Nocturne

Adam Baraz was raised by meditation teachers, and began meditating as a kid. In his quest to find deeper joy and well-being, he eventually branched off from his parents' teachings, and embarked upon a journey into darkness retreats. What he found there changed his life.

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(Found)ation Credits

Nocturne is produced by Vanessa Lowe

Music

Nocturne theme music by Kent Sparling

Additional music by Kent Sparling and Jeffrey Foster

Thank you to Hunter Longshore.

Episode art by Magdalena Metrycka

Support Nocturne by donating at www.Patreon.com/nocturnepodcast

In the documentary film, Nocturnes, the tiny fluttering nocturnal creatures who inhabit the Himalayan forest between India and Bhutan offer an exquisite and irresistible invitation - to experience the natural world with more love and attention.

Support Nocturne by donating at www.patreon.com/nocturnepodcast

Our Precious Time Credits

Nocturne is produced by Vanessa Lowe

Music

Nocturne theme music by Kent Sparling

Additional music by Kent Sparling and Jeffrey Foster

Find out more about the film, Nocturnes, at https://grasshopperfilm.com/film/nocturnes/

All natural sounds in this episode were original to the film, and provided by the filmmakers, Anirban Dutta and Anupama Srinivasan.

Thank you to Hunter Longshore.

Episode art by Magdalena Metrycka

Support Nocturne by donating at www.Patreon.com/nocturnepodcast

Hello dear listener, Vanessa here. 

First off, I want to let you know about a unique in-person event that Nocturne will be part of in the San Francisco Bay Area on Saturday, January 10th.

Way back last January we released the episode, Impression, in which I followed artist, Nathanael Gray out to the wilds of the Point Reyes National Seashore, and chronicled his process of creating a large triptych painting of the ocean, in the dark. 

If you'll be in the Bay Area on January 10th, I'd like to invite you to an intimate immersive experience in which we'll gather together from 6:30-9pm, listen to the episode, AND reveal the painting that Nathanael created for the first time, along with his newly created series, Ocean Fields. What's more, they'll be time to mingle in the lovely art/gathering space - A Loft of One's Own, in Emeryville, purchase yummy pop up food, amidst a newly created soundscape by Nocturne composer, and co-creator, Kent Sparling. 

The event is free, but there are limited spots available, so RSVP is required. You can find event details at https://www.aloftofonesown.com/impression .

And speaking of past episodes, I thought I'd drop an old holiday favorite into the feed as a rebroadcast. The episode is Tree People, from back in 2017, featuring Joel Shupack, who worked for years guarding Christmas Trees at night in NYC. Joel is highly entertaining as he recalls the ins and outs of this very unique nocturnal gig. So, whether you're revisiting this story or hearing it for the first time, I hope you enjoy it.

There’s a funny thing about Christmas in New York: In a city where most of the living trees are clumped together in just a few areas, right around Thanksgiving new clumps of trees start popping up all over this mostly concrete and asphalt setting. The tree stands sprinkled throughout the city create a festive air, but there’s another dimension to the world of Christmas trees in New York City at night.

Support Nocturne by donating at www.patreon.com/nocturnepodcast

 Tree People Credits

Nocturne is produced by Vanessa Lowe.

Production help on this episode from Joel Shupack.

You can find Joel Shupack's podcast, Square Mile, here.

Find out about the live art event in Emeryville, featuring work by Nathanael Gray, on January 10th, 2026 here: https://www.aloftofonesown.com/impression

Music

Nocturne theme music by Kent Sparling

Also by Kent Sparling:

Callum; Farther You Are; Galvin Needle; Wait; Silent Night; Oh Christmas Tree; Cuttings; Carbon Source, Unreleased

Rue Royale:

Deck the Halls

Pollen:

Jingle Bells Swing

Aldrine Guerrero:

Source recording for Carol of the Bells

Episode Artwork: Robin Galante

Lullabies and goodnight wishes are thought to soothe both the giver and the receiver.  They're an anchor in time, as we send each other off into the dark unknown, hoping that the world will reassemble recognizable, and that we might have more moments together.

Support Nocturne by donating at www.patreon.com/nocturnepodcast

How We Say Goodnight Credits

Nocturne is produced by Vanessa Lowe

Music

Nocturne theme music by Kent Sparling

Additional music by Kent Sparling and Jeffrey Foster

Find out more about Night Air, by Karen Werner at karenwerner.net/about . The Night Air singers in this episode were Aleksandra Gorzkeiewicz, Trine Hansen, Wench Haukland (flute and voice), and Alan Ó Raghallaigh.

