The Heart Breaking State of Affairs on Planet Sleep (Heard Online # 36)

YouTube Video VVVfdGRRRE1Rb24wQ2ZEMHhBYlpQTkRnLnBpMEdUQ1BZTHgw

In this episode, we dive deep into Jennifer Senior’s acclaimed Atlantic article and her NPR interview, exploring the realities of insomnia, common myths, and the emotional journey of those who can’t sleep. <br /><br />Learn why pills, therapy, and meditation often fall short, and discover the real “loop” that keeps so many awake at night. Whether you’re seeking understanding or support, this conversation offers hope, insight, and practical wisdom for anyone affected by sleep struggles.<br /><br />Timestamps:<br />00:00 – Introduction & The Atlantic Article<br />00:42 – Community Reactions & Why This Matters<br />01:35 – Why We Can’t Review the Article Directly<br />02:15 – Reviewing the NPR Interview<br />04:25 – Jennifer Senior’s Insomnia Story<br />07:10 – The Worry Loop of Insomnia<br />10:45 – Pills, Therapy, Meditation, and Acceptance<br />13:40 – The Gift vs. Talent of Sleep<br />16:45 – The Wonder Wall: Curiosity and Insomnia<br />22:00 – Panic, Catastrophizing, and Sleep Efforts<br />25:00 – Sleep Myths: Do You Need 8 Hours?<br />29:00 – Sleep Duration, Health, and Observational Studies<br />33:00 – Stigma Around Sleep Medications<br />36:00 – CBT-I: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia<br />40:00 – Depression, Anxiety, and the Inner Struggle<br />45:00 – Jennifer’s Experience with Long COVID and Identity<br />50:00 – Key Takeaways & Living Proof You Can Thrive<br />54:00 – Conclusion & Final Thoughts<br /><br />If you found this helpful, please like, comment, and share to help others find peaceful sleep and peace of mind!<br /><br />If you're new here and like what you've seen so far, you'll want to download our FREE 'Off-to-Dreamland' e-booklet.<br /><br />Simply head over to https://www.thesleepcoachschool.com and click the link at the tippy top. <br /><br />Happy reading!<br /><br /><br />—<br /><br />If you're ready to leave insomnia for good, check out our coaching options. <br /><br />Head over to www.thesleepcoachschool.com and click on GET SLEEP in the menu. <br /><br />The Insomnia Immunity program is perfect if you like learning through video and want to join a group on your journey towards sleeping well.<br /><br />BedTyme is ideal if you like to learn via text and have a sleep coach in your pocket. <br /><br />The 1:1 Zoom based program is for you if you like to connect one on one with someone who has been where you are now.<br /><br />—<br /><br />Do you like learning by reading? If so, here are two books that offer breakthroughs!<br /><br />Tales of Courage by Daniel Erichsen <br /><br />https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Courage-Twenty-six-accounts-insomnia/dp/B09YDKJ3KX<br /><br />Set it & Forget it by Daniel Erichsen <br /><br />https://www.amazon.com/Set-Forget-ready-transform-sleep/dp/B08BW8KWDJ<br /><br />—<br /><br />Would you like to become a Sleep Hero by supporting the Natto movement on Patreon? If so, that’s incredibly nice of you 😊. And here’s the link to do just that:<br /><br />https://www.patreon.com/thesleepcoachschool<br /><br />—<br /><br />Not sure where to start on your path to sleeping well? Check out these playlists!<br /><br />This is natto - the perfect place to start learning.<br />https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1cik8Xr8iVdxmKB9FYieevYj<br /><br />Success stories - if you need hope and inspiration, this is for you.<br />https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1cj68v9hdoXYv_fpOR65oI3U<br /><br />Talking insomnia - guests with trouble sleeping or experts share their stories / tips. <br />https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1ciGheE7iHbvdjXu29ZssK4q<br /><br />Hypnic jerks, hypnic awareness and other common issues.<br />https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1ci1B__oGwLvLaJ9Da1lmIKs<br /><br />Fatal insomnia - for those concerned about ffi and sfi.<br />https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1cgjEXNFSpelP_HSsCpF56Ey<br /><br />Speed bumps - when you think you had a setback or “relapse.”<br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC8kIR3zDKA&list=PL6RQ1GS7B1cj4Q9IDryjCkjOONk7bv1wF<br /><br />Unrefreshing sleep - when you always feel tired or exhausted. <br />https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1cje9e66guVo6BsSF-glS8c7<br /><br />Momsomnia - if you’re a mom or becoming a mom.<br />https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1chwai9WPUngyfUs7j4w0e1F<br /><br />Heard online - when you’ve worried about claims made about health problems and insomnia.<br />https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1chQrr1ZeglMDHGKipJYuHZe<br /><br />This content does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and should never replace any advice given to you by your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.

