Explore every episode of the podcast Nocturne

An early tragedy led Tom Turcich to examine what he wanted out of life, so over the course of seven years, he and Savannah walked around the globe. Tom is the 10th man to walk around the world, and  Savannah is the first dog. Support Nocturne by donating at www.patreon.com/nocturnepodcast Tom and Savannah Credits Nocturne is produced by Vanessa Lowe Music Nocturne theme music by Kent Sparling Additional music by David C . Hughes, Jeffrey Foster; Kid Otter. Find out more about Tom Turcich and the World Walk here. Episode art by Magdalena Metrycka Support Nocturne by donating at www.Patreon.com/nocturnepodcast Nocturne is a proud member of Hub and Spoke audio collective    

As the world changes around us, how do we balance grief and gratitude? How do we stay connected enough to what we love, to be able to mobilize the energy and spirit to fight for it? Some people in Point Reyes Station, in northern California, are acutely aware of what they have, what they could lose, and why it matters. So they've banded together, harnessing the power of community, to do what they can. Support Nocturne by donating at www.patreon.com/nocturnepodcast Noctalgia Credits Nocturne is produced by Vanessa Lowe Music Nocturne theme music by Kent Sparling Additional music by Jeffrey Foster; Kid Otter; Kent Sparling Find out more about Dark Sky International, Dark Sky West Marin, the work of John Barentine, and the work of Aparna Venkatesan. Episode art by Magdalena Metrycka Support Nocturne by donating at www.Patreon.com/nocturnepodcast Nocturne is a proud member of Hub and Spoke audio collective Extra thanks to Kim Thomas! Noctalgia was featured on San Francisco public radio station, KALW.

Whether it’s to hear live music, to hang out, or to hook up, bars and clubs are a big part of nightlife for a lot of people. But going out to a bar is not without risk, particularly for women, LGBTQ+ and non-binary people. Support Nocturne by donating at www.patreon.com/nocturnepodcast Angel Shot Credits Nocturne is produced by Vanessa Lowe. Music Nocturne theme music by Kent Sparling Additional music: Kent Sparling // Myles Boisen // Kid Otter Episode art by Magdalena Metrycka Support Nocturne by donating at www.Patreon.com/nocturnepodcast Find info about Safe Bars and Lauren Taylor’s other work. Nocturne is a proud member of Hub and Spoke audio collective.

Things happen sometimes that don’t make sense, that we can’t explain. And would we really want to if we could?

The blurred edges of the night can inspire excitement and transformation. The shroud of darkness emboldens some to reveal hidden aspects of their personality, sometimes with gleeful abandon.

Sometimes the best way out of the darkness is to walk through it. A woman transforms her life through motion.

The darkness of night offers rich opportunities to mine and explore our fears. When you choose to walk straight into the darkness you don’t know what you’ll find; both outside in the shadows, and deep inside yourself.

The stars are disappearing. We're losing natural darkness. It's happened rapidly, but just slowly enough that it's hard to notice. But once your eyes open to the vanishing dark, you see it everywhere. Can we bring back the night sky?

A man, a bird, and a hose. The sounds of night can delight or enrage, in equal parts; and lack of sleep can lead to desperate measures, in some.

Al Wilkinson drove a big rig through the night for 28 years, and it was a new experience each time. The runs offered beautiful scenery and time to think, but one dark rainy night this peaceful solitude fell out from under him.

Amanda Gefter is nocturnal. Really. Being an extreme night owl works for her in a lot of ways, especially since she makes her living as a writer. But her normal patterns are being shaken up by a new love in her life – the first day-dwelling guy she’s ever been with. Since their schedules overlap very little, Amanda needs to figure out how much of her relationship with the night she can keep, and how much she needs to change for love.

While working at night in the wilds of the Marin Headlands, baker Eduardo Morell witnesses the struggle between life and death. This struggle plays out all around us all the time, in ways both large and small.

