Sleepless Creatives

Canary Studios
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Sleepless Creatives is a sleep and well-being podcast for people in the Performing Arts and Creative industry. Hosted and read by Actor & Voice Actor, Florence St Leger, each episode is beautifully tailored towards the minds of Actors, Writers and other creatives in the form of stories, plays, poetry and more - allowing us to take you back to the page, back to the script and back to the words you love to perform. Because creativity is in our blood, but it's not always easy, so sometimes we need a gentle reminder of why we chose it.

  1. The Snow Queen: A Gentle Winters Lullaby

    12/24/2025

    The Snow Queen: A Gentle Winters Lullaby

    Do you have any thoughts or ideas about the show? Send us a text! Hello Creators, Holiday shine can feel sharp when your brain won’t switch off.  We open with a warm check‑in for creators and performers who feel the December squeeze, then curl up with the first half of The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen—read softly to settle your breath and steady your thoughts. The tale unfolds like a mirror to our creative lives. The troll’s shattered glass warps beauty and amplifies flaws, much like the feed, metrics, and self-comparison that creep in after dark.  Looking ahead to the new year, the show returns in January 2026 with five new guest readers and a bigger project taking shape behind the scenes.  For now, make tea, dim the room, and let the cadence of a classic carry you toward rest.  If this brought you a little peace, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs a softer night, and leave a quick review to help more sleepless creatives find us. I hope all of you have a lovely holiday season and a happy New Year! Florence x Support the show Our Links: Subscribe to our Newsletter! www.sleeplesscreativespodcast.co.uk Our producer Instagram Linkedin Do you want to feature as one of our Guest Readers in your own special episode? If you work or study in the Performing Arts or Creative Industry in any capacity, we would love to have you. Applications open on 1st September every year, follow us on Instagram to keep up with the announcements! Sleepless Creatives is hosted by Florence St Leger, and produced by Canary Studios. The opening theme is Reflection by Birds of Norway.

    36 min
  2. A Voice Actor’s Lullaby: Treasure Island’s First Chapter with Robyn McConnell

    11/27/2025

    A Voice Actor’s Lullaby: Treasure Island’s First Chapter with Robyn McConnell

    Do you have any thoughts or ideas about the show? Send us a text! Hello Creators, Ever meet a classic through its film cousins first? Join our final Guest Reader of 2025, trans voice actor Robyn McConnell, as she traces the surprising lineage between Treasure Planet and Muppets Treasure Island and the book that started it all—then slip into a soft, steady reading of Stevenson’s opening chapter. Robyn shares how adaptations simplify early stakes, why some versions erase Jim Hawkins’ father, and what that choice does to the mood of the Admiral Benbow. Together we map what the films kept—the songs, the myth, the promise of danger—and what the novel restores: the quiet dread of waiting, the texture of a frayed coat, the weight of a debt unpaid. It’s a guided rediscovery that treats story as both study and sanctuary. From the captain’s first knock to Dr Livesey’s unflinching rebuke, the chapter unfolds in calm detail.  Robyn’s performance stays warm and restrained, giving you space to breathe while keeping the thread of the tale clear.  If you’ve only known the story through animation and puppets, you’ll hear why the original opening is a masterclass in atmosphere—rich, patient, and haunting in the gentlest way. If you enjoy thoughtful storytelling, cosy narration, and a little literary myth-busting, this one’s for you.  Follow for more sleep-friendly readings, share with a friend who needs a calmer night, and leave a quick review to help others find their way to rest. Sweet Dreams, Florence x Follow Robyn: https://rmcconnellva.carrd.co/ Instagram: @cubixfails Support the show Our Links: Subscribe to our Newsletter! www.sleeplesscreativespodcast.co.uk Our producer Instagram Linkedin Do you want to feature as one of our Guest Readers in your own special episode? If you work or study in the Performing Arts or Creative Industry in any capacity, we would love to have you. Applications open on 1st September every year, follow us on Instagram to keep up with the announcements! Sleepless Creatives is hosted by Florence St Leger, and produced by Canary Studios. The opening theme is Reflection by Birds of Norway.

