The Sleep Detective podcast: why you can't sleep and how to fix it

Latest Episodes:

216: The Missing Piece Keeping an Entrepreneur Awake at Night - Dan's Sleep Breakthrough Session Aug 20, 2025

Show notes

Have you almost given up hope that you can sleep well again because you’ve tried so many things? Maybe even including functional lab testing.

In today’s episode I talk with Dan for a sleep breakthrough session. Dan is an entrepreneur and like many entrepreneurs, he deals with more stress than the average person. There’s more pressure to succeed and make money and it can feel less secure than a corporate job.

Dan has tried many things including some of the lab tests that I use and has lately been focusing on his gut health to try to solve his sleep issues. We talk about some key things that have been overlooked so far that are affecting his sleep so he knows what to do next.

Sign up for a free Sleep Breakthrough call that will be aired on this podcast! You’ll fill out an assessment and then we’ll meet on Zoom and I’ll tell you 3 things to do right now that will have the biggest impact on your health and sleep. Schedule your call here.

Schedule a consultation to get started with the Complete Sleep Solution program so you can consistently sleep 7+ hours uninterrupted, naturally and permanently. https://p.bttr.to/3VJwvDs

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:09 Meet Dan: The Entrepreneur with Sleep Issues

01:28 Dan's Sleep History and Stress Factors

03:49 Exploring Gut Health and Sleep Connection

07:28 Water Intake and Detoxification

11:05 Hormonal Imbalances and Night Sweats

13:35 Addressing H. Pylori and Gut Pathogens

16:55 Holistic Approach to Sleep and Health

19:43 Conclusion and Next Steps

215: Still Not Sleeping? The 3-Step Fix For Adults 40+ Aug 13, 2025

Show notes

Are you still lying awake at night, even after trying everything? Well, the fact is sleep gets harder after 40. BUT there's a reason why and a 3 step fix that can finally change it for good.

In this episode, you’ll learn what really causes sleep issues and how to fix them for good so you can consistently sleep 7+ hours without drugs.

Schedule a consultation to get started with the Complete Sleep Solution program so you can consistently sleep 7+ hours uninterrupted, naturally and permanently: https://p.bttr.to/3VJwvDs

00:00 Introduction: The Struggle with Sleep After 40

00:16 Who This Program is For and Who It's Not For

02:19 My Personal Journey with Insomnia

05:44 Understanding the Root Causes of Sleep Issues

07:55 Common Misconceptions About Sleep Problems

13:03 The Sleep Detective Method: A Comprehensive Approach

19:12 Case Studies: Real Success Stories

27:45 Step-by-Step Guide to Better Sleep

38:22 Introducing the Complete Sleep Solution Program

43:09 Conclusion: You Deserve to Sleep Well

214: How To End Morning Fatigue and Afternoon Energy Crashes: 3 Hidden Energy Killers Aug 06, 2025

Show notes

You could be getting 7+ hours every night and still wake up exhausted because your body is fighting 3 hidden battles while you sleep.

Today, I'm going to reveal the 3 specific imbalances in your body that are sabotaging your energy and keeping you trapped in that cycle of needing afternoon caffeine, struggling through brain fog, and feeling like you're constantly playing catch-up in life.

By the end of this episode, you'll understand exactly why you can sleep for hours but still wake up feeling like you never truly rested—and more importantly, you'll know the precise steps to fix it.

If you're someone who's tried everything—supplements, sleep hygiene, even medication—but you're still waking up tired and needing that afternoon energy crash rescue, this episode will finally give you the answers you've been searching for.

00:00 Introduction: Understanding Your Exhaustion

00:26 Client Story: Peter's Struggle with Sleep

01:42 Identifying the Three Key Imbalances

01:46 The Impact of Diet on Energy Levels

05:00 The Role of Minerals in Sleep and Energy

06:25 Gut Health and Its Effect on Sleep

08:28 Holistic Approach to Balancing the Body

10:26 Success Story: Peter's Transformation

11:29 How I Can Help You Sleep Better

12:36 Conclusion: Achieving Great Sleep and Energy

Schedule a consultation to get started with the Complete Sleep Solution program so you can consistently sleep 7+ hours uninterrupted, naturally and permanently: https://p.bttr.to/3VJwvDs

213: Why Your Mind Races at Night - 4 Hidden Body Imbalances Keeping You Awake Jul 30, 2025

Show notes

Do you lie awake at 3 AM with racing thoughts? Despite trying every meditation app and breathing technique, your mind won't quiet down? Here's the surprising truth: this isn't a mental problem you need to control better. It's your body sending urgent signals that something is out of balance.

In this episode, I'm going to reveal the 4 hidden physical imbalances that are hijacking your brain at bedtime, and exactly how to identify which one is keeping you awake.

