I Can’t Sleep
Episodes
CERN
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight, we ease into the story of CERN—the European lab where scientists study the building blocks of the universe. With Benjamin Boster as your gu...
Galaxies (Remastered)
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode invites you to explore galaxies—those vast collections of stars, dust, and mystery spread across the cosmos. With Benjamin Boster as yo...
Chicago "L"
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we take a calm ride through the history of the Chicago “L”—the city’s elevated train system that has shaped daily life for ov...
Norse Mythology
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight, we explore Norse mythology—a world of gods, giants, and mythic stories shaped by the early peoples of Scandinavia. Let Benjamin Boster guid...
Dr Pepper
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode gently explores the origins and evolution of Dr Pepper, one of America’s earliest soft drinks. With Benjamin Boster guiding the way, yo...
Geoglyphs
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight, we explore geoglyphs—large-scale ground drawings made by ancient cultures, often visible only from above. With Benjamin Boster as your guid...
Surfing
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we explore surfing—its roots in ancient Polynesia, its rise as a global sport, and the calm connection it offers to the ocean. Let ...
Homeostasis
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight’s episode explores homeostasis—the body’s quiet, constant effort to maintain internal balance. With Benjamin Boster as your guide, drift...
Quality Management Systems
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we take a calm approach to understanding quality management systems—frameworks that help organizations maintain standards and impro...
Edinburgh, Scotland
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight, we take a gentle walk through Edinburgh, Scotland—a city of stone buildings, winding closes, and centuries of stories. With Benjamin Boster...
Steampunk
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we explore the world of steampunk—a genre that blends Victorian aesthetics with imagined technologies. With Benjamin Boster as your...
Innovation
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight’s episode reflects on innovation—the gradual process through which new ideas, tools, and methods come to life. Join Benjamin Boster as he ...
Neutron Stars
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we explore neutron stars—dense remnants of massive stars that once burned bright. With Benjamin Boster guiding the way, drift throu...
New Zealand Fairy Tern
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we softly explore the New Zealand fairy tern—one of the world’s rarest and most delicate seabirds. Join Benjamin Boster as he s...
Swamps & Wetlands
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight, we explore swamps—rich, slow-moving wetlands full of unique life and quiet complexity. With Benjamin Boster as your guide, drift through th...
Chess
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we explore the long history of chess—a game of patience, pattern, and quiet strategy. With Benjamin Boster guiding the way, you’l...
Glass History for Peaceful Sleep Learning
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight, we quietly explore the mesmerizing world of glass—from ancient volcanic obsidian to the delicate artistry of modern glassblowing. We'll dri...
Terrarium
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Perfect for winding down, this bedtime read takes you on a slow, dirt-level journey through the surprisingly meticulous world of terrariums. If miniat...
Choux Pastry
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Flaky, hollow, and suspiciously light, choux pastry is the kind of delicate French dough that somehow became the backbone of everything from éclairs ...
Mariana Trench
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Deep sea relaxation meets crushing geological indifference as we drift down to the Mariana Trench, Earth’s most famous abyss and arguably its least ...
Sport Stacking
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rhythmic clattering and plastic cups might not scream “bedtime,” but the soothing repetition of sport stacking’s oddly competitive world just mi...
Hedgehog
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If your insomnia demands something with spikes but no real drama, hedgehogs may do the trick. These solitary, nocturnal insectivores bumble through ga...
Hydrogen
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Drift off with a calming exploration of hydrogen, the element that somehow manages to be both the most abundant in the universe and the least interest...
Chengdu
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
City sounds too exciting? Don’t worry—Chengdu’s sprawling history, panda diplomacy, and ancient irrigation systems are somehow still perfect for...
Mercury
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mercury spins slowly, scorches in sunlight, and freezes in shadow—perfect conditions for a relaxing bedtime story about planetary extremes. Its lack...
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...