What happens for a visually oriented person when the darkness of night takes away all of the reference points for making a memory?

Until fairly recently, there was no distinct focus on the archeology of the night. Lacking a specific nighttime lens through which to view relics from the past, archeologists had been missing an opportunity to capture a whole complete portrait of ancient people’s lives. It was kind of like painting a picture and filling in only half the canvas. Support Nocturne by donating at www.patreon.com/nocturnepodcast Nightways Credits Nocturne is produced by Vanessa Lowe. Music Nocturne theme music by Kent Sparling Additional music: Kent Sparling // Jeffrey Foster // David Hughes // Kid Otter Episode art by Magdalena Metrycka Support Nocturne by donating at www.Patreon.com/nocturnepodcast

Nighttime feels different to different people. Some are at their most energized and creative, while others are a little creeped out. Which side of the night are you on?

Nocturne will officially launch in the coming weeks. Here is a taste - hope you enjoy!

An unexplained sound at night is like an actor on a stage, or a mystical beast drawing power from the moon. Without all the other noise competing for attention, sound at night stands out, it travels farther, it bends and shimmers in unexpected ways. It can tantalize, mesmerize, terrify or downright destroy you in irritation. At the very least it can capture the imagination. An unexplained sound at night is like an actor on a stage, or a mystical beast drawing power from the moon. Without all the other noise competing for attention, sound at night stands out, it travels farther, it bends and shimmers in unexpected ways. It can tantalize, mesmerize, terrify or downright destroy you in irritation. At the very least it can capture the imagination. Support Nocturne by donating at www.Patreon.com/nocturnepodcast Bump in the Night Credits Nocturne is produced by Vanessa Lowe. Music Nocturne theme music by Kent Sparling Additional music: Kent Sparling // Jeffrey Foster Episode art by Magdalena Metrycka Support Nocturne by donating at www.Patreon.com/nocturnepodcast Nocturne is a proud member of Hub and Spoke audio collective. This episode was brought to you with support from Storyworth. Visit Storyworth.com/Nocturne today to save $10 on your first purchase.

Cristina Gil began her career as an architect in Colombia. As she worked and traveled, she started thinking about how lighting could be part of the solution to making cities safer and more inviting, specifically for women at night. An idea began to take form for a project, an initiative really – called The Night-Time Traveller. The mission of the Night-Time Traveller project would be to explore urban night design from a women’s perspective. Support Nocturne by donating at www.patreon.com/nocturnepodcast In Shadow Places Credits Nocturne is produced by Vanessa Lowe. Find out more about The Night-Time Traveller and Christina Gil’s work. Music Nocturne theme music by Kent Sparling Additional music: Kent Sparling // Jeffrey Foster Episode art by Magdalena Metrycka Support Nocturne by donating at www.Patreon.com/nocturnepodcast

In most major urban and suburban areas in the U.S., it’s easy to take for granted that the streets are for cars – that’s just the way it is almost all the time. That’s what we expect to see and experience, day and night. So, when you come across a road taken over by joyful people on bicycles, with cars stuck on the sidelines, it’s kind of a delightful spectacle.  In fact, around where I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, that’s called a bike party. Support Nocturne by donating at www.patreon.com/nocturnepodcast Hot for Teacher Credits Nocturne is produced by Vanessa Lowe. Find out more about East Bay Bike Party , and the attacks on riders during the February ride. Music Nocturne theme music by Kent Sparling Additional music: Jeffrey Foster Episode art by Magdalena Metrycka Support Nocturne by donating at www.Patreon.com/nocturnepodcast Nocturne is a proud member of Hub and Spoke audio collective. This episode was brought to you with support from BetterHelp for supporting this episode. Visit BetterHelp.com/Nocturne today to get 10% off your first month. This episode was also brought to you with support from Ocusleep. Visit Ocusleep.com and use the code NOCTURNE for $40 off and free shipping. I have a request! If you have a story about a mysterious sound in the night, let me know! I may use it in an upcoming episode! You can leave a voicemail at (510) 982-6959, or send me a recording in an email at vanessa at nocturnepodcast.org.

