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Artwork for The Matt Walker Podcast

The Matt Walker Podcast

Dr. Matt Walker
Sleep
Sleep Disorders
Insomnia
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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes176Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceHealth & FitnessMedicineSocial Sciences

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Artwork for The Matt Walker Podcast

Latest Episodes

Exploring the "tired but wired" state where exhaustion meets an overactive alerting system, Matt explains that insomnia is often a disorder of hyperarousal rather than a lack of sleep drive. Using metabolic data and brain activity, he shows how an in... more

Matt explains sleep inertia - the groggy transition to wakefulness - noting that waking is a process, not a switch, and that brain regions activate at different speeds. While the core wakes fast, the prefrontal cortex, which handles judgment, remains... more

Deconstructing the "Sleepy Girl Mocktail", Matt separates digital hype from rigorous sleep science. He delineates that tart cherry juice works not through trace melatonin, but as an anti-inflammatory "bodyguard" for tryptophan by inhibiting the enzym... more

Matt examines "revenge bedtime procrastination," where individuals voluntarily delay sleep to reclaim autonomy. Distinguishing this "unlocked door" from the "locked door" of insomnia, he uses global data to explain how smartphones and low agency trig... more

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Accepts Sponsors
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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
Renowned sleep scientist at Stanford University and advisor to top athletes.
Stanford University
Episode: #95 - Circadian Rhythms, Travel, and Athlete Optimization 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, a neuroscience educator and professor of neuroscience at UC Berkeley. Known for accessible science communication on sleep and health.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.7k ratings
  • Great

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Krystina33
    United States2 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 Kingdom3 months ago
  • Completely ruined by ads

    Could have been such a great podcast, but is completely ruined by ads. There is almost as much ad time as content time, and the ads keep interrupting all the time. Matt says just a few words, then new ad, another few words, next ad. This is not a science podcast, it is an AG1, electrolyte and protein sales podcast with some sleep stuff in between. Real pity.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    MonoChar
    Norway3 months ago
  • Ads detract from credibility

    I had been so pleased to see that Matt Walker has a podcast after reading his excellent book. However, the greediness and lack of credibility of the trusted neuroscientist touting all manner of products throughout the podcast for some extra cash completely detracts from my impression of the podcast, book and author. And why emphasise that you buy your own of these products when they pay you for the ads? There could have been much lower profile sponsorship and /or treat the podcast as a means of ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Thilxebmkocwv
    Australia4 months ago
  • So personable!

    Can’t listen any more. 3x adds in a short (30 min) podcast? Too disruptive. Adds are very long in comparison too. Used to be so good.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    pinkdpm
    United Kingdom6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners feel current ads interrupt content but still find value in the science.
Listeners praise clear, accessible explanations of sleep science.
Fans appreciate the host's engaging delivery and actionable sleep tips.

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?

The show focuses on sleep, neuroscience, and health, exploring how sleep affects memory, cognition, and well-being. Episodes cover topics from circadian biology and sleep stages to the societal impact of tech and lifestyle factors on sleep, often blending rigorous science with practical tips. A notable strength is translating complex sleep research into accessible takeaways, sometimes alongside product sponsorships that fuel conversations about real-world living. Fans likely value clear explanations, evidence-based guidance, and interviews with researchers or clinicians, making it a strong pick for listeners curious about how sleep shapes daily life and long-term health.

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How many listeners does The Matt Walker Podcast get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers The Matt Walker Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Matt Walker Podcast?

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

1. The Peter Attia Drive
2. The Dr. Hyman Show
3. The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show
4. Dhru Purohit Show
5. Lifespan with Dr. David Sinclair

How many episodes of The Matt Walker Podcast are there?

The Matt Walker Podcast launched 5 years ago and published 176 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

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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