Sleep and Sorcery | Folklore & Fantasy-Inspired Sleep Stories

Laurel Hostak Jones created Sleep and Sorcery for people who grew up on fairy tales and fantasy and still want that sense of enchantment at bedtime. The podcast is one part bedtime story, one part guided meditation, and one part dreamy adventure, pulling from mythology, folklore, and original fantasy fiction to build richly imagined worlds you can drift through on your way to sleep. Episodes might take you to a cozy cottage in the mythical village of Slumbershire, through the fairy tale forests of Bohemia, into the court of King Arthur, or aboard a ship sailing through starlit skies. The storytelling has real imagination behind it — these aren't generic relaxation scripts but genuine narratives with atmosphere, characters, and a sense of place. Laurel's delivery is soft and measured, with a quality that feels like someone telling you a secret by candlelight. The show has been running since 2022 with over 150 episodes and weekly updates through the Bleav podcast network. Laurel also published a companion book through Crossed Crow Books called Sleep & Sorcery: A Collection of Enchanting Bedtime Stories, Rituals, and Spells for Meaningful Rest, which includes favorite stories plus exclusive material. Patreon supporters get episode scripts, bonus readings of classic literature, and merchandise perks. The podcast fills a specific niche that general sleep shows miss — it's for the fantasy reader, the folklore enthusiast, the person who wants their bedtime ritual to feel a little magical rather than merely functional.