Sleep is My Waking Passion

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 disability, sleep struggles, and neurodivergence.

Why This Conversation Will Change Everything

Sleep isn’t just downtime for Kayla—it’s the foundation for everything she does. In this raw conversation, Dr. Alison Kole and Kayla Ireland shed light on how living with cerebral palsy and epilepsy means every night's rest is an uphill fight against pain, exhaustion, and unpredictable seizures—where sleep can make or break daily life. From adaptive routines to seizure monitoring, you’ll learn how basic rest becomes a radical act of self-care—and how lack of sleep can sabotage independence for millions with chronic conditions.

The Truth About Sleep, Disability, and Quality Of Life

What makes this episode a must-listen?

• Invisible labor: Kayla shares how every night is “recovery from non-stop effort,” and why fatigue isn’t just tiredness—it impacts movement, thinking, and emotional health.
• Family secrets: The vital role families play in spotting subtle seizure warning signs, plus practical ways every household can make sleep safer for disabled loved ones.
• Adaptation > Advice: Why cookie-cutter sleep tips miss the mark, and how real strategies—from bed elevation to communication support—unlock better rest and real independence.
• Universal lessons: Sleep isn’t only a medical metric—it’s a core human right. This episode uncovers the emotional toll and the power of prioritizing sleep, for disabled and neurodivergent people, but also for everyone whose sleep is more complex than it seems.

Who Should Listen?

Anyone ready to challenge what they think they know about sleep, inclusion, and healing. If you work in health, education, support, or just want another reason to advocate for a better world—this episode will give you the tools and perspective you need.

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.

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 live in a fog. Diagnosed with sleep apnea at 31 (and with none of the “classic” risk factors), she proves that the real signs are often invisible. Migraines. Fatigue after eight hours of sleep. Headaches. All of it missed—until one doctor looked deeper.

In this episode, Dr. Alison Kole and Kristen expose the dangerous blind spots in our health system, revealing that women—young, fit, “not the stereotype”—can suffer even more from mild sleep apnea than the numbers suggest. You’ll learn the difference between tired, sleepy, and exhausted, why so many cases go undiagnosed, and what “normal” actually feels like after life-saving treatment.

If you've ever felt unseen by medicine, worried your story didn’t fit the mold, or just want to understand why millions go undiagnosed, this is the conversation that will shift your perspective. You'll get the inside track on how Kristen travels the world with her CPAP and breaks stigma open with every badge, every border crossed, and every Instagram post.

This is not just another health podcast.
This is a wake-up call.

Are you sure you know what sleep apnea looks like—and could you spot it in yourself, your family, your friends?
Listen now, and rethink everything.

You will learn: 

* the true warning signs doctors miss

* how sleep science is failing women

* what real advocacy looks like

* and how to cut through medical jargon and get the answers you deserve.

Instagram and tiktok is @meandmycpap. I also have a website: www.meandmycpap.com

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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 completed her medical school and residency training at the Cleveland Clinic. Julie also holds a Master’s in Nutrition from Case Western Reserve University and has completed the Integrative Medicine in Residency curriculum through the University of Arizona.

Julie is not just a board-certified physician, but a four-time CrossFit Games competitor, a health innovator, and the celebrated host of the Pursuing Health podcast. Her story of balancing med school with elite-level CrossFit fueled a movement—and now, she’s here to inspire you!

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Unlocking Performance and Longevity Through Sleep: Discover how Julie guarded her sleep even during her most intense CrossFit training, learn strategies for better rest, and hear why sleep is non-negotiable for both mental and physical health.
• Personalized Medicine that Motivates Real Change: Hear how Julie uses genetics and precision health in her practice to make healthy habits stick—turning abstract “should-dos” into personalized action plans you’ll actually want to follow.
• Resilience, Evolving Fitness, and Functional Living: Get tips from a world-famous athlete on how your workout routine (and mindset) can evolve with time, and why focusing on functionality keeps you thriving at every age and stage.

Tune in for insider advice from Dr. Julie Foucher and get inspired to take your health, sleep, and fitness.

 For social, Julie is most active on Instagram: @juliefoucher

Facebook: @JulieFoucherCF

Twitter: @Julie_Foucher

Wild Health: https://wildhealth.com/

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 years' experience, Dr. Sokolina is dedicated to bridging the gap between dental and medical sleep care, transforming how we diagnose and treat sleep disorders.

Why Tune In to This Episode?

Top Three Things You Will Learn

• How Dentists Recognize Hidden Signs of Sleep Apnea:
  Learn about the subtle and telling clues within your mouth—such as tooth wear, jaw tension, tongue impressions, and palate visibility—that could signal sleep apnea, even if you're not coming in for sleep complaints.
• Oral Appliance Therapy Demystified:
  Get expert insight on oral appliances as an alternative—or complement—to CPAP. Understand why appliance design, jaw positioning, and even nasal airflow are critical, and how combining treatments can optimize outcomes for patients who struggle with traditional therapies.
• The Importance of a Personalized and Collaborative Approach:
  Hear how individualized assessments, empathy, and multidisciplinary teamwork drive better results. From using technology and telemedicine to evaluating your fatigue levels and daily habits, Dr. Sokolina shares her methods for achieving real improvements in patients’ sleep and quality of life.