Other voices in this episode include Rhodes (guitar playing busker), Heidi Bagnall, Josh LaBaw, Jared Moore, Mario DeSio, Stephanie Rubin, Kent Sparling, Finn Sparlowe, and Lisa Pezzulich. Thank you to all the others who lent their voices.

Episode art by Magdalena Metrycka

Support Nocturne by donating at www.Patreon.com/nocturnepodcast

When Michael Koppy was a kid, he fell in love with running, logging a thousand miles in one summer. In his eighth decade, he's still pushing himself, breaking records, and following his dreams, one step at a time.

Support Nocturne by donating at www.patreon.com/nocturnepodcast

Ultra Credits

Nocturne is produced by Vanessa Lowe

Music

Nocturne theme music by Kent Sparling

Additional music by Kent Sparling and Kid Otter

Find info about Michael Koppy at https://www.duluthymca.org/runkoppy

Special thanks to Tim Harincar for the idea for this episode!

Sled recording by Dan Kraker

Episode art by Magdalena Metrycka

Support Nocturne by donating at www.Patreon.com/nocturnepodcast

Nocturne is a proud member of Hub and Spoke audio collective

Scientists have dubbed this time period the Lunar Anthropocene, a new geological epoch in which human's have become the dominant force shaping the moon's environment.  As humans race forward into deeper exploration and utilization of the moon and beyond, astronomer, Dr. Aparna Venkatesan, urges us to consider the shared nature of the cosmos.

Support Nocturne by donating at www.patreon.com/nocturnepodcast

Shared Space Credits

Nocturne is produced by Vanessa Lowe

Music

Nocturne theme music by Kent Sparling

Additional music by Kent Sparling and Kid Otter.

Find Dr. Aparna Venkatesan at usfca.edu/faculty/aparna-venkatesan

Episode art by Magdalena Metrycka

Support Nocturne by donating at www.Patreon.com/nocturnepodcast

Nocturne is a proud member of Hub and Spoke audio collective.

Many of us have struggled with insomnia at various times in our lives. Annabel Abbs' journey through insomnia led her to discoveries that completely changed her life.

Support Nocturne by donating at www.patreon.com/nocturnepodcast

The Night Self Credits

Nocturne is produced by Vanessa Lowe

Music

Nocturne theme music by Kent Sparling

Additional music by Kent Sparling.

Find Annabel Abbs at www.annabelabbs.com

Episode art by Magdalena Metrycka

Support Nocturne by donating at www.Patreon.com/nocturnepodcast

Nocturne is a proud member of Hub and Spoke audio collective.

Nathanael Gray paints dramatic landscapes of wild nature. He paints them in the dark.

Support Nocturne by donating at www.patreon.com/nocturnepodcast

 

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Impression Credits

Nocturne is produced by Vanessa Lowe

Music

Nocturne theme music by Kent Sparling

Additional music by Kent Sparling and Jeffrey Foster.

Find out more about Nathanael Gray's art www.nathanaelgray.com.

Episode art by Magdalena Metrycka

Support Nocturne by donating at www.Patreon.com/nocturnepodcast

Nocturne is a proud member of Hub and Spoke audio collective

"Henry 1" is the Sonoma Country Sheriff's Office helicopter rescue unit.  They're available 24/7, and are one of the busiest programs of their kind in the country. They're the only one in the country that does long line rescues at night. They're super badass.

Support Nocturne by donating at www.patreon.com/nocturnepodcast

Henry 1Credits

Nocturne is produced by Vanessa Lowe

Music

Nocturne theme music by Kent Sparling

Additional music by Kent Sparling.

Music in original episode by David Hughes, Kyron (aka JC Mendizbal), Gunnar Madsen (featuring MCMGM), and Kent Sparling.

Episode art by Magdalena Metrycka

Support Nocturne by donating at www.Patreon.com/nocturnepodcast

Nocturne is a proud member of Hub and Spoke audio collective.

Watch the video of the Henry 1 rescue featured in the episode here.

Nocturne is turning 10 YEARS OLD next month! In honor of this huge milestone, we are revisiting an early listener favorite, with a twist. It turns out, the night, with it's hidden, pulse quickening, mystery, may not be something to triumph over, it might be something to savor.

Support Nocturne by donating at www.patreon.com/nocturnepodcast

Into Under Through Again Credits

Nocturne is produced by Vanessa Lowe

Music

Nocturne theme music by Kent Sparling

Additional music by Kent Sparling.

Music in original episode by Jeffrey Foster, Janet Feder, and Kent Sparling.

Episode art by Magdalena Metrycka

Support Nocturne by donating at www.Patreon.com/nocturnepodcast

Nocturne is a proud member of Hub and Spoke audio collective