Parrotfish Master Sleep Part 2 – Animal Sleep Secrets with Dr. John Lesku (Episode 42)

In this fascinating episode of Resilience Gone Wild, host Jessica Morgenthal speaks with Dr. John Lesku, a leading sleep researcher, about the amazing patterns and processes of sleep in animals of all types —and what they can teach us about human health, resilience, and performance. From parrotfish building mucus cocoons to sleep safely, to dolphins sleeping in with one eye and half brain alert, to penguins napping in microbursts, and birds sleeping mid-flight, this episode explores the incredible adaptations across species that allow sleep to happen in even the most challenging environments. Lesku discusses the latest sleep science, including how pollution and urban noise disrupt wildlife sleep, how sleep deprivation impairs cognition in both animals and humans, and why sleep hygiene is vital for long-term wellness. Together, they make a compelling case for rethinking our relationship with rest, emphasizing that sleep is not a luxury—it's a biological necessity.