    17 min
  3. Drift Off As Ichabod Crane Meets the Horseman in Sleepy Hollow Part 2

    10/27/2025

    Drift Off As Ichabod Crane Meets the Horseman in Sleepy Hollow Part 2

    Do you have any thoughts or ideas about the show? Send us a text! Hello Creators, A cloudy October evening begs for a story that knows the road home.  We settle into the second half of Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow with a reading designed to calm the mind while letting the imagination wander.  From the last warmth of a bustling harvest party to the hush of a moonless lane, you’ll feel the season in full: apples stacked high, violin strings scraping time, and a table so generous it softens even a schoolmaster’s pride. Rivalries smoulder as Brom Bones needles Ichabod with barnyard pranks and knowing smiles.  The dance ends, the porch grows quiet, and talk drifts toward the kind of lore that clings to old places—war exploits retold by pipe-glow, a churchyard set among elms, and a rider who doesn’t need a head to command attention.  We trace the way stories become landmarks, how communities keep memory alive, and why belief itself can shape the turn of a road.  The chase that follows is all suggestion and echo: branches creak, water darkens, a bridge waits like a final rule.  When the hammer falls, it’s a pumpkin, a laugh, and a mystery the village never fully resolves. Told in a gentle, sleep-friendly cadence, this reading pairs classic gothic atmosphere with modern rest cues: rich sensory scenes, measured pacing, and space to breathe.  If you’re here for Halloween comfort, folklore history, or simply a mindful wind-down, you’ll find a lantern-lit path to quieter thoughts and better sleep. Press play, get cozy, and tell us after: prank or phantom?  Subscribe or share with a friend who loves autumn nights, and leave a review to help more sleepy creatives, just like you, to find the show. Sweet Dreams, Florence x Support the show Our Links: Subscribe to our Newsletter! www.sleeplesscreativespodcast.co.uk Our producer Instagram Linkedin Do you want to feature as one of our Guest Readers in your own special episode? If you work or study in the Performing Arts or Creative Industry in any capacity, we would love to have you. Applications open on 1st September every year, follow us on Instagram to keep up with the announcements! Sleepless Creatives is hosted by Florence St Leger, and produced by Canary Studios. The opening theme is Reflection by Birds of Norway.

    43 min
  4. The Mysterious Portrait: Chapter 5 of Carmilla's Gothic Tale

    09/27/2025

    The Mysterious Portrait: Chapter 5 of Carmilla's Gothic Tale

    Do you have any thoughts or ideas about the show? Send us a text! Hello Creators, Autumn leaves are falling, temperatures are dropping, and for many creators, an uneasy feeling creeps in as we evaluate what we've accomplished this year.  If you're feeling that familiar pressure that comes with seasonal transitions, you're not alone. In this deeply atmospheric episode, we explore how the changing seasons can trigger creative anxiety and the feeling that we haven't achieved enough as the year winds down.  I share some gentle reminders about the importance of self-compassion during these transitional times.  There's absolute wisdom in slowing down, celebrating small victories, and breaking unfinished goals into manageable pieces for the future.  For my fellow ADHD creators, I offer practical tips on keeping those goals visible and achievable. The perfect companion to these autumnal reflections comes as Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's gothic novella "Carmilla."  Chapter 5 takes us into a world where the past mysteriously intrudes upon the present through an uncannily familiar portrait.  As moonlight bathes the castle grounds, Carmilla's passionate confessions and sudden withdrawals mirror our own creative ebbs and flows.  The ancient portrait, dated 1698, connects both women to a forgotten lineage, raising questions about identity and inheritance that resonate with our own artistic journeys. Whether you're wrestling with creative doubts or simply seeking an atmospheric escape as Halloween approaches, this episode offers both practical wisdom and gothic enchantment.  Sleep Tight, Florence x Support the show Our Links: Subscribe to our Newsletter! www.sleeplesscreativespodcast.co.uk Our producer Instagram Linkedin Do you want to feature as one of our Guest Readers in your own special episode? If you work or study in the Performing Arts or Creative Industry in any capacity, we would love to have you. Applications open on 1st September every year, follow us on Instagram to keep up with the announcements! Sleepless Creatives is hosted by Florence St Leger, and produced by Canary Studios. The opening theme is Reflection by Birds of Norway.