00:00 Introduction: The Real Reason You Can't Sleep

01:03 Understanding Cortisol and Its Impact on Sleep

03:05 The Role of Sex Hormones in Sleep Disruption

06:00 Neurotransmitters and Gut Health Connection

08:07 Mineral Imbalances and Toxic Metals

09:31 Conclusion: Fixing the Root Causes of Sleep Issues

Schedule a consultation to get started with the Complete Sleep Solution program so you can consistently sleep 7+ hours uninterrupted, naturally and permanently.

212: The Productivity Sleep Crisis: Why One Less Hour of Sleep Costs You 2 Hours of Productivity (And How to Fix It) Jul 30, 2025

Show notes

If you can tell you've been less productive as the years go by, let's talk about it, because it doesn't have to be this way just because life is crazy right now or because you're getting older.

You can wake up with energy, feel excited for your day, and be productive so you can get everything done before 5pm and then have time to enjoy your life.

Today I am gonna share with you the #1 thing you can do to get out of that overwhelm and rushing around all the time and get back to being productive and calm.

And you’ll hear about my client Jaipal who’s bad sleep was affecting his work and creativity as an architect.

00:00 Introduction: Boost Your Productivity

00:49 Meet Jaipal: A Case Study

01:47 Identifying Root Causes of Sleep Issues

04:59 Common Imbalances Affecting Sleep

07:29 The Impact of Sleep on Productivity

08:19 Transform Your Life with Better Sleep

10:53 Join the Complete Sleep Solution Program

11:53 Conclusion: Take the First Step

211. How to Stop Needing THC for Sleep - Steve's Sleep Breakthrough Session Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

Schedule a consultation to get started with the Complete Sleep Solution program so you can consistently sleep 7+ hours uninterrupted, naturally and permanently.

If you’re taking supplements, exercising every day, wearing blue light blocking glasses before bed, and doing breathing exercises and meditation to try to sleep better but you’re still having trouble falling asleep or waking up from 3-5am with your mind racing, this episode is for you.

Today I talk to Steve from the UK who lives a very healthy lifestyle but still can’t sleep. He’s taking THC to sleep but he doesn’t want to need it and he knows it’s not getting to the root of the problem. We talk about the clues I found that are affecting his sleep so he can sleep without THC and reduce the inflammation in his body and his pain.

Resources:

Mindset

Liver support

Gut pathogens

00:00 Introduction: Struggling with Sleep?

00:19 Meet Steve: A Case Study

01:56 Steve's Health Challenges

03:00 Exploring Sleep Issues

06:15 Mindset and Sleep

09:21 Gut Health and Sleep Connection

14:02 Cortisol and Inflammation

16:06 Blood Sugar and Liver Health

20:42 Conclusion and Next Steps

210. Why You Wake Up at 3AM Every Night (+ The 3 Hidden Causes Your Doctor Missed) Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

Stop me if this sounds familiar: It's 3AM, your eyes snap open, your mind starts racing, and you're wide awake for the next hour or two, watching the clock tick by. You've probably been told it's just stress, or that you need better sleep hygiene, or maybe you should try more melatonin. But what if I told you that waking up at 3AM isn't random at all - and it's definitely not "just in your head"?

Today, I'm going to reveal the three most common biological reasons why your body is jolting you awake at 3AM like clockwork - and more importantly, exactly how to fix each one. By the end of this episode, you'll understand why your blood sugar, liver detox processes, and gut health might be sabotaging your sleep in ways you never imagined. Plus, I'll share how one of my clients went from 13 years of sleep struggles to sleeping 7.5 hours straight - and how she got excited about bedtime again.

This isn't about counting sheep or buying blackout curtains. This is about detective work - finding the real clues your body is giving you and solving the mystery of your 3AM wake-ups once and for all.

209. From 11 Years of Chronic Insomnia to Sleeping Without Anxiety: How Functional Lab Testing Changed Everything-Mark’s story Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

Schedule a consultation to get started with the Complete Sleep Solution program so you can consistently sleep 7+ hours uninterrupted, naturally and permanently.

After 11 years of chronic insomnia, taking sleeping pills every night, and being told by doctors "some people just can't sleep," Mark was ready to give up hope. He'd tried everything - CBT, sleep studies, specialists, perfect sleep hygiene - yet he still couldn't sleep through the night.

Sound familiar?

Well, Mark's story is about to shatter everything you think you know about "untreatable" insomnia.

Today, you're going to hear directly from Mark himself about his remarkable transformation - not just sleeping better, but feeling completely like himself again.

He's reduced his sleep medications by 80%, hasn't experienced anxiety in months, can handle any mental load during the day, and describes feeling "back to himself" in a way he hadn't experienced in over a decade.

