The Hidden Link Between Gut Health and Quality Sleep with Dr. Cindy Howard & Mary Helen Rogers
Catching Zzz’s: A Better Sleep Council podcast
Release Date: 11/11/2025
How to Help Your Teens Prioritize Better Sleep Habits with Jeannie Baldomero & Mary Helen Rogers
Catching Zzz’s: A Better Sleep Council podcast
Our guest today is who is a mentor to moms with teen girls, author, and the host of the podcast. We explore the challenges and rewards of parenting teens in today’s hyper-connected world and why sleep is the ultimate foundation for teen physical and emotional growth. Jeannie shares thoughtful insights from her own journey, her work empowering mothers to foster open communication with their daughters, and the real-life struggles teens face balancing academic, social, and extracurricular pressures. We discuss actionable strategies for building trust, modeling healthy...
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The Hidden Link Between Gut Health and Quality Sleep with Dr. Cindy Howard & Mary Helen Rogers
Catching Zzz’s: A Better Sleep Council podcast
Welcome back to Catching Zzz’s! I’m Mary Helen Rogers of the . In this episode, we have , who is a board-certified chiropractic internist, nutritionist, and author of the book . We’re talking about the intricate connections between gut health, nutrition, sleep quality, and even the power of mindset in the face of life’s toughest challenges. Whether you feel overwhelmed by the never-ending stream of wellness advice or questioned the real impact of your food choices on mood, energy, and sleep, this conversation is packed with practical advice and empowering insights. Dr....
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How Prioritizing Sleep Fuels Creativity and Cognitive Resilience with Ivy Gustafson, Dr. Heather Collins & Mary Helen Rogers
Catching Zzz’s: A Better Sleep Council podcast
Welcome back to Catching Zzz’s! Mary Helen Rogers here, back in the host seat, and today we have on , who is a cognitive neuroscientist who shows people how to future-proof their brains in an era of constant change and uncertainty as well as , who helps leaders clarify their message, sharpen their keynote presentations, and build practices that drive impact. We dive into the powerful connection between brain health and sleep, sharing insights that blend science, practical strategies, and real-life experience. Dr. Collins shares her expertise on how our brains learn, remember, and thrive,...
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What Your Dreams Reveal About Stress, Emotions, and Creativity with Lissa Coffey & Emma Ekum
Catching Zzz’s: A Better Sleep Council podcast
Welcome back to Catching Zzz's. It's Lissa Coffey back again in the host seat, and today, I sit down with marriage and family therapist again, where we dive into the fascinating world of dreams and dream interpretation Emma was previously a guest on past episodes where we discussed navigating sleep at every age (, ), as well as . During this conversation with Emma, we explore why we dream and how dreams can offer us insight into our subconscious and help us process emotions. We unravel the mysteries behind common dream themes like flying, falling, losing teeth, test anxiety, and even...
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Personalized Mattress Shopping with Nate Cangemi of Golden Dreams Mattress
Catching Zzz’s: A Better Sleep Council podcast
Welcome back to Catching Zzz’s, the podcast from the where we explore everything you need to know about getting your best night’s sleep. I’m this week’s host, Mary Helen Rogers. Today we’re doing a bit of a different episode. Recently, I had the chance to visit Nate Cangemi, owner of , a private mattress shopping store in Carlsbad, California. We were able to record in person and went through his entire process of what it’s like to shop at his store and buy a new mattress. He calls it the refined mattress-buying experience. For some people, mattress shopping can feel...
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How Breathwork Can Ease Daily Stress and Improve Sleep with Jessica Bryant & Mel Tingey
Catching Zzz’s: A Better Sleep Council podcast
Welcome back to another episode of the Catching Zzz's podcast, it's back in the host seat this week. , including the benefits and how it can provide an alternative way to better sleep. This week I have on , who is a transformational leadership, personal development coach, and a facilitator in breathwork and sound healing. During our conversation, we explore how breathwork practices can work as therapy without words, helping us process stress, quiet the mind and improve the quality of our sleep. Mel breaks down what breathwork and sound healing mean, dispelling common...
