Sleep can feel like the enemy when nightmares, racing thoughts, or old deployment habits keep you wired at night.
In this episode, Dr. Leah Kaylor, a prescribing psychologist and sleep expert for the FBI, explains why so many veterans and first responders struggle to rest and what happens in the brain when we avoid sleep altogether.
This episode will help you understand how REM sleep helps process trauma, and learn why caffeine and alcohol quietly sabotage your nights. Dr. Kaylor shares simple, cost-free fixes like getting morning sunlight, adjusting caffeine timing, and creating better sleep routines to help you finally get real rest. If you've ever wondered why your body won't shut down or how to stop the cycle of sleepless nights, this conversation delivers both clarity and hope.
Timestamps
- 09:00 - Veterans avoiding sleep to escape nightmares
- 11:30 - How REM sleep acts like overnight therapy
- 17:15 - The hidden cost of caffeine and late-night pre-workouts
- 37:15 - Why alcohol is the worst "sleep aid"
- 41:30 - Building self-awareness with sleep logs
Links & Resources
- Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1
- If Sleep Were A Drug Book: https://driveonpodcast.com/recommends/if-sleep-were-a-drug/
- Website: https://DrLeahKaylor.com
- Follow Leah Kaylor on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drleahkaylor/
- Follow Leah Kaylor on Twitter/X: https://www.tiktok.com/@drleahkaylor
- Follow Leah Kaylor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-kaylor-ph-d-mp-rxp-a75497222/
- Follow Leah Kaylor on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.LeahKaylorShorts https://www.youtube.com/@DrLeahKaylor
Transcript
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.