Do you have any thoughts or ideas about the show? Send us a text!

Hello Creators,

Remember those childhood stories that wrapped around your imagination like a warm blanket? The ones you begged to hear "just one more time" before sleep? We're tapping into that powerful nostalgia with Beatrix Potter's timeless classic, "The Tale of Jemima Puddle Duck."

This beloved story follows the determined but naive Jemima, who simply wants to hatch her own eggs away from the interfering farm wife. Her journey leads her to a suspiciously polite "gentleman" with sandy whiskers and a bushy tail who seems all too eager to help. With Potter's signature blend of gentle humor and subtle danger, the story unfolds into a lesson about trust and the sometimes necessary wisdom of others.

As creative souls, we often find ourselves searching far and wide for inspiration and comfort when feeling creatively drained. Yet sometimes the most potent creative fuel lies in revisiting the stories that shaped our earliest imaginations. These foundational tales—with their archetypal characters, vivid imagery, and elegant simplicity—can reconnect us with our creative roots in surprising ways.

So take a minute to get cosy and comfortable, and drift off with Jemima and her adventures.

Which childhood stories still resonate with you? Share your favorites with us, and perhaps they'll inspire a future episode.

Sleep Tight,

Florence x

The Music in this episode is Dawning by Ian Kelosky.

Support the show

Our Links:

• www.sleeplesscreativespodcast.co.uk
• Our producer
• Instagram
• Linkedin

Do you want to feature as one of our Guest Readers in your own special episode? If you work or study in the Performing Arts or Creative Industry in any capacity, we would love to have you.

Applications open on 1st September every year, follow us on Instagram to keep up with the announcements!

Sleepless Creatives is hosted by Florence St Leger, and produced by Canary Studios.
The opening theme is Reflection by Birds of Norway.

Do you have any thoughts or ideas about the show? Send us a text!

Hello Creatives,

Let's drift into a world of romantic poetry as we celebrate Pride Month with part two of Lord Byron's most beautiful verses.
This special episode invites you to experience the yearning, heartbreak, and profound beauty captured by one of history's most renowned queer poets.

Each poem reveals different facets of love, loss, and longing through language that remains powerfully moving and wonderfully inspirational centuries later.

This episode features a wonderful collaboration with Ruth Toynton, singer-songwriter and founder of the Green Room, a peer-to-peer support group for musicians. Her passion for building supportive, creative communities mirrors our commitment to fostering connection, well-being, and good sleep among actors, writers, and other creatives.

Join The Green Room, Hull on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/groups/1605537260216846/

I would also like to take a moment to extend heartfelt Pride Month wishes. Sleepless Creatives is a queer founded and led podcast, and it remains a safe space for all listeners; you are valid and you matter.

Whether you're seeking creative inspiration, struggling with sleep, or simply appreciating the beauty of classic poetry, Byron's words offer a timeless refuge. Let the rhythm of these verses carry you toward peaceful rest while celebrating the enduring legacy of queer artistry.

Sleep Tight,

Florence x

The Music in this episode is Stars, Trees by Outside The Sky.

Support the show

Our Links:

• www.sleeplesscreativespodcast.co.uk
• Our producer
• Instagram
• Linkedin

Do you want to feature as one of our Guest Readers in your own special episode? If you work or study in the Performing Arts or Creative Industry in any capacity, we would love to have you.

Applications open on 1st September every year, follow us on Instagram to keep up with the announcements!

Sleepless Creatives is hosted by Florence St Leger, and produced by Canary Studios.
The opening theme is Reflection by Birds of Norway.

Do you have any thoughts or ideas about the show? Send us a text!

Hello Creatives,

The moon's influence on human sleep patterns has long been a subject of mystical tradition, but modern science is now catching up with what yogic wisdom has known for millennia.

Today's Guest Reader, Indian voice actor and Hindi voice dubber Neha Gargava, reads a captivating article from the Isha Foundation that bridges ancient knowledge and cutting-edge research about our connection to lunar cycles.

Follow Neha:

www.voicedbyneha.com

www.instagram.com/nehagargava

The Isha Foundation:

www.isha.sadhguru.org

Dr. Horacio's groundbreaking research reveals that human sleep does indeed synchronize with the lunar cycle. Surprisingly, we experience our shortest sleep duration 3-5 days before the full moon—a pattern that aligns perfectly with how our ancestors would have utilized evening moonlight to extend their daily activities. This evolutionary adaptation continues to influence us today, even when most of us live in environments dominated by artificial light.

