Dusk and Dreams - Sleep Science, Folklore, and Mythology After Dark

Yarrow Diamond
  • 0.0 (0)
  • LIFE SCIENCES
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Explore the mysteries of the night through sleep science, dream psychology, and folklore. Hosted by Yarrow—executive coach, neuroscience explorer, vivid dreamer, and lifelong learner—the show moves between two realms: 🌙 Tuesdays: Applied Science – Unwind with neuroscience insights, dream interpretation & gentle rituals rooted in sleep science and psychology. Includes how to design restorative rituals, how ancient practices align with modern sleep research, and more. 🌌 Fridays: Step into folklore, mythology, & haunted history with Yarrow's alter ego: YLDragons. Venture into the wilder side.

  1. 1D AGO

    Sleep Hygiene — Science of a Better Night’s Rest | Dusk and Dreams: Ep. 21 - Circadian rhythms, light management, neuroscience-backed rituals, and small changes for truly restorative sleep.

    The secret to deep, restorative sleep isn’t just willpower — It’s deliberate design. In this episode of Dusk and Dreams, join me, Yarrow, as I guide you through the science and art of sleep hygiene: the habits, environments, and rituals that cue your body and brain to truly rest. We explore how ancient wisdom aligns with modern neuroscience (from evening bathing rituals and threshold practices to today’s blue-light problem) and the “digital sunset” that can reset your circadian rhythm. You’ll learn: Why a cool, dark bedroom can help your brain produce more melatonin and how to create your own sanctuary for rest. How textiles, soundscapes, and scent anchors (weighted blankets, white/brown noise, herbal infusions) cue your nervous system to relax. How to outsmart modern disruptors like caffeine, alcohol, anxiety spirals, and late-night scrolling.The blueprint for designing your personal evening ritual: layering small, gentle cues so your nervous system trusts the pattern. Tonight’s immersive soundscape: the hush of a lakeside cabin with soft lapping waves outside the window, a warm fire inside, and a faint breeze drifting through open curtains. Coming Up Next: ✨ Episode 22 (Friday Night Folklore): YLDragons takes over for a Mythical Night on:“The Black Dog — Night Omens, Folklore, and Haunting Beasts.” For centuries, spectral black dogs have appeared on lonely roads and crossroads as omens of death, guardians, or guides. We’ll trace their myths from England to the Caribbean and explore what these shadow-hounds reveal about fear and fate. Episode 23 (Tuesday Night Twilight Practices): I'll return for another Myth meets Modern Science Night: “The Power of Scent — Aromatherapy, Ritual, and the Neuroscience of Nighttime Calm.” We’ll explore how fragrance, herbal infusions, and olfactory cues can shift your nervous system, prime your dreams, and deepen your evening rituals.Listen & Subscribe: Find Dusk and Dreams on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever you love to listen.Connect with Yarrow: Visit www.breakgrid.com or follow @yarrowdiamond on Instagram.

    43 min

  2. 5D AGO

    Full Moon Madness: Myths, Rituals & the Lunar Pull on the Human Mind | Dusk and Dreams: Ep. 20 - Sleep Science, Folklore & Mythology after Dark

