The Sleep Coach School Podcast
923 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 21 hours ago - ★★★★★ - 18 ratingsIf you want to finally understand why restful sleep has eluded you despite everything you’ve tried, this podcast is for you.
Here you will find the insights you’ve been looking for, the education that you’ve missed out on, and the peace of mind you’ve been dreaming of.
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Episodes
Open Class #145: To Sneha, Dorothy, Ayesha, Jonathan and Jocelyn
January 29, 2022 22:39 - 19 minutes - 17.9 MBSneha wonders if three days of sleep deprivation can cause a seizure. Dorothy is a mother of two from the Philippines who is experiencing rebound insomnia and wonders if she can ever sleep normally again. Ayesha is desperate for help. Jonathan has learned much, but asks if perhaps his case still is different from those who have left insomnialand. Jocelyn has done well until a speed bump three weeks prior. She has tried to ignore it, but it is still bothering her. In this episode newly grad...
Talking Insomnia #88: Angela’s path from struggle to hope to letting go and sleeping again
January 29, 2022 00:23 - 32 minutes - 29.4 MBWhen some stress kept Angela awake longer than usual, a worry about being awake occurred. Although she no longer remember the stressor, Angela recalls clearly the four months of struggling that followed and how the struggle consumed a great part of her life. Finding Sasha Stephens was a turning point as she felt hope for the first time. But ultimately it was another turning point that lead to the struggle finally fading away.
Insomnia Insight #439: Another Lovely Sierra Insight (into speed bumps!)
January 28, 2022 02:01 - 6 minutes - 6.34 MBSierra from Talking insomnia 46 and 55 is back with insight on speed bumps. She in fact no longer has speed bumps, but only small hiccups. She now wants to share with you how she arrived where she is, to make your journey a bit easier.
Insomnia Insight #438: Were humans meant to sleep in more than one period?
January 27, 2022 05:31 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MBIn this episode we review a common idea, that before the industrial revolution humans slept in two periods, not one. We look at questions from Jonathan who requested this video. As so often, we see that we can learn more from where the questions come than the replies to said questions.
Open Class #144: To Andrew, Nathan, Dana & Diana
January 26, 2022 01:41 - 37 minutes - 33.9 MBAndrew shares words of wisdom about a common misunderstanding of Befriending wakefulness. Nathan has noticed grunting or groaning noises as he tries to sleep. Dana wonders how to have a timeless window when what she enjoys at night involves a screen. Diana has Good news (!) and Challenges.
Talking Insomnia #88: The gradual fading of George’s struggle
January 21, 2022 01:48 - 20 minutes - 18.5 MBIn this episode George shares how for him, it took some time for the things he learned on this channel to sink in and for things to get easier. More than anything else, he now see that it was his attempts at controlling sleep that led to his difficulties sleeping.
Insomnia Insight #437: When grown ups are scared of the dark, we also need a hug
January 19, 2022 02:09 - 8 minutes - 7.34 MBIn this episode we explore the common scenario of noting that what doesn't frighten us during the day can appear scary at night. We learn why this happens and how we can treat ourselves as we treat our children when they're scared of the dark. We see that regardless of age, things get easier when we give ourselves kindness and support.
Talking Insomnia #87: Leighton never believed it possible - he is sleeping well after 17 years
January 15, 2022 01:52 - 43 minutes - 39.9 MBLeighton, previously a guest in Talking insomnia #47, shares a powerful story of self-exploration, the mystery of insight, and how anyone who is willing to take the path will arrive where they want to be.
Open Class #143: To Andrew, Ali, Maja & Pat
January 14, 2022 01:41 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MBAndrew has halved his medications, but finds himself needing to watch a movie to sleep. How can he sleep without the use of either? Ali hasn't slept much for the past two years and is looking for a way out of the struggle. Maja has seen things getting easier, but at the same time is noticing that the process of leaving insomnia in itself seems to have become part of the struggle. Is this a thing that happens? Pat no longer struggles, but is noticing that she doesn't know how much she slep...