    14 min
  5. Dreams, Identity & Family: Exploring Green Gables with Voice Actor Sarah McPhee

    08/27/2025

    Dreams, Identity & Family: Exploring Green Gables with Voice Actor Sarah McPhee

    Do you have any thoughts or ideas about the show? Send us a text! Hello Creators, Dreams weave through the night as stories unfold, and tonight we journey to the charming world of Avonlea with voice actor Sarah McPhee as she reads from "Anne of Green Gables" by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Sarah brings a personal connection to this beloved classic, having visited Prince Edward Island twice to explore the real locations that inspired Montgomery's fictional world.  Her passion for Anne's story shines through as she introduces us to the first chapter of this timeless tale about an orphan girl who transforms the lives of everyone around her with her vibrant imagination and irrepressible spirit. The reading begins with the introduction of Mrs. Rachel Lynde, Avonlea's premier busybody, whose keen observations set our story in motion.  When she spots the shy, reclusive Matthew Cuthbert dressed in his Sunday best and driving his buggy on a weekday afternoon, Mrs. Rachel's curiosity is piqued.  Her subsequent visit to Green Gables reveals the Cuthberts' plan to adopt a boy from an orphanage—a plan that listeners familiar with the story know will take an unexpected turn when a talkative, red-headed girl arrives instead. Montgomery's rich descriptions of Prince Edward Island's landscape create a vivid backdrop for this story about finding family in unexpected places.  The carefully constructed characters—from practical Marilla to shy Matthew to nosy Mrs. Rachel—come alive through Sarah's thoughtful narration, inviting you to lose yourself in their world as you drift toward sleep. Whether you're revisiting a childhood favourite or discovering Anne's story for the first time, this episode offers the perfect blend of nostalgic comfort and literary escape.  Close your eyes, get comfortable, and let the gentle cadence of Sarah's voice carry you to Green Gables, where dreams take flight even as you surrender to slumber. Sweed Dreams, Florence x Support the show Our Links: Subscribe to our Newsletter! www.sleeplesscreativespodcast.co.uk Our producer Instagram Linkedin Do you want to feature as one of our Guest Readers in your own special episode? If you work or study in the Performing Arts or Creative Industry in any capacity, we would love to have you. Applications open on 1st September every year, follow us on Instagram to keep up with the announcements! Sleepless Creatives is hosted by Florence St Leger, and produced by Canary Studios. The opening theme is Reflection by Birds of Norway.

    21 min
  6. The Tale of Jemima Puddle Duck: A Nostalgic Bedtime Story for Creative Minds

    07/27/2025

    The Tale of Jemima Puddle Duck: A Nostalgic Bedtime Story for Creative Minds

    Do you have any thoughts or ideas about the show? Send us a text! Hello Creators, Remember those childhood stories that wrapped around your imagination like a warm blanket? The ones you begged to hear "just one more time" before sleep? We're tapping into that powerful nostalgia with Beatrix Potter's timeless classic, "The Tale of Jemima Puddle Duck." This beloved story follows the determined but naive Jemima, who simply wants to hatch her own eggs away from the interfering farm wife. Her journey leads her to a suspiciously polite "gentleman" with sandy whiskers and a bushy tail who seems all too eager to help. With Potter's signature blend of gentle humor and subtle danger, the story unfolds into a lesson about trust and the sometimes necessary wisdom of others. As creative souls, we often find ourselves searching far and wide for inspiration and comfort when feeling creatively drained. Yet sometimes the most potent creative fuel lies in revisiting the stories that shaped our earliest imaginations. These foundational tales—with their archetypal characters, vivid imagery, and elegant simplicity—can reconnect us with our creative roots in surprising ways. So take a minute to get cosy and comfortable, and drift off with Jemima and her adventures. Which childhood stories still resonate with you? Share your favorites with us, and perhaps they'll inspire a future episode. Sleep Tight,  Florence x The Music in this episode is Dawning by Ian Kelosky. Support the show Our Links: Subscribe to our Newsletter! www.sleeplesscreativespodcast.co.uk Our producer Instagram Linkedin Do you want to feature as one of our Guest Readers in your own special episode? If you work or study in the Performing Arts or Creative Industry in any capacity, we would love to have you. Applications open on 1st September every year, follow us on Instagram to keep up with the announcements! Sleepless Creatives is hosted by Florence St Leger, and produced by Canary Studios. The opening theme is Reflection by Birds of Norway.

