In this bedtime story, I tell you all about Buddhism: the beliefs and culture of Ancient India; the life of Siddartha Gautama, the historical Buddha; how Buddhism spread in Asia; the differences between various Buddhist traditions (Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana, Zen, Tibetan or Tantric Buddhism...), and I explain a lot of terms that you might have encountered without knowing their full meanings, like Vedas, Karma, Middle Way, Samsara, Tantra and Mantra.

A concise summary of the text could be: A bedtime story exploring Buddhism, its ancient origins, the life of Gautama Buddha, its spread in Asia, and different traditions and terms.

History Of Buddhism

In this episode, I invite you to explore the world of trees & forests with me. We discuss the origins of plants and how they evolved from microscopic algae to mosses, ferns, and seed plants, both with or without flowers. I also discuss the life cycle of trees, what they are made of, and many aspects that we are just beginning to understand, such as trees' ability to exchange signals, connect via their roots, develop mutualistic relationships, or adapt to different environments. We review extraordinary trees too: Hyperion, the tallest tree in the world & Methuselah, the oldest independent tree (both in California); the Arbol del Tule (Mexico), and extremely old clonal colonies like Old Tjikko in Sweden and Pando in Utah.

Explore the fascinating world of trees & forests, from plant origins to their life cycle, mutualistic relationships, and extraordinary examples.

Secrets Of Trees And Forests

These three stories, including the Salem Witch Trials, the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island, and Franklin's Lost Expedition, will transport you to another time. Learn where the term "witch hunt" originated, how many settlers have to go missing before a colony is finally abandoned, and the doomed fate of early explorers seeking a northern passage to the Pacific from the east coast of Canada. Let yourself be soothed to sleep by my voice and by tales of the Puritans of Salem, of colonial settlers in over their heads, and Franklin's fatally frozen crew.

Explore the Salem Witch Trials, the Lost Colony of Roanoke, and Franklin's Lost Expedition in these fascinating tales from history.

American Mysteries

Tonight I tell you stories from Egyptian Mythology, including explanations about their context and meaning. We will meet all sorts of gods and creatures: Osiris, Isis, Ra, Horus, Atum, Shu, Geb, Amun, and the other gods from the Ogdoad, Ptah, Sekhmet, Hathor, Bastet, Anubis, Nephtys, and many more.

Explore Egyptian Mythology and its gods and creatures like Osiris, Isis, Ra, and more, in an insightful and contextual storytelling experience tonight.

Ancient Egyptian Gods And Myths

Today, we will discover the rich world of Norse mythology. Explore beyond the Marvel movies and learn the legends of Odin, Thor, Loki, and more, as well as some Viking history & creation stories. Enrich your mind while you relax and rest with our soothing stories. Stories include the discovery of the runes and the loss of an eye by Odin, the war between the Aesir and the Vanir, the construction of the wall of Asgard, the creation of the World, and Ragnarok, the end of times. We will meet all sorts of gods and creatures: Odin, Thor, Freya, Freyr, Njord, Tyr, Loki, Heimdall, Mimir, the Norns, Ymir, Fenrir, Jormungand, and many more, across the nine worlds.

Discover the captivating world of Norse mythology beyond Marvel movies; learn about Odin, Thor, Loki, Viking history, creation stories, and the end of times.

Norse Myths, Gods & Monsters

In this bedtime story, I tell you about Greek Mythology around the Trojan War, including the Iliad by Homer. 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 gods for Eris' golden apple spilled over to the world of men, and everything that ensued. I also tell you about the Trojan Horse, various other myths, and archaeology: when and how did Greek mythology take shape? Was Troy real? Where is the line between legend and history?

Explore Greek Mythology, including the Trojan War, its gods and heroes, the Trojan Horse, and the blurred line between legend and history.

Trojan War And The Iliad

In this story, we explore the significance attached to various colors throughout history, how pigments and dyes were made and with what surprising ingredients and how the status of colors changed over time in society, consumer goods and art. I focus on three colors in particular, which are global favorites: blue, green and red.

This text explores the historical significance of colors, including blue, green, and red, revealing surprising ingredients used in pigments and dyes.

A Cultural History Of Colors

In this soothing bedtime story about Greek Mythology, join me as I share the story of the Odyssey. I discuss a few historical, cultural, and literary aspects, in this case, the ancient poem by Homer. Learn more about the lotus eaters, the cyclops, the sirens, Aeolus, Circe, Scylla, and Charybdis, Calypso, and rejoice as Odysseus is finally reunited with his wife Penelope and son Telemachus after ten years at war and ten more lost at sea. Relax and enjoy as you gently fall asleep.

A calming bedtime story about Greek Mythology, discussing the adventures of Odysseus in the Odyssey, leading up to his reunion with his family.

The Odyssey: Odysseus' Adventures

In this story, we learn about two different mysterious locations in the American Southwest, Area 51 in Nevada and Chaco Canyon in New Mexico. How did the US Air Force base known as Area 51 get its reputation as a hotbed of extraterrestrial activity? We take a look at what is documented and the pop culture role Area 51 came to play as well as intense secrecy around the base's activities. Chaco Canyon is a large archaeological site in New Mexico, built more than a thousand years ago and over several generations by the Ancestral Puebloans. What is the meaning of architectural alignments based on astronomical observation and cardinal directions, the care given to landscape design, or the enigmatic web of roads that radiates from the canyon?