In a world where the nutritional needs of sex workers is not given much consideration, Nikeisah Newton feeds strippers the most scrumptious, healthy things she can think of. And she delivers. Support Nocturne by donating at www.patreon.com/nocturnepodcast Meals 4 Heels Credits Nocturne is produced by Vanessa Lowe. Find out more about Meals 4 Heels . Music Nocturne theme music by Kent Sparling Additional music: Jeffrey Foster // Kid Otter Episode art by Magdalena Metrycka Support Nocturne by donating at www.Patreon.com/nocturnepodcast Nocturne is a proud member of Hub and Spoke audio collective. This episode was brought to you with support from BetterHelp for supporting this episode. Visit BetterHelp.com/Nocturne today to get 10% off your first month. I have a request! If you have a story about a mysterious sound in the night, let me know! I may use it in an upcoming episode! You can leave a voicemail at (510) 982-6959, or send me a recording in an email at vanessa at nocturnepodcast.org.

From tree surfing to sleeping in trees, Peter Jenkins has done it all. And he’s spent more than half his life teaching others how to do it, too. Support Nocturne by donating at www.patreon.com/nocturnepodcast Tree Time Credits Nocturne is produced by Vanessa Lowe. Find out more about Tree Climbers International Music Nocturne theme music by Kent Sparling Additional music: Kent Sparling // Jeffrey Foster // Kid Otter Episode art by Magdalena Metrycka Support Nocturne by donating at www.Patreon.com/nocturnepodcast Nocturne is a proud member of Hub and Spoke audio collective. Thanks to StoryWorth for supporting this episode. Get $10 off your first purchase at StoryWorth.com/nocturne

There are some experiences that, while wonderful at any time, are amplified in their wonderfulness when they happen at night. This is one of them. Support Nocturne by donating at www.patreon.com/nocturnepodcast Colonial Donuts has a great Instagram feed @colonialdonuts. It has MUCH better pictures than the shots below 😉   Fresh Out the Grease Credits Nocturne is produced by Vanessa Lowe. Music Nocturne theme music by Kent Sparling Additional music: Kent Sparling // Jeffrey Foster // Finn Sparlowe // Kid Otter Episode art by Magdalena Metrycka Support Nocturne by donating at Patreon.com/nocturnepodcast Nocturne is a proud member of Hub and Spoke audio collective.

Monte Rio is a tiny peaceful Northern California town, nestled in a hilly forest of redwoods, beside a river. Who’s starting all the fires?

As winter fades into memory in the northern hemisphere, many breathe sighs of relief, looking forward to longer days and the warmth of the sun inviting time spent outside. But some are not so excited, hanging on to the wisps of winter with its long cold nights. Support Nocturne by donating at www.patreon.com/nocturnepodcast Balaclava Credits Nocturne is produced by Vanessa Lowe Music Nocturne theme music by Kent Sparling Additional music by Kyron (aka JC Mendizbal); Kid Otter; Kent Sparling Episode art by Magdalena Metrycka Support Nocturne by donating at www.Patreon.com/nocturnepodcast Nocturne is a proud member of Hub and Spoke audio collective

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about what it would feel like to take a long walk through a dark, dark night, without fear. So, I decided to take myself on a walk like that, with you. This night feels strange and different. The darkness and the glittering bits of light are not as they usually appear, how they usually feel.

You won't find the word "Tenebrisology" in the dictionary - yet. It means, "the study of natural darkness", and it was created by Jane Slade. Working in the lighting industry woke her up to the darkness we're all missing, and her mission to bring it back.

I rarely talk about the fact that I pretty much always feel hyperaware, if not nervous, when I'm out alone at night. I'm embarrassed to admit that. But I'm not alone. Hannah Drake asked the question, "What would you do out at night if you weren't afraid?", and the answers were illuminating.

