The science backs up what many of us already know to be true: Consuming news about the world’s challenges is stressful. It’s so stressful, in fact, that it can even keep us up at night.
Reading good news, on the other hand, can help provide a more even-keeled approach to media consumption, ultimately settling the nervous system, and hopefully regulating one’s sleep cycle.
Fortunately, one of the world’s most beloved podcast hosts is prepared to help you get a good night’s rest.
Michael Barbaro, host of The New York Times’ “The Daily,” has become a staple in the daily routine of millions, delivering 20- to 30-minute digestible news reports on the world’s biggest headlines every weekday.
In a new project, however, Barbaro is lending his voice to something a little different: Calm’s “Sleep Story” catalog.
The app, which offers a myriad of guided meditations, stories, and soothing sounds, will add Barbaro to its celebrity roster of Sleep Stories. This library already includes acclaimed voices like Harry Styles, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Matthew McConaughey, Lebron James, and more.
They feature melodious and comforting bedtime stories (both fictional and nonfictional) that promise to lull listeners to sleep. Barbaro’s 27-minute track, however, is described as a soothing — and non-partisan — good news report.
And it’s called “The Nightly.”
“I may have a soothing voice, but a lot of the stories I tell are not exactly relaxing,” Barbaro said in a statement for Calm.
“That's why I was so excited to work with Calm to tell a Sleep Story featuring nothing but good news that I hope can help you get to sleep.”
Barbaro’s Sleep Story includes three uplifting features, including “a curious job taken up by Icelandic horses, Australian trees receiving fan mail, and a surprising airborne incident involving saving flamingo eggs,” according to Calm.
To stick with the podcast bit, the track will also include “ad breaks,” which, contrary to actual advertisements, will “sell” listeners on the benefits of smiling and gratitude.
A Calm spokesperson told Good Good Good that the app’s writing team identified real news stories that would provide “only warm and fuzzy feelings” to help listeners “quiet their mind” before bed.
“Research shows positive thinking, which hearing good news offers, can help with lowering stress and calming the mind — things that prompt getting a good night’s rest,” the spokesperson continued.
“Our hope is by sharing a few uplifting stories paired with a familiar voice and calming music, we can help people wind down and find some calm at bedtime.”
Barbaro’s good news reporting promises to soothe the mind, meaning he won’t be offended if you doze off before the big headlines. In fact, in a recent poll of more than 8,000 Calm listeners, 91% reported that the app’s Sleep Stories improved their sleep.
That said, Barbaro’s Sleep Story will only be available to Calm Premium members. New listeners can start with a seven-day free trial, however, before committing to paying for the app’s permanent library.
Regardless, there are plenty of ways to consume good news. But Barbaro’s delivery might just become a new favorite.
“Particularly as we head into another election, we wanted to arm Calm subscribers with some good news to help them get to sleep,” Calm’s spokesperson said.
“And who better than Michael Barbaro — known for delivering people their daily news — to help us bring this to life.”
Header image courtesy of Calm