From the yogic perspective shared by Sadhguru, this connection is fundamental to our existence. Hatha Yoga itself represents the balance between solar and lunar energies (ha=sun, tha=moon). While Western traditions often dismissed lunar influence as causing "lunacy," Eastern wisdom recognized the moon's power to amplify our existing qualities—making the joyful more joyful, the loving more loving, and the meditative more meditative.

The article offers six practical tips for better sleep that blend ancient wisdom with modern understanding: taking a shower before bed to cleanse energetic buildup, avoiding late meals, lighting an organic oil lamp in your bedroom, reflecting on mortality before sleep, not positioning your head northward while sleeping (in the northern hemisphere), and practicing conscious release of physical and mental attachments before drifting off.

Finally, we learn about Shambhavi Mahamudra, a practice that creates a twilight state between sleeping and waking—a powerful reminder that sleep is not merely rest but a gateway to different states of consciousness. Try incorporating these simple techniques into your bedtime routine to transform your relationship with sleep and tap into wisdom that transcends time.

Sleep T

Vote for us for Listeners Choice, go to https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting and vote for Sleepless Creatives before the 8th September

Support the show

Our Links:

• www.sleeplesscreativespodcast.co.uk
• Our producer
• Instagram
• Linkedin

Do you want to feature as one of our Guest Readers in your own special episode? If you work or study in the Performing Arts or Creative Industry in any capacity, we would love to have you.

Applications open on 1st September every year, follow us on Instagram to keep up with the announcements!

Sleepless Creatives is hosted by Florence St Leger, and produced by Canary Studios.
The opening theme is Reflection by Birds of Norway.

Do you have any thoughts or ideas about the show? Send us a text!

Hello Creatives,

Windmills transform into fearsome giants through the eyes of our deluded knight in another captivating exploration of Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote, which has been beautifully adapted into plays, musical theatre and film performances many times since its first release.

Today we'll be reading Chapter 8 — featuring perhaps literature's most iconic scene — where imagination and reality collide spectacularly.
The episode opens with a gentle reminder to embrace spring's renewal through mindful moments. As creative people, we often hurry through life without pausing to notice the beauty surrounding us.
Take a breath, step outside, appreciate the emerging flowers, and listen to the birdsong—these small acts of mindfulness can profoundly impact your creative spirit and overall well-being.

What makes Don Quixote's windmill encounter so timelessly relevant is how perfectly it captures the creative tension between vision and reality. Despite Sancho Panza's practical warnings, our knight charges forward, utterly convinced of his heroic mission. When inevitably thrown to the ground, Quixote refuses to acknowledge his mistake, instead blaming an evil magician for transforming his giants into windmills. This remarkable capacity to maintain conviction despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary contains both warning and wisdom for creative souls. Where is the line between visionary persistence and harmful delusion?

The chapter escalates as Quixote encounters monks travelling with a lady in a coach, interpreting them as villainous magicians kidnapping a princess. His confrontation with a Biscayan squire culminates in a suspenseful duel that Cervantes masterfully leaves unresolved, perfectly capturing how our imaginations can lead us into unexpected conflicts and adventures.

Remember to follow us on Instagram for updates about next month's exciting guest reader.

What windmills are you mistaking for giants in your creative journey?

Sleep Tight,

Florence x

The Music in this episode is Whisper by Reveille.

Vote for us for Listeners Choice, go to https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting and vote for Sleepless Creatives before the 8th September

Support the show

Our Links:

• www.sleeplesscreativespodcast.co.uk
• Our producer
• Instagram
• Linkedin

Do you want to feature as one of our Guest Readers in your own special episode? If you work or study in the Performing Arts or Creative Industry in any capacity, we would love to have you.

Applications open on 1st September every year, follow us on Instagram to keep up with the announcements!

Sleepless Creatives is hosted by Florence St Leger, and produced by Canary Studios.
The opening theme is Reflection by Birds of Norway.

Do you have any thoughts or ideas about the show? Send us a text!

Hello Creatives,

Step into the shadows of gothic horror with our reading of Chapter 4 from Sheridan Le Fanu's queer vampire classic "Carmilla."
This episode takes you deep into the unsettling relationship between our narrator and her mysterious houseguest, whose beauty is as captivating as her behaviour is disturbing.

