Ask HN: Falling Asleep to Podcasts

I started off listening to talk radio stations in the UK on my clock radio with a sleep timer when I was a teenager in the '80s, and I see listening to podcasts as an extension of that.

I use Podcast Republic on my phone linked to a set of Bluetooth sleep headphones similar to [1]

In terms of what I listen to, it's mostly factual podcasts from BBC Radio 4, or providers such as the Naked Scientist or History Today.

[1] https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sleep-Headphones-Bluetooth-Ultra-Th...

I listen to different things when falling asleep for about 20 years now; podcasts lately, but also mp3s of movies and tv shows (mostly comedy shows) that I saw many times already. I pass out almost immediately when the sound starts, I have nice (lucid) dreams and if I wake up too early it is only because the sound stopped for some reason; switching it on knocks me out again. When I have nothing on, I have trouble sleeping and when I wake up, I might just as well get up. For me it really works, but I know many people find it weird. Comedy tv shows work best for; best dreams and most relax wakeup time, but podcasts about easy stuff with not too crazy sounding hosts works well too.

Most nights I go to sleep with a podcast in my ears. I only skip it if I feel already really tired and have nothing on my mind to mull over.

1. Exclusively history podcasts: The History of Rome, Revolutions, Hardcore History, History of Napoleon.

2. I use really cheap corded in-ears: Sony MDR-EX110LPB. If they break, it's nothing to be sad about. I just get new ones. Bought the current pair in 2017.

EDIT: I set a sleep timer of 30 minutes. That's enough for most nights.

I don't listen to podcasts as I don't want to miss anything in them but I do use audiobooks. I only listen to audiobooks I've read before (normally a number of times) and my current go-to is the Honor Harrington series (It's my go-to for "I want to listen to something comfortable but I also want to be able to miss big chunks without caring since I know it all).

As for my "setup" I use my gooseneck flexible arm [0] that can hold my phone so that I can "direct" the phone towards my head/face. I used to just leave the phone on my side table so it could charge it but my phone can charge just about anywhere I am for more than a few minutes in my house so charging overnight isn't a necessity for me. Also when it was on the bedside I had to turn the volume up louder to hear it over the distance/fan noise, having it hovering a foot or two above my head give me great audio (or good enough for my purposes). I've been thinking for a while about getting a bluetooth speaker that I could mount above my headboard or something like that instead of using my phone but that has other downsides (inability to use "Hey Siri" or any microphone-based things on the phone while connected).

[0] https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P2VK93P/

Almost but not quite.

I listen to one of two audiobooks. They are books I've read half a dozen times, so it's more about comfort and consistency. There's the added bonus that I don't have any worry about missing anything if I forget to set a sleep timer. I prune my normal podcast feed regularly so the only podcasts I have are ones I don't want to miss any details

1. "Dune" and "Sandman" are the two I listen to the most, both are really well produced ensemble casts. For actual podcasts (not used for sleep), I enjoy The Intelligence from the Economist, Writing Excuses, Hardcore History, 20,000 Hz, 99% Invisible, and all the ubiquitous NPR Podcasts that focus on storytelling. I would say all but the first two podcasts mentioned might be good podcasts to relax to.

2. For normal podcasts I use PocketCasts, for audiobooks I just default to audible or Libby (Libby/Overdrive have increased my library usage 10-fold). If I have to worry about waking someone else up, I just use a single bluetooth earbud on the side I don't sleep on- otherwise my phone just plays from it's charging dock.

This is something I used to do as well as I had issues shutting my mind off when trying to sleep. The fact all major podcast players have a sleep timer built-in causes me to think it's not that uncommon. I started with audiobooks, but I found my comprehension and memory to be lacking when I woke up in the morning. This caused an issue because if I tried to continue the book during the day from where I left off, I got a weird sense of déjà vu. I started using podcasts because I see them more as in-the-moment entertainment (as such it didn't matter if I absorbed or remembered what I listened to), also because I'm a huge fan of podcasts. I stopped the practice because I found myself staying up sometimes 30 minutes later just to hear how the podcast ends.

1. I loved listening to what I'd describe as CMTC (Corporate Malfeasance True Crime) to fall asleep. Podcasts like Swindled, Dr.Death, The Dropout, WeCrashed, American Scandal and the other related Wondery Podcasts.

2. A pretty basic setup, I charge my phone overnight across the room so I'd just use Pocketcasts and a sleep timer on my phone.

I do this, too. I don't think it's a good habit to be honest, because I used to fall asleep just fine without podcasts. When I was able to fall asleep without them, I'd sleep faster. Now it takes me longer to fall asleep, but I feel somewhat dependent on the podcast.