Amanda and her husband went out on a guided nighttime kayaking tour for their anniversary. What they'd hoped would be a relaxing, romantic excursion into nature turned into something else entirely.

Some things can only really be experienced in a dark theater full of people. The Rocky Horror Picture Show, with its midnight shows spanning more than 45 years, is the longest running theatrically released film in history, but it's more than just a movie.

When you're at the Oakland Zoo at night you can see the glow of the city in the sky overhead. But down on the ground, in amongst the animals, it's an entirely different world.

Pedram's dog, KitKat, is the most important thing in his life - their close emotional bond is a source of comfort and delight. But this bond also comes with constant fear, because they live in Iran where dogs are considered "untouchable", and the only truly safe place is in the dark shadows of the night.

Astronomer James Lowenthal gave a TEDx talk in 2016 warning that with the availability of cheap LED lights, light pollution around the world was about to get much worse very quickly. Little did he know that there was a much bigger threat to the night sky right around the corner.

Dvora has interacted with elemental spirits since she was a child.  She's learned to set boundaries, so as not to be attacked or taken advantage of. Sometimes the elementals just want to talk, sometimes they need help,  and sometimes they're the ones offering help. Nocturne is having a 30 day special offer on https://www.Patreon.com/nocturnepodcast ! Sign up to become a supporter at the $5 level or above and get all the existing benefits (including Night Light bonus episodes), AND I will send you a treat bag with Nocturne stickers and some other cool stuff.

Danny's first skydiving experience set him on course to do something that most people would never dream of doing, something that for most people would actually be seriously terrifying, and for good reason. This story is about something that is dangerous, illegal, and I don't recommend it, AT ALL. Nocturne is having a 30 day special offer on https://www.Patreon.com/nocturnepodcast ! Sign up to become a supporter at the $5 level or above and get all the existing benefits (including Night Light bonus episodes), AND I will send you a treat bag with Nocturne stickers and some other cool stuff.

This episode is about the only mammal that can fly, one that's reviled, but actually pretty darned gentle, unlike in the vampire stories that sprung up around it. But it's also about the dogged man who's been working on saving them for the last 65 years. Support Nocturne by donating at www.patreon.com/nocturnepodcast Merlin Tuttle Credits Nocturne is produced by Vanessa Lowe Music Nocturne theme music by Kent Sparling Find out more about Merlin Tuttle and Merlin Tuttle's Bat Conservation. I highly recommend his memoir, The Secret Lives of Bats, My Adventures with the World's Most Misunderstood Mammals. Episode art by Magdalena Metrycka Support Nocturne by donating at www.Patreon.com/nocturnepodcast Nocturne is a proud member of Hub and Spoke audio collective

Clustering around the warmth and power of a campfire, it feels like the edges of people get softened - we speak and listen to each other differently - there's a deepening that doesn't happen in many other settings. What use to be the norm, is now a special treat -  gazing into the embers, listening to the mesmerizing crackle, and telling our own secrets and stories in the night.

There are only 6000 tule elk left in the world, all of them found in California. Some of them roam along the coastal hills of Point Reyes National Seashore, an area that is also occupied by cattle and dairy ranches. To protect grazing land for cows, some of the elk are confined by high fences. But as drought worsens, and the elk are cut off from food and water, large numbers of them are dying. A band of activists have been trekking through the fog, in darkness, to try to help them. *The initially released version of this episode was revised on the same day of its release. Support Nocturne by donating at www.patreon.com/nocturnepodcast Through the Fog Credits Nocturne is produced by Vanessa Lowe. Music Nocturne theme music by Kent Sparling Additional music: Kent Sparling  Find more information about Jack Gescheidt. Sounds of the nighttime water drop were recorded by Tony Sehgal, for his film, "Dying of Thirst at Point Reyes National Seashore". More information on the issues related to the tule elk and cattle operations at Point Reyes National Seashore: www.pacificsun.com/death-by-design-how-the-national-park-service-experiments-on-tule-elk/ www.abc7news.com/tule-elk-deaths-protest-endangered/10838764/ https://www.nps.gov/pore/learn/nature/tule_elk.htm www.sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2020/09/13/point-reyes-protest-calls-out-park-service-over-tule-elk-water-supply/ www.abc7news.com/tule-elk-deaths-protest-endangered/10860141/ www.ptreyeslight.com/article/elk-activists-stage-protest-ranch-land www.ptreyeslight.com/article/true-boom-and-bust-fenced-herd-shrinks-drought www.ForElk.org www.IDAusa.org Episode art by Magdalena Metrycka  

