Lights Out Library: Sleep Documentaries
Lights Out Library helps you fall asleep with soothing stories across a diverse range of topics: science, history, mythology, astronomy, mystery, art and so much more. It makes it possible to both calm and enrich your mind while you drift into dreamland. The podcast is hosted by Olimpia Pérez and offers ad-free listening and bonus content via Patreon.
Episodes
History of Castles | Documentary for Sleep
In this relaxing story, I tell you about the history of castles in Europe, from the first earthworks from the Bronze Age to Roman castra and finally medieval castles. We follow their development from motte & bailey castles to giant fortresses of the 14th century with dungeons, concentric walls, drawbridges, portcullis, machicolations, moats...
I also tell you about medieval society and how castl
Historical Mystery Stories: Secrets of the Druids, Lost Cities, Forgotten Gods (Sleep Documentary)
As long compilations of episodes that can accompany you for several hours were requested, we put this new one together. This episode consists of three main topics:
- Mysteries of Celtic culture, especially the druids: who were they and what was their role in Celtic societies?
- A journey to "lost cities", in particular Machu Picchu in Peru and Meroe in Nubia (Sudan)
- Forgotten gods of Antiquity
Mission to Mars: Space Travel and Terraformation
This episode is a remastered and improved version of one of the first stories ever released on the podcast. This new version includes updated information, as well as very recent results published in July 2026 from MAVEN, the spacecraft that spent more than 11 years studying Mars and the history of its atmosphere. I also talk about AstroRad, a new device tested in deep space that could help protect
History of Alexander the Great | Documentary for Sleep
Alexander the Great is a name that sounds almost more legendary than real. In tonight's episode, we will talk about his time, his life and his conquests.
Born from King Philip II of Macedon and Olympias of Epirus, educated by Aristotle, Alexander takes the lead of the League of Corinth, a coalition of Greek states. He leads his army into the conquest of the greatest empire of the time: the empire
History of Furniture | Documentary for Sleep
In this soft-spoken sleep story, I tell you about the history of furniture from Prehistory to our days, with an emphasis on French styles from the 17th and 18th Centuries (Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI style). I also explain a few different techniques, like veneering, marquetry, and ormolu (gilt bronze).
This content is entirely scripted and recorded by real people, it includes no AI, and mi
History of Lost Cities: Machu Picchu, Meroë, Mohenjo-Daro (Sleep Story)
In this bedtime story, I tell you about three “lost cities” and the civilizations that built them:
• Machu Picchu, built as a retreat for Inca emperors 50 miles from their capital, Cusco, and largely forgotten by the outside world for more than 300 years.
• Meroë, the capital of the Kingdom of Kush, along with a brief history of Nubia and its relations with Egypt in antiquity. Before Meroë becam
Review of the Periodic Table of Elements (30 to 118), Bedtime Sleepy Science
In this science talk for bedtime, I review the periodic table of the elements methodically and explain in simple terms plenty of phenomena and concepts about chemistry and physics (for example in this episode: metalloids, alpha and beta decay, Xenon poisoning of nuclear reactors...) as well as the industrial and economic relevance of some of these elements. For tonight, we continue with elements 3
The Bestiary: Dragon, Unicorn, Elf, Mermaid, Phoenix, Werewolf | Sleepy Mythology & History
As long compilations of episodes that can accompany you for several hours were requested, we put this new one together. Bestiaries were medieval compendiums that contained information and illustrations of real and legendary animals. Following this ancient tradition, we have put together talks about the origins of different legendary and fantasy creatures. Make yourself comfortable, this will be a
Greek Mythology: The Odyssey (Soft-Spoken Sleep Story, Improved Version)
In this episode, I tell you the story of the Odyssey, and as in previous mythology videos I discuss a few historical and literary aspects. If you want to know about the lotus-eaters, the cyclopes, the sirens, Aeolus, Circe, Scylla and Charybdis, Calypso, and many more things, relax and enjoy the long journey Odysseus will have to endure to be reunited with his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus.
Neolithic Revolution: How Agriculture Was Invented
In this episode, I tell you about the transition from the nomadic lifestyle of hunters and gatherers to the sedentary life of the first agricultural communities. We will examine the theories that explain this change, how it took place, and its consequences.
Some of these consequences were counterintuitive. For example, the Agricultural Revolution initially led to a deterioration in health and lif
Review of the Periodic Table of Elements (13 to 29), Bedtime Sleepy Science
In this science talk for bedtime, I review the periodic table of the elements methodically and explain in simple terms plenty of phenomena and concepts about chemistry and physics (for example in this episode: the timeline of the discovery of elements, why there is quite a lot of iron in the universe, endothermic and exothermic fusions...) as well as the industrial and economic relevance of some o
Yellow, White, Black: History of Colors
In this new sleepy documentary-style story, we will explore the cultural history of three colors: yellow, black, and white. How were pigments for art and crafts or dyes obtained? What were the meanings, symbolisms, and status of these colors across various ancient cultures and to our days? Let's find out.
This podcast is entirely scripted and recorded by real people, it includes no AI, and mid-ro
Review of the Periodic Table (Elements 1 to 12) Sleepy Bedtime Science
In this science talk for bedtime, I review the periodic table of the elements methodically and explain in simple terms plenty of phenomena and concepts about chemistry and physics (for example in this episode: the structure of atoms, valence and reactivity, isotopes, allotropes, ionic compounds, the definitions of metals...) as well as the industrial and economic relevance of some of these element
Myths and Mysteries of Pre-Columbian America (Aztec, Maya, Apache, Navajo, Inca) Sleepy History
As long compilations of episodes that can accompany you for several hours were requested, we put this new one together. This is a compilation of three different stories: Maya and Aztec Mythology, Native American Myths (Navajo and Apache), and History of the Incas.
This podcast is entirely scripted and recorded by real people, it includes no AI, and mid-roll ad breaks are turned off so that you c
Mysteries of the Celts: Druids, Hillforts, Hill of Tara, Gundestrup Cauldron (No AI)
This sleepy documentary is a time travel to the Celtic era to examine historical mysteries and discover more about Celtic culture. I will tell you about the druids: what we know of their emergence, their functions, their cultural importance, and the many aspects of druidism that remain mysterious. We will also travel to the Hill of Tara in Ireland, examine the mystery of the vitrification of hillf
History of Dinosaurs (Paleontology Documentary for Sleep, No AI)
This documentary sleep story is about the history of dinosaurs: What were they? When did they appear? How did they rule the Earth's continents for 150 million years? What happened to them? In this story I tell you about dinosaurs in general, various famous groups such as Brachiosaurus, Stegosaurus, Allosaurus, Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus, and more! I also tell you about paleontology, the study of f
Phoenix, Unicorn, Mermaid: Origins of Legendary Creatures
What are the origins of well-known legendary figures, such as the phoenix, the unicorn and the mermaid? From ancient symbols and myths to medieval bestiaries, we are going to explore their appearance and evolution and try to dig a bit deeper. Why do certain motifs such as the phoenix appear across various cultures? What are the Physiologus and the illustrated bestiaries from the Middle Ages? What
History of Cats: Evolution, Species, and Why Are They Like That?
In this soft-spoken bedtime story, I tell you about cats: their evolutionary history from the first Felidae to domestic cats, their species, their characteristics, and how they live. We will review extinct genera and species, such as Proailurus or the well-known saber-toothed cats from the Pleistocene, and many extant species: tigers, lions (and their hybrids: ligers and tigons), jaguars, leopards
History of the Incas | Documentary for Sleep
This documentary-style bedtime story takes us along lost trails of the Andes Mountains, to the discovery of several millennia of civilization in this region (Caral-Supe, the Valdivia culture, Chimu, Wari, Tiwanaku...), until the rise of the Inca Empire. I tell you about the history and culture of the Incas, as well as the development of their empire, from the small Kingdom of Cusco to one of the l
History of Ancient Crafts: Ceramics, Textile, Gold
This extended documentary-style bedtime story is a compilation of three different stories: History of Gold, History of Ceramics, and History of Textile. For each of them, I tell you about their evolution since Prehistory and the various types of objects, styles and techniques that were developed.
This podcast is entirely scripted and recorded by real people, it includes no AI, and mid-roll ad bre
Journey to the Clouds | Documentary for Sleep
In this soft-spoken sleepy documentary, we travel across the various layers of the atmosphere, and I tell you about their composition, about various phenomena (how clouds form, why wind blows, why the sky looks blue, how the ozone layer works, what aurora borealis are...). We also take a look at the formation history of this atmosphere and how it regulates temperature and pressure on Earth.
This
Elves, Dwarves, Orcs, Goblins, Trolls... Origins of Fantasy Creatures
We all know of modern fantasy creatures, and also that they owe a lot to J.R.R. Tolkien, other fantasy authors of the last 60 years, Dungeons & Dragons, or different franchises like Warhammer or Warcraft. But how did these different figures actually form? What are the mythologies, the folklore, and the more recent elements that gave birth to them? This is what we are going to examine in this episo
Sleep Space Cruise to Mercury and Venus (Revised)
In this bedtime story, we visit Mercury and Venus, two planets with formidable environments. I share with you various theories about their formation, of what they are composed, what to expect at their surfaces, and other interesting facts like how orbits form and are maintained, and what a supercritical fluid is. I hope you enjoy this relaxing way to learn more about space while quieting your mind
History of Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire
Eight hundred years ago, the World was shaken when the Mongols suddenly left their corner of Asia to conquer the largest land empire in History. Join me as we explore who they were, how they lived, what they believed in and why they could take two continents by storm and build an empire in a few years. I tell you about Genghis Khan and his successors like Ogedei Khan and Kublai Khan, Chinese dynas
History of Wolves and Dogs | Documentary for Sleep
In this sleepy story, we trace the shared history of wolves and dogs, from their ancient evolutionary origins to the deep bond they formed with humans through domestication. We explore how wolves live, communicate, and organize their social world, and how, over thousands of years, some of them evolved into the many dog breeds we know today. Along the way, we see how dogs developed their unique emo
History of Ancient Rome (8th Century BC - 1453 AD)
This long soft spoken sleep story tells you the history of Ancient Rome from its foundation to the fall of Constantinople. It is in 3 parts.
In part 1, I tell you about the origins of Rome, its slow emergence and wars until the 1st Century BC - including the founding of the Republic and the rivalry between the Senate and the plebs, the conquest of Italy, the wars against Carthage, the overseas e
Sol Invictus, Ishtar, Mithra, Pazuzu: Stories of Forgotten Gods
For tonight's bedtime story, let's explore the stories of various gods from Antiquity that once were very relevant to the societies that worshipped them, before mostly disappearing from memories:
• Sol Invictus, the sun god of the Romans that was propelled from obscure cult to imperial religion in the Third Century AD, and whose festival on December 25th became Christmas.
• Mithra, an Iranian
Nature Sleep Story: Wonder of Trees
This is a remake of one of our first episodes because the original sound was harsh and uneven when I started the podcast. For tonight's talk, I invite you to a long moment in the woods. We explore the origins of plants and how they evolved from microscopic algae to mosses, ferns, seed plants with or without flowers. I also discuss the life cycle of trees, their composition, and many often unnotice
The Myth of El Dorado
In tonight's story, I take you on a historical tour of the myth of El Dorado. I discuss what the early years of the Spanish conquest of America were like, how the encounter between older European legends and the reality of pre-Columbian America created new myths about fabulous places, and some of the expeditions that went on a search for El Dorado or the Cities of Gold, to the Andes Mountains, the
History of the Forbidden City
In this soft-spoken bedtime story about China, I take you to the discovery of the Forbidden City. We explore this extraordinary complex and follow the history of Imperial China from the rise of the Ming Dynasty and the construction of the Forbidden City in the 15th Century, to the Qing (Manchu) Dynasty, until the fall of the Empire in 1911.This podcast is entirely scripted and recorded by real peo
History of Ceramics
In this soft-spoken sleep documentary, I tell you about ceramics: what pottery, earthenware, stoneware, terracotta, and porcelain are; how they appeared; and how significant they have been since prehistory around the world—in Ancient Egypt, Greece, the Americas, the Islamic world, Europe, and of course, China.This podcast is entirely scripted and recorded by real people, it includes no AI, and mid
World Mythology Stories for Sleep: Ring of the Nibelung, Maya and Aztec, Hindu, Japanese, Greek
For this extra long episode, we put together various of our mythology stories. From Asia to America via Europe, all these stories reflect how humanity makes sense of the world around us, transmits wisdom and cautionary tales, and infuses storytelling with meaning and faith.This podcast is entirely scripted and recorded by real people, it includes no AI, and mid-roll ad breaks are turned off so tha
History of Buddhism
This is a new version of one of our first episodes, that I remade because the sound was a bit harsh and uneven when I started the podcast. I also added a few elements to the script. In this bedtime story, I tell you all about Buddhism: the beliefs and culture of Ancient India; the life of Siddartha Gautama, the historical Buddha; how Buddhism spread in Asia; the differences between various Buddhis
Mysteries of Space: White Dwarf, Neutron Star, Dark Matter, Hypothetical Planets (Sleepy Astronomy)
In this bedtime story, we visit different real or hypothetical space objects and phenomena. I tell you about the life cycle of stars that can leave behind a white dwarf, a neutron star (that can take the form of pulsar and/or magnetar), or a stellar black hole. We also explore the concept of dark matter and various kinds of hypothetical or less familiar planets, including coreless planets, iron pl
Japanese Mythology, Legends and Folk Tales
This bedtime story about Japanese mythology begins with the world creation myth by Amaterasu. Then we will explore Japan’s spiritual tradition: Shinto, and its countless Kami. We will also follow the path of Emperor Jimmu’s legendary journey, and discover beloved folktales like Momotaro and The Sparrow with the Slit Tongue, before closing with the powerful story of the 47 Ronin.
#sleep #bedtime
History of Gold | Fall Asleep to History
Tonight's episode is an overview of the history of gold and other precious metals: how much is there on Earth? Where is it? How was gold discovered and how did it acquire its powerful status as a symbol of wealth and power, that makes it a store of value? From the tombs of ancient pharaohs to the reserves of central banks, let's delve into this history, as we settle in for a good night's sleep.
The Mystery Night: 25 Historical Mystery Stories for Sleep
For this extra long episode, we put together various of our mystery stories. Secret places, out-of-place artifacts, mysterious events or ghost ships: here are 25 stories that will take you back in time and around the World. The stories are:
00:00:00 Easter Island and Mu
00:41:40 Yonaguni Monument
00:53:01 MV Joyita
01:11:20 Roman Dodecahedrons
01:28:50 Carved Stone Balls
01:39:11 Stone
Petra and Other Underground Cities | History and Sleep Documentary
Petra, the capital of the Nabataeans (Jordan), Göreme and Derinkuyu in Cappadocia (Turkey), the Wieliczka Salt Mine (Poland): in this sleep story, I take you to extraordinary troglodyte or subterranean structures, where men projected their ambitions, creativity, dreams, and talent for centuries. As usual, I explain the historical context in a soft spoken voice for your relaxation.
#sleep #bedti
Grand Solar System Tour From Mercury to Pluto (Space Cruise, Astronomy, and Science for Sleep)
In tonight's episode, we will travel from Mercury to Pluto and beyond, in our longest space travel to date. We will thoroughly explore each planet, their main satellites, and discover plenty of scientific laws, theories, or chemical phenomena. I will even tell you about more speculative topics, such as the possibility of life in the Solar System or the possibility of terraforming Mars one day.
History of Rooms in Homes - Documentary and Sleepy Story
In tonight's sleep-inducing episode, I invite you to an overview of rooms since humankind started to build homes. For much of our history, most people lived in single-room dwellings and multiple-room homes were a privilege for the happy few. This started to change after the 16th Century, and rooms multiplied for almost everyone, often influenced by aristocratic and bourgeois homes. From medieval l
Mysteries of Consciousness: why do we know we exist?
