• How Sleep Amplifies Every Pillar of Health
    Oct 22 2025
    Ep. 96 When you think about getting healthy, you probably think about what to eat, how to move, and ways to manage stress — but there’s one pillar of wellness that quietly powers them all: sleep. In this episode of The Doze Podcast, host Soda Kuczkowski, Certified Sleep Coach and Sleep Health Educator, unpacks why sleep isn’t just recovery — it’s recalibration. You’ll learn how your body uses sleep to regulate hormones, absorb nutrients, and lock in the benefits of your hard work in nutrition, fitness, and stress management. 💡 Here’s what you’ll discover: Why sleep is the most overlooked part of your wellness routine The science behind how sleep amplifies your diet, workouts, and recovery. Why tracking your sleep isn’t enough — and what to do instead The truth about “catching up” on sleep (spoiler: you can't really do it!) How to protect your rest as an act of strength, not surrender 📅 Event Mentioned: Join Soda at the BNMC Food as Medicine Symposium – Saturday, October 25th Notable Quotes: "When you start with sleep, everything else works better." "Sleep makes it into almost every conversation, but usually as a complaint, not a commitment." "Sleep isn't just about recovery, it's about recalibration." "Protecting your sleep is not just about being rigid. It's about being respectful of your limits." Chapters: 0:00 Sleep's Role in Wellness 1:23 Sleep vs Other Wellness Efforts 2:15 Restoration and Wellness Culture 2:46 Biological Impact of Sleep 4:08 Sleep Debt and Productivity 4:41 Sleep's Amplifying Effect 5:15 Prioritizing Sleep in Wellness Plans 6:12 Commitment to Sleep 7:18 Upcoming Symposium Invitation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    8 mins
  • Rest Is the New ROI - Sleep as the Secret to Sustainable Success
    Oct 15 2025
    Ep. 95 What if the secret to sustainable success isn’t pushing harder, but resting smarter? Learn how aligning with rest can elevate your leadership, sharpen your vision, and keep your business thriving without burning out. In front of a live studio audience of entrepreneurs, Soda Kuczkowsk, host of The Doze Podcast, sits down with Healing Her Within host Maryann Rivera-Dannert to flip the script on hustle culture. From the science of sleep to the spirituality of surrender, this conversation explores how true alignment starts with rest. Together they break down the seven types of rest, the myth of “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” and practical ways to restore clarity, creativity, and calm while growing your business. Key Takeaways: Redefine hustle — why rest is the new ROI for aligned entrepreneurs Discover your chronotype + set a rhythm that supports your energy flow Morning light, caffeine timing, and the science of better sleep The 7 types of rest and how to fill each intentionally Boundaries that protect your peace, focus, and productivity Recorded Live: 🎙️ WXXI Studio A, Rochester NY ✨ Aligned Entrepreneur Pod-A-Thon — Presented by JazzCast Pros 💡 Resources Mentioned in This Episode HealingHer Within Podcast with MaryAnn Rivera-Dannert START WITH SLEEP — Programs, workshops, and resources for better rest and recovery 👉 startwithsleep.com Sleep Space App — Tracks your sleep patterns, learns your rhythms, and helps optimize your bedtime routine 👉 sleepspace.com Find Your Chronotype — Take the quiz from Dr. Michael Breus, author of The Power of When, to learn your natural sleep rhythm 👉 thepowerofwhenquiz.com 🎧 Referenced Episodes of The Doze Podcast Morning Light Guide — Learn how to regulate your circadian rhythm naturally through light exposure "Bedtime Begins at Breakfast" — Why your morning habits determine your nighttime rest "Caffeine Hacks" — How to manage caffeine intake and boost your energy without wrecking your sleep "Do You Lose if You Snooze?" — The truth about the snooze button and how to wake up feeling refreshed 0:00 – Welcome to The Doze Live from WXXI Studio A 0:35 – The New Hustle: Why Rest Is the Ultimate Self-Care 2:05 – “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead”: Busting the Restless Culture Myth 3:20 – The Mental Load of Women in Leadership 5:40 – The Power of Subtraction: Making Space for Wellness 6:50 – Maryann’s Ayahuasca Journey & the Message to Rest 9:00 – The Seven Types of Rest Explained 12:20 – Discovering Your Chronotype: Bears, Wolves, Lions & Dolphins 16:00 – Setting Boundaries Around Sleep & Mental Rest 18:10 – Bedtime Begins at Breakfast: Light, Caffeine & Consistency 23:20 – The Science of Napping & Sleep Cycles 25:00 – Snooze Buttons, Sleep Disorders & Resetting Your Rhythm 26:20 – Final Thoughts: Rest as a Radical Act for Entrepreneurs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    27 mins
  • Sleep as the Ultimate Realignment
    Oct 8 2025
