In this episode of The Insomnia Project, a relaxing sleep podcast for insomnia, Amanda and Marco settle into a calm conversation all about baths—though not exactly the kind you might expect. Inspired by a recent trip to a spa, the hosts begin by talking about forest bathing, the gentle practice of immersing yourself in the quiet atmosphere of nature and letting the sights, sounds, and scents of the forest help you relax.

From there, the conversation wanders in the delightfully curious way listeners know well. Marco and Amanda begin imagining other forms of “bathing,” including city bathing, where you soak in the rhythm and character of an urban environment, and art bathing, where a museum visit or gallery stroll becomes a quiet immersion in creativity and colour. Somewhere along the way they even arrive at bathing bathing, reflecting on the simple comfort of warm water and the peaceful rituals that come with slowing down.

Like all episodes of The Insomnia Project, the discussion moves softly and without urgency, allowing everyday ideas to drift naturally from one thought to another. The result is a gentle, reflective conversation designed to help quiet racing thoughts and create a relaxing atmosphere for bedtime listening.

Whether you’re settling into bed, unwinding after a long day, or simply looking for a calm podcast to help you fall asleep, this soothing exploration of forests, cities, art, and baths offers a peaceful place for your mind to wander.

If this episode helped you relax, consider sharing The Insomnia Project, our award-winning sleep podcast, with someone who might enjoy a calm conversation before bed.

• Visit our website: theinsomniaproject.com

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In this episode of The Insomnia Project, a relaxing sleep podcast for insomnia, Marco and Amanda settle into a calm conversation about their recent trip to Chicago—“My Kind of Town.” As always, the discussion unfolds at an easy, unhurried pace, gently wandering through travel memories, city nicknames, architecture, and a few curious bits of Chicago lore.

The hosts begin by reflecting on the many nicknames Chicago has gathered over the years, from the famous Windy City and Second City to more unusual titles like City of Big Shoulders, Chiberia, The City that Works, and even Paris on the Prairie. Marco and Amanda enjoy exploring the personality behind these names and what they reveal about the city’s character and history.

Their conversation drifts into memorable sights from their visit, including the striking sculpture affectionately known as the Chicago Bean, the fascinating architectural boat tours that reveal the city’s skyline from the river, and their admiration for Jeanne Gang’s St. Regis Chicago, a building that left a lasting impression.

Along the way, they share stories about the curious legend of the “Phoenix Cow rising from the acid”, reflect on department store names that seem to carry possessive endings, and offer a small tribute to the elegant design legacy of Elsa Peretti. Naturally, no Insomnia Project travel conversation would be complete without a few food memories, and Marco and Amanda also mention some memorable Chicago spots they enjoyed along the way.

Like all episodes of The Insomnia Project, this softly spoken conversation is designed to help quiet racing thoughts and create a peaceful atmosphere for bedtime listening. Whether you’re dreaming of future travel, remembering past adventures, or simply looking for a relaxing podcast to help you fall asleep, this gentle Chicago journey offers a calm place for your mind to wander.

And we’re curious—which Chicago nickname is your favourite?

Chicago’s many nicknames include:

• Windy City

• Second City

• Chi-Town

• City of Big Shoulders

• Chiberia

• City in a Garden

• Great Commercial Tree

• Mud City

• City by the Lake

• The City that Works

• Heart of America

• The Great American City

• The City Beautiful

• The 312

• Paris on the Prairie

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Sienna Tavern

• Harry Caray’s

• The Twin Anchor Pub

If this episode helped you relax, consider sharing The Insomnia Project, our award-winning sleep podcast, with someone who might enjoy a calm conversation before bed.

• Visit our website: theinsomniaproject.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram:

www.instagram.com/theinsomniaproject

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www.youtube.com/@theinsomniaprojectpodcast

☕ Support the show and get bonus chats on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/theinsomniaproject

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Water Pressure & The Owl of Minerva

Amanda and Marco are heading to Chicago and back but before they do that they will chat about their recent tour of the Art Gallery special gift. 