    Silver light, strange behavior, and timeless rituals—what is it about the full moon that stirs something wild inside us?Tonight on Dusk and Dreams, YLDragons steps in for a Mythical Night episode under the full moon’s glow. We’ll wander through ancient myths, global ceremonies, and modern neuroscience to uncover why the lunar cycle still captures our imagination. Full Moon Madness — Myths of the Moon and the Human Mind, DnD Ep. 20(Lunacy, rituals, transformations, and neuroscience under the moon’s silver glow.)Inside This Episode: 🌕 From “Lunatic” to Lunar Lore: Discover how Romans, medieval healers, and early scientists linked moonlight to madness, seizures, crime, and sleep changes—and why the myth still lingers. 🌕 Full Moon Rituals Across Cultures: Step inside Pagan Esbats, Hindu Karva Chauth, Bali’s Purnama ceremonies, African moon dances, Native American lunar naming traditions, and more—rich, living rituals that amplify devotion, healing, and transformation. 🌕 Moonlit Myths of Transformation: Beyond werewolves—meet Norse Ulfhednar, the shapeshifting Nahual, China’s goddess Chang’e (my apologies for any mispronunciations), Japan’s Tsukuyomi, Selene and Endymion, Polynesian’s Hina, Yoruba’s moon Orisha, and the cosmic rabbit myths of the Aztec and Maya. 🌕 Science of the Full Moon: Explore how lunar light might subtly influence our circadian rhythms, melatonin production, and emotional states. Learn why expectation, culture, and biology all converge under the moon’s gaze—and why your brain is a lunar timekeeper whether you know it or not. 🌕 Guided Moon Meditation: End with a cinematic, immersive meditation to let moonlight reveal your hidden self, release what no longer serves you, and reconnect with the primal cycles of nature.Tonight’s Immersive Soundscape: 🎧 Wind stirring across a darkened landscape, soft lapping lake waves, and faint silver chimes with a gentle rain storm and the echo of a distant wolf howl in the background. Crafted to feel like you’re standing at the edge of the lake under the moon with me.Coming Up Next: ✨ Next Tuesday (Episode 21): Sleep Hygiene – The Science of a Better Night’s Rest. We’ll explore circadian rhythms, light, and rituals to transform your sleep.✨ Next Friday (Episode 22): Zombies and the Night: Legends of the Walking Dead—a global dive into nocturnal undead lore.Subscribe and Connect with me and the Dusk and Dreams' Team: 🎙️You can find Dusk and Dreams on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and wherever you love to listen.🌐Visit www.breakgrid.com or📱 Follow @yarrowdiamond on Instagram to connect with our community of night-minded souls.#FullMoonMadness, #DuskAndDreamsPodcast #MoonMyths #LunarLegends #FullMoonEnergy #MoonlightMysteries #MythicalNights #AncientMyths #FolkloreFriday #TransformationMyths #SleepScience

    39 min
  3. Night Rituals Across Cultures — Ancient Practices for Modern Rest | Dusk and Dreams: Ep.19

    SEP 3

    Night Rituals Across Cultures — Ancient Practices for Modern Rest | Dusk and Dreams: Ep.19

    The secret to a peaceful night isn’t just in your habits. It’s in your heritage. Greetings, night wanderers! I’m Yarrow Diamond, and tonight on Dusk and Dreams we’re exploring the ancient, universal power of nighttime ritual. Long before smartphones and neon glare, our ancestors treated the night as a sacred threshold. They entered it with intention, creating rituals that calmed the body, soothed the mind, and opened the door to dreams. In this episode, we’ll travel across time and cultures to uncover forgotten wisdom and its surprising connection to modern neuroscience. You’ll hear about: ✨ The Lares of ancient Rome — guardian spirits honored with evening offerings at the hearth.✨ The hushed elegance of Japanese tea and onsen rituals — transitions that marked the body’s reset.✨ The firelit rhythms of the Sahara’s Tuareg nomads and the protective drumming of the Yoruba in West Africa.✨ Andean offerings of coca and herbal infusions, whispered as prayers to the mountains. We’ll connect these rituals to the science of sleep: how they lowered cortisol, activated the parasympathetic nervous system, and created sensory anchors for safety. You’ll also learn how to design your own modern rituals — from textile anchors and threshold breaths to sound sanctuaries and steam rituals — to reclaim this ancient birthright of profound rest. Tonight’s Immersive Soundscape: A lakeside cabin atmosphere with glowing coals in the hearth, waves lapping softly against the shore, and a gentle night breeze weaving through the silence. ✨ Coming Up Next: This Friday (Episode 20): YLDragons takes the mic for Full Moon Madness: Myths of the Moon and the Human Mind. From Chang’e and the Jade Rabbit in Chinese lore and the origins of lunacy to tales of transformation like that of the Goddess Selene, we’ll wander through global folklore that reveals just how deeply the moon stirs our primal instincts. Next Tuesday (Episode 21): Yarrow returns with Sleep Hygiene — The Science of a Better Night’s Rest. We’ll dive into circadian rhythms, sleep cycles, and science-backed practices that improve rest — from light management to environmental cues. Subscribe & Connect with Dusk and Dreams:Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and everywhere you love to listen.Connect with me at www.breakgrid.com or on Instagram @yarrowdiamond.

