In This Episode: Candles, Cork & Linen | The Insomnia Project

Amanda and Marco are back with another slow, wandering conversation — the kind that asks nothing of you and gives your mind just enough to follow without holding on. This week, they drift through the quiet textures of everyday life: pickled wood, the soft weight of linen, the springy underfoot feeling of cork, and the amber glow of a handmade candle. It's the kind of sleep podcast episode that feels like sitting in a warm room with nowhere to be.

How this one meanders

It starts with Marco's recent project pickling wood — a technique that keeps coming up on the show, and for good reason. From there, the conversation finds its way to linen: the fabric, the feel, the way it shows up in clothes and bedding and slow living. Cork enters next — floors, stoppers, the material itself — and Amanda and Marco give you their honest take on whether they're actually fans. The episode closes with candles, including Amanda's low-key satisfying project of melting down candle remnants to make something new.

The kind of show that's made for winding down. Whether you're lying in the dark or just trying to quiet a busy mind, this one has you covered.

What we talk about

• Marco's pickling wood technique and why this topic keeps finding its way back to the show
• Linen as a material — clothing, bedding, and the particular texture that makes it a slow-living staple
• Cork floors and cork in general — do Amanda and Marco actually like it? (They'll tell you)
• The sensory appeal of candles and why they work so well as a wind-down ritual
• Amanda's candle-making project using leftover wax remnants — low effort, oddly satisfying

This episode is perfect for

• Anyone who can't sleep and needs something gentle and unhurried to follow
• People who love slow living content and material textures
• Linen enthusiasts, cork-curious decorators, or anyone rethinking their home materials
• Overthinkers and people with racing thoughts who need a soft landing
• Candle lovers and anyone who enjoys a good DIY-without-pressure story

The Insomnia Project is a sleep podcast for people who lie awake at night. Hosts Amanda and Marco have quiet, unhurried conversations about everyday things — no plot twists, no tension, no agenda. Just the kind of talk that helps your body remember it's allowed to rest. New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe wherever you listen.

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If your mind won't stop running tonight, we've got just the thing. In this episode of The Insomnia Project, Marco is joined by returning guest Nidhi Kanna for the kind of warm, wandering conversation that's perfect for insomnia, racing thoughts, or anyone who just needs something gentle to drift off to. No stress, no stakes — just the good stuff.

They start where all great conversations start: staring at a wall. Specifically, painting one. Nidhi and Marco get wonderfully sidetracked on the surprisingly fraught world of colours that are easy to commit to and hard to undo — the kind of paint decisions that haunt you in the best possible way.

From there, the conversation meanders the way only a sleepcast can — from wall colours to Nidhi's recent trip to Mexico City, taking in the food, the texture of the place, and the very particular pleasure of being somewhere new. And then, naturally, they find their way to the finer things: Nidhi's bougie delights, Marco's bougie delights, and what it really means to treat yourself well.

It's the perfect listen for a slow Sunday morning, a Monday morning at work when you want to focus but need a friend nearby, or a Tuesday night that won't wind down, or anyone who loves a good chat about nothing and everything all at once.

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Episode: To-Do Lists, Ironed Shirts & the Great Lakes

If you've ever drifted off to sleep mid-thought while running through a mental checklist, this episode of The Insomnia Project was made for you. Amanda and Marco explore the quiet, surprisingly satisfying world of list-making — the kind of slow, meandering conversation that's perfect for winding down, easing insomnia, and letting your mind finally relax into sleep.

How the conversation meanders

It starts with something wonderfully small: a to-do list borrowed from Marco's nephew's day. From there, the conversation drifts into the gentle pleasure of crossing things off — and the even greater pleasure of writing the list in the first place. Marco, freshly proud of his perfectly ironed and starched shirt, shares a surprisingly useful washing machine tip that leads the whole show sideways into a love of domestic rituals. That nostalgia for simple satisfactions carries the hosts toward geography: Marco's deep affection for Chicago, Amanda's pull toward Lake Erie, and before long the two are drifting slowly through all five Great Lakes, finding what makes each one worthy of the word "great."

Perfect for list-lovers, Midwest daydreamers, and anyone who just needs something calm to fall asleep to.

