PODCAST · health
Sleep is My Waking Passion
by Alison Kole
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.
Episodes
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Back To School Sleep Reset featuring Dr. Sujay Kansagra
The Back-to-School Sleep Reset Every Family Needs Right Now Summer 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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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,...
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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...
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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…
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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…
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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...
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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...
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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....
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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,...
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Sleep Isn’t Simple: What Living With CP and Epilepsy Taught Kayla About Surviving, Thriving, and What Really Restores Us
Guest Spotlight: Kayla Ireland Meet 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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Grinding, Snoring & Finding Sleep featuring Dr. Maria Sokolina, DDS
Sleep Is My Waking Passion Podcast: Special Feature Where Medicine and Dentistry Collaborate for Your Healthiest Sleep Discover 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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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.
HOSTED BY
Alison Kole
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Sleep is My Waking Passion have?
Sleep is My Waking Passion currently has 127 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Sleep is My Waking Passion 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...
How often does Sleep is My Waking Passion release new episodes?
Sleep is My Waking Passion publishes regularly with 127 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Sleep is My Waking Passion?
You can listen to Sleep is My Waking Passion on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Sleep is My Waking Passion?
Sleep is My Waking Passion is created and hosted by Alison Kole.
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