
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.
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 188 | Founded | 5 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | MedicineHealth & FitnessScienceSocial Sciences | |||

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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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.
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.
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!
Thank you Dr. Walker for an outstanding work you do!
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.
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
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Apple Podcasts | #154 | |
Apple Podcasts | #220 | |
Apple Podcasts | #20 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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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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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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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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