What we talk about

• A to-do list from Marco's nephew — and the simple delight of watching someone else's day on paper
• The ritual and satisfaction of crossing things off a list, and why making the list might be the best part
• Marco's freshly ironed, starched shirt — and a tip for getting better results from your washing machine
• Marco's love for Chicago and what the city means to him
• Amanda's affection for Lake Erie and what draws her to it
• A relaxed tour through all five Great Lakes — Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario — and what makes each one quietly remarkable
• The way ordinary things become fascinating when you slow down enough to actually look at them

This episode is perfect for

• Anyone struggling with insomnia who needs something gentle and unhurried to fall asleep to
• List-makers and planners who find comfort in the ritual of organizing a day
• Fans of the Great Lakes region, or anyone who grew up near the water
• People who love Chicago or the wider Midwest and want something that feels like home
• Listeners who enjoy a sleep podcast that wanders pleasantly and never goes anywhere too fast

The Insomnia Project is a podcast about nothing in particular — and everything that makes ordinary life worth noticing. New episodes every week, running just long enough to help you relax, unwind, and finally fall asleep. If Amanda and Marco's gentle conversations have helped you drift off, we'd love a rating wherever you listen to podcasts. It helps more restless minds find their way here.

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In this episode of The Insomnia Project sleep podcast, Amanda and Marco settle into a warm, unhurried walk down memory lane — the kind of conversation that feels like catching up with old friends late at night. They revisit the small but vivid moments of growing up: first email addresses, rotary phones, and the particular joy of discovering you could binge an entire TV show. It's exactly the kind of gentle, nostalgic chat this relaxing podcast does best — perfect for anyone who needs help winding down, falling asleep, or simply escaping the noise of the day.

The conversation drifts naturally from childhood tech and firsts into something a little deeper, when Marco shares a story from his swimming lessons and the surprisingly calming life lesson he took away from them — that the more relaxed you are, the better you perform. From there, Amanda steers things toward Party of Five, and the two hosts ease into a slow, soothing rundown of the cast: who played who, what their character names were, and what they've been up to since. It's the kind of trivia you can close your eyes to.

Whether you grew up watching Party of Five or just love a good nostalgia spiral, this episode is a soft landing for a busy mind.

What we talk about in this episode:

• First email addresses and what they were like
• Using a rotary phone and other childhood tech memories
• Binging your first TV show and that early obsession feeling
• Marco's swimming lessons and the life lesson that relaxation leads to better performance
• Amanda's love of Party of Five
• A full cast review — real names, character names, and what the actors are doing now
• The comfort of revisiting pop culture from the past

This episode is perfect for:

• Falling asleep naturally while listening to easy, familiar conversation
• Anyone who loves 90s nostalgia, retro TV, or pop culture throwbacks
• Winding down after a long day with something gentle and unhurried
• Listeners who struggle with a racing mind or nighttime anxiety
• Party of Five fans, or anyone who grew up watching TGIF-era television

The Insomnia Project is a top-rated sleep podcast and sleepcast built for overthinkers. Amanda and Marco's quiet, meandering conversations are designed to ease anxiety, slow a racing mind, and help you drift off naturally — no meditation, no white noise, just two people talking about nothing in particular, and everything that matters.

If this episode helped you relax or get a better night's sleep, we'd love it if you took a moment to follow the show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts — it's the simplest way to help new listeners find us. 🌙

📸 Follow us on Instagram:

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www.patreon.com/theinsomniaproject

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In this episode of The Insomnia Project sleep podcast, Amanda and Marco ease into a gentle, garden-inspired conversation about the flowers growing in their front yard and the quiet rhythms of tending to them throughout the season. With a calm and thoughtful approach, Amanda shares how she selected blooms that would carry color from early spring through late summer, along with the small delights — and occasional challenges — that come with planning a garden that evolves over time.

As the conversation meanders, Marco shares a childhood confession involving a cherry tree when he was eight years old, leading them into a surprisingly cozy and nostalgic deep dive into classic game shows. From Name That Tune to Sale of the Century, the discussion drifts through memories of television, music, and the comforting familiarity of shows from the past.

Whether you're looking for a relaxing podcast to help you fall asleep, ease anxiety, or simply enjoy a calm moment while working or unwinding at home, this episode offers a soft and wandering listening experience.

What we talk about in this episode:

• Planning a front garden with flowers that bloom throughout the season

• Amanda’s approach to choosing plants for continuous color and interest

• The small joys and gentle challenges of maintaining a garden

• Marco’s childhood story about a cherry tree

• A nostalgic deep dive into classic game shows like Name That Tune and Sale of the Century

• The comfort of familiar TV memories and easy conversation

This episode is perfect for:

• Falling asleep naturally without medication or meditation

• Winding down after a long or stressful day

• Managing nighttime anxiety and a racing mind

• Listening at work to stay calm and relaxed

• Anyone who enjoys gardening, nostalgia, and gentle storytelling

The Insomnia Project is a top-rated sleep podcast and sleepcast for overthinkers. Our quiet, unhurried conversations are designed to ease anxiety, quiet racing thoughts, and help you drift off naturally — whether you're listening in bed, at your desk, or anywhere you need a moment of calm.

If this episode helped you relax or sleep, please consider leaving us a rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It really helps others discover the show.

