Ready to trade sleepless nights for real rest? Discover the game-changing science behind better sleep in this week’s episode! Host Beth dives into Tara Parker-Pope’s expert insights and shares the proven strategies that finally helped her drift off—no matter how stubborn her insomnia.

Tune in for eye-opening tips like ‘cognitive shuffling,’ the secret power of ‘nappuccinos,’ and simple bedtime rituals that actually work. Plus, find out how you can add hours of quality sleep to your nights, waking up feeling truly refreshed.

Don’t miss Beth’s honest review of sleep aids and routines, quick hacks for controlling light and managing bedtime stress, and links to more resources so you can finally conquer insomnia. Press play and unlock your best night’s sleep yet!

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR:

Tara Parker-Pope is a longtime science writer with an MPH from Yale, and founder of the New York Times Well section. Her newsletter “One Day Better” is a place where she shares science-backed, practical and surprising health advice to help us all live better every day.

Tara’s Substack: https://substack.com/@taraparkerpope

Referenced links:

Cognitive shuffling: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/well/mind/sleep-cognitive-shuffling.html

Heading to bed earlier: https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2024/05/night-owl-behavior-could-hurt-mental-health--sleep-study-finds.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Dogsomnia:  https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/11/well/family/dog-insomnia-sleep-effects.html?unlocked_article_code=1.fU8.vafT.BqybYAa_9uKJ&smid=url-share

Daniel Pink’s Substack: https://substack.com/@danielpink?utm_source=global-search

CONTACT US AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:

Music credit: The Light from Within, by Howard Harper-Barnes (sourced via EpidemicSound.com)

Are you prone to the occasional midnight meltdown or just a reality check? In this week’s episode, Beth gets real about Lina’s epic article, "The 2 AM Urge to Reinvent Your Entire Life." Why do those late-night brainstorms feel like pure genius (especially when your ADHD brain is riding the chaos express)? And why do those big plans usually fizzle out by sunrise? Tune in for tips like jotting down wild ideas before they vanish, giving yourself a mental “cool-down” clause, and building super-easy habits that even your sleep-deprived self can crush. Plus: Beth serves up a side of self-compassion, because perfection is overrated, And let’s be honest, nobody’s thriving at 2 AM anyway!

About this week’s featured contributor:

Their Substack newsletter is called Open Tabs Club, and you can find them at substack.com/@theadhdjournal

CONTACT US AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:

Music credit: The Light from Within, by Howard Harper-Barnes (sourced via EpidemicSound.com)

This episode contrasts the viral "Sunday reset" with a gentler "Sunday recharge," featuring a somewhat anonymous Substack creator, who writes about choosing rest over productivity. It highlights simple rituals that can refill your energy instead of exhausting it.

Beth reflects on how prioritizing small restorative habits reduces stress and impulse spending, offers permission to make Sunday your own opportunity to recharge and feel better about the week ahead.

 About this week’s featured contributor:

I try to publish once a week, always with care and intention — never just to fill your inbox.

If you’re looking for something that cuts through the noise and maybe even makes you feel seen, you’re in the right place.

Looking for more from this creator? Visit fbamh.substack.com.

CONTACT US AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:

Music credit: The Light from Within, by Howard Harper-Barnes (sourced via EpidemicSound.com)

In this episode, host Beth reads a letter from "L" about Eldest Daughter Syndrome — the emotional toll of being thrust into caregiving, responsibility, and perfectionism early in life. Through personal reflections and poignant examples, the episode explores how this role shapes identity, causes burnout, and makes boundaries feel foreign, while offering hope through unlearning, self-compassion, and reclaiming one’s life.

About this week’s featured contributor:

CONTACT US AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:

If you’ve ever wondered what it truly takes to begin again at the end of a marriage when life seems to be literally falling apart all around you, this episode is for you. Beth shares a story of raw, unfiltered reality of starting over after divorce—no tidy bows, just the honest truth behind survival, strength, and the quiet heroism found in everyday moments. Featuring the deeply personal writing of Substack creator Salwa, this story dives into the messiness of rebuilding with nothing but hope and resilience.

Listen in for a powerful reminder that strength can be quiet, victories can be small, and sometimes just showing up is enough. Whether you’re in the middle of your own journey or supporting someone through theirs, you’ll find validation, encouragement, and a sense of community here.

Don’t miss this moving reflection on loss, growth, and the courage to move forward. Hit play and join the conversation—because sometimes, the most important steps are the ones no one sees.

About this week’s featured contributor:

Salwa is the writer behind Quietly Becoming, a Substack publication where she explores life after breaking points - divorce, motherhood, mental health, and quiet resilience. Her writing is raw, reflective, and deeply personal, often making space for the messy middle of healing and becoming.

Website: salwanotes.substack.com

CONTACT US AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:

Host Beth narrates and reflects upon Mary Jackson's essay about a client, Lisa, who dreads lunches with her friend Monica because conversations are one-sided and emotionally draining. It’s a truly relatable episode for many of us who struggle to achieve a mutually fulfilling friendship.

The episode explores emotional labor, the importance of reciprocity in friendships, and a simple boundary technique Lisa uses to shift the dynamic toward mutual care.