    10 min
  7. The Pathless Woods: Byron's Poetry for Restless Queer Minds

    06/27/2025

    The Pathless Woods: Byron's Poetry for Restless Queer Minds

    Do you have any thoughts or ideas about the show? Send us a text! Hello Creatives, Let's drift into a world of romantic poetry as we celebrate Pride Month with part two of Lord Byron's most beautiful verses.  This special episode invites you to experience the yearning, heartbreak, and profound beauty captured by one of history's most renowned queer poets. Each poem reveals different facets of love, loss, and longing through language that remains powerfully moving and wonderfully inspirational centuries later. This episode features a wonderful collaboration with Ruth Toynton, singer-songwriter and founder of the Green Room, a peer-to-peer support group for musicians. Her passion for building supportive, creative communities mirrors our commitment to fostering connection, well-being, and good sleep among actors, writers, and other creatives.  Join The Green Room, Hull on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/groups/1605537260216846/  I would also like to take a moment to extend heartfelt Pride Month wishes. Sleepless Creatives is a queer founded and led podcast, and it remains a safe space for all listeners; you are valid and you matter. Whether you're seeking creative inspiration, struggling with sleep, or simply appreciating the beauty of classic poetry, Byron's words offer a timeless refuge. Let the rhythm of these verses carry you toward peaceful rest while celebrating the enduring legacy of queer artistry. Sleep Tight,  Florence x The Music in this episode is Stars, Trees by Outside The Sky. Support the show Our Links: Subscribe to our Newsletter! www.sleeplesscreativespodcast.co.uk Our producer Instagram Linkedin Do you want to feature as one of our Guest Readers in your own special episode? If you work or study in the Performing Arts or Creative Industry in any capacity, we would love to have you. Applications open on 1st September every year, follow us on Instagram to keep up with the announcements! Sleepless Creatives is hosted by Florence St Leger, and produced by Canary Studios. The opening theme is Reflection by Birds of Norway.

    19 min
  8. Sleep, Mysticism, and the Lunar Connection with Voice Actor Neha Gargava

    05/27/2025

    Sleep, Mysticism, and the Lunar Connection with Voice Actor Neha Gargava

    Do you have any thoughts or ideas about the show? Send us a text! Hello Creatives, The moon's influence on human sleep patterns has long been a subject of mystical tradition, but modern science is now catching up with what yogic wisdom has known for millennia.  Today's Guest Reader, Indian voice actor and Hindi voice dubber Neha Gargava, reads a captivating article from the Isha Foundation that bridges ancient knowledge and cutting-edge research about our connection to lunar cycles. Follow Neha: www.voicedbyneha.com  www.instagram.com/nehagargava The Isha Foundation: www.isha.sadhguru.org Dr. Horacio's groundbreaking research reveals that human sleep does indeed synchronize with the lunar cycle. Surprisingly, we experience our shortest sleep duration 3-5 days before the full moon—a pattern that aligns perfectly with how our ancestors would have utilized evening moonlight to extend their daily activities. This evolutionary adaptation continues to influence us today, even when most of us live in environments dominated by artificial light. From the yogic perspective shared by Sadhguru, this connection is fundamental to our existence. Hatha Yoga itself represents the balance between solar and lunar energies (ha=sun, tha=moon). While Western traditions often dismissed lunar influence as causing "lunacy," Eastern wisdom recognized the moon's power to amplify our existing qualities—making the joyful more joyful, the loving more loving, and the meditative more meditative. The article offers six practical tips for better sleep that blend ancient wisdom with modern understanding: taking a shower before bed to cleanse energetic buildup, avoiding late meals, lighting an organic oil lamp in your bedroom, reflecting on mortality before sleep, not positioning your head northward while sleeping (in the northern hemisphere), and practicing conscious release of physical and mental attachments before drifting off. Finally, we learn about Shambhavi Mahamudra, a practice that creates a twilight state between sleeping and waking—a powerful reminder that sleep is not merely rest but a gateway to different states of consciousness. Try incorporating these simple techniques into your bedtime routine to transform your relationship with sleep and tap into wisdom that transcends time. Sleep Tight,  Florence x The Music in this episode is Cozy Winter Days by Anthony Catacoli. Support the show Our Links: Subscribe to our Newsletter! www.sleeplesscreativespodcast.co.uk Our producer Instagram Linkedin Do you want to feature as one of our Guest Readers in your own special episode? If you work or study in the Performing Arts or Creative Industry in any capacity, we would love to have you. Applications open on 1st September every year, follow us on Instagram to keep up with the announcements! Sleepless Creatives is hosted by Florence St Leger, and produced by Canary Studios. The opening theme is Reflection by Birds of Norway.

    28 min
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About

Sleepless Creatives is a sleep and well-being podcast for people in the Performing Arts and Creative industry. Hosted and read by Actor & Voice Actor, Florence St Leger, each episode is beautifully tailored towards the minds of Actors, Writers and other creatives in the form of stories, plays, poetry and more - allowing us to take you back to the page, back to the script and back to the words you love to perform. Because creativity is in our blood, but it's not always easy, so sometimes we need a gentle reminder of why we chose it.

Information

  • Creator
    Canary Studios
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    60
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Sleepless Creatives
  • Show Website
    Sleepless Creatives