Sleep and Creativity

Hosts Katie Lowes and Adam Shapiro explore the fundamental relationship between our sleep and nature in the finale of Season 2 of “Chasing Sleep.” Discover how losing our bond to nature has impaired our ability to get quality restorative sleep. Episode guests Richard Louv, author of the influential book “Last Child in the Woods” and Sleep psychologist Dr Jade Wu discuss how to prevent “Nature Deficit Disorder”, ways to improve sleep by harnessing the power of nature and the potential impacts of climate change and urbanization on sleep patterns. Could “green exercise,” forest bathing, or sunrise alarm clocks offer the key to better rest?

“Chasing Sleep” is a production of Ruby Studios from iHeartMedia in partnership with Mattress Firm.

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Each year, Americans spend an estimated $64 billion on sleep supplements. In this episode, Katie and Adam ask Danielle LaFata, Director of Performance Nutrition for the NBA's Phoenix Suns and renowned sleep specialist Dr. W. Chris Winter to unravel the science behind popular sleep aids like melatonin, magnesium, and CBD. How do they work? Do they safely improve sleep or is it merely a placebo effect? How can sleep supplements contribute to the four major pillars of health (nutrition, fitness, mindfulness and sleep)? Learn how sleep aids could affect your waking life, physical and mental performance, and when to take them if needed. 

“Chasing Sleep” is a production of Ruby Studios from iHeartMedia in partnership with Mattress Firm.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does your work quality improve when you get better sleep? Hosts Katie Lowes and Adam Shapiro speak with Ben & Jerry’s executive Sean Greenwood and renowned neurologist and sleep specialist Dr. Chris Winter to find out. Chris explains why the CEOs and pro sports teams he consults with invest in sleep for performance, problem-solving abilities, competitiveness, and professional relationships. Sean shares the ice cream giant's unique approach to promoting employee wellness, including the implementation of an on-site Nap Room at their home offices in Vermont. This episode may change your opinion about whether it’s ok to "sleep on the job."

“Chasing Sleep” is a production of Ruby Studios from iHeartMedia in partnership with Mattress Firm.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of “Chasing Sleep”, hosts Katie Lowes and Adam Shapiro dive into the connection between sleep and creativity, exploring the value of quality sleep to the creative process. Dr. Sara C. Mednick, author of "The Power of the Downstate" and "Take a Nap! Change Your Life," explains how specific sleep phases like REM sleep influence physiological processes and brain waves to enhance creativity. We're also joined by musical composer Andrew "Drew" Edwards, renowned for his work in film and TV scoring. Drew shares his personal story of how getting on a sleep schedule that aligned with his sleep cycles allows for maximum creativity. 

“Chasing Sleep” is a production of Ruby Studios from iHeartMedia in partnership with Mattress Firm.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve all heard of “early bird specials,” but does that mean we’re all destined for dinner at 4pm and bedtime at 8pm? Do we need more sleep as we age and what role does sleep play in the way we maintain health as we age? In this episode, Katie and Adam talk with UCLA behavioral sleep medicine specialist Dr. Jennifer L. Martin and geriatric care expert Sarah Brown and learn how quality sleep can enhance quality of life by supporting immune system health, memory consolidation, mental alertness, and even a healthy sex life. Plus, find out how sleep impacts our body’s aging process.

“Chasing Sleep” is a production of Ruby Studios from iHeartMedia in partnership with Mattress Firm.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Getting quality sleep as a parent may be one of the tougher parts of being, well a parent. Join hosts Katie Lowes and Adam Shapiro as they learn about achieving good, quality sleep for both children and parents. Dr. Jade Wu, a behavioral sleep medicine specialist at Duke University, shares tips on how parents can make sure they get good sleep themselves despite changing sleep patterns as children age. Pediatric sleep consultant Meg from Infinite Connection explains how babies and toddlers sleep better when feeling safe alone in their own beds. 

“Chasing Sleep” is a production of Ruby Studios from iHeartMedia in partnership with Mattress Firm.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of “Chasing Sleep,” Co-hosts Katie Lowes and Adam Shapiro delve into the fascinating world of dreams to uncover what we know – and don't know – about what happens to our brains when we sleep. Katie and Adam reveal some of their own dreams to guest Justina Lasley, author of “Wake Up to Your Dreams,” and are amazed to discover how their dreams’ meaning may be connected to events, emotions, and concerns in their conscious lives. Plus, preeminent dream researcher Robert Stickgold explains why we dream and how important it is to our memory consolidation and learning.

“Chasing Sleep” is a production of Ruby Studios from iHeartMedia in partnership with Mattress Firm.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the first episode of “Chasing Sleep” Season 2, new hosts Katie Lowes and Adam Shapiro talk with expert guest Dr. Wendy Troxel about how quality sleep can improve your relationship by boosting your mood, empathy, and even sex drive. They also dish about the challenges many couples encounter in the bedroom, from snoring to temperature differences, to going to bed at different times – all of which can negatively affect not only sleep quality, but also your relationship chemistry. In pursuit of solutions, they learn more about “sleep divorce” and chat with Ky and Val, a young couple from Brooklyn who find sleeping in separate bedrooms boosts their intimacy and enables them to sleep better together — and separately. “Chasing Sleep” is an iHeart Radio production in partnership with Mattress Firm.

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“Chasing Sleep” returns for Season 2 to examine our relationship to sleep and how it impacts all facets of our lives.  Join our new hosts Katie Lowes (“Scandal” and “Inventing Anna”) and Adam Shapiro (“Never Have I Ever” and “She Said”) as they talk to everyday people and sleep researchers about the connections between sleep and parenting, intimacy, nature, work, and so much more.  Plus, they’ll explore the mysteries of our dreams, and how sleep may impact our creativity.  With about one in three Americans not getting enough sleep, Katie and Adam find out how better sleep can improve our physical and mental performance, and what we all can do to get that better sleep.

Season 2 of “Chasing Sleep,” begins Tuesday, May 23rd.  This podcast is an iHeart Radio production in partnership with Mattress Firm.

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There’s more to sleep than being a good sleeper. So many factors—from overall health to our environments—impact our experience of sleep and how our brains and bodies behave while sleeping. From restless leg syndrome to sleepwalking to narcolepsy, researching and diagnosing sleep uncovers myriad solutions for getting the quality sleep that helps us live our best lives. In this episode, Anahad speaks with doctors whose passion and calling is sleep in all forms. Dr. Logan Schneider, a clinical assistant sleep professor of Sleep Medicine at the Stanford Sleep Center, the important role sleep analysis plays in managing our health. Sleep neurologist Dr. Chris Winter returns to the show to share his insights on the importance of evaluating our sleep and the future of sleep wellness and health.

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