Highlights You Can't Miss

• The real-life role dentists play in early detection of sleep apnea symptoms.
• The science behind why people grind or clench their teeth, and how it ties to sleep-disordered breathing.
• Crucial tips on managing nasal obstruction for oral appliance success.
• A look “behind the scenes” at patient consultations, what to expect, and how long it typically takes to optimize therapy results.
• The empowering message: collaboration between dental and medical professionals creates new hope for tough-to-treat sleep conditions.

If you’re tired, frustrated, or just curious about improving your sleep—or if you’re a provider seeking a model for cross-disciplinary care—this episode is your must-listen!

Follow Dr. Maria Sokolina at njdentalsleepapnea.com, or join her interactive community on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram (@Dr. Maria Sokolina) for ongoing tips, support, and research updates.

Listen to Sleep Is My Waking Passion and wake up to a better tomorrow.

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 began her NHS career in Brain Injury services, but for the past two decades, her main focus has been supporting people with Learning Disabilities and Autism. Her passion for improving sleep stems from this extensive clinical background, and she’s deepened her expertise by training with world-renowned sleep teams at Oxford University’s SCNI, The Sleep Unlimited, and through Behavioral Sleep Medicine seminars from Arizona.

Why You Should Listen

Discover:

• What neurodiversity really means and how it shapes sleep challenges for people with autism, ADHD, and related conditions.
• Why sleep can be so tough for neurodivergent individuals—and how tools like melatonin, natural light, and personalized routines can make a real difference.
• How cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and sleep hygiene can be adapted for unique brains, with tips that work for everyone.

Tune in for expert insights, relatable stories, and actionable tips to help you or someone you care about sleep better and thrive.

Her website: www.sleep betterDoctor.co.uk

She is on LinkedIn and I am awaiting any other social media handles. 

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 community.

What you’ll learn:

• The winding road to a narcolepsy diagnosis, and why it’s so important to trust your instincts and keep searching for answers.
• How Vincent balances a demanding racing schedule, engineering studies, and health advocacy—all while managing his narcolepsy with a treatment plan tailored to his needs.
• The power of sharing your story and breaking down stigma, both in motorsports and in life.

Tune in for inspiration, practical tips, and a reminder that your challenges don’t have to define you—they can fuel your passion!

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 wellness at every stage of life.

Key Takeaways from the Episode:

• The Problem with the Traditional Model of Care for Women 
• What Is Integrative Gynecology? 
• Menopause vs. Perimenopause
• The Birth Control Confusion: Being on hormonal birth control can mask menopause symptoms and make hormone testing unreliable.
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
• Non-Hormonal Options for Menopause Management
• Sleep and Menopause
• The Power of Collaboration: Both doctors stress the value of a team approach—combining gynecology, sleep medicine, and patient-centered care to address the whole woman, not just her symptoms.
• Advocacy and Access: Dr. Kahan is expanding telehealth services and encourages women to seek out doctors who listen, understand, and are willing to dig deeper when it comes to their health concerns.

If you’re frustrated with vague answers or quick fixes, this episode will empower you to advocate for yourself and discover the transformative potential of personalized women’s health care.

Listen now to learn why your symptoms matter, how to get real answers, and what’s possible when doctors treat the whole woman—not just her chart!

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 sensitivities, delayed circadian rhythms, and sleep apnea in CP, this episode is packed with research-backed insights, lived experience, and practical strategies for families, caregivers, educators, and professionals alike.

🎧 You’ll learn:

 • Why 80% of autistic individuals struggle with sleep

 • The truth about melatonin and delayed sleep phase

 • How cerebral palsy affects sleep apnea, pain, and restless legs

 • How to adapt CBT-I and bedtime routines to meet diverse needs

 • What families, schools, and clinicians can do differently—starting tonight

Whether you’re supporting a loved one or navigating your own neurodivergent journey, this is a compassionate and evidence-based roadmap to better sleep.

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 season, Dr. Kole is joined by Dr. Christopher Allen, renowned pediatric neurologist, sleep specialist, and CEO of Quality Sleep and Neurology PC in Michigan. Known online as “Sleep Doctor Chris,” Dr. Allen brings his expertise and personal journey with obstructive sleep apnea to the mic. Together, they dive deep into topics like:

• Recognizing the subtle and not-so-subtle signs of sleep apnea in adults and children
• The realities of diagnosis, from in-lab polysomnography to home sleep apnea tests
• Navigating insurance, access, and the evolving landscape of sleep technology
• The impact of untreated sleep disorders on heart health, metabolism, and daily life
• The importance of individualized care—because CPAP isn’t the only answer
• New frontiers in sleep medicine, from innovative home diagnostics to breakthrough medications

With candid stories, expert insights, and a touch of humor, Dr. Kole and Dr. Allen break down the complexities of sleep health, advocate for patient empowerment, and share practical tips for better rest. Whether you’re a patient, provider, or just sleep-curious, you’ll find community, answers, and inspiration here.

Subscribe and join the conversation—because sleep isn’t just a passion, it’s a pillar of health. Find Dr. Kole and Dr. Allen (“Sleep Doctor Chris”) on all major social media platforms, and tune in for new episodes where sleep science meets real life

Instagram, YouTube, TikTok: @sleepdrchris

https://www.qualitysleepandneurology.com/

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