Written 26 years before "Dracula," "Carmilla" established many vampire tropes we recognise today while exploring themes far ahead of its time. The chapter titled "Her Habits - A Saunter" introduces us to the paradoxical nature of Carmilla herself – a woman of extraordinary beauty and grace whose movements are perpetually "languid." Her refusal to discuss her past, strange sleeping habits, and aversion to food hint at her supernatural nature, while her passionate embraces leave our narrator caught between attraction and fear.

"I experienced a strange tumultuous excitement that was pleasurable, ever and anon, mingled with a vague sense of fear and disgust," confesses our narrator, capturing the disorienting effect of being simultaneously drawn to and repulsed by someone who whispers, "you are mine, you shall be mine." As mysterious deaths plague the surrounding village, the tension builds toward a revelation our narrator can't yet comprehend.

Whether you're a fan of classic horror or simply seeking the perfect accompaniment to drift into dreams, this episode offers the perfect blend of literary richness and haunting atmosphere. Follow Sleepless Creatives on social media or leave us a review to help other creators discover our sleep-inducing storytelling.

Before our main story, we talk about our collaboration with 'A Moment of Magic Foundation', a remarkable nonprofit organisation bringing joy to pediatric patients through hospital visits and creative engagement. Their volunteer, Jackie Andrea, shares their mission to improve the mental health and well-being of children facing medical challenges.

www.amomentofmagic.org

www.instagram.com/amomentofmagic

www.instagram.com/jackiedawackie

Sleep Tight,

Florence x

The Music in this episode is Only by Acreage.

Vote for us for Listeners Choice, go to https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting and vote for Sleepless Creatives before the 8th September

Support the show

Our Links:

• www.sleeplesscreativespodcast.co.uk
• Our producer
• Instagram
• Linkedin

Do you want to feature as one of our Guest Readers in your own special episode? If you work or study in the Performing Arts or Creative Industry in any capacity, we would love to have you.

Applications open on 1st September every year, follow us on Instagram to keep up with the announcements!

Sleepless Creatives is hosted by Florence St Leger, and produced by Canary Studios.
The opening theme is Reflection by Birds of Norway.

Do you have any thoughts or ideas about the show? Send us a text!

Hello Creatives,

Drift into a world of snow-covered Welsh hillsides and childhood Christmas magic as this month's Guest Reader, Welsh actor Ben Bryant, lends his melodic voice to Dylan Thomas's beloved prose poem, "A Child's Christmas in Wales." Perfect for performers and creative minds seeking respite from busy thoughts, this episode wraps you in nostalgic comfort like a warm blanket on a winter's night.

Bryant's authentic Welsh cadence brings an extra layer of charm to Thomas's evocative language as we journey through Christmas memories that blur reality and imagination. From snowball fights and smoking sweets, to eccentric uncles slumbering after Christmas dinner and the mystery of midnight carol-singing at a stranger's door – every moment captures the wonder of childhood during the festive season.

Thomas's genius lies in transforming ordinary holiday moments into extraordinary memories through sensory-rich descriptions and gentle humor. The "wool-white, bell-tongued ball of holidays" and families gathered around fires while "the high-heaped fire spat, all ready for the chestnuts" create a timeless portrait of Christmas that resonates regardless of when or where you celebrated as a child. Bryant's thoughtful interpretation honors the lyrical quality of the text while maintaining its accessibility.

As we conclude with the narrator gazing from his bedroom window at "the moonlight and the unending smoke-colored snow," you may find your own racing thoughts settling into calm. Let this bedtime story transport you back to simpler times and guide you toward peaceful sleep.

Don't forget to follow Ben on social media through the link below, and if this reading brings you comfort, share it with another creative soul who might benefit from a moment of literary escape.

Follow Bens: www.instagram.com/mrbenbryantactor

Sleep Tight,

Florence x

The Music in this episode is Cozy Winter Days by Anthony Catacoli.

Vote for us for Listeners Choice, go to https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting and vote for Sleepless Creatives before the 8th September

Support the show

Our Links:

• www.sleeplesscreativespodcast.co.uk
• Our producer
• Instagram
• Linkedin

Do you want to feature as one of our Guest Readers in your own special episode? If you work or study in the Performing Arts or Creative Industry in any capacity, we would love to have you.

Applications open on 1st September every year, follow us on Instagram to keep up with the announcements!

Sleepless Creatives is hosted by Florence St Leger, and produced by Canary Studios.
The opening theme is Reflection by Birds of Norway.

