“It’s important to have people that understand and validate your feelings.”– Gina

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In the Know: A Narcolepsy Mini-Podcast

Tune in to hear different perspectives on living with narcolepsy.

Hear people living with narcolepsy talk about everyday life. Tackling subjects like “Navigating the Holidays” and “Being a Parent With Narcolepsy,” each episode will feature relatable, real conversations between two people living with narcolepsy. Listen as they share helpful tips and discuss managing their symptoms while navigating the ups and downs of life.

Matt and Shannon podcast image

Episode 10: Building Social Support Systems

September 14, 2024 | 14 min

September 14, 2024 | 15 min

Shannon joins Matt on the podcast to chat about their support networks. They talk about what social support means to them, how their support systems have evolved over time, and what to do if you're struggling to build a support system.

Gina and Emily podcast image

Episode 9: Managing Relationships While Living With Narcolepsy (Part Two)

September 14, 2023 | 15 min

September 14, 2023 | 15 min

Emily and Gina partner once again to talk about managing relationships while living with narcolepsy. They discuss ways they collaborate with the important people in their lives and how they know when it is time to ask for help from their loved ones.

Matt and Mike podcast image

Episode 8: Managing Relationships While Living With Narcolepsy (Part One)

September 14, 2023 | 15 min

September 14, 2023 | 15 min

Matt joins his good friend Mike to continue the discussion about managing relationships while living with narcolepsy. Hear them talk about the importance of prioritizing quality time with friends and family, and knowing when and how to set necessary boundaries.

Matt and Andre podcast image

Episode 7: Being a Dad Living With Narcolepsy

September 22, 2022 | 18 min

September 22, 2022 | 18 min

Andre and Matt pair up to discuss what it is like being a father living with narcolepsy. They talk about what it means to be a good father while also taking care of yourself as a person living with narcolepsy.

Gina and Emily podcast image

Episode 6: Being a Mom Living With Narcolepsy

September 22, 2022 | 19 min

September 22, 2022 | 19 min

Emily and Gina join the podcast to take a real look at parenting as a person living with narcolepsy. They talk about the delicate balance between the demands of parenthood and the challenges of living with narcolepsy, and how they can use their experience to impart lessons to their daughters.

Gina and Andre podcast image

Episode 5: Healthy Habits

September 22, 2022 | 16 min

September 22, 2022 | 16 min

Andre and Gina join In the Know: A Narcolepsy Mini-Podcast to host an episode all about healthy habits for people living with narcolepsy. Listen in as they share life-hacks and tips around meal planning and sleep hygiene, before taking a deep dive into self care. Don’t miss learning how Andre turned stand-up comedy into a healthy habit.

Matt and Emily podcast image

Episode 4: Time to Speak Up – Part 3: Advocating for Yourself in the Workplace

September 22, 2022 | 16 min

September 22, 2022 | 16 min

Emily and Matt wrap up the 3-part series on advocating for yourself with a discussion about speaking up in the workplace. They share how past employers characterized the effects of their symptoms on job performance, and how these challenges (along with rainbow-colored sticky notes and online support groups) helped them know when and how to discuss narcolepsy at the workplace.

Matt and Emily podcast image

Episode 3: Time to Speak Up – Part 2: Advocating for Yourself in Your Personal Life

March 8, 2022 | 15 min

March 8, 2022 | 15 min

Emily and Matt continue their discussion about being a self-advocate, focusing on speaking up at home. They open up about the fear of being judged by people in their lives and how vital it is to communicate how they feel in the moment. Together, they urge others to pen their own narrative in life and not let narcolepsy write their story.

Matt and Emily podcast image

Episode 2: Time to Speak Up – Part 1: Advocating for Yourself With Healthcare Providers

December 20, 2021 | 13 min

December 20, 2021 | 13 min

Emily joins Matt in a thoughtful conversation about the importance of being a self-advocate with healthcare providers. They share their own narcolepsy diagnosis stories and discuss the importance of speaking up at doctor appointments. Together, they urge others living with narcolepsy to find their voices and use them when it can matter the most.

Matt and Sharon podcast image

Episode 1: Navigating the Holidays With Narcolepsy

December 20, 2021 | 18 min

December 20, 2021 | 18 min

Join Matt and Sharon as they discuss living with narcolepsy when life gets busy, particularly around the holidays. They share some of the challenges a hectic schedule can cause when living with narcolepsy and provide tips that may help others living with narcolepsy truly enjoy the livelier moments of the year.

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Vivid dream-like experiences that occur while falling asleep or while waking up.

Occurs at night and includes dreams; muscles are not active to prevent people from acting out dreams.

People with type 1 narcolepsy can be diagnosed by their cataplexy or low levels of hypocretin (also known as orexin).

The cause of type 2 narcolepsy is unknown.

Restorative sleep state with decreased muscle tone.

Daytime and evening habits to improve sleep.

Brief total loss of voluntary muscle control when falling asleep or while waking up.

Also known as orexin, hypocretin is a naturally occurring chemical in the brain that helps maintain wakefulness and prevent non-REM sleep and REM sleep from occurring at the wrong time.

Unintentionally falling asleep due to excessive daytime sleepiness; “sleep attacks.”

The inability to stay awake and alert during the day; a constant need for sleep or unintentionally falling asleep.

A naturally occurring chemical in the brain that helps maintain wakefulness.

Vivid dream-like experiences that occur while falling asleep or while waking up.

Frequent shifts between different states of sleep and wakefulness at night.

Difficulty focusing or concentrating.

Brief loss of muscle tone with retained awareness, often triggered by strong emotions.

Performance of routine tasks without awareness or memory.