Just wanted to share two recent episodes of Hidden Brain, an NPR podcast hosted by Shankar Vendantam.
Two episodes from early November 2017 are wonderful overviews about sleep and insomnia including an interview with the infamous Randy Gardner, the record-holder for going without sleep. Though unaffected at the time, Gardner now suffers from severe insomnia.
For students and teachers wishing to learn more about the biology and purpose of sleep, these two episodes are excellent
Two episodes from early November 2017 are wonderful overviews about sleep and insomnia including an interview with the infamous Randy Gardner, the record-holder for going without sleep. Though unaffected at the time, Gardner now suffers from severe insomnia.For students and teachers wishing to learn more about the biology and purpose of sleep, these two episodes are excellent
posted by Chuck Schallhorn
. As only Sacks can, he shares stories and insights into this topic. 
. It takes a person from 5 am and waking up, what brain chemicals are activating us and other sensory issues. It goes on to deal with coming to consciousness, morning emotions, directions to work, facing others, performance at work/stress, decision making, the hungry brain, the tired brain, boredom, pain, exercise, the dimming of the day, getting home from work, music, humor, love and lust, getting to sleep, falling to sleep, sleeping and problems, and people who have to work at night. The book is at a reading level appropriate for those of use brushing up on brain science as well as high school students.
which examines the various processes that occur without the conscious mind being aware. The reviews on Amazon are mixed, but for those of us who are not in the neuroscience field, it could be a good read. In the interview, he comes across as a younger, cool, hip and bright neuroscientist. He does not come off all like the stereotypical stodgy scientist image. It's a short, fun interview. Who knows, it may just make a student interested in the brain.