• The Restful Record: Mumbai, India
    Sep 1 2025

    On tonight's episode of The Restful Record, Unwind beneath the rhythmic pulse of Mumbai, India — a city where ancient traditions meet modern energy.

    Through soft storytelling, calming breathwork, and atmospheric soundscapes, you’ll explore Mumbai’s timeless blend of colonial history, bustling bazaars, and coastal beauty — all at a dreamy, unhurried pace. Whether you’re looking for a sleep podcast, a peaceful escape, or an introduction to Mumbai’s cultural landmarks, this episode is designed to carry you into deep rest.

    💤 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell if you enjoy this content! It helps support the podcast and brings more peaceful episodes your way.

    Podcast cover art image by Eric Nopanen.

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    22 mins
  • The Restful Record: Phnom Penh, Cambodia
    Aug 4 2025

    In this episode of The Restful Record, we explore the layered history and lush geography of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Settle in as we drift through the city's ancient origins—its rich floodplains, pre-human ecosystems, and early Khmer settlements—before journeying through the rise of the Khmer Empire, the legend of Daun Penh, and the founding of the capital. We reflect on French colonialism, Cambodia’s independence in 1953, the U.S. bombing campaign (1969–1973), and the devastating civil war that led to the Khmer Rouge takeover. Hear about the evacuation of Phnom Penh, the genocide and killing fields, and the eventual liberation by Vietnamese forces in 1979. Finally, we bring you into the present day with stories of Phnom Penh’s urban growth, environmental challenges, and rising tourism industry. Whether you’re a traveler, history lover, or simply winding down, this episode offers a peaceful, factual journey through one of Southeast Asia’s most resilient cities.

    💤 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell if you enjoy this content! It helps support the podcast and brings more peaceful episodes your way.

    Podcast cover art image by Eric Nopanen.

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    39 mins
  • The Restful Record: Hanoi, Vietnam
    Jul 20 2025

    Drift into a deep, restorative sleep with tonight’s journey to Hanoi, Vietnam — a city of misty lakes, ancient temples, and thousand year-old history. In this calming episode of The Restful Record, you’ll wander slowly through the Old Quarter’s winding streets, listen to the echoes of emperors past at the Temple of Literature, and rest by the tranquil waters of Hoàn Kiếm Lake.

    From staving off Mongol invasions to French colonial rule, and the tragedy of he Vietnam War, Hanoi has ensured and flourished. Whether you're curious about Hanoi’s legends, planning a trip to Vietnam, or just need a peaceful way to fall asleep, this episode is your passport to serenity.

    💤 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell if you enjoy this content! It helps support the podcast and brings more peaceful episodes your way.

    Podcast cover art image by Eric Nopanen.

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    31 mins
  • The Restful Record: New York City, United States of America
    Jul 16 2025

    On tonight's episode of The Restful Record, we dive into the diverse history of New York City - first home to the Lenape people who hunted and gathered on its plentiful waterways and forests, then settled by the Dutch, who named it New Amsterdam, and finally the British. We explore the diversity engrained in the city since inception and the history of Wall Street and the 1929 crash. Finally, we experience the resilience of the city's inhabitants as they navigate the tragedies of both 9/11 and the Covid Pandemic, proving that there is no place like NYC.

    💤 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell if you enjoy this content! It helps support the podcast and brings more peaceful episodes your way.

    Podcast cover art image by Eric Nopanen.

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    40 mins
  • The Restful Record: London, United Kingdom
    Jun 28 2025

    In tonight's episode of The Restful Record, step back in time as we explore the captivating and complex history of London, a city forged by empire, survival, and reinvention. From its Roman beginnings as Londinium to its role as a global powerhouse, this episode uncovers the defining moments that shaped the British capital.

    Discover how Magna Carta paved the way for modern democracy, how London's role in the transatlantic slave trade left a legacy still felt today, and how the Great Plague of 1665 and the Great Fire of 1666 brought the city to its knees—only to rise stronger. Learn how John Snow's groundbreaking work in epidemiology during a cholera outbreak revolutionized public health, and hear how Londoners endured the devastation of The Blitz in WWII.

    We'll also examine the enduring presence of the British Monarchy, from royal ceremonies to political symbolism, and how it has evolved alongside the city itself.

    This richly layered journey through London’s history is perfect for fans of British history, urban development, epidemics, and monarchical legacy.

    💤 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell if you enjoy this content! It helps support the podcast and brings more peaceful episodes your way.

    Podcast cover art image by Eric Nopanen.

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    26 mins
  • The Restful Record: Tehran, Iran
    Jun 22 2025

    In tonight's episode of The Restful Record, we journey through the layered history of Tehran, Iran’s dynamic capital—once a vital hub along the Silk Road and now a geopolitical flashpoint. From the Mongol invasion led by Genghis Khan, which reshaped the Persian plateau, to the strategic role Iran played during World War I, Tehran has long been at the crossroads of empire and resistance.

    We explore the roots and ripple effects of the 1979 Iranian Revolution, when decades of monarchy collapsed and gave rise to the Islamic Republic, followed by the dramatic kidnapping of U.S. embassy employees in Tehran—an event that shattered Iran-U.S. relations and still reverberates today.

    This episode also unpacks the complex and tense relationship between Iran and Israel, including the latest developments in the 2025 Iran-Israel conflict. With a focus on diplomacy, defiance, and domestic resilience, we highlight Tehran's central role in shaping—and challenging—the balance of power in the Middle East.

    💤 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell if you enjoy this content! It helps support the podcast and brings more peaceful episodes your way.

    Podcast cover art image by Eric Nopanen.

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    42 mins
  • The Restful Record: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Jun 18 2025

    In tonight's episode of The Restful Record, we explore the rich, complex, and often tragic history of Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina and a city that has stood at the crossroads of empires and conflict. From the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914—an event that sparked World War I—to the horrors of World War II and the Siege of Sarajevo during the Bosnian War in the 1990s, Sarajevo’s story is one of resilience, multiculturalism, and survival.

    We’ll dive into the city's Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian legacies, the rise and fall of Yugoslavia, and how the city became both a symbol of unity and division. Learn how Sarajevo has endured centuries of political upheaval, including the longest siege in modern European history, and emerged with a unique cultural identity.

    Whether you’re a history lover, traveler, or just curious about the places that shaped our world, this episode offers a powerful narrative of Sarajevo’s past and present.

    💤 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell if you enjoy this content! It helps support the podcast and brings more peaceful episodes your way.

    Podcast cover art image by Eric Nopanen.

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    26 mins
  • The Restful Record: Belfast, Northern Ireland
    Jun 9 2025

    In this episode of The Restful Record, we journey through the fascinating history of Belfast, Northern Ireland. We’ll uncover the ancient Celtic roots of the region, exploring the significance of the earthen mounds that dot the landscape and hint at a rich prehistoric past.

    Then, we’ll step into the industrial era to discover the grandeur of the Titanic building, a testament to Belfast’s pivotal role in shipbuilding and maritime heritage. Our exploration also takes us to the harrowing days of the Belfast Blitz, when the city was bombed during World War II, and then to the turbulent times of the Troubles, a conflict that shaped modern Northern Ireland in profound ways.

    Whether you’re a history buff, a fan of Celtic legends, or curious about Belfast’s transformation, this episode promises to connect the dots between the city’s ancient origins and its modern identity.

    💤 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell if you enjoy this content! It helps support the podcast and brings more peaceful episodes your way.

    Podcast cover art image by Eric Nopanen.

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    32 mins