Owls And The Fowls

Joanne Lockwood is joined by jet lag consultant and chrono-diversity advocate Stephen Jasper for a wide-ranging conversation about how our biological rhythms shape work, wellbeing, and inclusion. Stephen shares how extensive international travel led him from pharmacy and the pharmaceutical industry to a PhD focused on jet lag, and why sunlight and timing are central to managing it.

Together they unpack the practical realities of travelling across time zones, including the difference between jet lag and travel fatigue, why “east is a beast and west is best” for many people, and how sleep disruption can affect cognitive performance, relationships, and day-to-day functioning. Stephen explains how light influences circadian rhythms, why late-night screen use can keep people awake, and why alcohol is a particularly poor choice when travelling.

The discussion then turns to workplace inclusion through the lens of chrono-diversity. Joanne and Stephen explore the stigma and bias often directed at “night owls”, the limitations of rigid nine-to-five expectations, and how flexible working and remote collaboration can allow people to work in ways that better match their natural rhythms. The episode closes with a call to treat chrono-diversity as a genuine inclusion issue, creating cultures where different sleep and productivity patterns are recognised and valued.