Sleepy Seedlings: The Bedtime Podcast with Trees

What happens when a country decides to plant a forest not out in the wilderness, but right where people live? Between Bristol, Bath and the Mendips, a quiet experiment is beginning: 20 million trees, planted through city streets, schoolyards, and farmland. Not a single woodland, but a patchwork – a forest you live inside without ever needing to visit. In this episode, we look at the Western Forest – how it started, what it hopes to become, and why planting trees you’ll never sit beneath might be the most human thing of all. A story about time, care, and the long, slow optimism of letting something grow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode tells the story of Halden, a maximum-security prison in Norway often called the most humane in the world. Built among birch and pine, with no bars on the windows and no guard towers, Halden challenges everything we think we know about punishment. But this isn’t a story about crime. It’s about what happens when trees become part of the architecture of change; as living witnesses to time, attention, and the possibility of becoming something else. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some memorials are built in stone. Others are planted. After the Berlin Wall fell, artist Ben Wagin created a living tribute on the very ground that once divided a city – a quiet space where trees, fragments of the Wall, and engraved granite slabs stand together in memory of those who died trying to cross. It's called the Parliament of Trees, and it still grows in the shadow of power, just steps from the German Parliament. Tonight’s episode is about that place – what it meant, what it still means, and why choosing something living as a memorial says more than any monument could. It's about memory, resistance, and what happens when we choose life over order. Let the trees hold your thoughts, and settle in. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Sleepy Seedlings, we journey into the heart of Pando — a vast grove of quaking aspens in Utah that appears to be a forest of thousands, but is in fact one single, ancient being. With over 40,000 trunks connected by a shared root system, Pando challenges the way we see individuality, identity, and connection. What can a forest that is one teach us about being human? Through the quiet wisdom of trees, we explore the hidden networks that bind life together — and reflect on the comforting truth that we are never truly separate. So settle in, let your breath slow, and come walk with us among the trembling leaves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A rusting steamship floats quietly in the waters of Homebush Bay, just outside Sydney. Once used to carry coal and wartime supplies, the SS Ayrfield was long ago abandoned… but never dismantled. Over time, the steel hull softened. The tides shifted. And one day, a mangrove seedling found its way into the empty hold – and stayed. In this episode, we drift gently through the story of a ship turned forest. We’ll explore how nature returns through patience, how roots can take hold in the most unlikely places, and how even what we leave behind can become something beautiful. Let this quiet tale carry you into rest – a slow journey through rust, memory, and the soft persistence of green things. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a quiet town in Georgia, a white oak tree stands at the edge of a small rise, surrounded by stone posts and legend. According to local lore, this tree legally owns itself – a gift from a man who once loved it so deeply, he signed over the land it stood on. Nearby, a plaque still carries his words: “For and in consideration of the great love I bear this tree…” This episode reflects on that love, and what it means to care for nature not out of duty, but from something deeper. We explore the story of the tree, the growing movement for nature’s legal personhood, and the quiet truth that when we protect the earth, we are also protecting ourselves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the misty hills of Meghalaya, some bridges are not built… they’re grown.Root by root, guided by hand and time, these living structures carry people across rivers—changing, healing, growing stronger with each passing year. This episode is about the quiet beauty of working with nature rather than against it.It’s about trees, yes—but also patience, memory, and the quiet art of tending.Let it carry you gently from the waking world into dreams. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode of Sleepy Seedlings, we travel to the windswept hills of Northumberland, where a solitary sycamore once stood in a dip along Hadrian’s Wall. Known as the Sycamore Gap Tree, it became one of the most photographed in the world — a place of stillness, of memory, and quiet meaning. And then, one morning, it was gone. What follows is a gentle reflection on grief, legacy, and the deep bond between people and trees. We explore how a single tree came to hold so much love, how its loss stirred something far beyond headlines, and how — in seeds, saplings, and silence — it continues to grow.