Talking Insomnia #86: Jacob saw he wasn’t his thoughts, found more freedom and peaceful sleep
January 13, 2022 00:44 - 56 minutes - 51.5 MBIn this episode Coach Michelle talks with a student in the Immunity program, Jacob. He shares his journey of struggling to seeing the struggle as an invitation. An invitation to learn about oneself and see that all isn't what it may appear to be. He shares with us how awareness is like a container, and when we have space between us and our experiences, things get easier and easier.
Open Class #142: To Riley, Emily and Daniel
January 12, 2022 02:29 - 32 minutes - 29.7 MBRiley feels mentally in a good place but is tired and is wondering about going to a sleep center. Emily recently became a mom for the second time and is scared of having fatal insomnia. Daniel sees that insomnia isn't a sleep problem, but a thinking "problem". Yet, there's still a struggle.
Talking Insomnia #85: From thinking she was the only one to understanding and peaceful sleep
January 07, 2022 01:15 - 42 minutes - 38.8 MBIn this episode Veronika shares the story of how the big one, fourteen sleepless nights, marked the beginning of eight years of insomnia. We learn how the struggle ended when problem solving was directed elsewhere (having two small children) but that the final resolution came with education and seeing that she wasn't alone.
Open Class 141: To Diana, Becca, and Davy
January 06, 2022 04:25 - 26 minutes - 24.6 MBDiana has just found our teaching after five years of struggling and is feeling excited! Becca was prescribed medications after sleepless nights post a stressful event 2 months ago, now she cannot sleep without them. Davy sleeps great most nights, but cannot shake the feeling that he will never get past sleep anxiety and that this will be a struggle for life.
Talking Insomnia #84: How Kristen’s 15 years of struggle ended
January 05, 2022 03:53 - 51 minutes - 46.7 MBThe night before Kristen took her medical school admission test, she didn't sleep. Although she did fine on the exam and is now a practicing physician, sleep was on the radar. After having three back to back exams, and sleepless nights, the radar was on full scanning mode and more than a decade of struggle followed. In this episode we hear the story of how everything changed for Kristen when she started understanding and letting go.
Insomnia Insight #426: Holiday jitters keeping you up? 4 tips for an easier season!
December 23, 2021 02:08 - 26 minutes - 24 MBIn this episode coaches Michelle and Daniel share for things for a more peaceful holiday time: Understanding that anyone in a stressful time with lots of changes can have choppy sleep, recognizing the courage of going ahead with plans, leaving the pressure to be in a festive mood and after the fact...give yourself a ton of kudos for having lived your values despite discomfort!
Insomnia Insight #425: The programmed fear response. And how it automatically ends
December 22, 2021 01:56 - 34 minutes - 31.9 MBIn this episode Coach Alina shares a framework of how our brains automatically learn how to respond from thoughts, feelings and behaviors that follow a circumstance. We learn how understanding that this is simply a program running on autopilot can relieve us from feeling guilty and from the work of trying to change the program. Both leading us to a more and more peaceful place.
Talking Insomnia #83: The baby slept, Stephanie didn‘t. A journey from struggle to seeing the path
December 17, 2021 00:09 - 39 minutes - 36.8 MBIn this episode we connect with Stephanie. Having had trouble sleeping only before events, insomnia was not a significant part of her life until she became a mom for the first time. She tells us how dark things were, how they got brighter and how she sees herself leaving insomnia behind for good.
Insomnia Insight #424: How the game of Whac-A-Mole ends
December 16, 2021 06:22 - 10 minutes - 10 MBIn this episode we talk about the common experience of new problems appearing as soon as one has faded. We look at four thoughts on how to learn and leave the game of Whac-A-Mole.
Insomnia Insight #423: How to meet nightmares and other surface manifestations of fear
December 14, 2021 05:18 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBIn this video we look at a comment from a long time supporter to learn about nightmares and how to meet them. We look at where they come from and how one can find peace regardless of how fear is manifested.