    Ep. 94 "Sleep isn’t what you do when you’re done working—it’s what makes everything else possible". Before the live episode with Maryann Rivera-Dannert drops from the Aligned Entrepreneur Pod-a-Thon, host Soda Kuczkowski invites you to pause, breathe, and realign. In this reflective episode, Soda reframes sleep from being a passive recovery period to your most powerful realignment tool. Discover how shifting from hustle to harmony transforms not just your sleep—but your results. In this episode: ✨ Shift from hustle to harmony 🧘🏽‍♀️ Treat sleep as your strategy, not your setback 🚀 Achieve more through alignment, not exhaustion Because you don’t need another productivity hack — you need realignment. And it starts tonight. 🌙 #TheDozePodcast #SleepWellLeadWell #AlignedEntrepreneur #MindsetShift #RestIsProductive Chapters: 0:00 Welcome + Introduction: Sleep as Realignment 0:25 Episode Overview: Sleep as Alignment 1:26 Rethinking Sleep: Beyond Recovery and Self-Care 1:59 Mindset Shift: From Hustle to Harmony 2:56 Sleep as a Strategy, Not a Setback 3:50 Achievement Through Alignment 4:16 Closing Thoughts on Realignment + Rest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    6 mins
  • Trazodone Is Not a Sleeping Pill—Here’s What You Need to Know
    Oct 1 2025
    Ep. 93 Have you been prescribed Trazodone to help you sleep? You may be surprised to learn it was never designed as a sleeping pill—it’s actually an antidepressant being used off-label for insomnia. In this episode of The Doze Podcast, sleep health educator Soda Kuczkowski explains why Trazodone often falls short, what the American Academy of Sleep Medicine really recommends, and which evidence-based solutions can restore your natural sleep. What's Inside? Trazodone is not FDA-approved for insomnia and isn’t recommended as a first-line treatment. CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia) is the gold standard for lasting results. Natural supports like GABA and glycine can help regulate sleep without prescription side effects. Seeing a sleep specialist is critical for uncovering root causes and creating a personalized plan. “If your sleep plan begins and ends with Trazodone, you’re not receiving evidence-based care.” 🎧 Recommended Episode: Ep. 2 :Your Doctor doesn't sleep well either Ep. 9: Diagnosing Sleep Disorders at Home: Your Easy Guide 🔗 www.startwithsleep.com 🔗⁠ www.thedoze.co Chapters: 0:00 – Long-Term Trazodone Use: What You Need to Know 1:29 – Trazodone for Sleep? Better Alternatives Explained 2:25 – Why “Non-Addictive” Sleep Aids Became Popular 2:55 – The Real Risks of Trazodone for Insomnia 4:29 – Hidden Dangers of Relying on Sleep Meds 4:58 – Why a Sleep Specialist Matters for Insomnia 6:05 – Talk to Your Doctor Before Changing Meds or Adding Supplements 6:40 – Natural Sleep Aids That Work: GABA & Glycine 7:08 – Don’t Settle: Demand Better Sleep Solutions Beyond Trazodone 9:11 – Teaser: Live at The Aligned Entrepreneur Pod-a-Thon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    9 mins
  • How to Protect Your Sleep Through Life’s Transitions
    Sep 24 2025
    Ep. 92 What happens to your sleep when life suddenly shifts? Maybe it is a career change, a move, a growing family, or an evolving business. Transitions can leave you stretched thin, running late, and wondering how you will ever find your rhythm again. In this episode of The Doze Podcast, certified sleep coach Soda Kuczkowski opens up about her own season of change—moving The Doze into a warehouse, closing the START WITH SLEEP resource center and storefront after ten years, and navigating her daughter’s busy schedule—all while balancing the daily demands of work and family. Through her story, you will see that disrupted sleep in times of change is not a permanent setback—it is an invitation to adapt. Sleep is not about perfection; it is about course correction. 🌙 What you’ll learn: How to protect your sleep when life shifts suddenly Why grounding rituals and personal tokens keep you centered The mindset shift that turns disrupted sleep into a temporary detour, not a permanent setback Five practical strategies to reset your rest and reclaim your resilience 💬 Notable Quotes: “Sleep health is not about perfection. It’s about course correction.” “Your sleep is not as fragile as it feels in the moment. It’s resilient.” “Transitions require flexibility, and if you don’t bend, you break.” 🎧 Tune in now to hear Soda’s candid story and take away actionable tools to protect your sleep no matter what life throws at you. 👉 Don’t miss your chance to get personalized sleep coaching with Soda during the live Q&A after The Doze podcast recording at the Aligned Entrepreneur Pod-a-Thon on Saturday, Sept. 27 at WXXI Studio A in Rochester, NY. Don’t miss your chance to reset your relationship with rest and success! ⁠WXXI Presents the Aligned Entrepreneur Pod-a-Thon | JazzCast Pros⁠⁠ Use promo code ALIGNED for On-Camera, VIP Seating Chapters: 0:00 – Sleep Hacks for Life’s Biggest Transitions 2:37 – From Retail Shop to Personalized Sleep Coaching 3:25 – Balancing Rest When Life Gets Chaotic 4:51 – Grounding Rituals That Keep You Centered 6:14 – Flexible Routines for Unpredictable Seasons 8:33 – Wind Down Smarter, Sleep Stronger 9:11 – Consistency Counts: Protecting Sleep in Disruptive Times 10:09 – Resilience Starts with Rest 10:55 – Why Great Leaders Prioritize Sleep Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    12 mins
  • Can You Train Yourself to Sleep Less?
