Sleep and Sorcery | Folklore & Fantasy-Inspired Sleep Stories

By: Laurel Hostak Jones Bleav
  • Summary

  • Welcome to Sleep and Sorcery, a folklore and fantasy-inspired sleep series. Step across the threshold into a world of myth and magic, where you can safely drift off into a deep and comfortable sleep. Sleep and Sorcery is one part bedtime story, one part guided meditation, and one part dreamy adventure. Visit a cozy cottage in the mythical village of Slumbershire, the fairy tale forests of Bohemia, the court of King Arthur, and spaceships among the stars. Dream your wildest dreams with Sleep and Sorcery. Now you can support my work on Patreon for exclusive perks: patreon.com/sleepandsorcery
    2024
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Episodes
  • The Enchanted Amulet | Medieval Fantasy Sleep Story
    Mar 11 2025

    Channel your magic into a mysterious amulet in tonight’s medieval fantasy bedtime story.

    In tonight’s story, you are the village healer, a practitioner of natural magic and keeper of a renowned herb garden. Things are changing in the realm, and you are in need of a way to preserve your magical knowledge, so you have recently taken on an apprentice. Together, you work to develop a powerful gem, a container for all the wisdom of your ancestors and plant guides. But through your efforts, you come to realize that wisdom cannot be fixed or contained – it must spread, travel, and age.

    This story lives in the same world as the dragon rider, the tavern tales, and the heir apparent from other installments of Sleep & Sorcery – but it takes place several generations in that continuing story’s past. You don’t need to have heard the other installments to enjoy this story, but you may recognize some of the threads woven throughout.

    If you’re still awake as the story concludes, I’ll guide you through a relaxing meditation for sleep and self-care.

    This is the finale of season 4 of Sleep & Sorcery – thank you so much for dreaming with me over the past year. I’ll be taking a short break to work on season 5, but stay tuned for remixes, bonus recordings for supporters, and more during the off-time.

    THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING ME THROUGH 100 ORIGINAL STORIES!

    Music & Sound: A Glimpse of Avalon by Flouw, Pandora’s Box by Arthur Benson, Meditation Aquatic by 369, Via Epidemic Sound

    Sleep & Sorcery is a folklore and fantasy-inspired sleep series. My name is Laurel, and I’ll be your guide on tonight’s fantastical journey. Sleep & Sorcery is one part bedtime story, one part guided meditation, and one part dreamy adventure. Follow along with my voice for as long as it serves you, and when you’re ready, feel free to let go of the story and relax into sleep.

    -

    ✨Order the Sleep & Sorcery book!✨

    https://www.crossedcrowbooks.com/shop-crossed-crow-books/p/sleepandsorcery

    Sleep & Sorcery: A Collection of Enchanting Bedtime Stories, Rituals, and Spells for Meaningful Rest, unlimited paperback now available from Crossed Crow Books. Limited edition hardcover is available as well. The book features many of your favorite stories, plus exclusive writings and a suite of rituals to enrich your resting and waking life.

    -

    Stories like mine are best with headphones! For comfort and security when drifting off to sleep, SleepPhones are the best thing I've found. They won't fall out like earbuds, and they're not bulky or uncomfortable like most over-ear headphones.

    Learn more: https://www.sleepphones.com/?aff=846

    -

    Now you can support Sleep & Sorcery on Patreon. Pledge a monthly donation to Sleep & Sorcery, which helps me keep making original bedtime stories for you. In return, you can qualify for exclusive supporter benefits, like episode scripts, bonus sleepy readings of classic literature, merch discounts, and giveaways. I hope you’ll consider supporting me on Patreon, so I can continue doing what I love.

    Visit patreon.com/sleepandsorcery to learn more and pledge your support.

    -

    Instagram | Twitter | Insight Timer | YouTube | Newsletter Signup

    ✨Sleep & Sorcery MERCH✨

    Show your love of Sleep & Sorcery – or get some gifts for the sleepy sorcerer in your life with this cozy collection of apparel, dream journals, die-cut stickers, and home goods.

    Visit https://bit.ly/shopmyth.

    Want to get in touch? sleepandsorcery@gmail.com

    Disclaimer: some links in this description are affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you decide to purchase the product, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work!

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Arthur's Corner | How to See Unicorns
    Feb 25 2025

    Meet a herd of magical unicorns in tonight’s fantasy sleep story for young listeners.

    In tonight’s fantasy-inspired bedtime story, you join your teacher and classmates on an exploratory nature walk through the woods next to your school, looking for telltale signs of the coming of spring. As you explore, the woods reveal their own hidden enchantments, including an unmistakable sign of spring: a herd of magical unicorns.

