About Sleepopolis
Getting a good night’s sleep shouldn’t feel like a chore. We’ll help you find a great mattress, the answer to all your sleep questions, and all the dreamy Zzz’s in between.
We Love What We Do
Our mission is a simple one: We want to help you get incredible sleep. How? Two main ways: First, we live, breathe, eat, and sleep (ha!)…sleep. We sift through the noise of the Internet to bring you the sleep health information you need to know, whether that’s a news piece on the latest sleep product recall or a deep dive into what the science says about meditation for sleep.
Second: We test everything. Mattresses, pillows, sleep masks, weighted blankets…you name it, we’ve personally tested it in our studios and labs. We’re honest about the good, the bad, and everything in between in every single one of our reviews, roundups, or comparisons, and we tailor our recommendations as specifically as possible (are you a combination side sleeper with neck pain looking for a new pillow? We have just the pillow for you). If we recommend it, rest easy knowing we’ve put it through a detailed testing process. We do earn commissions from affiliate links, but that doesn’t impact the editorial integrity of our product content. Learn more about our testing methodology and process here.
The Sleepopolis team takes incredible pride in the work we do. We hope that the reviews, news, and sleep information we publish help you get a better night’s sleep. We love creating content that you enjoy, whether it’s on our site or a video on our YouTube page. Scroll down to meet the team and learn a bit more about us. Happy sleeping!
The Team
Dr. Shelby Harris, Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Director of Sleep Health
As a sleep doctor, my mission is to help everyone get a good night’s sleep. As a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in behavioral sleep medicine, I’ve treated a wide variety of sleep disorders, including insomnia, nightmares, and narcolepsy, with a focus on non-pharmacological interventions. I’m board-certified in behavioral sleep medicine by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the author of The Women’s Guide to Overcoming Insomnia: Get a Good Night’s Sleep Without Relying on Medication.
How I Sleep: I always start on my stomach, then wake up on my back. Getting used to sleeping on my side while pregnant twice was quite an adjustment – and shortly after having my kids, I went straight back to my usual ways!
Pro Tip: Whatever you go to bed with on your mind will be there when you wake up in the middle of the night. I make sure to get things out of my head a good 30 to 60 minutes before bed every night to help quiet my mind. If I wake up and think of something in the middle of the night, I write it down quick and get it out of my head and back to sleep.
Dr. Raj Dasgupta
Chief Medical Advisor and quadruple-board certified in pulmonary, sleep, internal, and critical care medicine
As Sleepopolis’ chief medical advisor, I bring more than 20 years of expertise and passion for education to our readers. I help them dive into the research behind sleep and how it intersects with fitness, nutrition, mental health, and chronic conditions. I support the site’s mission to help everyone get the restorative rest they deserve.
An active clinical researcher, I currently practice at the University of Southern California, where I’ve been awarded the Excellence in Teaching award six years in a row. I’m also an associate professor of clinical medicine, assistant program director of the internal medicine residency program, and the associate program director of the sleep medicine fellowship at USC.
I’m passionate about mentoring young doctors and doctors in training, which is why I’ve written two books series published by Elsevier titled Morning Report: Beyond the Pearls and Case Reports: Beyond the Pearls, both of which are geared toward helping medical students with board certification prep and helping them sharpen their clinical decision-making skills.
You can also spot me on TV in The Doctors and Chasing the Cure. I regularly provide expert insight for outlets like CNN, ABC News, and Inside Edition.
Matt Schickling
Head of Content, Commerce
I ensure our product reviews, testing methodologies and content direction line up with our readers’ needs. I’m always on the lookout for innovations in the sleep industry to bring our audience the most up-to-date reviews, roundups, and recommendations to improve their relationship with sleep.
How I Sleep: I’m a true combination sleeper, even if my heart calls me to sleep on my side. I prefer a medium-firm mattress, breathable bedding, and a fortress of pillows. Seriously, drown me in pillows. My dog sleeps happily at the foot of the mattress while her own bed collects dust just a few feet away.
Pro Tip: Stay off your phone in the bedroom, unless you’re using it to set an alarm. If you struggle to slow your thoughts, go for a book or try some light meditation. That rule changed my sleep for the better.
Dan Caffrey
Senior Editor and Certified Sleep Science Coach
I’m a Certified Sleep Science Coach and the senior editor at Sleepopolis, where I edit the site’s roundups and focus on content optimization. I got my MFA in Playwriting from the University of Texas at Austin, and you can see my theatre work being produced around the country. I also co-host two popular horror podcasts on the Bloody Disgusting Podcast Network — The Losers’ Club: A Stephen King Podcast, and Halloweenies: A Horror Franchise Podcast.
How I Sleep: I always start on my back, but find myself switching to my side right as I’m about to nod off. Our dog Hank shares the bed with my wife and I, so I wonder if I’ve become a combination sleeper by necessity.
Pro Tip: A common tip for side sleepers is to place a pillow between your knees to prevent any discomfort. But I’ve found that wearing pajama pants can be just as effective.