About our featured contributor:

Mary Jackson is the Life Upgrade Specialist helping high-achieving women break up with old patterns and upgrade to the life they've always envisioned. As a licensed mental health counselor with over 13 years of experience, Mary offers what she calls "individualized reflection" - deep, authentic connection that honors each woman's unique story while guiding her toward real transformation. Her signature "Life Upgrade Method" takes women through four phases: Recognition, Reflection, Renewal, and Rise - moving from pattern awareness to purposeful living through creativity and connection. Mary became a counselor because she found safety and transformation in her own therapist's office. Her personal journey through trauma led her to "make something beautiful out of something ugly," using her lived experiences to provide clients exactly what she needed during her own healing. What sets Mary apart is her magnetic ability to help women see their own potential through authentic connection and community. She's the friend who asks hard questions, celebrates wins without reservation, and reminds you that your worth is non-negotiable. Through her newsletter "The Inner Glow Society" on Substack, she continues this work of helping women upgrade their lives. Her core belief: "If you want something different, you're going to have to do something different." Mary Jackson is proof that your old patterns served you, but you don't have to stay stuck there. Your life upgrade is waiting.

Website: maryjackson.online

CONTACT US AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:

In this episode Beth shares Vera Hart's essay on healing (What Real Healing Looks Like: Rewiring the Body After Psychological Abuse), exploring how trauma rewires the body and the steps toward real recovery: naming harm, rebuilding safety, recognizing trauma bonds, and resisting societal shame.

Through personal reflection and simple practices—setting boundaries, creating calm spaces, and allowing grief—listeners are invited to shift from survival to peace and to claim permission to heal.

About this week’s contributing creator:

Vera Hart MD PhD is a psychiatrist and neuroscientist specializing in trauma recovery, narcissistic abuse, and the neurobiology of power. She writes under a pseudonym to maintain separation from her clinical work while sharing unfiltered insights to empower survivors. Her writing blends neuroscience, psychology, and lived truth to illuminate hidden patterns of harm, and pathways to freedom.

You can find Dr. Hart’s work on Substack: substack.com/@verahartmdphd

CONTACT US AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:

This episode explores low-key, gentle habits that support mental health—you’ll have to listen for the details! Drawn from Karun Paul's "The Introvert Letter," the host reflects on how these small rituals create calm, reduce pressure, and honor individual rhythms.

Listeners are invited to slow down, subtract the noise, and embrace peaceful, sustainable self-care routines that work for them.

About this week’s featured contributor:

Karun Pal’s Substack account is written to share observations & insights, helping introverts grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. His page is titled, The Introvert Letter, and he drops one “deep dive” each Sunday. Here’s how to connect with him:

CONTACT US AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:

In this compelling episode of Social Leopards, host Beth delves into the intricacies of coercive control with insights from survivor and writer Samara Knight. Samara shares her journey through emotional abuse, highlighting how victims often lose their sense of choice and autonomy in relationships where control doesn’t leave physical scars. Through testimonies and personal reflections, the episode sheds light on the profound challenges of reclaiming one’s decision-making ability and the silent battles faced by survivors.

This poignant discussion explores the ways coercive control affects everyday decisions, from mundane choices to life-altering ones, often leaving a lasting psychological impact even after the relationship ends. Samara's story is a powerful reminder of the resilience required to regain personal agency and the importance of offering support and space to those healing from such experiences.

Tune in for a deeply moving narrative that underscores the silent erosion of autonomy in abusive dynamics and emphasizes the empowering journey of reclaiming the right to decide in one’s own life.

About our featured contributor:

Samara Knight is a writer, researcher, and survivor advocating for awareness and freedom from coercive control and emotional abuse. Her personal experiences in a cult and a 12-year coercive marriage fuels her work. With a BSc in Psychology and ongoing MSc studies in the Psychology of Coercive Control, she runs a Substack page and Shadows of Control, a website dedicated to sharing personal narratives and professional insights into coercive control.

How to find Samara:

CONTACT US AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:

In this episode of Social Leopards, host Beth dives into the complex world of gaslighting, a psychological manipulation tool where individuals distort reality to gain control. Beth shares the experiences and insights on identifying and dealing with gaslighters, featuring a powerful article from Substack author Anton Volney. Volney's piece, "The Upside Down," explores the heartbreaking reality of living with manipulation, reminding listeners of the power of honesty and self-belief. Join Beth as she encourages listeners to embrace their truth and break free from the emotional distortions imposed by others.

About this week’s featured contributor:

Anton Volney is an Agora-trained copywriter who’s written million-dollar campaigns for Tony Robbins and other leading voices in personal transformation. But behind the marketing mastery is a deeper story—of a man who’s spent years in therapy, meditation, and the quiet discipline of a Buddhist monk. He’s a dancer. A writer. A seeker. His work isn’t just about persuasion—it’s about truth. He doesn’t just move markets. He moves people.

Anton’s Substack: https://substack.com/@antonvolney

Anton’s website: antonvolney.com

X: x.com/findinnerpower

CONTACT US AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: