I Can’t Sleep
Episodes
Multiverse
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re looking for sleep, try contemplating the multiverse—an infinite number of universes where you still can’t find your keys. Theoretical ...
Frogs
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cold-blooded and weirdly talented, frogs have been hopping quietly through evolution with their sticky tongues and surprise screams. This episode cove...
Hot Dogs
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Relax into the surprisingly uneventful tale of hot dogs, from old-world sausages to ballpark staples. A sleep-friendly stroll through culinary trivia ...
Cummins Diesel Engines
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Heavy-duty diesel engines, fuel systems, and emissions control—everything you never knew could put you to sleep faster than melatonin. Ideal for fan...
Uncle Iroh & Zuko
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sleep through the slow burn of redemption arcs, father issues, and jasmine-scented wisdom—perfect for bedtime, insomnia relief, or firebending coold...
Dental Hygienist
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dental hygienist duties like tartar scraping and floss lectures might not scream “bedtime story,” but somehow, here we are. A slow drift into dent...
Pure Mathematics
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pure mathematics: the tranquil wilderness of logic where numbers frolic without purpose. No real-world applications here—just soothing abstractions ...
Sand Dollars
25 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sand dollars: those flat, slow sea creatures you vaguely remember from beach trips are here to bore you to sleep with echinoderm trivia. Perfect for b...
Mochi
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mochi: glutinous rice gently transformed into a sticky, chewy tradition that’s lasted over a thousand years—perfect for bedtime stories, sleepy fa...
Earth Day
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Drift off with a soothing dive into Earth Day—its origins, oddly specific dates, and how it became the planet’s favorite low-effort holiday. Ideal...
Good Friday
18 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Good Friday observances, fasting rules, and calendar math—perfectly solemn content to lull you into gentle, reverent sleep. Ideal for insomnia, not ...
Easter Egg
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Easter eggs—those brightly dyed symbols of spring, fertility, and mild holiday stress—are the perfect excuse to drift off. Great for insomnia, les...
Ethos & Rhetoric
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ethos, that ancient credibility flex, kicks off our soothing stroll through rhetorical persuasion. Perfect for fans of bedtime logic and sleepy speech...
Sheep
11 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sheep are wooly, sleepy icons of bedtime boredom. Learn about their grazing habits and social structure while not staying awake for any of it. Perfect...
Encyclopedia
09 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Encyclopedias: the OG bedtime story for insomniacs. From ancient scrolls to digital yawns, it’s all here—alphabetized for your sleepy convenience....
Truck Driver
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Trucking history, licensing rules, and the thrilling world of freight logistics—perfect if you need help staying awake… or not. Ideal for bedtime ...
Beatniks
04 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Beatniks: soft-spoken poets with a flair for jazz, turtlenecks, and late-night musings—perfect for sleep, relaxation, and winding down. Want More? ...
Goals
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From ancient ambition to SMART goals, this episode walks you through the motivational maze—slowly enough to put you right to sleep. Great for bedtim...
McLaren
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
McLaren: fast cars, slow storytelling. Drift off to F1 facts and luxury car lore in this sleepy bedtime story. Tonight’s episode glides into the wo...
Breath of the Wild & Tears of the Kingdom
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Link explores Hyrule, but you? You’re about to explore deep sleep. From Breath of the Wild to Tears of the Kingdom, let’s wander through vast land...
Laughter
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Laughter: the best medicine, or just your brain short-circuiting in a socially acceptable way? We explore its origins, why it’s contagious, and whet...
Frodo
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Frodo Baggins: brave hobbit, reluctant hero, and possibly the most exhausted character in literary history. Follow his epic (and very tiring) journey ...
Wool
21 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Soft, warm, and historically itchy—wool has kept humans cozy for centuries. From ancient sheep shearing to modern merino, we unravel the history, us...
Vivienne Westwood
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Vivienne Westwood reshaped fashion with a mix of tradition and rebellion—though in a way that won’t disturb your sleep. Settle in as we drift thro...
Grammar
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Grammar: a relaxing dive into punctuation, syntax, and why you suddenly care about commas at bedtime. A sleep-friendly look at the rules of language—...
The Origins of I Can’t Sleep
16 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered how a soothing voice, an old app, and a Parks and Rec joke turned into a full-time sleep podcast? Neither did I—but here we are. From ...
The Land of Stories
14 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Classic fairy tales meet modern adventure in The Land of Stories. A bedtime story… if bedtime stories had portals, magic, and an epic quest. Perfec...
Postage Stamps
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Stamps: the unsung heroes of snail mail and philatelists’ obsessions. From penny posts to rare collectibles, we explore how these tiny pieces of pap...
Buttons
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Buttons: tiny, mighty, and often lost in the laundry. From their ancient origins to modern fashion, we explore these small but essential fasteners—p...
Samurai
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Samurai: disciplined warriors or just really well-dressed swordsmen? Explore their history, Bushido code, and legendary duels—all in a soothing, sle...
Columbia River
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Columbia River has shaped empires, powered cities, and taken its sweet time doing it. Settle in for a slow ride. This episode is sponsored by Ali...
History of Gardens
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From ancient temple courtyards to today’s backyard barbecues, gardens have evolved as places of beauty, power, and sometimes just a place to put a h...
Napping
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Naps: the cure for sleep deprivation or just an excuse to check out mid-day? We dive into the history of napping, why short naps boost brain functio...
Headphones
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Noise-canceling sleep headphones are great—until you can’t find them. In this episode, we explore the evolution of headphones, how they block nois...
Gandalf
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Gandalf: wise old wizard or the most dramatic travel guide ever? We explore his origins, his role in The Lord of the Rings, and why he’s basically M...
Saunas
21 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Saunas: hot, sweaty, and weirdly good for you? This episode covers the history of saunas, their sleep benefits, and why some people think sweating in ...
Pokémon GO
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pokémon GO got people walking outside—remember that? We take a look at how this mobile game changed augmented reality, encouraged movement (which a...
Vegemite and Umami
17 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever tried Vegemite and thought, ‘This tastes like a mistake’? We explore the history of umami, why Australians swear by this salty spread, and wh...
Cecilia Payne
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cecilia Payne figured out what stars are made of—and got ignored for years. This episode covers her discovery, her fight for recognition, and why sp...
Lasagna
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Eating a massive pile of carbs before bed? Respect. We explore the history of lasagna, its Italian origins, and whether late-night pasta actually ruin...
Sweaters
09 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sweater or sweatshirt—what’s the difference, and why does it matter? We break down the history of cozy fashion, why warm clothes help regulate sle...
Volleyball
06 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A sport invented for people who hated running? Sounds ideal. We look at volleyball’s history, its Olympic journey, and whether spiking a ball is an ...
Survivor
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Stranded on an island, forced to strategize, and somehow still finding time for dramatic whispering. Survivor is the reality show that turns alliances...
Linguistics
02 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Linguistics: the science of how we talk, why grammar rules exist, and why no one follows them. Explore phonetics, syntax, and the mysteries of human s...
Phylogenetics
30 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder how everything is related? Phylogenetics maps the tangled web of life, proving even bacteria have complicated family drama. A sleep-friend...
Uno, Skip-Bo, and Last Card
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nothing says “friendly game night” like stacking Draw Fours and ruining friendships. We explore Uno, Skip-Bo, and Last Card—three deceptively si...
Monty Hall Problem
26 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A simple game show puzzle… or a statistical nightmare? The Monty Hall Problem has baffled contestants and mathematicians alike. Let’s break it dow...
Play-Doh, Silly Putty, and Slinky
23 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What do a failed wallpaper cleaner, a rubbery mistake, and a clumsy spring have in common? They accidentally became some of the most iconic toys ever....
Dungeons & Dragons
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Roll for relaxation. Whether you’re a dungeon master or a sleepy adventurer, this episode explores the origins, rules, and wild history of Dungeons ...
Naultinus & Gecko
19 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Naultinus geckos: the tiny, tree-dwelling New Zealand lizards that make even insomniacs look well-rested. These slow-moving, nocturnal reptiles are pe...
Large Language Models
16 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Large Language Models: powerful AI or just really fancy parrots? We explore their ability to generate human-like text, their use in chatbots, and why ...
Axolotls
14 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can’t Sleep Podcast, drift off while learning about axolotls, Lake Xochimilco, and Lake Texcoco. Why three topics this tim...
UFOs
12 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Unidentified flying objects: aliens, government experiments, or just weather balloons that won’t stay put? We explore the history, theories, and she...
National Football League
09 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The NFL: a billion-dollar empire where grown men chase a ball for glory and commercials last longer than actual gameplay. Tonight, we explore its hist...
Marlboro College
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A tiny liberal arts college in Vermont that prided itself on self-directed learning… until it learned itself out of existence. Marlboro College was...
Neural Networks & Neuroscience
05 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can’t Sleep Podcast, drift off while learning about neural networks and neuroscience. Just saying these words makes me feel...
Stalactites
02 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hanging from cave ceilings like nature’s chandeliers, stalactites form at a glacial pace—perfect for lulling you to sleep. Learn how these mineral...
Erie Canal
31 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Erie Canal: the 19th-century shortcut that turned New York into an economic powerhouse—one slow-moving barge at a time. Learn how this historic ...
Currency Reform of 1948
29 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can't Sleep Podcast, drift off to sleep while learning about the currency reform of 1948. Where to even begin with this one? ...
Piano Tuning
26 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Drift off as we explore the fascinating world of piano tuning, where precision meets patience. Did you know that tuning a piano involves adjusting ove...
Christmas Eve
24 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join me as I delve into the rich tapestry of Christmas Eve traditions, from the anticipation of midnight masses to the warmth of family gatherings. Di...
Common Loon
22 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The common loon: haunting calls, impeccable diving skills, and a love for solitude—nature’s ultimate insomniac. Drift off as we explore the life o...
The Grinch
19 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Grinch: a grumpy, cave-dwelling recluse with a heart problem and serious insomnia. We explore his origins, his disdain for Whoville, and whether a...
Mangroves
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mangroves: the sleepy sentinels of the shore, standing knee-deep in water and not in a hurry to go anywhere. These salt-tolerant trees protect coastli...
Emotion
15 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Emotions: your brain’s built-in mood swings. From happiness to stress, these chemical reactions shape everything—especially your ability to relax....
Christmas Knickknacks
12 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Candy canes, tinsel, snow globes, and Rudolph—quietly twinkling in the background of holiday nights. Unwind with the soothing history of these Chris...
Road Surface Marking
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered about those lines on the road? Probably not. But tonight, we’ll lull you to sleep with a deep dive into road surface markings—the un...
Hummingbirds
08 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hummingbirds: nature’s tiniest insomniacs, powered by nectar and pure determination. Learn how these high-speed hoverers burn calories like a turboc...
Accounting
05 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Accounting: thrilling? Not exactly. Essential? Absolutely. From ancient ledgers to modern audits, we unravel the world of balance sheets, double-entry...
Geysers
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Geysers: nature’s way of setting a boiling-hot alarm clock. We’ll explore how they work, where to find them, and why Old Faithful is more punctual...
Big Ben
01 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can't Sleep Podcast, drift off to sleep while learning about Big Ben. I’ve always been a little fascinated by this clock to...
Economics
28 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can't Sleep Podcast, drift off to sleep while learning about economics. Did you know the word economics comes from the Greek ...
Snowflake
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can't Sleep Podcast, fall asleep while learning about snowflakes. This article turned out to be way more interesting for me ...
Sidecar Speedway
24 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can't Sleep Podcast, fall asleep while learning about sidecar speedways. What in the world is a sidecar speedway? I'm glad yo...
Wicked (Musical)
21 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can't Sleep Podcast, fall asleep while learning about the musical Wicked. I listened to this album daily while working on the...
Rick & Morty
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can't Sleep Podcast, fall asleep while learning about the TV series Rick & Morty. I've always found it fascinating to learn a...
Fog
17 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can't Sleep Podcast, fall asleep while learning about fog. I grew up near a river and remember foggy days throughout the year...
Caves
14 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can’t Sleep Podcast, drift off while learning about caves. One of the fascinating aspects of this topic is that some people...
Rosetta Stone
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can’t Sleep Podcast, fall asleep while learning about the Rosetta Stone. This episode explores the rich history of where th...
Andromeda Galaxy
10 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can't Sleep Podcast, fall asleep while learning about the Andromeda galaxy. It would be so cool to visit another galaxy and p...
Percy Jackson
07 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can’t Sleep Podcast, fall asleep learning about Percy Jackson. Percy, the son of Poseidon, embarks on thrilling adventures ...
Stream
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can’t Sleep Podcast, drift off while learning about streams. I initially thought this topic would be straightforward, but I...
Interstellar Medium
03 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can’t Sleep Podcast, drift off to sleep while learning about the interstellar medium. Discover the fascinating, yet complex...
Crystal
31 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can’t Sleep Podcast, drift off while learning about the fascinating world of crystals. Before reading this article, I hadn’...
Chicken
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can't Sleep Podcast, fall asleep while learning about chickens. We had chickens growing up and would feed them and collect eg...
Glacier
27 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can't Sleep Podcast, fall asleep while learning about glaciers. These slow-moving mammoth ice structures are pretty sleep-ind...
Baking
24 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can’t Sleep Podcast, fall asleep while learning about baking. The smell of homemade bread is probably my favorite in the en...
Tide
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can't Sleep Podcast, fall asleep while learning about tides. We've learned so much about how tides work over the centuries, y...
RAM 1500 (DT)
20 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can't Sleep Podcast, fall asleep while learning about the RAM 1500 (DT). I don't know what the DT stands for, but now I want ...
Sand Dunes
17 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Immerse yourself in the peaceful world of dunes, where the wind dances across vast stretches of sand, creating ever-changing landscapes. In this episo...
Ducks
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can't Sleep Podcast, fall asleep while learning about ducks. We cover everything you need to know about ducks—from their d...
History of Sugar
13 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can't Sleep Podcast, fall asleep while learning about the history of sugar. While I learned several things about the origins ...
Aurora
10 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can't Sleep Podcast, fall asleep while learning about auroras. I've avoided this topic for a long time because of how diffic...
Coral Reef
08 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can't Sleep Podcast, fall asleep while learning about coral reefs. Did you know that coral reefs are part of the same class a...
Balloon
06 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can't Sleep Podcast, fall asleep while learning about balloons. Learn how these colorful floating wonders evolved from simpl...
K-Pop
03 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can’t Sleep Podcast, learn about the global phenomenon known as K-pop. Originating in South Korea, K-pop is a genre of popu...
Adventure Time
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can’t Sleep Podcast, explore the whimsical world of Adventure Time. This beloved animated series, created by Pendleton Ward...
Fox
29 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can't Sleep Podcast, drift off while learning about foxes. All I can recall from this article is that there are many types of...
Deep Sea
26 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can't Sleep Podcast, fall asleep while learning about the deep sea. I love that we are learning more and more about the dept...
Skateboarding
24 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the I Can't Sleep Podcast, fall asleep while learning about skateboarding. Skateboarding, a popular recreational activity and spor...