Let’s Get Real with Jena Burris
Welcome to Let’s Get Real, the podcast for women who feel like they’re holding it all together on the outside… but falling apart on the inside.
If you’re exhausted from pretending, overwhelmed by the pressure to be everything for everyone, or unsure who you even are anymore—you’re not alone. And you’re not crazy.
Let’s Get Real is where we have honest conversations about the struggles most people avoid—healing emotional wounds, losing yourself in motherhood, rebuilding your identity, and learning how to live whole again.
I’m Jena Burris—wife, mom, and your host. With a background in marriage and family therapy, life coaching, and years spent navigating life behind the scenes of the NFL and Hollywood, I’m passionate about creating a space where real conversations lead to real healing.
Each week, you’ll hear real stories, practical tools, and the reminder that freedom is closer than you think. Because I believe that in order to heal, we have to get real.
New episodes every Tuesday. Real talk. Real tools. Real healing.
For speaking inquiries, brand partnerships, or workshop opportunities, visit www.jenaburris.com or email jena@jenaburris.com.
Let’s Get Real with Jena Burris
From Exhausted to Empowered: Helping Families Thrive Through Sleep with Allison Egidi
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Free Resource for Moms
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Episode 47: From Exhausted to Empowered: Helping Families Thrive Through Sleep with Allison Egidi
Sleep deprivation can quietly unravel even the most capable, prepared parents. When sleep struggles linger beyond the newborn phase, many families find themselves overwhelmed, doubting their instincts, and wondering if they’re doing something wrong.
But sleep isn’t just about rest.
It affects emotional regulation, impulse control, learning retention, and mental health. And when a family hasn’t slept in months or even years, it can feel impossible to know where to begin.
In this episode of Let’s Get Real, I sit down with pediatric sleep consultant Allison Egidi, founder of Sleep and Wellness Coach, to talk about what really happens when families go without sleep for too long and how to reclaim rest in a realistic, supportive way.
The Breaking Point That Changed Everything
Allison shares her personal story of nearly two years of severe sleep deprivation with her first daughter. Despite being prepared, organized, and determined to “do it right,” nothing was working. Add postpartum anxiety, a demanding job, and a second baby into the mix, and she hit a breaking point.
Why Sleep Is Foundational for Mental Health
One of the most powerful takeaways from this episode is this:
Five hours of uninterrupted sleep can significantly improve mental health.
While adults ideally need seven to eight hours, that five-hour stretch can be a critical starting point for overwhelmed moms. Sleep affects mood stability, anxiety levels, cognitive function, and resilience.
We talk about practical strategies like dividing nighttime responsibilities with a partner, creating intentional sleep windows, and asking for help even when it feels uncomfortable.
How Sleep Impacts Kids Beyond Bedtime
Sleep isn’t just about easier nights. It impacts:
• Emotional regulation
• Impulse control
• Learning retention
• Classroom behavior
Allison explains how chronic sleep deprivation can mimic ADHD symptoms in children and how improving sleep can dramatically shift academic performance and behavior.
It’s never too late to teach a child how to sleep well. Whether your child is six months old or in fifth grade, healthy sleep habits can be built.
The Power of Asking for Help
This conversation also highlights something deeper than sleep.
Many moms suffer silently. We tell ourselves we should be able to figure it out. We power through exhaustion. We minimize our struggles.
But healing often begins with saying, “I’m not okay.”
When we admit we need help, we open the door to real change.
If this episode encouraged you, share it with another mom who might need it.
Connect with Allison
Podcast: How Long Till Bedtime
Instagram: @sleepandwellnesscoach
Website: sleepandwellnesscoach.com
P.S. If this episode resonates with you, please reach out. I truly want to hear your story. You can DM me on Instagram @jenaburris or email me at jena@jenaburris.com. Your voice matters — and I’m here for you.