    40 min

  4. AUG 23

    Will-o’-the-Wisp and Beyond: Ghost Light Myths, Marfa Lights, and Science in the Dark | Dusk and Dreams: Ep. 18

    What flickers in the dark when no torch is near? From marshy paths in Europe to the wide deserts of Texas, strange lights have flickered in the night for centuries. Known as ghost lights, will-o’-the-wisps, Aleya lights, Marfa lights, and more, these glowing phenomena have been feared as omens, followed as guides, and debated by scientists and storytellers alike. Some lure travelers to doom. Some guide the lost to safety. Others… simply watch. In this episode of Dusk and Dreams, YLDragons takes wing and takes you deep into the glowing mystery: The folklore of will-o’-the-wisps and their trickster role in European marshes. The eerie Aleya lights of Bengal, said to lure fishermen to their doom. The enduring enigma of the Marfa Lights in Texas, witnessed for generations. The fiery serpent Boitatá of Brazil, Japan’s wandering soul-lights (hitodama), and Australia’s Min Min Lights that follow travelers across endless plains. A chilling spotlight on the Paasselkä Devils of Finland—glowing orbs above a black lake, feared as the wandering eyes of the lake itself. Alongside the folklore, we explore scientific theories—from bioluminescence and marsh gas ignitions to atmospheric refraction and the neuroscience of night vision. But where the explanations falter, the mystery only deepens. Ghost lights remind us that the night is not just empty darkness. It is alive with stories, illusions, and maybe something more—something untamed. 🐦‍⬛ Whether you’re a dreamer, a skeptic, or a night wanderer who’s seen a strange glow yourself, this journey into folklore, sleep science, and mystery will leave you listening a little differently the next time you walk under the stars. Tonight's Immersive Soundscape: Settle in next to a warm campfire in a forest glade at night. Surrounded by the soft sounds of gentle breezes and a nearby creek. We'll also travel to the sounds of our legends to include desert and lake shores. Come fly the world of night legends with your wild dragons guide. 🎙️ Coming Up Next: First up: an exploration episode on Night Rituals Across Cultures—exploring how ancient and modern traditions greet and guard the night, and how you can design your own ritual. Then Next Friday (Episode 20): YLDragons guides us into the shadows for Full Moon Madness: Myths of the Moon and the Human Mind. From lunar-driven legends of transformation to the science of “lunacy,” we’ll ask why the full moon still has such a hold on our imagination. Listen & Subscribe: Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio and wherever you love to listen (if there's a particular platform that you very much prefer, do let me know! I'm happy to check it out and get us on board if not already streaming 😊) Connect with Yarrow: Visit www.breakgrid.com or follow @yarrowdiamond on Instagram. Key Topics tonight: Ghost Lights, Will-o’-the-Wisp, Marfa Lights, Folklore, Mythology, Paranormal Phenomena, Legends of the Night, Sleep Science, Nighttime Mystery, Cultural Folklore, Restless Minds.

    44 min

  5. AUG 20

    The Nighttime Lab – Experiments in Rest | Dusk and Dreams: Ep. 17

    What if your best night's sleep is just one experiment away? I'm Yarrow, and tonight on Dusk and Dreams: The Unquiet Mind’s Guide to Myth and Rest, we're stepping into the Nighttime Lab—a sanctuary where you're both the scientist and the subject. In this episode, we explore the simple tweaks, old and new, that can shift the way our minds and bodies move into rest. You'll hear the results of my own personal trials with various sleep strategies, from journaling methods and environmental shifts to the surprising effectiveness of tech experiments with binaural beats and wearables. I’ll share what I've learned about creating a custom sleep strategy that might also work for you by blending timeless ancient rituals with new tools. Finally, we’ll end with a guided breathwork finale to help put on your invisible lab coat and conduct your very own experiment in rest. Tonight's Immersive Soundscape: Settle in to the sounds of late-night stillness with a cozy fireplace crackle, soft wind and ocean waves through the window, and a faint bubbling to evoke the feeling of a calm, late-night experiment. 👻 Coming Up Next: Episode 18: Next, YLDragons will take you into the shadows for "Ghost Lights," where we'll explore those strange, floating orbs seen across cultures and centuries—sometimes guiding, sometimes warning, and always mysterious. It’s a story night, and I think you’ll feel the shiver. Episode 19: Then, Yarrow will return to explore "Night Rituals Across Cultures." We’ll look at how the world greets and guards the night in both modern day and ancient societies. Subscribe and Connect with Dusk and Dreams: Listen & Subscribe: You can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and wherever you love to listen to podcasts! Connect with Yarrow: Visit www.breakgrid.com or follow @yarrowdiamond on Instagram. Key Topics Tonight:Nighttime Lab, Sleep Experiments, Restful Sleep, Neuroscience, Sleep Rituals, Journaling for Sleep, Binaural Beats, Sleep Tech, Mindful Sleep, Insomnia, Restorative Rest, Ancient Wisdom, Modern Science, Bedtime Routines, Personal Growth.