    Music & Sound: Ursa Major by Deep Inside

    A Glimpse of Avalon by Flouw, Via Epidemic Sound

    Sleep & Sorcery presents Arthur’s Corner: Magical Bedtime Stories for Young People. Inspired by fantasy, fairytales, and folklore, and using guided visualization with meditation cues, this bedtime story is especially designed for children but can be enjoyed by listeners of all ages. You can find more bedtime stories – for any age – at Sleep & Sorcery… on YouTube, Insight Timer, and wherever you find podcasts.

    Sleep & Sorcery is a folklore and fantasy-inspired sleep series. My name is Laurel, and I’ll be your guide on tonight’s fantastical journey. Sleep & Sorcery is one part bedtime story, one part guided meditation, and one part dreamy adventure. Follow along with my voice for as long as it serves you, and when you’re ready, feel free to let go of the story and relax into sleep.

    -

    ✨Order the Sleep & Sorcery book!✨

    https://www.crossedcrowbooks.com/shop-crossed-crow-books/p/sleepandsorcery

    Sleep & Sorcery: A Collection of Enchanting Bedtime Stories, Rituals, and Spells for Meaningful Rest, unlimited paperback now available from Crossed Crow Books. Limited edition hardcover is available as well. The book features many of your favorite stories, plus exclusive writings and a suite of rituals to enrich your resting and waking life.

    -

    Stories like mine are best with headphones! For comfort and security when drifting off to sleep, SleepPhones are the best thing I've found. They won't fall out like earbuds, and they're not bulky or uncomfortable like most over-ear headphones.

    Learn more: https://www.sleepphones.com/?aff=846

    -

    Now you can support Sleep & Sorcery on Patreon. Pledge a monthly donation to Sleep & Sorcery, which helps me keep making original bedtime stories for you. In return, you can qualify for exclusive supporter benefits, like episode scripts, bonus sleepy readings of classic literature, merch discounts, and giveaways. I hope you’ll consider supporting me on Patreon, so I can continue doing what I love.

    Visit patreon.com/sleepandsorcery to learn more and pledge your support.

    -

    Instagram | Twitter | Insight Timer | YouTube | Newsletter Signup

    ✨Sleep & Sorcery MERCH✨

    Show your love of Sleep & Sorcery – or get some gifts for the sleepy sorcerer in your life with this cozy collection of apparel, dream journals, die-cut stickers, and home goods.

    Visit https://bit.ly/shopmyth.

    Want to get in touch? sleepandsorcery@gmail.com

    Disclaimer: some links in this description are affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you decide to purchase the product, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work!

    Show more Show less
    31 mins
  • The Dream Fisher | Surrealist Sleep Story
    Feb 4 2025

    Visit the realm of unconscious inspiration in tonight’s surrealist bedtime story, dedicated to the memory of David Lynch.

    In tonight’s story, you enter the mysterious domain of an ancient being known as the Dream Fisher – this is the place from which inspiration comes, and where ideas return when they go unrealized. Armed with a crude map, you seek the Fisher, in hopes they will return a dream you lost track of. But this proves a task more surreal and wondrous than you imagined, as the Dream Fisher takes you under his wing, conferring his wisdom to you.

    Music & Sound: A Glimpse of Avalon by Flouw, Gentle Winds by Ethan Sloan, Via Epidemic Sound

    Sleep & Sorcery is a folklore and fantasy-inspired sleep series. My name is Laurel, and I’ll be your guide on tonight’s fantastical journey. Sleep & Sorcery is one part bedtime story, one part guided meditation, and one part dreamy adventure. Follow along with my voice for as long as it serves you, and when you’re ready, feel free to let go of the story and relax into sleep. There is no separate meditation at the end of this story, but there are meditation cues at the beginning and throughout; these you can follow, if you like, or simply let the words wash over you on your way to sleep.

    ✨Order the Sleep & Sorcery book!✨

    https://www.crossedcrowbooks.com/shop-crossed-crow-books/p/sleepandsorcery

    Sleep & Sorcery: A Collection of Enchanting Bedtime Stories, Rituals, and Spells for Meaningful Rest, unlimited paperback now available from Crossed Crow Books. Limited edition hardcover is available as well. The book features many of your favorite stories, plus exclusive writings and a suite of rituals to enrich your resting and waking life.

    Stories like mine are best with headphones! For comfort and security when drifting off to sleep, SleepPhones are the best thing I've found. They won't fall out like earbuds, and they're not bulky or uncomfortable like most over-ear headphones.

    Learn more: https://www.sleepphones.com/?aff=846

    Now you can support Sleep & Sorcery on Patreon. Pledge a monthly donation to Sleep & Sorcery, which helps me keep making original bedtime stories for you. In return, you can qualify for exclusive supporter benefits, like episode scripts, bonus sleepy readings of classic literature, merch discounts, and giveaways. I hope you’ll consider supporting me on Patreon, so I can continue doing what I love.

