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The Matt Walker Podcast

Dr. Matt Walker
Sleep
Insomnia
Sleep Disorders
Mental Health
REM Sleep
Sleep Deprivation
Circadian Rhythm
Circadian Rhythms
Sleep Hygiene
Melatonin
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Exercise
Parkinson's Disease
Meditation
Alzheimer's Disease
Sleep Quality
Sleep Research
Sleep Science
Workplace Productivity
Weighted Blankets

The Matt Walker Podcast is all about sleep, the brain, and the body. Matt is a Professor of Neuroscience at the University of California, Berkeley. He is the author of the book, Why We Sleep and has given a few TED talks. Matt is an awkward British nerd who adores science and the communication of science to the public.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes188Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
MedicineHealth & FitnessScienceSocial Sciences

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Artwork for The Matt Walker Podcast

Latest Episodes

Matt digs into the neuroscience of déjà vu, reframing it as a sign of a healthy brain performing real-time error correction. Using a "doorman" (familiarity) vs. "concierge" (recollection) analogy, Matt explains how memory systems misfire. When the rh... more

Join Matt for a serene excursion across a valley lake under the cover of night. After finding a comfortable position and centering your breath, you will step onto the deck of a weathered ferry. Marcus, the pilot, unties the lines, steering you away f... more

Debunking 11 sleep myths, Matt begins by explaining that the brain remains active, not "off," during rest. He goes on to argue that 7-9 hours of sleep is vital and warns that "adapting" to less is a delusion that masks performance deficits and long-t... more

Matt delves into how psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD quiet the "Default Mode Network" to boost neuroplasticity. He describes these molecules as a "crowbar" that allows therapy to break deep-seated patterns of depression and reorganize the mind. more

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Recent Guests

Daniel Durand
Chief Medical Officer and President, Prenuvo Medical Group
Prenuvo Medical Group
Episode: #134 - Seeing Inside the Brain with Prenuvo
Dr. Avinish Reddy
Founder and CEO of Elevated Medical, a concierge style, longevity and precision health practice.
Elevated Medical
Episode: #107 - Medicine 3.0 with Dr. Avinish Reddy
Daniel Kish
Accomplished human echolocator who lost his sight at a young age and learned to navigate using sound.
Episode: #104 - Humans Can Navigate Like Bats
Dr. Aric Prather
Leading expert in sleep science and behavioral health.
University of California, San Francisco
Episode: #101 - The Sleep Prescription To Better Immunity with Dr. Aric Prather
Dr. Cheri Mah
Pioneer in sleep science, focusing on sleep's effect on athletic performance
Stanford University
Episode: #90 - Sleep as Fuel for Athletes with Dr. Cheri Mah
Dr. Ranji Varghese
Distinguished expert in sleep medicine, medical director at the Minnesota Regional Sleep Disorders Center
Minnesota Regional Sleep Disorders Center
Episode: #88 - Sleep & Sleeping Pills with Dr. Ranji Varghese
Dr. Charan Ranganath
Renowned neuroscientist and author of Why We Remember
University of California, Davis
Episode: #87 - Sleep, Trauma Memories, AI & Memory Hacks, with Dr. Charan Ranganath
Jessica Lunsford-Avery
Associate Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University School of Medicine
Duke University School of Medicine
Episode: #82 - Sleep and ADHD with Dr. Jessica Lunsford-Avery
William Jagust
Neurologist focused on brain aging and Alzheimer's disease
University of California, Berkeley
Episode: #81 - Aging, Alzheimer’s, and Sleep with Dr. William Jagust

Host

Matt Walker
Host of The Matt Walker Podcast; Professor of Neuroscience at the University of California, Berkeley; sleep science communicator.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.7k ratings
  • Disappointed

    I used to really enjoy this podcast and all of Matt’s content. However it is painfully clear now he is just reading off a ChatGPT generated script. A terrible mistake when otherwise smart, talented communicators offload the one skill that made them famous to AI.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    T_H.90
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Used to be great - now AI scripted and jarring

    Used to recommend this pod to people. Just listened for the first time in a while and it’s like listening to an AI trying to be Matt - 5 mins into the Sleep Inertia episode I’m having to stop - it’s just too jarring - such a shame. Bring back your own words Matt! The convos in the Q&A episodes were amazing but this isn’t the direction to go in.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Fair_play!
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Packed with promotions & too little substance