📸 Follow us on Instagram:

www.instagram.com/theinsomniaproject

📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/@theinsomniaprojectpodcast

☕ Support the show and get bonus chats on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/theinsomniaproject

😴 Enjoy ad-free episodes and extras on Supercast:

www.theinsomniaproject.supercast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Insomnia Project sleep podcast, Amanda and Marco settle into a calm, easygoing conversation shaped entirely by listener suggestions. Drifting between the small, expressive world of emojis and the gentle, grounding practice of planting dahlias, this episode offers a soothing blend of digital communication and hands-in-the-soil simplicity.

As the conversation unfolds, they reflect on how tiny symbols can carry surprisingly big meaning — from the subtle differences between heart emojis to the ways we express tone and feeling through text. From there, the discussion softens into Marco’s experience planting dahlias and wondering about seasonal care, including whether they’ll need to be dug up in the fall based on his climate.

Whether you're looking for a calming podcast to help you fall asleep, ease anxiety, or simply relax while working, this gentle and wandering conversation provides a peaceful place for your thoughts to land.

What we talk about in this episode:

• Listener-inspired topics and the comfort of community suggestions

• Emojis, digital expression, and what all the different hearts can mean

• Favourite emojis and how we each use them in everyday communication

• Marco planting dahlias and learning through hands-on gardening

• Seasonal gardening questions, including lifting bulbs in cooler climates

• The calming contrast between digital life and time spent in the garden

This episode is perfect for:

• Falling asleep naturally without medication or meditation

• Winding down after a long or stressful day

• Managing nighttime anxiety and a racing mind

• Listening at work to stay calm and relaxed

• Anyone who enjoys light conversation about everyday topics like emojis and gardening

The Insomnia Project is a top-rated sleep podcast and sleepcast for overthinkers. Our quiet, unhurried conversations are designed to ease anxiety, quiet racing thoughts, and help you drift off naturally — whether you're listening in bed, at your desk, or anywhere you need a moment of calm.

If this episode helped you relax or sleep, please consider leaving us a rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It really helps others discover the show.

📸 Follow us on Instagram:

www.instagram.com/theinsomniaproject

📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/@theinsomniaprojectpodcast

☕ Support the show and get bonus chats on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/theinsomniaproject

😴 Enjoy ad-free episodes and extras on Supercast:

www.theinsomniaproject.supercast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode of The Insomnia Project, Amanda and Marco ease into a gentle, meandering conversation about what it means to exist on the periphery of something you understand deeply. Marco reflects on his connection to the world of hairdressing—an industry he knows intimately, yet experiences from just outside the spotlight. Together, they explore that curious feeling of being close to something without being fully immersed in it, and how that perspective can be both comforting and quietly fascinating.

The conversation drifts into the idea of unexpected soothing sounds—those surprising, everyday noises that shouldn’t be relaxing, but somehow are. From subtle background hums to oddly specific textures of sound, Amanda and Marco share what brings them calm and why unconventional “white noise” might be more personal than we think.

They also reminisce about their first jobs, revisiting early work experiences with warmth, humor, and a sense of nostalgia. These gentle reflections add to the cozy, familiar tone that listeners have come to love.

Whether you’re winding down for sleep, managing nighttime anxiety, or simply looking for a calm, low-stakes listen, this episode is designed to help you relax and drift off.

The Insomnia Project is a top sleep podcast (or sleepcast) that offers quiet, engaging conversations to ease your mind and help you rest—perfect for listening in bed, during moments of stress, or even while working when you need a sense of calm.

#SleepPodcast #InsomniaRelief #RelaxingPodcast #CalmConversations #SleepHelp #BedtimeListening #MindfulMoments #SoothingSounds #AnxietyRelief #SleepBetter

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In this calming episode of The Insomnia Project, Amanda and Marco ease into a gentle conversation about their shared love of train travel and the unique charm of slow journeys. From there, they explore North American cities that offer a distinctly European feel, with Quebec City taking the top spot for its old-world beauty and atmosphere. Along the way, Amanda shares a surprising story about almost being cast in a music video for Train, adding a light and unexpected twist to the discussion. The episode then settles into a thoughtful and relaxing chat about frugal living, as the hosts consider whether Amanda should start her own frugal podcast and what it really means to live simply and intentionally. If you’re looking for a peaceful podcast to unwind with, whether you’re falling asleep, managing anxiety, or just relaxing at work, this episode offers a cozy blend of travel, storytelling, and mindful spending. Fans of sleep podcasts and calming conversations will also enjoy revisiting past episodes referenced throughout this discussion.

Here are the past episodes we referenced on today's episode:

St. Pierre & Micquelon

Stowe Vermont episode

Backpack episode

📸 Follow us on Instagram:

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www.patreon.com/theinsomniaproject

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