Talking Insomnia #82: Finding a way to meet the emotional flood that had been suppressed for years
December 10, 2021 01:03 - 51 minutes - 46.9 MBAfter a period of stress in the spring of 2021, Ilona decided to do a digital detox. Little did she know that her phone had been a way to buffer uncomfortable emotions that had been present for years, and that her decision would open floodgates that couldn't be closed again. In this episode we learn how Ilona found herself in a struggle with sleep, in a place of experimenting with medications and ultimately seeing the path towards peace.
Insomnia Insight #422: We look at two articles suggested by Susan
December 09, 2021 01:58 - 15 minutes - 14.7 MBIn this episode we look at two papers examining sleep and immune system. As in many other journal club episodes, we find that the titles have little to do with results.
Open Class #139: To Udhayanithi, Phonovan, Alesha, and Amy
December 04, 2021 01:04 - 39 minutes - 36.6 MBUdhayanithi is doing much better but has seen on Google that "treatment can help but this condition can't be cured" which is producing some anxiety. Phonovan is worried that they may not function much longer given the fatigue. Alesha wonders how one can respond when someone says their day is absolutely terrible because they got little sleep. Amy can be calm but the moment she gets into bed her mind starts racing. How can we meet this?
Talking Insomnia #81: How Grace left the darkest moments of her life behind
December 03, 2021 01:55 - 33 minutes - 30.6 MBGrace had always been the classical type A person. A high achiever, and athlete and perfectionist. After two sleepless nights in April 2021, she found herself desperately trying to understand what was happening. Soon after she experienced the darkest moments of her life, a period of obsession and frustration and hopelessness. Everything changed after a phone call with Jim. Now she guests the channel to share her story.
Open Class #138: To Miguel, Jason & Thomas
December 02, 2021 02:33 - 33 minutes - 31.4 MBMiguel writes a message to share a success story and inspiration with the community! Jason wonders if it is normal to have several sleepless nights after staring CBTi. Thomas asks if a pattern of struggling for 2-3 nights and then having one night of sleeping better is normal when you are 71 years old?
BIG news!!
December 01, 2021 02:41 - 6 minutes - 6.07 MBIn this episode Coach Daniel shares how he feels about a new book and for whom it may be of value. The paperback is available on Amazon and the e-book version will follow in the next few weeks.
Insomnia Insight #421: Three things to think about when there‘s just that one roadblock left
November 24, 2021 02:51 - 7 minutes - 6.59 MB"I sleep well now on normal days, but when I have an exam or trip, then I don't sleep" is a common version of the final hurdle. In this episode we discuss three things to think about that can help you abandon this final hurdle and arrive at a place of lasting peace.
Talking Insomnia #80: From jerks and catastrophizing to understanding and peace with Jenn
November 23, 2021 02:21 - 32 minutes - 30.3 MBBefore a potential gap in MS medication made her scared, Jenn had slept well for her entire life. Soon after this trigger, she found herself in a land of palpitations, sleep jerks, catastrophizing and little sleep. After a year of struggling, she found this channel as well as Martin Reed. This is when things started to change. Tune in to hear what helped her the most on her path to a place of peace and freedom.
Talking Insomnia #79: How 42 years of insomnia ended. With a clap.
November 21, 2021 02:33 - 42 minutes - 39.8 MBStarting from childhood, Beth became conditioned to be afraid of the night. With each decade of her life, the struggle to sleep became more and more all consuming. In this episode we will learn about the journey to a place of peace and becoming a sleep coach. A powerful story of how there is hope for everyone, no matter how long or intense the struggle has been.
Open Class #137: To Dominique and Sophia. Live with Neil!
November 20, 2021 01:03 - 46 minutes - 42.9 MBDominique has returned from a point of desperation, but only sleeps for a few hours still. After this he wakes up and a struggle occurs. What to do? Sophia left a struggle with insomnia and still has pretty good confidence. Yet as she has returned to University sleep is becoming choppy again. What is happening?
Insomnia Insight #420: ”It was a big aha moment for me”
November 18, 2021 01:39 - 15 minutes - 13.9 MBStephanie struggled with insomnia for 10 years until she found this channel and community. Combining what she learned here with her work as a CBT therapist, she developed a method of looking at the advantages and disadvantages of believing that your day is determined by the number of hours you sleep. In this episode, we look at her method and how it may help you on your path to leaving the struggle forever.