    42 min

  6. AUG 16

    Urban Legends: Nighttime Stories in Modern Culture | Dusk and Dreams: Ep. 16

    The city is sleeping, but its secrets are not. Are you ready to walk the streets where old myths put on new clothes? Tonight on Dusk and Dreams, my alter ego, YLDragons, takes wing and takes the lead. We’re wandering into the half-lit places where modern life and ancient myths blur together and exploring urban legends—the whispered, "friend of a friend said this totally happened!" tales that haunt our cities and our minds. In this episode, we'll fly out and see why these stories stick, exploring the haunting commonalities that make them so effective. You’ll hear about: The Vanishing Hitchhiker, a ghost story that has traveled the globe The Smiling Man, a primal fear of the uncanny The Phantom Passenger, a legend of ghost-filled journeys The Stillness Watcher, a chilling myth of being watched in the dark La Llorona from Mexico, the wailing woman who haunts rivers The Slit-Mouthed Woman from Japan, a story of terror and social pressure, and The Phantom Bus from London, a waking nightmare that blurs history and fear. We'll connect these myths to the surprising science of nighttime vigilance and the psychology of fear, exploring how the night amplifies every creak, shadow, and whisper into a story. These tales aren't just for entertainment; they are a profound reflection of our modern anxieties and primal fears. Tonight's Immersive Soundscape: Settle in as if you're in a cozy room with a crackling fireplace, and then tuck in under my umbrella as you hear the muted sounds of a rainy, late-night city street, creating a sanctuary against the dark and the unknown. 🔉 Coming Up Next: Coming This Tuesday (Episode 17): Next, Yarrow returns to guide you into gentler realms with "The Nighttime Lab: Experiments in Rest." We'll uncover a week of personal trials—old and new, scientific and ancient—to see what really helps the body and mind surrender to deep, restorative sleep. Some experiments may surprise you... and some may just become your next nighttime ritual. Coming This Friday (Episode 18): The Dragon returns to the shadows for an episode you won’t want to miss. We have three roads we could walk: "Ghost Lights", "Nighttime in the Afterlife", or "Tales of Haunted Locations and Their Histories". Which road will we take? Vote below! 👇 You’ll know when you step into the night with me again 😉. Subscribe and Connect with Dusk and Dreams: Listen & Subscribe: You can now find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio wherever you love to listen to podcasts! Connect with Yarrow/YLDragons: Visit www.breakgrid.com or follow @yarrowdiamond on Instagram. Urban Legends, Nighttime Stories, Modern Culture, Vanishing Hitchhiker, Smiling Man, La Llorona, Slit-Mouthed Woman, Phantom Bus, Creepypasta, Folklore, Nighttime Fears, Psychology, Liminal Time

    45 min

  7. AUG 13

    The Wired Dreamer – Using Technology for Better Sleep | Dusk and Dreams: Ep. 15

    What if the very device that keeps you awake... could also be the key to helping you rest? Tonight on Dusk and Dreams, join me, Yarrow, as we explore the modern paradox of sleep and technology. We all know the glow of a screen can be a thief of rest, but in this episode, we’ll discover how our devices can also be our heroes. I’ll share the surprising science behind why your phone is your sleep enemy, delving into concepts like melanopsin cells and dopamine spikes that keep you awake. We'll also unpack the psychological toll of 'digital vigilance' (that low-level alertness we feel even when we’re not scrolling). Then, we’ll turn the tables and explore how tech can be your ally. I’ll share how modern tools are just echoes of ancient wisdom: Blue light filters and smart lighting as our modern-day firelight. Wearables as our temple scribes, giving us data on our sleep rhythms. Soundscapes and neurostimulation as new forms of ancient lullabies. The fascinating worlds of ASMR and haptic feedback as modern sensory rituals. We’ll also take a look at a few ancient sleep practices, from the firelight effect to the concept of Valetudo, and see what they can teach us about our technology today. Finally, join me for a guided Night Reset to help you gently transition from the wired world into a state of deep, restorative rest. Tonight's Immersive Soundscape: Settle in to the sounds of a calming hearth fire, a sanctuary from the city storm and rain outside. The ambiance will transition to the gentle lapping of soft waves for our meditation, guiding you toward deep peace. ✨ Coming Up Next: Coming This Friday (Episode 16): Next, take a flight on the wild side with my alter ego, YLDragons, as I take you into the shadows of the modern night in "Urban Legends & Nighttime Stories in Modern Culture." From haunted highways to ghost stories that travel by text thread, we’ll explore why these modern myths take root and what they say about our deepest fears. Coming This Tuesday (Episode 17): Then, Yarrow returns to explore "The Nighttime Lab: Experiments in Rest." We'll uncover a week of personal tests and trials—old and new, scientific and ancient—to see what really helps the body and mind surrender to deep, restorative sleep. Some experiments may surprise you... and some may just become your next nighttime ritual. Subscribe and Connect with Dusk and Dreams: Listen & Subscribe: You can now find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and wherever you love to listen to podcasts! Connect with Yarrow/YLDragons: Visit www.breakgrid.com or follow @yarrowdiamond on Instagram. #TechnologyandSleep, #SleepTech, #CircadianRhythms, #DigitalVigilance, #Neurostimulation, #ASMR, #AncientWisdom, #Meditation, #RestorativeSleep

