Lights Out Library Podcast - Sleep Documentaries

Counting sheep, but with the Periodic Table - detailed review of the elements, sleep story

1.9K views · 5d ago · 4:07:17

In this science talk for bedtime, I review the entire periodic table of the elements methodically and explain in simple terms plenty of phenomena and concepts about chemistry and physics. We have 118 elements to go through, so make yourself comfortable, grab a drink or close your eyes if you wish to, and let's get started!

Topics: Elements 1 to 12 · Elements 13 to 29 · Elements 30 to 118 · Journey to the Infinitely Small

Greek Mythology and History: The Trojan War and the Iliad (soft spoken sleep story)

3.3K views · 1w ago · 1:07:37

In this soft-spoken story, I tell you about Greek mythology around the Trojan War. We explore its storylines and numerous characters, from gods like Zeus, Athena, Apollo, Aphrodite, and Hera to heroes and other mortals: Menelaus, Agamemnon, Odysseus, Achilles, Ajax, Patroclus, Hector, Priam, Paris, Aeneas, Helen of Troy, and many more. Discover how the feud between the gods over Eris’ golden apple spilled over into the world of men, and everything that ensued.

Topics: Zeus' Plan · The Judgment of Paris · Helen and the Road to War · Homer and the Historical Troy · Achilles and the Expedition to Troy · The Iliad, Patroclus and Hector

The World of Bees - Sleep Story

3K views · 2w ago · 55:43

Tonight I take you to the wonderful world of bees. I tell you about the most famous social species, the western honey bee, but there are thousands more and not all of them are social. We will also discover solitary species like carpenter bees, mason bees or leafcutter bees. Other species are parasitic brood, like the cuckoo bumblebee.

Topics: Welcome and Introduction · Classification, Solitary and Social Bees · Carpenter, Leafcutter and Mason Bees · Life Cycle · Cuckoo Bumblebee, Sociality · Life in the Honey Bees' Hive

What is the Multiverse? Science, Philosophy and Science Fiction Story for Sleep

3.7K views · 3w ago · 1:01:44

This episode will give you an overview of the concept of multiverse: where does it come from? What are the various meanings and ideas behind that term? I detail different versions of this idea, coming from cosmology such as the "Eternal Inflation Multiverse" and the "Cosmic Landscape Hypothesis" derived from String Theory, quantum mechanics (the "Many-Worlds Interpretation"), and the "Computational Multiverse" hypothesis.

Topics: Welcome and Introduction · Anaximander and Apeiron · Copernician Revolution and Giordano Bruno · Endless Universe and Multiverse · Eternal Inflation Multiverse and Constants · Cosmic Landscape Hypothesis

History of Cosmetics, From Antiquity Down to Our Days - Sleep Story

6.8K views · 1mo ago · 1:17:02

Tonight’s episode is a remastered version of one of the first stories ever released on the podcast. The original version covered cosmetics and perfumes; in this new version we expanded the history of cosmetics and left the history of perfumes for a future story.

Topics: Welcome · Cosmetics in Ancient Egypt · Beauty Standards in Ancient China and Japan · Cosmetics in Greece and Rome · From the Middle Ages to Elizabethan and French Courts · The Birth of the Modern Cosmetics Industry

History of Castles

9.3K views · 1mo ago · 59:41

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...

Topics: Welcome and Introduction · Early Fortifications and Hill Forts · Roman Fortifications and the Rise of Feudalism · The First Medieval Castles · Stone Keeps and the Classic Medieval Castle · Crusader Castles and Concentric Defenses

Historical Mystery Stories: Secrets of the Druids, Lost Cities, Forgotten Gods (Sleep Documentary)

25K views · 1mo ago · 3:03:34

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?

Topics: Secrets of the Celts · Lost Cities · Forgotten Gods

Mission to Mars: Space Travel and Terraformation (Sleepy Space Cruise Story)

4.3K views · 1mo ago · 1:26:30

This episode is a remastered 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 astronauts from some forms of space radiation.

Topics: Welcome and Introduction · Cruise to Mars · The Red Planet · Psychological and Biological Challenges · Environment on Mars · Terraforming Mars

History of Alexander the Great - Bedtime Sleep Story

9K views · 2mo ago · 1:19:12

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 of the Achaemenids.

Topics: Alexander the Great · Greece, Macedon, and Persia · Rise of Macedon · From Child to King · Anatolia to Egypt · What We Know of the Man

History of Furniture - Bedtime Sleepy Story (no AI)

3.5K views · 2mo ago · 1:07:54

In this soft-spoken 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).

Topics: Welcome and Introduction · Prehistory of Furniture · Ancient Egypt · Ancient Greece · Ancient Rome · Far East: China and Japan

History of Lost Cities: Machu Picchu, Meroë, Mohenjo-Daro (Sleep Story)

2.6K views · 2mo ago · 58:29

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.

Topics: Welcome and Introduction · Machu Picchu · Meroe and Nubia · Mohenjo-Daro and the Indus Valley

Review of the Periodic Table of Elements (30 to 118), Bedtime Sleepy Science

1.3K views · 2mo ago · 1:05:17

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.

Topics: Welcome and Introduction · (30) Zinc, Ore Refining, and Froth Flotation · (31) Gallium to (33) Arsenic, Metalloids · (34) Selenium to (37) Rubidium · (38) Strontium and Radioactivity · (39) Yttrium to (53) Iodine

The Bestiary: Dragon, Unicorn, Elf, Mermaid, Phoenix, Werewolf... Sleepy Mythology and History NO AI

9.9K views · 2mo ago · 3:16:23

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 long historical, anthropological and mythological journey around the world.

Topics: Bestiaries · Elf · Dwarf · Orc · Goblin · Troll

Greek Mythology: The Odyssey (Soft-Spoken Sleep Story, Improved Version)

3K views · 3mo ago · 1:14:12

Guest: Greek Mythology

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.

Topics: The End of Troy · The Odyssey · The Odyssey's non-linear Plot · Telemachus' Journey · Odysseus' Character · Aeolus

Neolithic Revolution: How Agriculture Was Invented (Sleep Story)

2.9K views · 3mo ago · 1:03:59

Guest: Neolithic Revolution

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 life expectancy.

Topics: Welcome and Introduction · Pleistocene to Holocene · Oasis Theory · Fertile Crescent · Prehistoric Demography · Specialization and Technical Progress