Insomnia Insight #419: A strange game
November 16, 2021 02:33 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MBIn this episode we learn about the process of leaving insomnia by studying the 1983 classic War games. We see that although it can seem like things "work", it is always the same thing that leads to peaceful sleep - abandonment.
Open Class #136: To Sebastian, Tom, and Tash
November 13, 2021 23:45 - 39 minutes - 36.8 MBSebastian has completely come off sleep aids, but has fragmented sleep. Tom understands that letting go is the way, but feels as although he has seen much progress he can't get past the last hurdle. Tash asks a question directed specifically to Coach Michelle.
Talking Insomnia #78: Néma thought she was the one who wouldn‘t make it. Now she smiles again!
November 10, 2021 02:37 - 43 minutes - 40.4 MBA year after graduating BedTyme, Néma guests the channel to share her journey through insomnia. After sleeping less and less, to finally have an entirely sleepless night, Néma broke down and cried to her sister. Although at that time she was terrified, she now looks at the struggle as a gift that opened her eyes to a world she otherwise may not have seen.
Open Class #135 To Dominic, Susan, and Leyla
November 06, 2021 02:16 - 38 minutes - 35.4 MBDominic sleeps 5-6 hours on a better night but still wakes too soon. Susan thought her sleep pattern would normalize after the stress that cause it resolved, but the trouble sleeping continued. Leyla has been tuning in to this channel for a year, and despite accepting thoughts they are exhausting, and despite watching Netflix for hours, it seems like wakefulness isn't a friend, what to do? In this episode of Open class Coach Michelle is joined by Camille who is a recent graduate of the scho...
Insomnia Insight #418: Speed bump deep dive with Coaches Alina and Daniel
November 04, 2021 01:01 - 27 minutes - 25.7 MBMichelle from Talking insomnia #34 is in a speed bump many months after having left insomnia land. Despite, or perhaps because, of her understanding things are tricky. Coach Alina joins in an in depth discussion of something she experienced herself: the bumpy path towards ever more freedom and peace.
Insomnia Insight #417: Another paradox. Another attempt at clarifying.
November 03, 2021 03:03 - 8 minutes - 8 MBWhen you learn about the Gas & Brake model, a common idea becomes: lack of hyperarousal is a requirement for sleep. This idea can create much struggle and pressure. In this video we see that this idea is not true, and that much less is required for sleep to happen. No action at all to be precise.
Open Class #134: To Yury, Dennis, and Ray
October 28, 2021 01:56 - 38 minutes - 35.4 MBYury did well after discovering the channel, but is in a speed bump. What to do? Dennis has a tough time figuring out how not to worry and Ray has noticed that even when sleep happens, so does that worrying. How to meet this? In this episode we not only have Coach Michelle back but get to know Coach in training Beth who draws from her own experiences getting past many years of insomnia. Welcome as a first time guest Beth!
Talking Insomnia #77: The miseducation of Derek + the path back to freedom and feeling himself
October 27, 2021 02:08 - 26 minutes - 24.9 MBWhen Derek's father passed away in November of 2020, there was naturally a period of grief and not sleeping well. However, when sleep was still choppy some weeks later, Derek started educating himself but unfortunately learned little that made sense. He found himself in an intense struggle and his partner no longer recognized the happy and energetic Derek she had gotten to know. This all changed in the spring of 2021 when he found Martin Reed and subsequently this channel.
Insomnia Insight #416: How peeing all the time ends when the struggle ends
October 23, 2021 02:45 - 10 minutes - 9.79 MBIn this episode we explore a common experience: having to pee all the time at night when you have trouble sleeping. We look at the two variations in level of understanding from baseline, we look at two reasons peeing happens recurrently, and we look at two ways to meet this.
