Evie Summers
Sleep With Me is a twice-weekly podcast created and hosted by Drew Ackerman, also known as Dearest Scooter, that aims to help people with insomnia fall asleep. The podcast takes the form of a bedtime story that gently lulls listeners to sleep by occupying their minds with meandering, rambling stories. Ackerman's storytelling style has been described as the good type of weird but not creepy, and he does not claim to have expertise in psychology or sleep science. The podcast has gained popularity through word of mouth and Ackerman's Twitter account, and has been praised by listeners for its ability to help them fall asleep.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Host | Drew Ackerman, a.k.a. Dearest Scooter |
| Target Audience | People with insomnia or trouble staying asleep |
| Format | Bedtime stories for adults |
| Tone | Rambling, silly, a bit weird, a tad offensive |
| Episode Length | Over an hour |
| Episode Frequency | Twice weekly |
| Awards | People's Choice Podcast Award for Best Health Podcast, The Mental Floss list of "10 Podcasts to Help You Sleep", The 25 Essential Podcasts of 2016 by Esquire |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The podcast's host, Drew Ackerman, is open about his own struggles with insomnia
- Ackerman's storytelling style is described as the good type of weird but not creepy
- The podcast has a long intro to ease listeners into bedtime
- The podcast has been ranked as one of the top 50 most popular podcasts
- The podcast has a spinoff called Game of Drones
The podcast's host, Drew Ackerman, is open about his own struggles with insomnia
The Sleep With Me podcast is hosted by Drew Ackerman, who performs under the name "Dearest Scooter". The podcast is meant to distract listeners, keeping their minds occupied when they experience insomnia, while gently lulling them to sleep. Ackerman is open about his own struggles with insomnia, which began in his childhood. He has said that his rambling storytelling style also began in childhood when he told his brothers boring bedtime stories when they couldn't sleep. Ackerman describes his storytelling style as "the good type of weird but not creepy".
Ackerman's podcast has been described as "magic" by listeners, with many saying they can never make it past the intro. Ackerman himself jokes about how boring he must be, but that is his job, after all. He has a funny but rambling storytelling style and goes into very long, lulling details to help listeners get a good night's sleep. His goal is to create a safe place where listeners can set aside whatever is keeping them awake, whether it be thoughts, feelings, or physical sensations.
The podcast has gained listeners largely through word of mouth and Ackerman's Twitter account. In January 2017, the podcast had reached 2.3 million monthly downloads. Ackerman and Sleep With Me were featured on an episode of The Dr. Oz Show in 2016, and the podcast won the People's Choice Podcast Award for Best Health Podcast that same year. It has also been ranked as one of the top 50 most popular podcasts by Esquire.
While the podcast has been a game-changer for many insomniacs, it is not a cure-all. Dr. Khosla, the medical director of the North Dakota Center for Sleep, says that there is no scientific reason Ackerman's podcast should work so well for so many people. However, she adds that there is no harm in trying it out, as wind-down routines are exceptionally important for quality sleep. Ackerman himself echoes this sentiment, saying that listeners should not feel pressured to make the podcast part of their bedtime routine.
Healing Sleep: Does Rest Hasten Wound Recovery?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Sleep With Me [VHS]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91RYgSHM3LL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![Sleep With Me [DVD] [UK Import]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/712BL21HQeL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![Sleep with Me [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - Netherlands ]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51k0w3aG1mL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![Sleep with Me [VHS]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51xLWIoYihL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Ackerman's storytelling style is described as the good type of weird but not creepy
The Sleep With Me podcast is a twice-weekly podcast that began on October 18, 2013. Hosted by Drew Ackerman, the podcast is meant to distract listeners, keeping their minds occupied when they experience insomnia, while gently lulling them to sleep. Ackerman, who goes by Dearest Scooter on the podcast, is open about his own struggles with insomnia. He has said that his rambling, meandering storytelling style began in childhood when he told his brothers boring bedtime stories when they couldn't sleep. Ackerman describes his storytelling style as "the good type of weird but not creepy".
Ackerman's storytelling style is described as "the good type of weird but not creepy" because it strikes the perfect balance between comforting and sleep-inducing. His stories are silly, strange, and off-putting, but also friendly. Ackerman's style is unique and different, and he acknowledges that most people don't like the show. However, for those who it works for, it provides a sense of company and helps take their minds off stuff so they can fall asleep. Ackerman's stories are not meant to be exciting or interesting, but rather to create a safe space for listeners to set aside whatever is keeping them awake, such as thoughts, feelings, or physical sensations.
The podcast usually begins with a 15- to 20-minute intro, which serves as a wind-down period to ease listeners into bedtime. Ackerman's intros are often filled with nonsense, goofing around, and rambling, setting the tone for the main story that follows. The stories themselves are just as unique and quirky as the intros, with titles like "Get Besos", "Nuns in Space", and "The Adventures of Dr. Triangle and Isosceles".
Ackerman's storytelling style has been described as genius, and the podcast has gained a dedicated following, with listeners praising its ability to help them fall asleep. Ackerman does not claim to be an expert in psychology or sleep science and relies on feedback from listeners to shape the podcast. He encourages listeners to make the podcast part of their bedtime routine but emphasizes that it should not be prescriptive or pressured.