A Sneak-Peek:

• [00:00] Ad free listening is now available. 
• [01:38] Amanda gets her nails done.
• [02:38] The hosts discuss the Leonard Cohen exhibit at the AGO.
• [03:38] Marco tries to figure out AI programs.
• [04:38] Our postman and some tulips talk.
• [06:15] Water main servicing and what our host are doing to mitigate the effects of it.
• [08:38] Garden Hose talk.
• [10:00] Neighbourhood gossip.
• [13:11] Marco talks about water pressure.
• [14:38] Amanda needs access to a variety of food.
• [15:38] The Owl of Minerva.
• [17:28] Billy Bishop Airport and its delights.
• [19:22] Aisle or Window?
• [22:03] Amanda checks Uber & Lyft while Marco orders the wrong pizza.
• 
  

Resource Links:

The Owl of Minerva: www.owlfamily.ca

Quote: “Like a cucumber with a comfy duvet” - Amanda

Connect with us on:

Twitter: @listenandsleep

Instagram: @theinsomniaproject

web: theinsomniaproject.com

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www.instagram.com/theinsomniaproject

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Michmashartstache

Marco welcomes back his dear friend Michelle Miracle who joins the podcast from Santa Clarita, California. They delve into Michelle’s art and how special it is. They have a lovely time and you can hear the faint sounds of a train that joins them on this episode. 

Resource Links:

Michmashartstache Instagram

michellemiracle.com

Quotes:

Connect with us on:

Twitter: @listenandsleep

Instagram: @theinsomniaproject

web: theinsomniaproject.com

Patreon: www.patreon.com/theinsomniaproject

📸 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:

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The Art Gallery is closed

Amanda and Marco go to the Art Gallery on a Monday only to discover that it is closed. The discuss The Ward area of Toronto and music boxes at the theatre and naturally that leads them to Bermuda.

A Sneak-Peek:

• [00:00] Ad free listening is now available. 
• [00:58] Marco makes a correction.
• [02:00] Amanda gives her review of Scarlett Johanson.
• [03:58] The Art Gallery of Ontario
• [04:58] The Old Victoria house. 
• [06:21] Amanda talks about “The Ward”
• [11:58] Marco talks about train-stations.
• [14:28] Amanda talks about Victor. 
• [15:30] Marco talks about playing a judge and the music box. 
• [19:45] Portugal and the tile. 
• [21:00] Are coasters a good gift?
• [22:58] Cunard Line Ocean liners.
• [25:58] Bermuda and its chowder.

Resource Links:

Turtle site: ago.ca

Quotes: “I banged my gavel on my gavel spot” - Marco

Connect with us on:

Twitter: @listenandsleep

Instagram: @theinsomniaproject

web: theinsomniaproject.com

Patreon: www.patreon.com/theinsomniaproject

📸 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:

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

Routine

A Sneak-Peek:

• [00:00] Ad free listening is now available. 
• [00:58] Amanda reclaims the word ‘mundane’
• [01:35] Marco is a list maker and Amanda is a routine type.
• [02:58] Marco talks about Mendacity and how he remembers it from a “Street Car Named Desire” and can’t remember Burl Ives name. 
• [06:35] The local channel which is not local at all. 
• [07:13] Figuring out weather from another city’s weather.
• [08:58] The journey of the fancy espresso machine.
• [11:28] Marco talks about his preferred vessel for tea water.
• [14:48] Amanda gives an example of what works perfectly for you. 
• [17:17] Marco takes us on a Macadamia nut tree journey.
• [18:30] Marco reviews the sugar they have tried. 
• [20:02] Amanda reveals the book she’s embarrassed to mention that she’s currently listening to.
• [23:22] Marco & Amanda discover they are both waiting on the same book from the library. 