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if a forest could become a library — its trees growing not just wood and bark, but stories waiting to be told? In this special episode of Sleepy Seedlings, we wander into the Future Library: a grove of 1,000 trees planted in Norway, destined to become books that no one alive today will read. It’s a story about patience, trust, and the quiet hope that the future will still care about poetry. Along the way, we’ll breathe with the trees, explore the strange beauty of legacy, and remember that human beings and forests are not so different. A book begins as breath. A tree becomes a thought. And perhaps, like trees, we’re allowed to grow slowly — without explanation. Lie back, exhale, and let this story settle into your roots. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tonight on Sleepy Seedlings, we follow an old path edged by blossom and birdsong, where a quiet and often overlooked companion has stood for centuries — the Wayfaring Tree. Not a towering oak nor a mythic yew, but a gentle presence along country lanes, its soft flowers and dusky berries have marked the way for travellers, pilgrims, and wanderers alike. This unassuming tree becomes our guide tonight, leading us not through forests or fields, but into the peaceful meadows of sleep. With poetry by William Wordsworth, reflections on ancient paths, and the hush of hedgerow life, this episode invites you to rest in the quiet company of the Wayfaring Tree. Let your thoughts wander gently, like footsteps on a long-forgotten track, until you drift into stillness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As spring deepens and the evenings stretch softly toward summer, this week’s episode invites you to rest beneath the ethereal bloom of the Foxglove Tree — Paulownia tomentosa. With its pale lavender flowers that blossom on bare branches, this remarkable tree appears like something from a dream, flowering in silence before its great green leaves unfold. We’ll drift through its ancient Chinese origins, its mythical ties to the phoenix, and the delicate music of its timber, all while imagining the petals falling like lavender snow. With soothing narration, gentle history, and the poetry of Robert Herrick, this episode offers a quiet meditation on transience, grace, and renewal. Let the soft blossoms guide you into stillness, and the whispering leaves cradle you into rest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Sleepy Seedlings, we drift into the quiet world of jasmine—a delicate vine whose fragrance deepens as the day unwinds. From moonlit gardens in India to the shaded courtyards of Damascus, jasmine has long been a companion to love, memory, and stillness. With soft white blossoms and a scent that unfurls most richly at night, jasmine reminds us that beauty doesn’t always bloom in full light—it often waits for the hush. We’ll explore the cultural history of Jasminum sambac and Jasminum officinale, discover the science behind its soothing scent, and listen to stories that stretch from temple garlands to teacups. Let your breath slow and your thoughts settle, wrapped in the calming perfume of a flower that thrives in twilight. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Sleepy Seedlings, we drift into the soft, cascading world of wisteria—a plant whose trailing blossoms transform streets and gardens into dreamscapes of lilac and white. We’ll wander through its history across Japan, China, and Victorian England, exploring its enduring symbolism of love, devotion, and patience. Along the way, we’ll pause to admire the quiet wonders of its botany: its slow twining, its strength, and its whispered generosity to the earth. As evening falls, we’ll rest beneath the wisteria’s fragrant canopy, breathing in its gentle beauty and allowing the ancient rhythms of nature to soothe the mind. Let the soft perfume of spring, the memory of old stone houses, and the silver hush of twilight carry you into peaceful, restful sleep. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Sleepy Seedlings, we rest beneath the soft, blushing branches of the Unconventional Judas Tree—Cercis siliquastrum. Known for its early spring blossoms that bloom before the leaves, this quietly striking tree carries with it stories of sorrow, beauty, and quiet transformation. From ancient legends to gentle science, we’ll explore the myths that gave the tree its name, the wonder of its heart-shaped leaves, and the rare way it flowers directly from its trunk. Through poetic reflection, soft narration, and soothing natural imagery, this episode is a gentle invitation to pause. To breathe. To find stillness beneath a tree that blooms not in spite of its history, but because of it. Settle in, let the petals fall around you, and drift off to sleep beneath the blossoms of the Judas Tree. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Take a barefoot walk through the spring dunes of Northern Europe in this peaceful episode of Sleepy Seedlings. As the sea hums softly in the distance and the grasses sway in the breeze, we spend time with the quiet guardian of the coast: marram grass. From its silvery blades to its deep, anchoring roots, this resilient plant shapes the land beneath our feet, holding the sand in place and whispering stories of wind and water. Along the way, we explore the science and wonder of how beaches form, the ancient relationship between people and dunes, and the calming poetry of Bliss Carman. Let this gentle stroll lull you into rest, as we listen to the rhythms of the sea-blown marram and the hush of the shifting shore. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tonight, we rest in the quiet embrace of the Myrtle Tree—an evergreen beloved by goddesses, poets, and lovers across the centuries. With her glossy green leaves and fragrant white blossoms, the myrtle has long stood as a symbol of sacred femininity, devotion, and quiet strength. Together, we’ll drift through myth and memory, from ancient wedding garlands to moonlit groves where the whispers of Aphrodite linger in the air. Let the soft rustle of leaves and the warmth of timeless stories guide you toward sleep. Through poetry, gentle science, and dreamlike imagery, this episode offers a tranquil escape into the world of the myrtle—a tree that invites us to love gently, to live presently, and to rest deeply. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this soothing episode of Sleepy Seedlings, we journey to the dry forests of South America, where the mystical Palo Santo tree stands in quiet patience. Known as “holy wood”, its true gift is revealed only after it has fallen, resting for years before releasing its warm, resinous fragrance. For centuries, its sacred smoke has drifted through ceremonies of healing and renewal, carrying with it whispers of transformation, patience, and the unseen rhythms of time. As the night settles in, let the gentle scent of Palo Santo be a reminder—to slow down, to trust in nature’s quiet unfolding, and to embrace the beauty of rest. With soft storytelling, ancient wisdom, and the hush of the trees, this episode will guide you into deep relaxation, where endings become beginnings and peace lingers like a fading ember in the night. Breathe in, let go, and drift into sleep. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Drift into a world of warmth and wonder as we explore the cinnamon tree—an ancient gift of spice and scent, wrapped in myth and history. From the lush groves where its golden bark is carefully gathered to the centuries of trade, tradition, and legend that have carried its fragrance across the world, the cinnamon tree is a quiet link between past and present, earth and sky, waking and dreaming. In this soothing episode of Sleepy Seedlings, we’ll wander through the tree’s history, its gentle presence in nature, and the science behind its comforting aroma. As the night deepens, we’ll listen to a lullaby by Sarojini Naidu, drifting into sleep with the soft rustle of cinnamon leaves and the hush of distant fireflies. Let the warmth of spice and story wrap around you like a gentle embrace, guiding you towards rest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The crabapple tree may be small, but it holds a quiet kind of magic. From its delicate spring blossoms to its jewel-like autumn fruit, it has been a tree of love, mystery, and quiet resilience for centuries. In ancient folklore, its seeds were tossed into the fire to reveal the truth of the heart, while its roots—unseen beneath the soil—continue to shape the apples we know today. A symbol of nature’s hidden wonders, the crabapple reminds us that even the smallest things can hold deep meaning. In this soothing episode of Sleepy Seedlings, we journey through the seasons with the crabapple tree, exploring its history, mythology, and quiet role in the natural world. As we reflect on its enduring presence, we are reminded of Henry David Thoreau’s words: "Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads". Settle in, slow your breath, and let the magic of the humble crabapple guide you into restful sleep. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sunflowers stand tall, their golden faces turned toward the sky, following the light even as the winds blow. In this episode of Sleepy Seedlings, we wander through endless fields of sunflowers, exploring their quiet resilience and deep-rooted symbolism. From their ability to heal the earth to their presence in folklore and art, the sunflower is more than just a flower—it is a testament to endurance, hope, and the gentle strength found in nature. Three years after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia, we reflect on the enduring spirit of the Ukrainian people through "Wings", a poem by the beloved Ukrainian poet Lina Kostenko. It reminds us that even though we cannot fly, we all have something that lifts us—whether love, hope, kindness, or dreams. Like the sunflower standing firm through storms, Ukraine continues to persevere, turning always toward the light. So, settle in, let the warmth of the sunflowers surround you, and rest in the quiet promise of a new day.Слава Україні. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.