    Visit patreon.com/sleepandsorcery to learn more and pledge your support.

    Instagram | Twitter | Insight Timer | YouTube | Newsletter Signup

    ✨Sleep & Sorcery MERCH✨

    Show your love of Sleep & Sorcery – or get some gifts for the sleepy sorcerer in your life with this cozy collection of apparel, dream journals, die-cut stickers, and home goods.

    Visit https://bit.ly/shopmyth.

    Want to get in touch? sleepandsorcery@gmail.com

    Disclaimer: some links in this description are affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you decide to purchase the product, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work!

    Show more Show less
    1 hr

What listeners say about Sleep and Sorcery | Folklore & Fantasy-Inspired Sleep Stories

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Oh My Gosh, these are so fun!

I ran across this podcast when I was looking for meditation/hypnosis for sleep. I'm a Certified Hypnotherapist and love the way she's written the story, script & combibe it with music. Great narration and imagative. Plus, I can tell she has knowledge of history and is well read. Smart lady. Well done!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Makes falling asleep so much better.

I'm so glad I found this podcast. Great stories for fantasy lovers like me! Very cozy! I listen to sleep stories on so many different platforms so I can get a variety so finding these have been a godsend.

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I can sleep again!?!

It’s great because they tell great stories and the voice actors are great. It helps me get to sleep after a hard day of work. Even with the built-up stress, I’m able to relax and breathe my way into a peaceful sleep.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

works great for me and my 7 year old

not my favorite story but I love your work. my daughter loves your stories so much.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A Life-Changing Podcast: Sleep & Sorcery

I am thrilled to share my extraordinary experience with Sleep & Sorcery, a podcast that has genuinely transformed my life and that of my wife. As avid listeners, we were blown away by the unique blend of psychology, meditation, relaxation techniques, and enchanting music, all woven together with captivating hour-long fantasy stories. These bedtime tales for adults are expertly crafted to transport listeners to magical realms, featuring dragons, fairies, elves, and even talking sea turtles inspired by Japanese folklore.

The female narrator's soothing voice is a masterclass in calmness, deliberately using words to promote relaxation, harmony, health, and sleep. Her gentle tone is the perfect accompaniment to the carefully curated music, which seamlessly complements each story. My wife and I have struggled with sleep due to our respective mental health conditions – adult ADHD with RSD and PTSD, and Bipolar II with PTSD and anxiety disorders. We've often relied on prescription medications to quiet our racing minds, but Sleep & Sorcery has been a game-changer.

Since discovering this podcast, we've experienced a staggering 10000% improvement in our sleep quality. For the first time in decades, I've enjoyed a week without nightmares, a feat I thought impossible. The impact on our mental well-being is immeasurable, and we're deeply grateful for the narrator's dedication to creating these therapeutic stories.

The folklore-based tales are particularly captivating, with the Japanese underwater dragon and sea turtles being my favorite so far. I'd love to hear more stories that incorporate fantastical elements, such as flying over the ocean on the back of flying fish, dipping under and bursting out from the waves, then rising again to soar above. These stories have a profound effect on my nightly fears about death and dying, replacing them with a sense of calm and wonder.

I've subscribed to the narrator's Patreon and eagerly await future episodes. The recent book release has piqued my interest, and I hope it will soon be available in Audible audiobook format. To the creators of Sleep & Sorcery, I offer my sincerest gratitude for crafting these incredible sleep stories with music and meditations. Your work is a gift, and I hope you continue to produce these enchanting episodes for years to come.

Rating: 5/5 stars

If you're struggling with sleep or seeking a calming, immersive experience, look no further than Sleep & Sorcery. This podcast is a treasure trove of relaxation, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a peaceful night's rest.

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Best sleep stories

I absolutely love this podcast! It's so easy to get into the stories and I usually fall asleep before the end. The soothing voice relaxes me and the stories help turn off my brain for the night.

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I slept

Slept like I needed it. Fell asleep like I was exhausted. Haven’t stayed awake to the end of a story. This works for me

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Like medicine for anxiety and intrusive thoughts

I have often struggle with panic attacks and an overactive brain at night.

This has been such a helpful tool to fall asleep!

I love the meditation prep on some of these and the stories are fun. It’s almost like a choose your own adventure.

I can’t say enough about how great this has been to help sleep and stop intrusive thinking. If you are reading this looking for help, give this podcast a shot.

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Love it!

Great themes and stories. One of my favorites to listen to. I definitely recommend!

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I fall Asleep Sooner

I’ve tried a lot of other bedtime stories, but they’re too boring, almost like a story you may read in 5th grade with no point. I love how there’s relaxing adventures in these and the way they’re told.

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