“We aren’t sleeping. We’re staring at our phones. And then we get mad at the clock,” is how one might sum up the contemporary nocturnal scene. Countless studies urge people to put down their devices at least an hour before bedtime, to meditate, and practice ‘sleep hygiene.’ This is excellent advice, in theory, but what about the people whom anxiety and insomnia take hostage? For so many, something a little less ‘healthy,’ and a little less demanding of willpower, might be the answer.
Anxiety Addict’s Bedtime Stories, the brainchild of former actress Jo Newman, is leading this counterintuitive trend with an unexpected, yet resoundingly successful approach. Her podcast, while considered a sleep aid, serves not tranquil lullabies but relaxing doses of comic relief, delivered in real tales of everyday people caught in funny, ridiculous situations.
Soothing the Mind Through Laughter-Induced Sleep
The podcast’s success isn’t accidental but a calculated answer to increasing demand. According to the American Sleep Association in 2023, approximately 50-70 million adults in the US have a sleep disorder. As technology continues to encroach on today’s modern lives, the lines between work and rest blur, and adults are finding it even more challenging to switch off at bedtime.
“These are not meditations. They aren’t stories of lying in a grassy field, watching clouds the shape of bunnies scamper across the sky. These are true stories of people being… people. We’re here to tell you, in the most relaxing way possible, that we’re all screwing up. And we’re all lying in bed worrying about it. It’s ok, we’re in this together.” said Newman
Newman’s ‘adult’ bedtime tales provide much-needed respite for the digitally-overwhelmed generation of 25-50-year-olds today.
Tickling the Funny Bone to Slumberland
Imagine a stand-up gig where the punchlines don’t just provoke laughter but also yawns. This might sound bizarre and yet that’s precisely what Anxiety Addict’s Bedtime Stories aims to do. Combining soft-spoken narrators and tranquil tunes, the podcast uses the healing power of humor, offering a sanctuary of silliness to ease stress and induce sleep.
Of course, there’s a method to this madness. Each episode is a finely tuned laughter machine, starting with a brief intro, followed by fabulously funny tales read by popular actors like Silicon Valley’s Josh Brener and Henry Danger’s Cooper Barnes. Ultimately, the goal is to tickle listeners into a mental state relaxed enough for a good night’s sleep.
Finding Laughter in a Sea of Podcasts
Navigating the crowded waters of podcasts, Anxiety Addict’s Bedtime Stories charters a unique course. The show is predicted to ride the wave toward a $2.1 billion podcast market by 2023’s end, per PWC’s Global Entertainment & Media Outlook. Despite the market potential, though, Newman’s sleep-inducing hilarity faces stiff competition.
In its peculiarity, Anxiety Addict’s Bedtime Stories helps the modern individual resonate with grown-up realities in a light and funny way. By sprinkling humor in everyday situations, Newman presents an evolved form of the traditional storytelling practice–one that truly speaks to an audience yearning to unwind and chuckle their way into dreamland.
Having The Last Laugh
With her eyes set on spinning her successful podcast into an annual book deal, Newman is also not shy about catching the attention of streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu. Her mission, though, remains the same: to guarantee that the day ends with a good laugh, one bedtime story at a time.
“Sometimes, all it takes is a good laugh,” Newman reflects, encapsulating the spirit of turning insomniacs into late-night comedy club members. As listeners saunter into tomorrow, may these bedtime stories echo with guffaws and giggles rather than whispers of yesteryears.