    Sep 17 2025
    Ep. 91 Think you can hack your body into needing less sleep? Think again. The secret isn’t less sleep—it’s better sleep. Here’s the truth: you can’t cheat biology. But you can optimize the sleep you are getting. In this episode of The Doze Podcast, Sleep Health Educator and Certified Sleep Coach Soda Kuczkowski helps you reset your mindset about sleep, guiding you through a reflection and introducing a simple framework to help protect the sleep you do get. In this conversation, Soda breaks down: ✔️ Why the cultural myth of “doing more with less sleep” is holding you back. ✔️The science of why your body cannot adapt to needing less sleep. ✔️ The S.L.E.E.P. Framework—five practical steps to optimize your hours. ✔️ Why sleep isn’t wasted time—it’s an investment in your performance, health, and creativity Resources: www.thedoze.co www.startwithsleep.com 🌟 Join Soda for a live Q&A at the Aligned Entrepreneur Pod-a-Thon at WXXI Studios in Rochester, NY on Saturday, Sept. 27. Don’t miss your chance to reset your relationship with rest and success! WXXI Presents the Aligned Entrepreneur Pod-a-Thon | JazzCast Pros Use promo code ALIGNED for On-Camera, VIP Seating Chapters: 0:00 – Optimizing Sleep for Success 1:52 – Mindset and Better Sleep Habits 2:58 – Sleep: The New Luxury for Health & Success 3:49 – Why Sleep Powers Health and Productivity 6:09 – Routines & Environment for Quality Rest 6:35 – Intentional Habits That Improve Sleep 8:00 – Transforming Sleep for Personal & Community Success Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    9 mins
  • Can you catch up on sleep?
    Sep 10 2025
    Ep. 90 Do you find yourself sacrificing sleep during the week and then trying to make up for it by sleeping in on the weekends? Here’s the thing you should be asking yourself: Does that actually work? It might feel like a solution in the moment, but science tells a different story. In this episode of The Doze Podcast, host Soda Kuczkowski invites you to reflect on your own sleep habits and reveals why oversleeping cannot erase sleep debt. You will learn why timing matters more than hours, why deep sleep is the real game-changer, and discover a tool that helps you stay consistent even when your environment is disruptive. It is time to stop chasing sleep—and start building it into your life every single day. ✨What’s Inside? Why you really can’t catch up on lost sleep. Sleeping in feels good short-term but can throw your body clock off balance. Consistency in your sleep schedule is more powerful than extra hours. It’s deep sleep, not just more sleep that restores your mind and body. Short naps beat weekend sleep-ins when it comes to real recovery. How to prevent sleep debt with consistent routines + smart tools Chapters: 0:00 – Why You Can’t Catch Up on Sleep 0:50 – Sleep Debt: What It Really Costs You 2:18 – Weekend Oversleeping Backfires 5:10 – Consistency = A Stronger Body Clock 6:00 – Smarter Sleep with the Sleep Space App 6:54 – Micro Recovery: Small Habits, Big Impact 8:13 – Consistency Wins Over Catch-Up Tune in now to finally understand how to stop chasing sleep and start feeling restored. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    9 mins
  • Oversleeping - Why More Sleep is Not Always Better
    Sep 3 2025
    Ep. 89 Think more sleep = more energy? Not always. In this eye-opening episode of The Doze Podcast, host and sleep health educator Soda Kuczkowski unpacks the surprising downsides of oversleeping. From grogginess and headaches to deeper issues like nutrient deficiencies or thyroid concerns, Soda explains why too much sleep can leave you feeling just as drained as too little. What's Inside? ✔️ The difference between fatigue vs. sleepiness—and why it matters ✔️ How to reset your body clock with consistent wake times & morning light ✔️ Why oversleeping can signal hidden health issues ✔️ Practical steps to reclaim your energy and rhythm Plus, Soda shares an exciting update about START WITH SLEEP and The Doze's expanding global online focus—bringing sleep health resources to more people than ever. Resources: "What’s New" Newsletter: startwithsleep.com The Doze.Co: Shop Sleep Tools Chapters: 0:00 The Hidden Effects of Oversleeping 2:03 Medication Changes and Nutrient Absorption Affecting Energy Levels 3:38 Understanding Oversleeping: Causes, Risks, and Solutions 6:42 Strategies to Boost Energy and Reset Your Circadian Rhythm 9:13 Online Sleep Solutions from TheDoze.Co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    11 mins