I want to take a few minutes to tell you why I decided to join a platform called Patreon—and why this feels like the right next step for Somnilopod and for me. Patreon is a membership platform where listeners can directly support creators they trust in exchange for exclusive content, deeper access, and a more personal connection.

In a previous episode I talked about expanding my focus to include topics of wellness, as well as sleep. I've also wanted to create more of a community. An interactive resource that is more than just a podcast.

If you've been listening for a while, you know this podcast has always been about more than just information. It's about fostering connection and providing reassurance. It's about helping people feel less broken, and less alone when sleep—or life—gets hard.

Over time, though, I realized something: the conversations I sometimes want to have don't always fit neatly into a podcast episode. Some of them need more space. More continuity. And honestly, more community.

Patreon gives me a place to do that.

Generation X is carrying a unique and often invisible health burden. In this episode of Somnilopod, we explore the top wellness challenges facing Gen X adults—chronic stress, anxiety, burnout, sleep problems, physical health worries, and the strain of being part of the "sandwich generation."

This episode explains why sleep issues are so common in midlife and how stress, mental health, caregiving responsibilities, and health concerns quietly disrupt the nervous system at night. Rather than blaming or pathologizing insomnia, Jay reframes sleep struggles as understandable signals from an overloaded system.

If you're a Gen X listener feeling exhausted, restless at night, or "not quite yourself," this episode offers reassurance, insight, and a compassionate starting point for better sleep and overall wellness.

Sleep More Soundly: The Science Behind "I Can't Sleep" Beliefs

If you've ever found yourself lying awake thinking "I can't sleep," this episode is for you.

In this episode of Somnilopod, we explore the powerful—and often overlooked—role that beliefs play in insomnia. Many people assume their sleep problems are purely physical, but neuroscience and sleep psychology tell a different story. The thoughts we repeat at night can quietly activate the brain's threat system, making rest feel frustratingly out of reach.

We'll break down why the brain treats the belief "I can't sleep" as a warning signal, how trying harder to fall asleep actually backfires, and why many people underestimate how much sleep they're getting. Jay also explains sleep misperception, the identity trap of calling yourself a "bad sleeper," and how learning to remove pressure—rather than force sleep—can help your nervous system finally stand down.

This episode offers a calm, science-based reframing for anyone struggling with insomnia, nighttime anxiety, racing thoughts, or fear of being awake. No gimmicks. No unrealistic promises. Just practical insight, reassurance, and a kinder way to relate to sleep.

If bedtime has started to feel like a battle, this conversation may help you put the armor down—and rest again.

Key Topics Covered

• Why the belief "I can't sleep" keeps the brain alert
• How sleep effort and over-monitoring sabotage rest
• Sleep state misperception and "sleeping more than you think"
• The nervous system's role in chronic insomnia
• Rebuilding trust in your body's ability to sleep
• Why rest still counts—even when sleep feels elusive