By the end of this episode, you'll understand why traditional sleep medicine failed him for 11 years, discover the hidden health imbalances that were stealing both his sleep AND his daytime energy, and learn exactly how functional lab testing revealed root causes that no doctor had ever looked for.

If you've been struggling with that "wired but tired" feeling, carrying anxiety about sleep, or feeling like a shadow of your former self during the day, Mark's story will show you there's real hope. His transformation proves that when you address what's really happening in your body, you don't just sleep better - you get your life back.

00:00 Mark's 11-Year Battle with Insomnia

00:30 Introduction to Mark's Transformation

02:19 Meet Mark: A Journey Begins

02:58 Mark's Struggles and Initial Attempts

06:04 Discovering a New Approach

08:46 The Impact of Functional Lab Testing

11:56 Mark's Remarkable Progress

14:55 The Role of Genetics and Health Imbalances

16:28 Key Test Results and Surprising Findings

20:32 Mark's Endorsement and Final Thoughts

22:34 Conclusion: Hope for Insomnia Sufferers

208. 4 Sleep Supplements That Actually Work (NOT Magnesium or Melatonin) - After Testing Hundreds of Clients Jun 25, 2025

Show notes

Schedule a consultation to get started with the Complete Sleep Solution program so you can consistently sleep 7+ hours uninterrupted, naturally and permanently.

You can’t sleep because of imbalances in your body. Take the first step to a good night’s sleep with the Sleep Essentials course.

Here's the truth that's going to save you hundreds of dollars and months of frustration: most of the supplements you're taking for sleep aren't working because you're guessing instead of testing. But today, I'm breaking my own rule. I'm going to share 4 specific supplements that can start improving your sleep THIS WEEK - even before you know your lab results. And I'll tell you about the one that's the closest thing I know to a magic pill for sleep."

By the end of this episode, you'll know exactly which 4 supplements to try first, why they work for the most common sleep imbalances I see in my practice, and how to take them safely. These aren't random recommendations - they're the same supplements I reach for first when my clients need immediate sleep support while we're waiting for their functional lab results.

Link to Quicksilver GABA/l-theanine and Gaia Herbs Nighttime HPA on Fullscript.

Beam minerals 20% off with code SLEEP

Trozzz 10% off with code “detective”

00:00 Introduction: The Truth About Sleep Supplements

00:54 Meet Your Host: Martha Lewis

01:19 My Personal Sleep Struggles

02:07 Why Most Supplements Fail

03:49 Supplement 1: GABA and L-Theanine

07:13 Supplement 2: Nighttime HPA by Gaia Herbs

11:05 Supplement 3: Beam Minerals

13:59 Supplement 4: Tro Z by Transcriptions

17:23 How to Use These Supplements

19:35 The Importance of Foundational Health

22:21 Conclusion: Next Steps for Better Sleep

207. The 5-Minute Technique to Stop Racing Thoughts At Night: EFT Tapping for Sleep w/ Julie Schiffman Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

Schedule a consultation to get started with the Complete Sleep Solution program so you can consistently sleep 7+ hours uninterrupted, naturally and permanently.

While addressing the root causes of your sleep issues requires investigating the imbalances in your body, there's a powerful technique that can help you sleep better tonight while you work on those deeper solutions. This simple method has helped thousands (including myself) calm their racing minds and nervous systems in just minutes.

In today's episode, you'll discover how tapping (or EFT) can be an effective tool in your sleep detective toolkit. You'll learn how this technique helps lower cortisol and calm your system when you're trying to fall asleep or lying awake at 3AM with racing thoughts.

By the end of our conversation, you'll have two complete tapping sequences you can use tonight to complement your work addressing the underlying physical imbalances.

Plus, you'll understand why this mind-body approach works alongside the functional testing I always emphasize as the foundation for truly solving sleep issues permanently.

Julie Schiffman, MSW, is an internationally recognized Expert EFT Practitioner. For more than 30 years, she has counseled thousands of clients, helping them to achieve emotional and physical well-being through this transformative healing modality. Her life-changing YouTube videos have been viewed more than 4 million times. Julie is the creator of Tap Into Life Membership program, the Pain-Less Program and Tap Into Sleep Mode Program helping thousands of people reclaim their lives.

Julie’s links:

https://www.julieschiffman.com/

https://www.instagram.com/julieschiffman_tapintolife/

https://www.youtube.com/julieschiffman

00:00 Introduction to Sleep Issues and Tapping

01:31 Meet the Expert: Julie Schiffman

03:15 Understanding Tapping: What and How

07:03 Julie Schiffman's Journey with Tapping

13:28 The Science Behind Tapping and Sleep

20:56 Practical Tips for Better Sleep

22:11 Using Tapping to Overcome Sleep Resistance

22:44 Preparing for a Tapping Session