I usually listen to Stuff You Should Know, Sawbones, or Six Figure Authors. If it is a particularly interesting topic I often end up re-listening to it the next day. I just use the Google Podcasts app on my Galaxy Z Flip 3. No headphones, since stuff in my ears will just make it harder to fall asleep. I put the volume as low as I can while still making out the words without straining (struggling to make out the words makes me focus and wake up). I set the timer to either the end of the episode or to one hour.

I sometimes listen to podcasts to fall asleep. I use the PocketCasts[1] app that has the ability to pause the podcast after an episode is over or after a certain length of time, which is nice if you just want it to fall asleep too and not play all night.

Podcast wise my goto is Phoebe reads a mystery[2], she reads various mystery novels and never fails to get me to sleep (sorry Phoebe). She is also the host of the Criminal podcast which is another good one, but too interesting to fall asleep to.

[1] https://www.pocketcasts.com/ [2] https://thisiscriminal.com/mystery/

Ever since a medical situation caused insomnia a few years ago, I've been falling asleep while listening to the Ricky Gervais show / podcast. It's actually about the wondrous mind of his producer Karl Pilkington and absolutely hilarious. (also known for 'idiot abroad', 'sick of it' etc The entire archive is on youtube on the channel 'pilkboys', and the comment section is filled with people using it to fall asleep. There is also the animated series, based on this radio show.

I use an app called 'simple sleep timer' to fade out and pause youtube after 30 mins. Im usually asleep after 10 minutes of chuckling.

1. Anything that's engaging enough to keep my mind occupied enough to fall asleep, but without sudden loud ads (looking at you, FLOSS Weekly...). Just finished a second run of Cool Games, Inc., but that is sometimes too funny and laughing can take me further away from sleep. The closing theme is also pretty jarring. These days listening to videos is more common. Paradise PD consistently helps me fall asleep, for some reason (no I'm not saying it's boring).

2. I sleep on my side/stomach, so I just put my phone on my neck and turn it down low enough that I can understand it but can also tune it out if I want.

I do this too, I used to read before going to bed, but now it's podcasts. Like the RCRpodcast or Cortex. I'm using a podcast app that support rss on my android phone, and use my normal wired earplugs, they work well enough, and I just pull them out when I reach the point when I realize I'm no longer listening.

I prefer listening to audiobooks (novels) for going to sleep. The app I use on my tablet has a sleep timer with a chime sound to signal you when it’s about to turn off. Shake the tablet briefly to extend the timer. I use cheap wired earbuds, or earbud actually because I cut off one of the buds and listen with the ear that isn’t facing the pillow. Occasionally I’ll get up and out of bed dragging my tablet with me.

I've been trying this for a while. System set to suspend after 30 min. Bass eq'd way down.

If I'm still awake and tempted to reset the timer by moving the mouse, the podcast is too interesting for this. I've built a collection of less-interesting, non-controversial podcasts with soothing voices. Esoteric subjects a plus. If the collection goes empty, there's always music.

I do listen to podcasts while sleeping, and they are usually light-hearted ones with minimal advertising. My recent favourite is No Such Thing as a Fish, from the wonderful folks behind the British comedy game show QI.

I also use AntennaPod on a 3 year old Android phone with basic smallish in-ear monitors that last maybe a few months of use.

I believe a lot of people do this. There is even a podcast that is designed specifically for that (Sleep with me, I think is the name). I have particular podcasts where the host has a somewhat monotonous voice, not too exciting content and set a timer that turns off the player after I'm asleep. Works great for me.

A long time ago, I used listen to the radio on my Walkman just before sleeping, but I don’t think I could do this with podcasts or audiobooks. I’d be afraid of a) missing something, or b) feeling obligated to finish listening to the piece at some point. With radio, things just feel more transient and less discrete.

I have developed the same habit and any podcast, audiobook, boyfriend reading book works for me. I fall asleep much faster if I listen to something that is not in my mother tongue. It works even when I need to do an afternoon siesta. If the episode is interesting, I re-listen it when I am completely awake.

Depends on the mood. I can't sleep without a podcast or audiobook now. I use airpods but they fall out during the night. and I get bummed if I wake up and can't find them or need to listen to something else to fall asleep again at 4am and the battery is drained.

I used to fall asleep to "Stuff you should know". They used to do their own commercial segments. About 2-3 years ago, they have the most jarring commercial breaks and I can't sleep to it anymore :(

I've been listening to Lex Fridman as I go to sleep, sometimes it helps, other times it's too interesting. If I could stream music through the Echo without buying the White Album again, I would.

I do it (almost always stuff I've listened to before) but it doesn't seem very healthy, I should probably stop.

roderick on the line is pretty good for this. meandering conversations with long stories.