Open class #133: To Affandy, Greg, Pat and Jake
October 20, 2021 19:38 - 27 minutes - 576 KBAffandy wonders if there's a way to teach the brain not to have automatic fear when the hypnic jerks happen. Greg asks if we offer coaching. Pat shares how she is grateful for a recent speed bump and Jake wonders what to do when a part of you holds on to the belief that there is some control to be had.
Talking Insomnia #76: Competitive heavy weight lifter Aryan‘s journey back to peaceful sleep
October 15, 2021 02:04 - 15 minutes - 14.3 MBIn the fitness community, there's a common idea that achieving a certain amount of sleep is crucial for obtaining the results you want. In this episode, Aryan shares how this notion created trouble sleeping and how seeing that it was the struggle rather than the number of hours slept that mattered. Most importantly, when Aryan abandoned the struggle, he saw that nothing kept him from sleeping well and doing well with his fitness goals.
Insomnia Insight #415: The surprising way this thought proves that you‘re sane
October 14, 2021 00:38 - 7 minutes - 6.84 MBOne of the most common fears in the insomnia world is the fear of going insane. In this episode we see that the fact that this is a common fear and that it is perfectly logical given the circumstances lead us to a surprising conclusion: worrying about one's sanity is evidence of sanity.
Insomnia Insight #414: Be willing to take both paths and you are on the path to peace
October 11, 2021 02:11 - 10 minutes - 752 KBWhen you have started to look within, you often find yourself at a forking moment. You can see the path towards control and suffering as well as the path towards freedom and peace. But what is harder to see is that you are on the path you want to be on when you are willing to be on both.
Open Class #133: To Neil and Johanna
October 10, 2021 04:27 - 26 minutes - 24.1 MBNeil is losing sleep over an article on sleep restriction and weight management. Johanna is looking for some hope as she experiences paradoxical insomnia.
Insomnia Insight #412: You may not think so, but you have what it takes
October 09, 2021 02:30 - 10 minutes - 9.39 MBRealizing how scared you are can feel...scary. And uncomfortable. In this episode we turn things on its head and learn how being willing to see what happens on the inside is courage. And how courage leads to where you want to be: a place of peaceful sleep and peace of mind.
Open Class #132: To Lara, George and Anita
October 08, 2021 02:48 - 39 minutes - 36.8 MBLara is wondering about astral projections and whether she is alive. George has had success with mindfulness techniques but now feels stuck. Anita is pregnant and wonders how to convince the mind that trouble sleeping isn't harmful for the baby.
Class #131: To Udhayanithi, Brian & Alexandra
October 05, 2021 21:30 - 28 minutes - 26.7 MBUdhayanithi used to have plans for life and a career, but now every thought is about sleep. Brian feels as if he is in a battle zone, all alarms activated. Alexandra has tried melatonin, magnesium citrate powder, and sleepy time tea along with an occasional cbd tincture, but the results are inconsistent.
Insomnia insight #411: How to see appetite come back and enjoy food again
October 04, 2021 01:57 - 10 minutes - 9.97 MBBrenda from Talking insomnia #71 inspires us to talk about how she could enjoy a cheeseburger again after having lost her appetite and lost weight. In this episode we talk about why nausea and not eating much happens when we have trouble sleeping. And how teaching the brain that there's not actual threat is the path to enjoying food again!
Open Class #130 : To Silvia, Angeli, Lydia & Sara
October 03, 2021 02:08 - 22 minutes - 21 MBSilvia wonders how to train the brain to sleep again. Angeli has seen a new life take place after 20 years of insomnia, but it seems like she is trained to sleep 6 hours. What to do? Lydia has dreams but at the same time feels she didn't sleep at all. Sara tries to get out of bed when she can't sleep, but as soon as she returns to bed, so does the fear. What could help her?
Talking Insomnia #75: How an ironman triathlon on no sleep (!) lead Brittany past insomnia
October 02, 2021 02:21 - 26 minutes - 24.9 MBIf you started having trouble sleeping after becoming a mom and/or are health focused, this episode is for you. Brittany shares how her midwife saying how important sleep was led to an intense struggle with insomnia. She shares how she at one point was so desperate that she went to the emergency room and how everything started to change when she found this channel and understood what had been happening.