Sosha Lewis
Senior Staff Writer and Certified Sleep Science Coach
I’m a senior staff writer for Sleepopolis and a Certified Sleep Science Coach. I’m happy that I’m able to combine my love of sleep with my love of writing. I’ve also has had articles featured in The Washington Post, Huffington Post, MUTHA Magazine, Charlotte Magazine, and The Charlotte Observer. My weekly column, Soshally Awkward, is featured on the nationally-syndicated radio show, Bob & Sheri.
I live in Charlotte, NC with my husband, daughter, and lovable trash-panda of a dog, Olive.
How I Sleep: I always start on my side, but often flip to stomach at some point.
Pro Tip: If you’re having trouble falling asleep or need to drown out a partner’s snoring, try a “sleep podcast”. Some of my favorites are: Phoebe Reads a Mystery, Drifting Off with Joe Pera, and Sleep with Me. These podcasts are filled with soothing voices and less than thrilling stories…the perfect antidote for sleeplessness.
Livvi DiCicco
Staff Writer and Certified Sleep Science Coach
I’m a staff writer for Sleepopolis, focusing on writing and editing sleep-based content wherever the site needs me. My friends call me a napping fiend, so it’s no surprise I ended up in the sleep world. I graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in English & Creative Writing. Aside from sleep content, I enjoy writing speculative fiction and Regency England works.
How I Sleep: I move around a lot, mostly flipping between my back and side. We might even call it “thrashing,” which is why I love my bouncy bed.
Pro Tip: If you must nap, make sure it is only 20 to 30 minutes long and between the hours of 1:00 to 4:00 PM, so you don’t screw up your sleep schedule.
Riley Otis
Staff Writer
I’m a staff writer at Sleepopolis working closely with our performance and SEO teams to ensure content quality. I write and edit roundups and reviews to bring you the most accurate and up to date information. I’m a firm believer that there’s nothing better than a good night’s sleep, so I love helping people find the best products for their sleep sanctuary.
How I Sleep: I’m a combination sleeper. I’m constantly rolling around and switching positions in my sleep.
Pro Tip: If you struggle to turn off your brain at night, try turning on white noise while you sleep. This gives your brain something to focus on other than your racing thoughts.
Kenny Timper
Staff Writer
I’m a staff writer at Sleepopolis. I test mattresses and write about them so you can skip the trial and error and jump straight into a good night’s sleep. When I’m not testing and writing about mattresses and other sleep products, you can find me hiking, biking, or enjoying mosh pit retirement at your local heavy metal concerts.
How I Sleep: I’m a stomach sleeper through and through.
Pro Tip: Try to cut out caffeine completely (crazy, I know). If that’s not possible, try to avoid drinking coffee or soda in the afternoon or evening. Combine that with at least an hour of walking every day, and you’ve got a recipe for sleep success!
Abby Wood
PR Strategist
Hey! I’m Abby, strategist for the content marketing and digital PR team at Sleepopolis. My role revolves around developing effective strategies to enhance our content and strengthen our online presence.
How I Sleep: I typically fall asleep on my side but occasionally wake up on my back. My dog, Dutton, shares the bed with me so my sleeping position frequently relies on him!
Pro Tip: If your mind is racing at night, try writing down the thoughts that are keeping you awake. Putting them on paper can help you relax so that you can enjoy a night of restful sleep.
Carlie Gasia
PR Associate and Certified Sleep Science Coach
Hi! I’m Carlie, Sleepopolis’s digital PR associate and a Certified Sleep Science Coach.
How I Sleep: I am a deep rooted side sleeper, consistently falling asleep and waking up on either my left or right side. I prefer bedding and pillows that are fluffy and soft, yet supportive. I love to fall asleep with pink noise on a sleep timer and with an overhead fan on high.
Pro Tip: Sleep, light and melatonin are linked together. Melatonin is a sleep hormone that the brain releases at bedtime. As a fan of having colored LED lightbulbs in my apartment (mainly for aesthetic purposes), I’ve found that dim red light at bedtime helps me relax and prepare for sound sleep the best, as well as improves my sleep inertia in the morning.
Our Experts
The Sleepopolis Expert Network is made up of prominent sleep industry experts and other sleep professionals. Sleepopolis experts help verify content throughout the site, with a particular emphasis on our sleep health content and information.
Our experts include preeminent sleep psychologists, creators of cutting-edge sleep wellness products, and board-certified physicians who specialize in sleep disorders. Others have built well-known practices devoted to sleep dentistry, children’s sleep, and such sleep-related conditions as neck and back pain.
Several have published top-selling books, made media appearances on major news outlets, and are leaders in the fields of sleep medicine and research. Our experts contribute to top medical journals and speak about sleep science and wellness in the U.S. and abroad.
The Sleepopolis Expert Network represents some of the most accomplished authorities in the world of sleep medicine. Check out their profiles at the Sleepopolis Expert Network hub, or read in-depth interviews with our experts on the Sleepopolis News page.
Need to Get in Touch?
You can reach us on our Contact page or with the information below:
Address:
Sleepopolis.com
Pillar4 Media
2101 Thrift Road
Charlotte, NC, 28208
Email: info@sleepopolis.com
Looking for the answers to all your sleep questions? Hop on over to our education page for all your sleep questions, check out our newest mattress reviews, or catch up on the latest sleep news and trends.