast in 2020 and built a thriving online community that amplifies patient voices and features experts in sleep health. Emma now serves as Sleep Apnea Program Manager at Project Sleep, a national nonprofit, where she creates free resources and leads programs that help individuals confidently navigate diagnosis, treatment, and life with sleep apnea.Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/sleepapneastories/https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-cooksey-sleep-apnea/https://www.instagram.com/project_sleep About Franchesca ThompsonFranchesca Thompson is the owner of Thrive12 and host of Everything But The Lesson Plan. With a passion for supporting teachers in and out of the classroom, she shares real stories, resources, and conversations that inspire educators to thrive personally and professionally.LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/franchesca-thompson95/⁠Facebook:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/ithrive12⁠Instagram: ithrive_12Website:⁠ ⁠⁠www.thrive12.com⁠Amazon Store:⁠ https://www.amazon.com/stores/Thrive12/page/7B59A01F-7FDB-460B-AB17-E71E26836B3A?lp_asin=B0F1QNLKC4&ref_=ast_bln

NOW PLAYING

The 3AM Teacher Wake-Up: Sleep Apnea, Stress, and Burnout

0:00 38:28

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Everything But The Lesson Plan?

This episode is 38 minutes long.

When was this Everything But The Lesson Plan episode published?

This episode was published on January 29, 2026.

What is this episode about?

Why do so many teachers wake up between 2–4 AM with racing thoughts and a heavy heart?In this powerful episode, Franchesca Thompson and sleep expert Emma Cooksey uncover the hidden connection between stress, anxiety, unresolved emotions, and...

Can I download this Everything But The Lesson Plan episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!