The Young and Sleepless: A Restless Youth's Tale
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The podcast has a long intro to ease listeners into bedtime
The Sleep With Me podcast is a bedtime story podcast designed to take your mind off racing thoughts that keep you awake at night. The podcast is hosted by "Dearest Scooter", performed by Drew Ackerman, who is open about his own struggles with insomnia. The podcast's long intro, lasting 15 to 20 minutes, serves as a wind-down period to ease listeners into bedtime. Ackerman explains that the podcast is a safe space for those who have trouble falling asleep and for those who have trouble staying asleep.
The intro is meant to be a buffer, a hangout for people to slowly get ready for bed, get comfortable, or do a chill activity. It is during this time that listeners can set aside whatever is keeping them awake, such as thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, changes in routine, or anything else that may be causing them stress. The long intro is not just about inefficiency but is designed based on what works for Ackerman himself and what studies say works for easing into sleep.
The podcast has gained listeners through word of mouth and Ackerman's Twitter account, and in January 2017, it reached 2.3 million monthly downloads. The podcast has received praise from listeners, with many commenting that they love it and that it has cured their insomnia. Some listeners have also shared that they struggle to make it past the intro, which is intended to be a little boring and not too exciting, allowing listeners to wind down and embrace a robust bedtime routine.
The Sleep With Me podcast is part of a bedtime routine for many, and Ackerman encourages listeners to make it a part of their routine as well, but not in a prescriptive or pressure-based way. The podcast is meant to be flexible, and listeners can choose to fall asleep during the intro or continue listening to the story, depending on their preference.
Daytime Sleep: How Much Does Your Toddler Need?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The podcast has been ranked as one of the top 50 most popular podcasts
The Sleep With Me podcast has been ranked as one of the top 50 most popular podcasts. It has gained listeners through word of mouth and host Drew Ackerman's Twitter account. In January 2017, the podcast had reached 2.3 million monthly downloads.
The podcast's tagline is "The podcast that puts you to sleep". It is hosted by "Dearest Scooter", performed by Ackerman, who is open about his own struggles with insomnia. He describes his storytelling style as "the good type of weird but not creepy". Ackerman's rambling storytelling style began in childhood when he told his brothers boring bedtime stories when they couldn't sleep. The podcast is meant to distract listeners, keeping their minds occupied when they experience insomnia, while gently lulling them to sleep.
The podcast has been described as "a little weird, a bit silly and a tad offensive". It is very similar to ASMR or guided meditation or hypnosis bedtime stories that slowly carry listeners off to sleep. The stories are designed to take listeners' minds off their worries and racing thoughts, distracting them and helping them to relax and drift off. Ackerman jokes, "One scary thing for me is, like, 'How boring am I really?'". But, as he acknowledges, that is his job.
The podcast has been praised by listeners, with one commenting, "I love this podcast!!!". Another wrote, "I also struggle with hyper-fixating on music & I LOVE the sleep with me podcast!!!". Some listeners have said that the podcast cured their insomnia.
The Onset of Sleep Deprivation-Induced Hallucinations
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The podcast has a spinoff called Game of Drones
Game of Drones follows a similar format, with Scooter's ramblings lulling listeners to sleep. The spinoff is described as "nonsense" and "mystifying tangents" by listeners, who also praise Scooter's "trustworthy, soothing voice". Listeners have also commented that the podcast helped them feel less alone with their thoughts, and that it was "funny".
The Sleep With Me podcast is meant to distract listeners, keeping their minds occupied when they experience insomnia, while gently lulling them to sleep. Ackerman is open about his own struggles with insomnia, and he relies on feedback from listeners to shape the podcast. The podcast is released twice weekly and joined the Feral Audio podcast network in February 2017 before moving to Night Vale Presents in March 2018.
The podcast has received praise from listeners, with one commenting that they "joke about on the show, maybe you don't look forward to listening to it, but you might feel neutral. It takes the dread out of bedtime". Another listener commented that they "struggle with hyper-fixating on music" and loved the podcast. While there is no scientific reason why the podcast works so well for so many people, Seema Khosla, MD, the medical director of the North Dakota Center for Sleep, says that wind-down routines are exceptionally important for quality sleep, and if the podcast is part of that routine, then it's a good thing.
Understanding Sleep Cycles with Fitbit: A Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Sleep With Me is a twice-weekly podcast that began in 2013. It is a bedtime story podcast designed to distract listeners, keeping their minds occupied when they experience insomnia, while gently lulling them to sleep.
The podcast is hosted by "Dearest Scooter", performed by Drew Ackerman, who is open about his own struggles with insomnia.
The podcast has a 15-20 minute intro, which is designed to ease listeners into bedtime. The intro is a hangout session, where people are getting ready for bed, getting comfortable, or doing a chill activity. The host then tells a story that is easy for adults to understand, but not too exciting, so that listeners can fall asleep.
Some episode titles include "Big Farm P.I.", "Claude Neon Reports", "Get Besos", "Great British Bake You Off to Sleep", and "Nuns in Space".
The podcast has received positive reviews, with many listeners saying it has helped cure their insomnia. However, there is no scientific reason why the podcast works so well for so many people. Wind-down routines are important for quality sleep, and if the podcast is part of that routine, then it is beneficial.
