Learn more about Project Sleep’s partnership with Hollywood, Health & Society for accurate sleep disorder depictions on TV: https://project-sleep.com/hollywood-sleep-initiative/

This conversation was recorded in June 2023.

What does LGBTQ+ identity have to do with sleep? More than you might think. Experiences shared by many LGBTQ+ people can affect sleep health and sleep disorders in challenging and often invisible ways. Our fantastic panel of community members shares how their identities and sleep are closely intertwined.

This discussion is part of Project Sleep’s ongoing commitment to advancing sleep equity through real stories and lived experiences. Learn more about sleep equity and ways to promote healthy sleep for all: https://project-sleep.com/sleep-equity/.

If you are an LGBTQ+ adult age 18 or older, we invite you to share your experiences in our LGBTQ+ Sleep Survey. Your insights will directly inform future advocacy and awareness campaigns. Take the survey and share it with your community: https://project-sleep.com/lgbtq-sleep-survey/

Need support? Reach out to Project Sleep’s Sleep Helpline: https://project-sleep.com/helpline/

During Project Sleep’s Sleep In 2024, narcolepsy community leader, writer, and artist extraordinaire, Tatiana Maria Corbitt, joined us to speak to their narcolepsy journey and artistic endeavors. During this interview, Tatiana also shares one of their favorite poems about their experience with narcolepsy in the outdoors.

About Tatiana:
Tatiana Maria Corbitt is a writer and multidisciplinary artist living in the Pacific Northwest. They have a M.S. in Applied Biological Sciences from Arizona State University. In addition to being published on narcolepsy.sleep-disorders.net and in “Blood Sweat Tears," which can be ordered at https://www.ruggedoutdoorswoman.com/online-store/?aff=4 (please put “narcolepsy” in the purchase notes so that Tatiana can be partially credited for any sales), Tatiana recently published their first poetry book. “Wild Brujeria" includes many references to living with narcolepsy, and can be purchased at https://www.curiouscorvidpublishing.com/product-page/wild-brujeria?srsltid=AfmBOoqFtlUfh_NvqN22JKLNN5qTBeocnzqDsCwvbh4CyBAHsFXw0ICc.

Tatiana is currently writing an autobiographical fictional fantasy novel starring a queer and narcoleptic ex-scientist who hikes into a new world (release date to be determined) and spends their days reading, napping, writing, painting, and hiking with their German shepherd service dog.

Project Sleep's Sleep Helpline: https://project-sleep.com/helpline/

Project Sleep's Sleep Helpline: https://project-sleep.com/helpline/

Karen Wolk

Karen Wolk was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea in late 2015 at the age of 44. Karen first tried using CPAP therapy for two years and had problems adapting to it. 

Karen’s doctor suggested that a hypoglossal nerve stimulator could be a good treatment option for her, and she received her Inspire implant in July 2018. Following her successful implant, Karen is back to working full-time and enjoying life to the fullest. Her memory has drastically improved, and she no longer falls asleep unintentionally during the day.

Karen is the mother of three adult children and three dogs. She works full-time managing a Petco store and uses her story to help others as a volunteer patient ambassador for Inspire Medical Systems. Karen is also an Advisor at the Alliance of Sleep Apnea Partners.

Dr. Meredith Broderick, MD

Dr. Meredith Broderick is a triple board-certified sleep neurologist based in Seattle, WA.  Her passion is combining holistic, preventative, allopathic, and behavioral sleep medicine to optimize health and wellness.  In her personal life, she is passionate about the performing arts and outdoor adventure, and she has climbed some of the highest mountains on planet Earth.  She sees patients one-on-one from her boutique sleep practice, Sound Sleep Guru, and shares from her life and tips as a sleep medicine physician on Instagram and TikTok @sleepdoctormer.

Jody Martin is a husband, Marine Corps veteran, and business owner. He lives in Texas with his wife of 30 years, Rachel. In 2019, Jody underwent testing in a sleep clinic and received a diagnosis of severe obstructive sleep apnea. After a difficult start to CPAP therapy, Jody abandoned it.