What is this subjective experience, this awareness of existence, that we call consciousness? In tonight's episode, we will examine some of the aspects of this philosophical, scientific, and spiritual question. Is consciousness a binary thing, or is it a kind of continuum with different "levels"? Do animals experience a degree of consciousness and how can it be inferred or measured? Is it reducible
The Twelve Labors of Heracles | Mythology for Sleep
In this relaxing sleep story, I invite you to relive the mythical Twelve Labors of Heracles, one of the most enduring legends of Ancient Greece. From Heracles’ birth under the curse of the goddess Hera to his path toward redemption, we embark on a colorful journey across Greece and the Mediterranean Sea, meeting countless characters along the way. Gods like Zeus, Athena, Poseidon, Artemis, and Had
History of Byzantium
In this sleep documentary, I take you to the mythical city of Constantinople to explore the history of the Byzantine Empire. As the Western Roman Empire collapsed under invasions, its Eastern counterpart lived on and perpetuated the dream of recreating the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages. I discuss the waves of invaders that Byzantine had to face, from the Huns and the Arabs to the Turks, its
Journey to the Infinitely Small | Sleepy Science Story
In this science sleep story, we explore the microcosmos and discover what our bodies and the physical world around us are made of. First, I tell you about tissues and living cells, DNA, molecules, and cellular biochemistry. Then we go smaller and talk about atoms and how they bond into molecules or other forms of grouping such as metallic bonding, and how electrons and electromagnetism are at play
Myths and Legends of Old Europe: Celtic, Germanic and Norse Tales
For tonight's episode, we invite you to delve into European myths from Antiquity and the Middle Ages, as well as the history of the peoples that carried them. We will begin with Celtic stories, taken in particular from Irish mythology. We will then relive the story of the Ring of the Nibelung, as told in the Germanic myths that inspired Wagner to create his famous operas from the Ring cycle. Final
History of Monasteries and Monasticism | History for Sleep
Tonight's episode takes us on a historical tour of monasticism, especially Catholic monasteries. I get that the topic of monasticism may sound at the same time random and particularly arid. But bear with me: I promise that if you are not familiar with it, you will discover a world of ideas, social experiments, spirituality, or controversies, that you did not realize you needed to know about. Give
Faust and History of Pacts with the Devil
The "pact with the devil" is a cultural motif that keeps coming back in stories. The legend of Faust is a good example, but not the oldest: it took inspiration from other stories, such as the legend of Theophilus. In this episode, I tell you some of these stories. We will also discover the real, historical figures that inspired them (Theophilus, Johann Faust, Pope Sylvester II, Saemundr Sigfússon.
History of the Spice Road
In this episode, I invite you to travel along the Spice Road and discover how these mysterious spices, which were high-luxury goods for centuries, were brought to India, the Middle East, and Europe. From the expansion of Austronesians to the Age of Discovery and Portuguese navigators, we explore what spices are, where they came from, and why they were in such high demand.
