Sleep On – Details, episodes & analysis

Record-breaking adventurer, explorer and keynote speaker Darren Edwards joins Dr. Sophie Bostock to uncover an often overlooked part of the journey: sleep. After a climbing accident left him paralysed from the chest down, Darren transformed adversity into a platform for pioneering expeditions, leadership and resilience. 

In this episode, Darren discusses how major physical trauma, intense rehabilitation, and life-on-the-edge challenges have shaped his relationship with rest. He reveals how recovery, expedition planning, mental strength and discipline all intersect with sleep, from hospital nights to sleep-deprived gear shifts in extreme environments and back to everyday rest at home.

He shares raw reflections and practical strategies for how to reclaim rest when your body and mind refuse to switch off, how sleep becomes a vital tool in rebuilding a life, and how resilience isn’t just about doing more, it’s about recovering better.

Find out more about Darren and his work at: https://darren-edwards.com 

Sleep On Series 4 is brought to you by the Sleep Charity and sponsored by Nytol.

Dr Naomi Potter, founder and clinical lead of Menopause Care Ltd and British Menopause Society–accredited menopause specialist, joins Dr Sophie Bostock to unpack how menopause, hormonal shifts, and sleep are deeply intertwined. 

 

With 16 years as an NHS GP before specialising entirely in menopause care, Naomi brings both clinical rigour and real-life empathy to the conversation. She is the co-author of Menopausing, a Sunday Times No.1 bestseller, and is widely known for her ability to translate complex medical science into practical, evidence-based advice for women at all stages of midlife.

 

In this episode, Naomi explores how fluctuating hormones during perimenopause and menopause can disrupt sleep, and shares lifestyle and behavioural strategies to help protect rest through midlife transitions.

 

Find out more about Dr Naomi Potter and her work at Menopause Care here: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/ 

Sleep On Series 4 is brought to you by The Sleep Charity and sponsored by Issviva Menopause.

This is a very special episode featuring a spatial soundscape crafted to promote deep relaxation. Using scientifically backed techniques like binaural beats and soothing natural elements, the soundscape is designed to quiet your mind and guide you into restorative headspace.

In this episode, Glide Over and drift like a bird above the waves and experience deep relaxation. A tranquil blend of crashing waves, deep wind, brown noise, and binaural beats creates a soothing atmosphere—perfect for unwinding and silencing a restless mind. The low, rich tones of brown noise and synths cocoon you in warmth, while subtle binaural beats synchronize with your brainwaves, easing you into deep rest. Let go of the day's stress as this soundscape gently lulls you into a peaceful, restorative state.

Biologist, award-winning TV presenter and National Geographic explorer, Niall McCann has slept in some of the world’s most dangerous environments - he’s rowed the Atlantic, skied across Greenland, and suffered a spinal cord injury after speedflying. You may have seen him on TV presenting wildlife documentaries including Biggest and Baddest, as well as working with Sir David Attenborough on a Perfect Planet.

In this episode, Niall talks to Dr. Sophie Bostock to share his stories and to discuss how to sleep in new or extreme environments, when under stress or post injury. This episode will be particularly helpful for you if you’re facing sleep problems due to medical issues or injuries or if things in life are just a bit challenging for you. Niall has a brilliant suggestion for us all to achieve that all elusive state of shutting off your brain. 

You can find out more about Niall McCann here: https://niallmccann.com/

Sleep On Series 3 is brought to you by the Sleep Charity

Rosie Underwood a wellness influencer and coach. She has trained with 85 of the greatest wellbeing experts in the world such as Deepak Chopra, Gabriella Bernstein and Doctor Andrew Weil. In this episode, Rosie looks at the parts of our lives that can be refocused to energise ourselves mentally and physically.  She talks about the role of sleep in being able to find balance and how we can make small adjustments in our daily lives to reach a place of calm.   Sleep On Series 3 is brought to you by the Sleep Charity and sponsored by Lumie.

Dr Victoria Revell, is an Associate Professor in Translational Sleep and Circadian Physiology at the University of Surrey. Dr Revell has over 20 years of experience in  conducting cutting edge research in the arena of sleep, health and performance.   In the episode, Sophie and Victoria discuss circadian rhythms, why daylight savings time may be bad news for our health, and the pros and cons of light and caffeine for managing our energy. Find out more about Victoria’s work and research here https://www.surrey.ac.uk/people/victoria-revell Sleep On Series 3 is brought to you by the Sleep Charity and sponsored by Lumie.

Join Dr. Sian Williams, a prominent UK TV news presenter and qualified psychologist, in conversation with Sophie. They delve into the significance of achieving balance in life, the benefits of napping when fatigue sets in, and Sian's personal experiences juggling a high-pressure career at BBC Breakfast with family life and sufficient sleep.

Dr. Sian also opens up about her courageous journey after being diagnosed with cancer at 50, sharing how she chronicled the challenging moments in her book, "RISE." This episode offers valuable insights into maintaining well-being amidst a demanding career and personal life, while also highlighting the importance of sleep and resilience in the face of adversity.

You can also hear Sian on BBC Radio 3 Unwind, presenting her show Classical Unwind - 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live/bbc_radio_three_unwind

Do you have trouble with nightmares? Dr Justin Havens is a Psychological Therapist, specialising in PTSD and nightmares helping people to resolve psychological trauma quickly, and safely. In this fascinating episode, he joins Dr. Sophie Bostock to help you sleep without fear and end your nightmares. 

 

Dr Havens completed a PhD with the Veterans and Families Institute at Anglia Ruskin University, where he developed and tested the Dream Completion Technique which is designed to resolve traumatic nightmares. It’s a wonderfully simple technique which can help both adults and children. Listen to learn all about how it works and how you can try it. 

 

Find out more about Dr Justin Havens and his work here:

https://stopnightmares.org/

 

Sleep On Series 3 is brought to you by the Sleep Charity and sponsored by Lumie. 

Hypnosis specialist and host of the Sleep Magic podcast, Jessica Porter joins Dr. Sophie Bostock to bust some myths and talk about what hypnosis actually is as well as sharing how hypnosis and self talk can help insomnia or sleep anxiety. 

Jessica has been a practicing hypnotherapist for 25 years and her podcast gets over 800k downloads a month. Her voice is incredibly soothing. Jessica specialises in helping people overcome their personal obstacles, whether that be insomnia, recovery from trauma, anxiety, and other challenges. Stick around till the end of the episode as Jessica also takes you on a short 6 minute guided hypnosis. 

Find out more about Jessica and listen to Sleep Magic here:

https://jessicaporterhypnotherapy.com/podcasts

Sleep On Series 3 is brought to you by the Sleep Charity and sponsored by Lumie.

Sleep Expert Dr Sophie Bostock is back with a new series to help you Sleep On. Her first guest is Neuroscientist and author TJ Power. TJ is renowned for communicating the science of how our brains work in an accessible way having built a following of over 700k people on social media. TJ created The DOSE Effect training programme, which has helped tens of thousands of adults and young people to understand how to transform their mental health, and focus to lead happier lives. 

In this brilliantly helpful episode, which you will be thinking about for ages after, TJ explains how an understanding of our four key brain chemicals can help you to develop better sleep habits. 

You can find out more about TJ's work on The DOSE Effect, here - https://tjpower.co.uk/

Sleep On Series 3 is brought to you by The Sleep Charity and sponsored by Lumie.