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How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT-I) Can Help You Get the Rest You Need with Lissa Coffey & Emma Ekum
Catching Zzz’s: A Better Sleep Council podcast
Lissa Coffey here again, hosting this episode of the Catching Zzz’s podcast! This week, I am joined once again by , a Marriage and Family Therapist from Los Angeles. During this episode, we’re diving into how cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help tackle insomnia. Emma breaks down the clinical definition of insomnia, the ways CBT for Insomnia (CBT-I) differs from standard CBT, and why CBT-I is often more effective long-term than using sleep medications. We also explore the importance of sleep hygiene, how changing our routines and beliefs around sleep makes a big difference, and...
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Rest, Resilience, and Recovery: Sleep’s Role in Cancer Wellness with Dr. Kristi Graves, Elissa Kalver, & Mary Helen Rogers
Catching Zzz’s: A Better Sleep Council podcast
Welcome back to Catching Zzz's, the podcast where we explore the science stories and strategies that help us live and sleep better. Today, we're talking about something that touches so many lives: breast cancer. But this conversation isn't about fear. It's about strength, community, and the ways we can thrive together. I'm joined by two inspiring women. First, Dr. Kristi Graves, a professor and researcher at Georgetown University, who studies cancer survivorship and health disparities. We are also joined by Elissa Kalver, who was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast...
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How Music Therapy Calms Minds and Improves Sleep in Kids with Candace Szymanski and Jessica Bryant
Catching Zzz’s: A Better Sleep Council podcast
Welcome to another episode of the Catching Zzz’s podcast! Better Sleep Council representative and pediatric sleep strategist Jessica Bryant of is in the host seat for this week’s episode. Our guest today is Candace Szymanski, a board-certified music therapist and founder of the in Southlake, Texas and we’re diving into the world of music therapy and its powerful connection to sleep and emotional wellbeing. We explore how music therapy goes far beyond just learning an instrument, offering creative and evidence-based ways for children and teens to express emotion, cope with...
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Mastering Your Internal Clock: Optimizing Sleep and Health With Circadian Rhythm Insights with Ellen Wermter & Mary Helen Rogers
Catching Zzz’s: A Better Sleep Council podcast
Welcome back to Catching Zzz's, the show where we pull back the covers on the science of sleep and give you tips you can actually use without needing a PhD. Today's episode is for anyone who's ever wondered why they feel like a zombie in the morning or suddenly wake up at midnight. We're talking about circadian rhythms, your body's internal clock, and why they're way more important than just telling you when to sleep. Joining host Mary Helen Rogers is someone who knows this better than almost anyone, Ellen Wermter. She's a Family Nurse Practitioner, a diplomat in behavioral sleep...
info_outlineWelcome back to Catching Zzz’s! I’m Mary Helen Rogers of the Better Sleep Council.
In this episode, we have Dr. Cindy Howard, who is a board-certified chiropractic internist, nutritionist, and author of the book Positively Altered: Finding Happiness at the Bottom of a Chemo Bag.
We’re talking about the intricate connections between gut health, nutrition, sleep quality, and even the power of mindset in the face of life’s toughest challenges.
Whether you feel overwhelmed by the never-ending stream of wellness advice or questioned the real impact of your food choices on mood, energy, and sleep, this conversation is packed with practical advice and empowering insights.
Dr. Howard explains why gut health truly is at the core of everything, why the idea of “convenience” might be holding us back from true wellness, and how small, sustainable changes can make a huge difference.
Plus, she opens up about her own journey walking through a cancer diagnosis, the importance of taking control—whether of your health, your mindset, or even your medical team—and the actionable steps you can take right now for better sleep and a healthier gut.
If you’re ready to challenge your habits, reclaim your well-being, and be inspired by a fresh perspective on preventive health, you won’t want to miss this episode.
You can view full show notes and more at https://bettersleep.org/blog
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