Do you have any thoughts or ideas about the show? Send us a text!

Hello Creatives,

The perfect antidote to New Year pressure arrives in our first 2025 episode, where we explore the gentle art of self-compassion during a season that demands immediate transformation.

Just because it's a new year, it doesn't mean that you need to be climbing mountains straight away. Remember to create space for yourself, especially if you're still processing the previous year. This timely message acknowledges that while some friends may be sprinting into January, your walking pace is equally valid. For creatives especially, we often measure ourselves against impossible standards — give yourself permission to progress at your own rhythm, enjoy a cool drink in the desert of life's demands.

Drift off with this nostalgic reading of Beatrix Potter's "The Tale of Mrs Tittlemouse," creating a perfect bedtime experience for restless creative minds.
I also share my personal connection to Potter's works, recalling how these stories formed a cherished ritual in my childhood, with my mother reading them each night.
We're invited into the world of the fastidiously tidy Mrs Tittlemouse, whose ordered existence beneath a hedge is disrupted by unwelcome visitors. The story's themes of boundaries, intrusion, and reclaiming one's space resonate surprisingly well with the creative struggle to protect our time and energy.

Whether you're seeking permission to ease into the new year without guilt, or simply need a comforting story to help you drift off to sleep, this episode wraps you in understanding while gently validating that your pace—whatever it may be—is exactly right.

Follow us on social media or leave a review to join our community of sleepless creatives finding rest together.

Sleep Tight,

Florence x

The music in this episode is Dawning by Ian Kelosky.

Vote for us for Listeners Choice, go to https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting and vote for Sleepless Creatives before the 8th September

Support the show

Our Links:

• www.sleeplesscreativespodcast.co.uk
• Our producer
• Instagram
• Linkedin

Do you want to feature as one of our Guest Readers in your own special episode? If you work or study in the Performing Arts or Creative Industry in any capacity, we would love to have you.

Applications open on 1st September every year, follow us on Instagram to keep up with the announcements!

Sleepless Creatives is hosted by Florence St Leger, and produced by Canary Studios.
The opening theme is Reflection by Birds of Norway.

Do you have any thoughts or ideas about the show? Send us a text!

Hello Creatives,

Step into a world of holiday magic as we close out 2024 with a spellbinding Christmas episode. Let me welcome you to a cosy fireside reading of "The Goblin's Christmas," an enchanting poem from 1908 by Elizabeth Anderson that perfectly captures the mischievous spirit of the season.

This festive tale transports you to Goblin Town, where magical beings gather under the moonlight for revelry and pranks. When Kris Kringle appears with his sleigh and reindeer, the goblins attempt to capture him—only to discover he possesses powerful magic of his own. Through beautiful, rhythmic verses, we follow this Christmas adventure as Santa cleverly transforms these troublesome sprites into toys for children around the world.

Whether you're winding down after holiday festivities or seeking a moment of tranquillity during the busiest time of year, this gentle reading provides the perfect soundtrack for drifting into peaceful slumber.
Join us for this magical conclusion to our year, and stay tuned for more enchanting bedtime stories and creative inspirations in 2025.
We've already lined up wonderful new guest readers and exciting collaborations to help fuel your creative dreams in the coming year.

The episode also brings exciting news as we announce our collaboration with Acting Hub UK, a valuable free resource for performers and creators.
Founder Vlad makes a special appearance to introduce the platform's mission of elevating actors and their projects.

Check out ActingHubUK:

www.instagram.com/actinghubuk

www.x.com/actinghubuk

And as I reflect on a year of tremendous growth for Sleepless Creatives, I want to extend heartfelt thanks to our loyal listeners who have made 2024 so special.

Sleep Tight,

Florence x

The Music in this episode is Deck The Halls by Solitude.

Vote for us for Listeners Choice, go to https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting and vote for Sleepless Creatives before the 8th September

Support the show

Our Links:

• www.sleeplesscreativespodcast.co.uk
• Our producer
• Instagram
• Linkedin

Do you want to feature as one of our Guest Readers in your own special episode? If you work or study in the Performing Arts or Creative Industry in any capacity, we would love to have you.

Applications open on 1st September every year, follow us on Instagram to keep up with the announcements!

Sleepless Creatives is hosted by Florence St Leger, and produced by Canary Studios.
The opening theme is Reflection by Birds of Norway.