Catchin' My ZZZZ's with Podcasts

My DH has suffered from sleep apnea for a number of years. After being tested and diagnosed, he now sleeps with a C-PAP mask...which has helped tremendously with the snoring. Well, in order for me to sleep too, I have learned to sleep with Podcasts to drown out the noise. They have made sleeping with an apnea sufferer a little more tolerable.

For many years, I would stick ear "buds" into my ears and listen a small pocket radio. Each night, instead of my DH's snoring, I would fall asleep to the gentle British accents of the reporters on the BBC, or listen to stories of the paranormal and UFO's on "Coast to Coast AM" with George Noory. I know it sounds silly, but it works! And it has helped me to get some ZZZZ's after all these years!

But last year I got an iPod and I'm now hooked on Podcasts.

What are Podcasts?

Well, they are kinda like listening to a radio program...whenever I want. They are essentially a digital media file that I listen to through my IPod.

Let me share with you some of my favorites:

CraftyPod, The Podcast and Blog all about making stuff. This is by far, my favorite. Sister Diane, the host, does such an excellent job. This podcast is related to crafts, with interviews of artists and people involved in the craft business. Once in a while, Diane podcasts a tutorial, too. A tutorial that you listen too? Yes, I know, I used to think, "how can that be?" Well, she does a fantastic job and explains everything so thoroughly, you can see the whole thing! And her music throughout the podcast is excellent too. The sound quality is also good. (believe me, not all podcasts use the best sound equipment!)

Another favorite is:

CraftCast with Allison Lee. It is interesting and informative. There are interviews of people involved the craft and art business. I also look forward to Allison Lee's recommendations on music, movies, craft books and more! It is very organized and the sound quality is excellent.

Annie's Quilting Stash. This is very much geared to quilters, of course. I have enjoyed the interesting interviews with shop owners, designers and quilters. Annie's website is also fun to visit.

Now, for a good laugh, here's one my son introduced me to:

The Maniacal Rage Podcast, with Garrett Murray and Shaun Morrison. These two guys are so funny. Ok, I can't really listen to this one and sleep too well, because I laugh too much. But, this is one my son and I listen to as he sits at the computer in my quilting studio. It's funny! And every now and then these guys produce a video too.

And for a good story to put me to sleep each night, I enjoy:

A Prairie Home Companion: News from Lake Wobegon. I love the voice of Garrison Keillor and I wish I lived in a place like his ficticious hometown of Lake Wobegon. This podcast is made up of excerpts from Garrison Keillor's weekly show, just the "News from Lake Wobegon" portion. The stories are entertaining and fun to listen to.

Now, do you listen to Podcasts? If so, let me know of ones you recommend. If not, check out some the links I provided. And they could help you catch a few ZZZZ's too!