The Sleep Coach School 993 views September 5, 2025 6:00 pm

In this episode, we dive deep into Jennifer Senior’s acclaimed Atlantic article and her NPR interview, exploring the realities of insomnia, common myths, and the emotional journey of those who can’t sleep.

Learn why pills, therapy, and meditation often fall short, and discover the real “loop” that keeps so many awake at night. Whether you’re seeking understanding or support, this conversation offers hope, insight, and practical wisdom for anyone affected by sleep struggles.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction & The Atlantic Article
00:42 – Community Reactions & Why This Matters
01:35 – Why We Can’t Review the Article Directly
02:15 – Reviewing the NPR Interview
04:25 – Jennifer Senior’s Insomnia Story
07:10 – The Worry Loop of Insomnia
10:45 – Pills, Therapy, Meditation, and Acceptance
13:40 – The Gift vs. Talent of Sleep
16:45 – The Wonder Wall: Curiosity and Insomnia
22:00 – Panic, Catastrophizing, and Sleep Efforts
25:00 – Sleep Myths: Do You Need 8 Hours?
29:00 – Sleep Duration, Health, and Observational Studies
33:00 – Stigma Around Sleep Medications
36:00 – CBT-I: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia
40:00 – Depression, Anxiety, and the Inner Struggle
45:00 – Jennifer’s Experience with Long COVID and Identity
50:00 – Key Takeaways & Living Proof You Can Thrive
54:00 – Conclusion & Final Thoughts

If you found this helpful, please like, comment, and share to help others find peaceful sleep and peace of mind!

If you’re new here and like what you’ve seen so far, you’ll want to download our FREE ‘Off-to-Dreamland’ e-booklet.

Simply head over to https://www.thesleepcoachschool.com and click the link at the tippy top.

Happy reading!

—

If you’re ready to leave insomnia for good, check out our coaching options.

Head over to http://www.thesleepcoachschool.com and click on GET SLEEP in the menu.

The Insomnia Immunity program is perfect if you like learning through video and want to join a group on your journey towards sleeping well.

BedTyme is ideal if you like to learn via text and have a sleep coach in your pocket.

The 1:1 Zoom based program is for you if you like to connect one on one with someone who has been where you are now.

—

Do you like learning by reading? If so, here are two books that offer breakthroughs!

Tales of Courage by Daniel Erichsen

https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Courage-Twenty-six-accounts-insomnia/dp/B09YDKJ3KX

Set it & Forget it by Daniel Erichsen

https://www.amazon.com/Set-Forget-ready-transform-sleep/dp/B08BW8KWDJ

—

Would you like to become a Sleep Hero by supporting the Natto movement on Patreon? If so, that’s incredibly nice of you 😊. And here’s the link to do just that:

https://www.patreon.com/thesleepcoachschool

—

Not sure where to start on your path to sleeping well? Check out these playlists!

This is natto – the perfect place to start learning.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1cik8Xr8iVdxmKB9FYieevYj

Success stories – if you need hope and inspiration, this is for you.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1cj68v9hdoXYv_fpOR65oI3U

Talking insomnia – guests with trouble sleeping or experts share their stories / tips.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1ciGheE7iHbvdjXu29ZssK4q

Hypnic jerks, hypnic awareness and other common issues.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1ci1B__oGwLvLaJ9Da1lmIKs

Fatal insomnia – for those concerned about ffi and sfi.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1cgjEXNFSpelP_HSsCpF56Ey

Speed bumps – when you think you had a setback or “relapse.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC8kIR3zDKA&list=PL6RQ1GS7B1cj4Q9IDryjCkjOONk7bv1wF

Unrefreshing sleep – when you always feel tired or exhausted.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1cje9e66guVo6BsSF-glS8c7

Momsomnia – if you’re a mom or becoming a mom.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1chwai9WPUngyfUs7j4w0e1F

Heard online – when you’ve worried about claims made about health problems and insomnia.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1chQrr1ZeglMDHGKipJYuHZe

This content does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and should never replace any advice given to you by your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.