    37 min

  8. AUG 9

    The Siren’s Song – Mystical Nighttime Voices | Dusk and Dreams: Ep. 14

    What if the most dangerous song isn't the one you hear from the waves... but the one your own soul is trying to sing, that you never let play? Tonight on Dusk and Dreams, I'm a bit wilder and YLDragons is taking the lead. Join me as we plunge into moonlit waters, haunted coastlines, and myths that sing in the dark. In this episode, we're following the siren’s call far beyond the jagged coasts of ancient Greece to uncover the psychological snare that lured sailors to their doom. We'll journey around the globe to meet creatures whose mystical songs have haunted folklore for centuries: The Selkies of Celtic legend, whose haunting songs call them home to the sea. The Rusalki of Slavic rivers, whose melodies of grief and betrayal lure the unwary. The Havfrue and Sturmfrau of Norse and Germanic lore, whose voices ride the sound of a storm. The Engkanto of the Philippines, who hum soft melodies to lure travelers into moonlit groves. And the Bean Nighe, Pontianak, and El Silbón—the lost voices of the land whose calls are warnings, not invitations. We'll connect this rich folklore with modern neuroscience, exploring cognitive tricks like the "cocktail party effect" and the surprising role of psychoacoustics that can make us believe we're hearing a voice from beyond the living world. This episode is a journey into the power of sound, the allure of the unknown, and the danger of not listening closely enough to what your own soul is trying to tell you. 🔉 Tonight's Immersive Soundscape: For this perilous journey, you'll be immersed in the sounds of an ancient venture by boat through a storm of time. You'll hear the creak of a ship, the fury of a chilling storm with rain and thunder, and the relentless roar of the waves, all setting a tone of thrilling, primal anticipation. ⏭️ Coming Up Next: Coming This Tuesday: Next up, I'll guide you through the modern landscape of sleep with "Using Technology for Better Sleep." We'll explore how modern technology can be a powerful tool for rest and rejuvenation. From smart apps to biofeedback, we’ll uncover the secrets to a more peaceful night. And Coming This Friday: The Dragon returns to the shadows for an episode you won’t want to miss: "Urban Legends & Nighttime Stories in Modern Culture." We’ll plunge into the fascinating world of urban legends, Creepypastas, and viral horror, exploring why these modern myths take root and what they say about our deepest fears. 🔔 Subscribe and Connect with Dusk and Dreams: Listen & Subscribe: You can now find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and wherever you love to listen to podcasts! Connect with me: Visit www.breakgrid.com or follow @yarrowdiamond on Instagram. #SirensSong, #MysticalVoices, #Selkies, #Psychoacoustics, #NeuroscienceofSound, #NighttimeLegends, #DarkFolklore, #AncientMyths, #HauntedLegends, #ShipLore, #SeaMyths

    37 min
See All (22)

About

Explore the mysteries of the night through sleep science, dream psychology, and folklore. Hosted by Yarrow—executive coach, neuroscience explorer, vivid dreamer, and lifelong learner—the show moves between two realms: 🌙 Tuesdays: Applied Science – Unwind with neuroscience insights, dream interpretation & gentle rituals rooted in sleep science and psychology. Includes how to design restorative rituals, how ancient practices align with modern sleep research, and more. 🌌 Fridays: Step into folklore, mythology, & haunted history with Yarrow's alter ego: YLDragons. Venture into the wilder side.

Information