How Prioritizing Sleep Fuels Creativity and Cognitive Resilience with Ivy Gustafson, Dr. Heather Collins & Mary Helen Rogers

Welcome back to Catching Zzz’s! Mary Helen Rogers here, back in the host seat, and today we have on Dr. Heather Collins, who is a cognitive neuroscientist who shows people how to future-proof their brains in an era of constant change and uncertainty as well as Ivy Gustafson, who helps leaders clarify their message, sharpen their keynote presentations, and build practices that drive impact.

We dive into the powerful connection between brain health and sleep, sharing insights that blend science, practical strategies, and real-life experience.

Dr. Collins shares her expertise on how our brains learn, remember, and thrive, emphasizing why sleep is essential—not just for day-to-day functioning, but for long-term cognitive health. Ivy reflects on her own journey of balancing high achievement with the need for rest, uncovering how prioritizing sleep can fuel creativity, clarity, and lasting professional success.

From the importance of lifelong learning and micro-rests to the science behind blueberries and fish oil, this episode is packed with actionable advice. 

Tune in to discover how building better sleep routines leads to building a better brain…and, ultimately, a better life.

MEET DR. COLLINS

Dr. Heather Collins is a powerhouse keynote speaker and cognitive neuroscientist who shows audiences how to future-proof their brains in an era of constant change and uncertainty. With 50+ peer-reviewed publications in prestigious scientific journals, such as The New England Journal of Medicine, and groundbreaking research on everything from Alzheimer’s to NASA astronauts to AI, she brings the rare combination of world-class science and real-world impact. Her keynotes are not lectures; they’re live breakthroughs. Audiences experience brain shifts in real time that transform how they focus, remember, and innovate. Dr. Collins has partnered with organizations across industries—from tech and healthcare to education, design, and fashion—to unlock the hidden power of human performance. She’s been on the SXSW stage, delivered three TEDx talks, and collaborated with companies from McGraw-Hill to Fluevog. In a world where attention is the new currency and brain capacity is the most underutilized resource, Dr. Collins gives leaders and teams the ultimate competitive advantage: brain-based strategies to adapt faster, drive growth, and thrive under uncertainty. Her message is clear: If you want to change the future, you start by rewiring the most powerful technology on the planet: your brain.

CONNECT WITH DR. COLLINS

WEBSITE: https://www.drheathercollins.com | INSTAGRAM: @drheathercollins | LINKEDIN: @drheathercollins | TIKTOK: @drheathercollins | YOUTUBE: @dr.heathercollins9308

MEET IVY

Ivy Gustafson has spent more than twenty years helping people turn their experiences into powerful thought leadership practices. At top bureaus, she partnered with world leaders in government, business, sport, and beyond. As head of speaker development at ImpactEleven, she helped develop the next generation of speakers and thought leaders. Now, as founder of Ivy Gustafson Advisory, she works with everyone from first-time speakers to seasoned professionals – helping them clarify their message, sharpen their keynote, and build practices that drive impact. For Ivy, this business is not about chasing stages; it’s about unleashing the ideas that move people, companies, and communities forward.

CONNECT WITH IVY

WEBSITE: https://www.ivygustafson.com | LINKEDIN: @ivymgustafson