This text explores the mysterious reputation of Area 51 as a hub of extraterrestrial activity and the architectural significance of Chaco Canyon.

Mysteries In The American Desert

In this story, we travel together to Mars and back. I'll tell you about orbits, space travel, spacecraft, the difficulties of manned missions in space (zero gravity, radiation, etc.), as well as the history of Mars, its climate, geology, environment, and aspirations to one day terraform the planet for human habitation. Plus we'll visit a volcano the size of Italy!

This text provides a concise journey to Mars, covering orbits, space travel, spacecraft, challenges of manned missions, Mars history and aspirations, and visiting a colossal volcano.

Night Flight To Mars

In this episode, I take you on a discovery of Gothic architecture as we journey through eight centuries of the history of Notre Dame de Paris. Learn about the flying buttresses, gargoyles, stained glass, the role of the Catholic church in France, and Notre Dame's many renovations and restorations, including current repairs being made after a 2019 fire destroyed the monument's roof.

Explore the rich history of Notre Dame de Paris, encompassing Gothic architecture, Catholic influence, iconic features, and ongoing restoration efforts post-2019 fire.

Wonders Of Gothic Cathedrals

In this soothing bedtime science story, I tell you about Earth during the Pleistocene (aka "the Ice Age"). We explore what the planet was like, its geography, its climate, its fauna (especially the megafauna of mammals like mammoths, saber-toothed tigers & mastodons), and the rise of the genus Homo, from the first Hominidae to Australopithecus species and various species of archaic humans (Homo Habilis, Homo Erectus, Homo Heidelbergensis, Homo Neanderthalis and finally Homo Sapiens). Explore your planet's history & family tree while helping to quiet your mind and sleep.

A soothing bedtime science story explores the Earth's Pleistocene era, including geography, climate, megafauna, and the rise of Homo species.

Exploring The Ice Age

In this bedtime story for the curious, we explore the history of American railroads. From the opening of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in 1830 to the Transcontinental Railroad, the rise of magnates like Cornelius Vanderbilt or Jay Gould, and the transformations in the way Americans lived and consumed, I invite you to travel with me on this geographical, cultural and economic epic.

Explore the rich history of American railroads, from their beginnings in 1830 to the Transcontinental Railroad and its impact on American life and commerce.

History Of American Railroads

Today, drift on the seven seas with us as we explore the history of pirates: in Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and Modern Times; from the Mediterranean Sea to the China Seas, the Baltic Sea, and the Caribbean. I also tell you about the lives and exploits of famous pirates and privateers, including the Barbarossa brothers, Ching Shih, Henry Morgan, and Blackbeard.

Explore the history of pirates from Antiquity to Modern Times, including famous figures and their exploits across the world's seas.

Beyond The Hook: A History Of Piracy

Today, relax and rest as we explore beyond mere mushrooms and plumb the depths of the world of fungi: what the definition of their kingdom is about (they are neither plants nor animals), the mind-blowing variety of sizes, shapes, and appearances they can take and their symbiotic relationships with other life forms. I also tell you about their importance to ecosystems, when and how they produce mushrooms, and the various ways humans use them, from a source of food to yeasts, molds, or even "magic" mushrooms.

An exploration of fungi, their kingdom, diversity, symbiotic relationships, ecosystem importance, mushroom production, and human uses in various forms.

The World Of Fungi

Join me as I explore the city on foot and visit landmark sites--Checkpoint Charlie, The Brandenburg Gate, the East Side Gallery, the Oberbaum Bridge--as well as countless destinations off the beaten path. Learn about Berlin's food, culture, and very cheap beer, in addition to the history of the Berlin Airlift, the Berlin Wall, Berlin graffiti, and the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

Explore Berlin on foot to visit famous landmarks like Checkpoint Charlie and the Brandenburg Gate, as well as offbeat destinations, learning about the city's food, culture, history, graffiti, and the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Explore Berlin With Me

In this bedtime story, we visit Mercury and Venus, two planets with formidable environments. I will share with you various theories about their formation, what they are composed of, what to expect at their surfaces, and other interesting facts like how orbits form & are maintained, or what a supercritical fluid is. I hope you enjoy this relaxing way to learn more about space while quieting your mind.

A bedtime story exploring the planets Mercury and Venus, revealing their formation, composition, surface conditions, orbital mechanics, and intriguing facts about space.

Mission To Mercury & Venus

Tonight we will explore four lost cities together: Pompeii, Angkor, Great Zimbabwe, and Cliff Palace, also known as Mesa Verde. They were buried under volcanic ashes, overwhelmed by the jungle, or just abandoned in a remote region until being rediscovered centuries later. Join me as we reveal their fascinating stories and what these places can still teach us.

Discover four lost cities - Pompeii, Angkor, Great Zimbabwe, and Cliff Palace - and uncover their forgotten tales and timeless lessons.