Sleep with Me
Drew Ackerman created “Sleep with Me” all the way back in 2013, and he’s been a go-to source for sleepy-time content ever since. Ackerman leads the listener through dull, overlong stories, complete with plenty of asides and tangents, all while maintaining a flat monotone—a recipe for sweet dreams if there ever was one.
Nothing Much Happens
It’s all in the title: “Nothing Much Happens” serves up low-stakes tales for those who like bedtime stories, but are at risk of getting hooked on anything too engaging or suspenseful. Feel safe dozing off knowing you’ll miss absolutely nothing important.
Drifting Off with Joe Pera
While the idea of “comedy podcast” and “sleep podcast” might seem in opposition, this low key listen manages to be humorous while also lulling you to sleep with its mix of immersive sound, low-stakes conversations, and gentle jokes that will have you falling asleep with a smile.
Slow Radio
BBC Radio 3’s “Slow Radio” calls itself an “antidote to today’s frenzied world,” and it really is just that. Each episode taps into a different audio world, bringing listeners soundscapes from around the planet. Think of it as a more intellectual version of the traditional white noise offerings.
Phoebe Reads a Mystery
Phoebe Judge rose to podcast fame as the host of the critically acclaimed “Criminal”—and fans loved her soothing voice as much as the take on the true crime genre. But violent crime and criminal justice abuses aren’t exactly calming bedtime fare. Enter “Phoebe Reads a Mystery,” a podcast that leverages Judge’s tone for maximum drowsy effect, coupled with the more comforting subject matter of classics (though the series started with mysteries, she subsequently took on other favorites like Little Women and Moby Dick.)
Sleepy
Another podcast designed for the express purpose of lulling listeners asleep at night, “Sleepy” features classic stories (think Rapunzel or Oliver Twist), read aloud by host Otis Gray.
Boring Books for Bedtime
As the title suggests, this podcast is packed with books that might have you drifting off if you had them in hand—think: wildflower guides, economics treatises, and Aristotelian ethics—all conveniently read for you, so you don’t have to wake up with a giant tome taking up space in your bed.
99% Invisible
There are podcasts that are designed to inspire drowsiness, and then there are those that come upon it incidentally. “99% Invisible” belongs in the latter category. Host Roman Mars tells genuinely fascinating tales about how design impacts our lives, which deserve full, conscious attention—but he also happens to have one of the most soothing voices in the biz, making for an ideal bedtime listen. (Maybe just be sure to tune in again, once you’ve gotten a good night’s rest.)
The New Yorker: Fiction
Get lost in a tale from the New Yorker archives. The magazine’s fiction editor, Deborah Treisman, welcomes literary acolytes from Margaret Atwood to David Sedaris on the show to read and discuss short stories from issues past. It’s an intriguing daytime listen, but it can also serve as a trove of bedtime stories for the bookish.
Game of Drones
Drew Ackerman of “Sleep with Me” turns his monotone to George R.R. Martin’s fantasy world in “Game of Drones.” Recounting the events of the series and adding in copious (sometimes wonderfully irrelevant) asides mined from the books, it’s the ideal sleepy-time listen for fantasy enthusiasts—yes, even if you hated the final season.
You Must Remember This
Yet another one for the “listen while awake, but also while falling asleep” list. Host Karina Longworth dives deep into Hollywood history, illuminating forgotten stories and shedding new light on Tinseltown legends. It’s fascinating, deeply researched, and also extremely calming.
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