Kim felt an irresistible pull toward life on the road - the traveler's lifestyle, without schedules or responsibilities. Hopping freight trains and searching for places to sleep are now a thing of the past, but she still tries to hold on to the spirit of adventure and surprise she loved from that time.

Grace felt everything deeply from an early age. She was having panic attacks at 9 years old, and separation anxiety in middle school. The anxiety came to a head when she was 12, and nothing she tried helped in any meaningful way. Until one night she looked out her window.

Tonight, as you're lying in bed, take a moment to think about the fact that in the night sky right above you, a massive river of birds is on an epic, death-defying journey of survival.

Most parents would never consider leaving their kids in the dark woods at night, and letting them find their way back. The Dutch do just that, and they call it Dropping, and the kids mostly have fun.

When Lia Ditton set out from San Francisco to row alone across the Pacific Ocean she was  confident that she would make it to Hawaii. But when you leave land, all you really know is that you're going on an adventure.

I've been thinking about fear, and movement, and exploration, and safety. I've been thinking about barriers, and perimeters - those we create and those that are imposed. Pushing yourself into fear on purpose gives some comfort that maybe you'll be able to navigate life when you really have no control, when your thrown into a darkness bigger and deeper than you would ever choose.

The night represents a slowing, quiet contemplation, autonomy, dreams ... the dominion of rest. But Grind Culture tells us that our worth is in our productivity. The Nap Bishop is here to tell us, "No".  Rest is not a privilege, it's a human right. Sleep deprivation is a social and racial justice issue. And, "Resting is actually going to allow you to wake up."

Alec had spent countless summer days near Mammoth Pool Reservoir, in the Sierra National Forest. His memories were filled with fun and relaxation. As Alec and a friend arrived at the lake the first night of the Labor Day Weekend, there was little to indicate that this weekend would be any different than the trove of happy memories he had of this place.

There's a lot to be sad, stressed and upset about in the world right now. It's important to give those things our focus and attention and action, but we also need to take the time to appreciate the world around us - the precious, beautiful, strange planet we call home.  There are gifts to be discovered in the darkness. Support Nocturne by donating at www.patreon.com/nocturnepodcast Nocturnalia Credits Nocturne is produced by Vanessa Lowe Music Nocturne theme music by Kent Sparling Find more info about the book, Nocturnalia, by Charles Hood and Jose´ Gabriel Martínez-Fonseca Learn about the organization, Wide Awake Episode art by Magdalena Metrycka Support Nocturne by donating at www.Patreon.com/nocturnepodcast Nocturne is a proud member of Hub and Spoke audio collective

The challenges of being unhoused are almost too many to count. They take on a distinct flavor at night.

A walk through a park, an urban rooftop, a forest trail - all of these are one experience in broad daylight, and entirely another after nightfall. The river, Aare, in Switzerland transforms into another creature in the darkness.

When Sally lost her brother to suicide, a friend advised her to be open to the possibility that he would try to visit her from beyond. Despite her initial skepticism, what she experienced in the ensuing months changed her mind completely.

What if, out of nowhere, you started hearing a low-frequency rumble, like a truck idling right outside your home, in the middle of the night, every night for weeks and months on end -- and no one else could hear it?