Quotes:

“the key to happiness is not…I don’t remember now” - Amanda

“Moo-cadamia” - Amanda

“you sometimes have a heavy hand with the Maple Syrup” - Marco

Connect with us on:

Twitter: @listenandsleep

Instagram: @theinsomniaproject

web: theinsomniaproject.com

Patreon: www.patreon.com/theinsomniaproject

📸 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:

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

A folder by any other name

Amanda and Marco talk about where they keep their notes, and the difference between a duo tang and a folder. They go through their junk mail. Marco talks about what comes up on his social media. They define what "A Case of the Marches" means. Water slides, roller coasters and magnet fishing videos. Ancient Roman potter in the basin of dry rivers. Marco orders cork sealant for his cork shoes. Amanda describes her Birkenstock boots.

• Resource Links:
• Indspire (where Amanda buys cards)

Quote:

"Think of all the Thames has seen over the years" - Amanda

"I would take cobbler over candlestick maker" - Marco

"Wow, Birkenstock problems" - Amanda

Connect with us on:

Twitter: @listenandsleep

Instagram: @theinsomniaproject

web: theinsomniaproject.com

Patreon: www.patreon.com/theinsomniaproject

📸 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:

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

Report Cards & Bookmarks

Marco discovers unusual bookmarks in his reference books and a listener gives an idea for the hosts to talk about what old receipts remind them of, and then Marco finds his Junior Kindergarten report card. Amanda sees if he would still have an S for Satisfactory progress or an N for Needs Improvement. Which leads Amanda to list all her teachers and Marco to only remember a few. Sounds pretty mundane to us, hope it gets you to the ZZZs you need.

Connect with us on:

Twitter: @listenandsleep

Instagram: @theinsomniaproject

web: theinsomniaproject.com

Patreon: www.patreon.com/theinsomniaproject

📸 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.

Plaid vs. Gingham

The hosts get into a deep discussion of Plaid vs. Gingham and how similar and different they may be.

A Sneak-Peek:

• [00:00] Ad free listening is now available. 
• [00:58] The hosts talk about their pajamas
• [05:58] Marco finds there is a lot of plaid when it comes to sleep ware.
• [06:28] The Plaid Scarf
• [09:13] Marco tells Amanda how he gets rid of his favourite T-shirts.
• [10:38] The Gingham vs. Plaid debate begins
• [11:58] Auditioning in Plaid
• [14:58] Plaid & Gingham in home decor
• [18:58] Plaid gift wrapping paper
• [20:58] Potato stamping
• [21:00] "The Make and Do Book"
• [22:58] Amanda will not wrap gifts in newspaper
• [24:42] Amanda makes diorama of her books with marshmallows.

• Quotes:

"Baby lets make some Gingham tonight" - Amanda

"The world is your oyster on in this case potato" - Amanda

Connect with us on:

Twitter: @listenandsleep

Instagram: @theinsomniaproject

web: theinsomniaproject.com

Patreon: www.patreon.com/theinsomniaproject

📸 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:

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

Cardigans, Quiet streets and Poets

On today's episode Marco & Amanda take us on a journey wearing a Cardigan and talking about poets.

A Sneak-Peek:

• [00:00] Ad free listening is now available. 
• [00:58] Amanda explains the two kinds of Cardigans she wears.
• [01:58] The Sweater Set defined.
• [03:58] Marco describes a Halloween brooch.
• [04:58] Marco describes his holiday-ware.
• [07:58] "The Old Man Jones Sweater"
• [08:28] Marco talks about the Mac cap.
• [09:37] Amanda and Marco talk about their favourite quiet street in Mexico City, New York, LA & Toronto.
• [12:58] Marco talks about The Cloisters in NYC
• [14:38] Amanda & Marco talk about Santa Clarita, California and its downtown.
• [17:58] The Shim Sham gets mentioned yet again on the podcast.
• [20:58] Amanda talks about Degrassi street.
• [22:38] Drake gets a shout out on the podcast.
• [23:38] Amanda tells us her favourite poets
• [24:38] Leonard Cohen gets a shout out too.

• Resource Links:

AGO Art Gallery of Ontario

Quotes: "Not Broochy by Nature" Amanda

"You look like a young, old man" Amanda

"Daily Parlance" Marco

Connect with us on:

Twitter: @listenandsleep

Instagram: @theinsomniaproject

web: theinsomniaproject.com

Patreon: www.patreon.com/theinsomniaproject

📸 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.