#sleep #bedtimestory #
Galactic Black Holes, Deep-Sea Gigantism, Venusian Climate: Scientific Mysteries for Sleep
In tonight's episode, we take a look at three topics that keep sparking debates in their respective scientific communities:
• The existence of supermassive black holes at the center of galaxies, which are several million times more massive than "regular" black holes born from supernovas. Did these gigantic black holes appear as such, did they become so big by absorbing other bodies for billions
History of Ancient Rome: The Empire, Part 2 of 2
This is a softly spoken story about the History of the Roman Empire. In part one, I told you about the origins of Rome, its slow emergence and wars until the 1st Century BC - including the founding of the Republic and the rivalry between the Senate and the plebs, the conquest of Italy, the wars against Carthage, the overseas expansion, figures like Scipio, Marius, Sulla, Pompey, and Caesar, and al
Mysteries of Ancient Egypt | History Sleep Story
Tonight's sleepy episode takes us back to Ancient Egypt, with a compilation of stories that shed light on various aspects of this wonderful civilization. Stories include the biography of Queen Hatshepsut, the story of the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun, the story of Akhenaten (the "heretic pharaoh") and his new capital, Amarna, an overview of the different periods of Egyptian history, and fi
Hindu Mythology Stories
In this sleepy mythology episode, I tell you some myths and legends from the Hindu tradition, including the Ramayana and Mahabharata (two legendary epics), and other stories about the creation of the world, Ganesha or goddess Durga. I also tell you about Hinduism and its various denominations, and some of the most well-known gods and heroes, like Rama, Krishna, Hanuman, Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma or Sh
Spy Stories: Josephine Baker and Sidney Reilly
In this sleepy episode about history and espionage, we explore the lives and times of two famous spies: the extraordinary Josephine Baker, entertainer, war hero, and activist; and Sidney Reilly, the "Ace of Spies," who was involved in multiple events and whose personality and adventurous lifestyle are credited with inspiring the character of James Bond.
#sleep #bedtimestory #asmr #sleepstory #s
History of Ancient Rome, Part 1 of 2 - The Republic
This sleepy story about the History of Ancient Rome is the first of two parts, because there were too many things to say for one single episode. The next part about the end of the Republic and the Empire will be out soon. In this episode, I tell you about the origins of Rome, its slow emergence and wars until the 1st Century BC - including the founding of the Republic and the rivalry between the S
How to Send a Generation Ship | Sleepy Space & Science Story
In this soft-spoken bedtime story, I tell you about the concept of "generation ships": large spacecrafts that would transport dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of people to faraway destinations in the galaxy, over several generations. Even though we are nowhere near seeing one, the technical, biological, and social aspects of such a project are fascinating. So, I review them to explain the main
Mysteries of New York City | Historical Mystery Stories
In these new mystery stories set in New York City, we will travel through time at different periods of the history of the city, from its foundation as New Amsterdam to our days. Stories include:- Captain Kidd's Treasure, which could be hidden somewhere on Manhattan, Long Island or Gardiner's Island;- The wreck of the HMS Hussar in the East River with a big treasure on board during the American Rev
Ancient World Mysteries: Lost Roman Legion, Oracle of Delphi, Crystal Skulls
Tonight, we revisit three Mystery Stories episode from Lights Out Library: - The Lost Roman Legion - Out of Place Artifacts, including the Crystal Skulls, Antikythera Mechanism and Shroud of Turin stories, among others - Oracle of Delphi, Changelings and Grand Duchess Anastasia. I hope you enjoy this collection of sleepy mystery stories as you fall asleep tonight.
Welcome to Lights Out Library
Spy Stories: Mata Hari and Richard Sorge
In this sleepy episode, we explore the lives and times of two famous spies: Mata Hari in the world of show-business and courtesans in Paris during the Belle Epoque and WW1; and Richard Sorge, a spy for the Soviet Union who provided Moscow with valuable information about Germany and Japan before and during WW2. I hope you enjoy the mystery and intrigue in the stories of these spies, as you drift of
Aztec and Maya Mythology | Sleepy Mythology & History Stories
For thousands of years, cultures rose and disappeared in Mesoamerica. In tonight's episode, we explore Maya and Aztec mythological tales, and I tell you about the sources we have about their legends, their cosmology, and cultural traits that existed across the entire Mesoamerica, like ball games, advanced astronomical knowledge, and the cult of a feathered serpent (Kukulkan for the Maya, Quetzalco
Mission to Pluto | Sleepy Space Journey
This new space journey will take you to the mysterious and gigantic expanse that exists beyond the planet Neptune. We will discover different bodies from the Kuiper Belt, including its most famous resident: Pluto, its satellites like Charon, and other dwarf planets such as Haumea, Makemake, and Eris. I will also tell you about tilted orbits and why they happen, tholins, regolith, the mysterious "P
Mysteries of the Pacific | Mysteries from History
This new batch of historical mystery bedtime stories takes us to Easter Island and its enigmatic alignments of statues (the moais). We will also discover how the legend of a lost continent called Mu appeared in the 19th Century, explore the Yonaguni Monument, and I will tell the story of a ghost ship, the MV Joyita.