Later, when he tried to get help, he was told he would have to go through the entire process again, starting with his primary care doctor. It was a process he was unwilling to repeat. That was until he discovered Lofta, an online sleep apnea home testing company, and was able to go through testing, diagnosis, and getting set up on CPAP therapy entirely from home and with the support of Lofta staff. Jody is passionate about sharing his journey to encourage other people living with undiagnosed sleep apnea to learn about their testing options and get the testing, diagnosis, and treatment they need.

Andrea Ramberg MS, CCSH, RPSGT

Sleep apnea symptoms can fly under the radar, even in the doctor’s office. Are you questioning if you or a loved one has sleep apnea symptoms? If you are living with sleep apnea, did you experience a delay to diagnosis?

About Our Guests:

Sam Kashani, MD

Dr. Sam Kashani is a board-certified Sleep Physician who practices at UCLA Health in Los Angeles. His clinical interests include chronic insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, parasomnias, pediatric sleep disorders, and the associations between sleep, mental, and metabolic health.

Dr. Kashani completed his residency at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Southern California, where he worked with the medically underserved population of San Bernardino County with plans of becoming a primary care physician. Upon completing his residency, he chose to pursue his interest in Sleep Medicine and completed a fellowship in Sleep Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. 

Dr. Kashani currently serves as President-elect of the California Sleep Society and is an enthusiastic member of Project Sleep’s expert advisory board.

Bob File 

Bob File is a former major league baseball player living with obstructive sleep apnea.

At Jefferson University Bob was a 2004 Hall of Fame inductee and 2018 Retired Jersey Recipient was one of the strongest all-around baseball players in school history. He is only one of four Rams to have their jersey retired by the school. File was drafted in the 1998 MLB Amateur Entry Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 19th round (561st overall) and went on to appear in three 1/2 seasons for the Blue Jays with 89 appearances across 111.1 innings.

Currently the Sr. Director of Solution Engineering at Ledger Run, Bob provides leadership and oversees Ledger Run’s solution engineering, ensuring successful solution architecture, application delivery, and standing up enterprise tech solutions for life sciences’ business challenges.

Bob is a proud husband and father who enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter.

Download the Could I Have Sleep Apnea Toolkit for more resources: https://project-sleep.com/sleep-apnea-squad-could-i-have-sleep-apnea/

Project Sleep's Sleep Helpline: https://project-sleep.com/helpline/

Project Sleep’s Sleep Apnea Squad series invites listeners to dive deeper into specific topics relevant to living with Sleep Apnea. https://project-sleep.com/sleep-apnea-squad/

Feeling like you might be more than “just tired?” Wondering how to talk about sleep issues with your primary care provider? You’re not alone. In Talking to Your Doctor About Sleep Issues, guests shared insights from clinical and patient perspectives on discussing sleep issues and daytime sleepiness with general practitioners, and how to get referred to a sleep specialist.

About our Guests: 

Joshua Roland, MD

Studied psychology at Temple University in Philadelphia, where he developed an interest in sleep and its role in mental health and well-being. Before attending medical school, he worked in clinical research conducting studies on sleep pharmacotherapies. Dr. Roland completed his residency at Drexel University College of Medicine and then did a sleep medicine fellowship at Emory University School of Medicine. He practiced sleep medicine at UCLA, and worked on guidelines for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, as well as serving on the California Sleep Society board of directors. He currently is the medical director of River at Thirty Madison.

Kristen Cascio is a clinical social worker and world traveler from Boston. She was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea at age 31. Kristen now hopes to raise awareness while encouraging others to never feel self-conscious about their diagnosis. As a speaker with Project Sleep’s Rising Voices program, she shares her story to increase public knowledge around sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment.

Lauren Oglesby serves as Programs Manager for Project Sleep, and is a public health educator and advocate focused on healthcare and resource accessibility. Recently diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea at age 44 after experiencing symptoms for years, she shares her story to validate and empower others in self-advocacy and healthcare navigation.

Resources:

The Narcolepsy Nerd Alert series invites listeners to dive deeper into specific topics relevant to living with narcolepsy. project-sleep.com/narcolepsy-nerd-alert/