Do you ever find yourself counting sheep well past midnight, only to lose track somewhere around blink number 372? You’re not alone. For years, I struggled to find a reliable sleep routine. Documentary marathons often left me more informed about narwhal tusks than relaxed, while television shows frequently flew over my head. A few months back, whenever I watch The Witcher, I fall asleep a few minutes after I press play. I know many people love it. And with Henry Cavill’s undeniable charm, who wouldn’t? I don’t know why it’s making me fall asleep. Perhaps it was the show’s dark aesthetic, or maybe my brain simply wasn’t too receptive to epic fantasy that particular night.

Now enter the world of podcasts. These auditory companions, delivered straight through my trusty Air Pods, have become my secret weapon against sleepless nights. Don’t forget the essential oils, of course – a relaxing atmosphere is key!

I discovered these gems on Spotify and wanted to share them with you. If you’re searching for engaging content to lull you to sleep, then look no further:

3. Historical True Crime

Have you ever encountered the enigma of the Somerton Man? Before listening to Historical True Crime, I hadn’t either. Hosted by the captivating Lizzie, this podcast delves into the most infamous and chilling criminal cases throughout history. The Somerton Man is a case that continues to baffle investigators. An unidentified, well-dressed gentleman was discovered deceased on an Australian beach in 1948. The man possessed no identification, and the cause of death remains a mystery. Theories ranged from poisoning to espionage, and the case remained unsolved for over seven decades. Remarkably, in 2022, advancements in DNA analysis may have finally yielded a breakthrough. Lizzie’s podcast is a testament to the fact that truth can often be stranger than fiction.

2. Unexplained Mysteries

This captivating Spotify original, co-hosted by Molly and Richard, explores the unsolved mysteries that have perplexed humanity for centuries. The podcast investigates disappearances that vanish into thin air, bizarre phenomena that defy scientific explanation, and historical enigmas that leave us bewildered. One particularly intriguing episode explored the Mandela Effect. Have you ever distinctly remembered something transpiring in a specific way, only to discover it never happened? The Mandela Effect, also known as Shared False Memory is something I just learned about recently but, to my surprise when I was sharing it at the dinner table, my kids actually knew about it! I never even had the chance to brag that I learned something new that day, lol.

It was explained that sometimes, our brains fill in gaps in our memories with fabricated details. This can be especially common for events that happened a long time ago or that we didn’t pay close attention to in the first place.

The phenomenon is named after Nelson Mandela, the South African revolutionary leader, because many people mistakenly recall him dying in prison during the 1980s, when he actually passed away in 2013.

1. Scary Interesting

I confess, I have a fascination with the strange and unsettling. Scary Interesting began as a highly popular YouTube channel, and has since transformed into a podcast guaranteed to send shivers down your spine. My personal favorite episode? The Creepiest Cases of People Disappearing. This episode investigates the chilling disappearances of hikers in the vast mountain ranges of North America. Honestly, how I manage to fall asleep after listening to this is a mystery, but perhaps that’s the magic of Scary Interesting – the narrator’s voice is so soothing it lulls you into a creepy slumber.

So there you have it, my top 3 podcasts to conquer insomnia (and perhaps ignite your curiosity about the unusual). Give them a listen and let me know what you think! Who knows, they might become your own personal sleep soothers as well. Just a friendly word of caution: don’t blame me if you end up dreaming about unidentified decedents or the Mandela Effect bothering you!