Welcome to Lights Out Library
Join me for a sleepy adventure tonight. Sit back
History of Salt | History Story for Sleep
Tonight's episode takes us on a historical tour of salt. How much is there on Earth? Why did it start to be an important commodity for humans in the Neolithic? How was it extracted and transported in ancient times? We will explore all this, and more: how the taxation of salt helped early states to function, how salt was extracted and transported in medieval times, the history of various food prese
Ancient History: Silk Road, Carthage and the Phoenicians, Viking Age
Tonight, we revisit three "Ancient History" episodes from Lights Out Library, compiled into a single episode to lull you to sleep for longer: History of the Silk Road - History of Carthage and the Phoenicians - History of the Vikings. Please enjoy this extended ancient history bedtime story, and sleep well.
Welcome to Lights Out Library
Join me for a sleepy adventure tonight. Sit back, relax,
History of Textiles | History Bedtime Sleep Story
In this sleepy bedtime story, we explore the history of textiles and fabrics. We will see where fibers come from and how they were adopted by mankind, with special sections about the history of cotton, silk and wool. We will also delve into the world of fabrics, their manufacturing and trade, how they influenced international relations and contributed to economic history.
Welcome to Lights Out
The Ring of the Nibelung | Germanic Mythology Bedtime Story
In this soft spoken sleepy bedtime story, I invite you around a campfire in the Black Forest and tell you the story of the Ring of the Nibelung. We will follow a cycle of 4 operas by Richard Wagner (the Rhinegold, the Valkyrie, Siegfried and Twilight of the Gods) as a starting point to explore Germanic and Norse mythology, the origins and importance of Germanic Peoples, the creation of national na
Mysterious Historical Artifacts: Carved Stone Balls, Dodecahedrons, Lewis Chessmen
In this bedtime story, I tell you about four different sets of objects that come with their own historical mysteries:• The Roman Dodecahedrons, which are bronze objects from the late Roman Empire that do not seem to have any identifiable use.• The Neolithic and Bronze Age Carved Stone Balls from Scotland.• The Stone Spheres of Costa Rica.• The Lewis Chessmen, a set of chess pieces found on the Isl
Journey to the Center of the Universe | Space Sleep Story
This episode explores theories in Physical Cosmology and how Humankind has represented the universe since before the emergence of modern science, as well as alternative theories that were later abandoned:
· The Ancient Greek and Medieval Theory of Spheres.
· Heliocentric models of the 16th and 17th centuries, such as the one proposed by Copernicus.
· The Steady-State Universe
History of Hatshepsut, the Female Pharaoh | History for Sleep
Hatshepsut is one of the most famous pharaohs of Ancient Egypt, and not only because she was a woman. Her reign of more than twenty years was prosperous and saw an intense building activity that can still be admired, especially in Thebes (present-day Luxor). In tonight's story, I tell you about the New Kingdom of Ancient Egypt and the Eighteenth Dynasty. We will see how a princess and regent like
Fantastic Creatures: Werewolves and Dragons
This bedtime story is for lovers of history and gothic atmosphere. In tonight’s talk, we explore the origins and multiple faces of two myths: Werewolves and Dragons. From Ancient Greece to China, Scandinavia to Egypt, we travel the world to discover the roots of their modern, fantasy, and fiction iterations.
