Podcast Episode Details

[250] - Radio 3AW - Australia Overnight - Special Guest Dr OIivia Walch - 15-05-2025

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Season 2 Episode 196

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When was the last time you experienced real darkness—so dark you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face?

According to mathematician and sleep expert Dr. Olivia Walch, our modern “light diet” may be silently sabotaging our sleep.

In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Walch breaks down the surprising science behind circadian rhythms and why obsessing over “8 hours a night” misses the point. Instead, she emphasizes the importance of sleep timing, consistency, and how exposure to artificial light is throwing our internal clocks into chaos.

You’ll learn:

• Why irregular sleep patterns are like an arrhythmic heartbeat
• How just one week of camping without artificial light resets your sleep cycle
• Why shift workers are facing a public health crisis — and what can help
• How light exposure during the day (and darkness at night) can dramatically improve your sleep

“We need to think about rhythm and sleep,” says Dr. Walch. “Light is the most powerful cue we have.”

Whether you're a shift worker, a night owl, or just tired of being tired, this conversation will give you practical strategies to align your sleep with your body’s natural rhythm.

Try This Tonight:

Go into your bedroom, turn off the lights, and wait a few minutes. If you can see your hand in front of your face, it’s not dark enough.

Want more?
Check out Dr. Walch’s book: “Sleep Groove: Why Your Body Clock Is So Mixed Up and What To Do About It” — a practical guide to getting your rhythm back on track.

Follow Dr. Olivia Walch on
Instagram: arca.scope

Support the show

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ANNOUNCING

"The Shift Workers Collective"

https://join.ahealthyshift.com/the-shift-workers-collective

Click the link to learn all about it
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YOU CAN FIND ME AT

Website

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LinkedIn

• Shift Work Health and Wellbeing Seminars
• One2One Coaching

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Disclaimer: Roger Sutherland is not a doctor or a medical professional. Always consult a physician before implementing any strategies mentioned in this podcast. Use of this information is strictly at your own risk. Roger Sutherland will not assume any liability for direct or indirect losses or damages that may result from the use of the information contained in this podcast including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness, or death.

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Published on 7 months ago