    Episodes are packed with promotions and ads for new and trendy products, it’s very distracting and annoying. Episodes are also way too short, later episodes are a bit better in this regard. Shame, I wanted to like this!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Dorian Salt
    Germany2 months ago
  • Great

    Thank you Dr. Walker for an outstanding work you do!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Krystina33
    United States5 months ago
  • So Helpful

    I am finding your content so helpful & informative for understanding the science of sleep. Thank You. You have a lovely voice & accent, great to listen to - you are also humble, even though you have achieved a lot. I admire that.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KingFisher101
    United Kingdom5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the host's clear communication of sleep science and practical tools.
Overall, content is valued for evidence-based insights but may be affected by promotional reads.
Some listeners feel ads and scripted content detract from the science.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#134 - Seeing Inside the Brain with Prenuvo
Q: How is AI changing what's possible in whole body imaging, and where do you see the field in five to ten years?
AI enables radiomics, rapid quantitative analysis of muscle, fat, and other tissues across the whole body, reducing interpretation time and increasing data depth. The field will likely move toward baseline multimodal profiling (imaging plus genomics and other biomarkers) with clinicians partnering with AI to guide patient decisions.
#134 - Seeing Inside the Brain with Prenuvo
Q: Could you tell us a little bit more about the organ systems, the structures and the early changes that you can detect with whole body MRI?
Whole body MRI is best for looking at soft tissues, provides high-resolution images without radiation, and can detect initial signs across multiple organs. It isn't about diagnosing everything at once but flagging highly concerning findings that require follow-up with targeted tests or biopsies as needed.
Ask Me Anything Part 25: Sleep Talking, Long Covid, CBD/CBN, and Bedroom Environment
Q: How do Long Covid sleep disruptions differ from regular insomnia and what are the targeted treatment approaches?
Long Covid causes significant sleep disturbances, with a prevalence notably higher than in non-Covid individuals, often leading to fragmented sleep and other respiratory issues, and treatment primarily involves cognitive behavioral therapy.
Ask Me Anything Part 23: The Gut, Grief, Creativity, and Microsleeps
Q: What are microsleeps and how dangerous are they in various contexts, like driving or operating machinery?
Microsleeps are instances when the brain partially goes offline for up to 10 seconds, and they can significantly increase the risk of car accidents, causing crashes rather than just chance accidents.
Ask Me Anything Part 23: The Gut, Grief, Creativity, and Microsleeps
Q: What is the bidirectional relationship between acute grief and sleep disruptions? Are there any evidence-based approaches for managing sleep during bereavement?
Bereavement leads to significant sleep disruptions, with studies showing 91% of individuals affected suffer sleep issues. Interestingly, managing insomnia can potentially reduce grief symptoms.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Matt Walker Podcast

What is The Matt Walker Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A science-forward show about sleep, the brain, and health hosted by a UC Berkeley neuroscience professor. Episodes mix deep-dive sleep biology with practical tips, covering circadian rhythms, sleep hygiene, cognitive performance, and the physiological underpinnings of rest. A recurring strength is translating complex research into accessible guidance, often using experiments, case studies, and listener questions. Noteworthy is the host's clear scientific voice and willingness to critique popular wellness trends, alongside sponsorships that are interwoven with content. This mix makes it appealing to scientifically minded listeners seeking rigorous sleep insights, as well as professionals in health, tech, and education who want evidence-based... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Matt Walker Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Matt Walker Podcast:

1. Huberman Lab
2. The Peter Attia Drive
3. Lifespan with Dr. David Sinclair
4. Perform with Dr. Andy Galpin
5. The Tim Ferriss Show

How many episodes of The Matt Walker Podcast are there?

The Matt Walker Podcast launched 5 years ago and published 188 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Matt Walker Podcast?

Recent guests on The Matt Walker Podcast include:

1. Daniel Durand
2. Dr. Avinish Reddy
3. Daniel Kish
4. Dr. Aric Prather
5. Dr. Cheri Mah
6. Dr. Ranji Varghese
7. Dr. Charan Ranganath
8. Jessica Lunsford-Avery

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