Welcome to Lights Out Library
Join me for a sleepy adventure tonight. Sit back, relax,
Ancient Egyptian Mysteries: Tomb of King Tut and Amarna
We are returning to Ancient Egypt tonight, with an episode filled with mysteries. The discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922, by the archaeologist Howard Carter, captivated audiences around the world and represented a major find for egyptology. I will tell you about the tomb and some of the many artifacts discovered still intact when the chamber was opened in 1923, and also discuss the rumor
Galactic Space Cruise to Andromeda | Sleepy Space Story
In this new episode, I invite you to a journey from Earth to the Andromeda Galaxy; we will also explore Alpha Centauri, the Milky Way, the Canis Major Galaxy, and the intergalactic void. Along the way, I will tell you about gravitation, faster-than-light travel, wormholes, dark matter, the possibility of life in other parts of the universe and the Fermi Paradox. Venture through space as you drift
The Age of Ocean Liners | History for Sleep
The age of Atlantic ocean liners is mostly over, and these giants of the seas have evolved into cruise ships. In this ASMR bedtime story, I invite you to relive the epic of transatlantic passenger lines in the 19th and 20th centuries. I tell you the stories of famous liners: the RMS Titanic and her sister ships Olympic and Britannic, the RMS Lusitania and Mauretania, the SS Savannah, the SS Great
Celtic Mythology | Documentary Story for Sleep
Our sleepy episode tonight contains stories from Celtic Mythology, taken from the rich body of Irish myths. I tell you about the expansion, decline, and revival of ancient Celtic culture, which left its most important marks in the Northwest of Europe, especially in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, and Brittany.
We will relive colorful stories from the Ulster Cycle: Deirdre and
Crystal Skulls and Other Out-of-Place Artifacts
In this episode, I explore with you the mysteries of various "out-of-place artifacts," which is to say, (allegedly) old objects that would challenge conventional chronology and/or the mainstream view of the technical advancement of ancient cultures.
Forgeries, hoaxes, and pranks abound. I tell you about some of them like the Michigan Relics or the Crystal Skulls; they were fake but still are good
Nuclear Fusion | Science Sleep Story
Tonight we explore nuclear fusion as a reaction (the fusion of atom nuclei) and as a possible source of power. I tell you about the differences with fission, the fundamental forces that hold atoms together, why fusion of light nuclei liberates energy, what plasma is, how man-made fusion devices like tokamaks work, and many other things. I hope you enjoy this sleepy science story and fall into a pe
History of the Great Wall of China | Bedtime History Story
In this sleepy bedtime history episode, I tell you about the History of the Great Wall, the "Ten-Thousand Mile Wall" (万里长城). Through it, we will explore the history of Ancient China from the birth of civilization around the Yellow River and the Yangtze River, to the Ming Dynasty, the last one to maintain and expand the Wall.
Welcome to Lights Out Library
Join me for a sleepy adventure tonight. Si
Greek Myths: Orpheus and Eurydice, Jason and the Argonauts
In this new episode for bedtime, I tell you two great myths from Ancient Greece:
• The Story of Orpheus, the legendary poet and musician, and how he tried to rescue his wife Eurydice from the realm of Hades and Persephone.
• The Story of Jason and the Argonauts, who embarked on the Argo on an epic quest to retrieve the Golden Fleece.
In these stories we will meet numerous gods and other beings, li
History of Carthage and the Phoenicians | History for Sleep
In this episode, I tell you about the history of the Phoenicians and their cities (Byblos, Tyre, Sidon...), including the most famous of all: Carthage. I discuss various topics, like the Late Bronze Age Collapse, Phoenician culture, religion, and society, what Canaan and the Levant are, how ancient maritime trade worked, the rise of Carthage and how the confrontation with Rome in the Punic Wars tu
Mystery of the Lost Legion | Historical Mystery for Sleep
The Ninth Legion (Legio IX Hispana, also sometimes called the "Lost Legion") had a long history. It served under the command of Julius Caesar during the First Century BC, on the side of Octavian in the civil war against Mark Antony and Cleopatra, and was sent to Spain, Germania, Pannonia, and Britain. In Roman Britain, it fought against rebellions, including the rebellion of Queen Boudica in which
Space Cruise to Exoplanets | Sleepy Space Journey
This soft-spoken bedtime story is a journey to the discovery of exoplanets. We will visit some of them, like Proxima Centauri B, OTS 44 and Kepler 438b. I will also tell you about the different types of planets and stars, including stars that no longer shine like old white dwarfs or neutron stars; methods to discover planets that are invisible from Earth, like Transit Photometry or Doppler Spectro
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