Exploration: Dreamland

Interesting stories of science and science fiction read in a calming voice for nighttime, naptime, or drivetime.

The Blazing World - Episode 87 06/22/2025

The Blazing World - Episode 87 Drift off to Dreamland with us as we read “The Blazing World” by Margaret Cavendish from 1666, considered to be the first science fiction book written by a woman. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the ideas of science and philosophy at that time. The book will be read in order, so if you would like to begin at the beginning, please start with Season 5, Episode 87. This episode covers the prologue and beginning of Part One of the book. Includes "Kalimba Relaxation Music" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License /episode/index/show/c175c175-439f-40e5-b7a7-bb66f17fc308/id/35192580

Second Anniversary Special Episode 05/12/2024

Second Anniversary Special Episode Thank you for joining us for our second anniversary celebration episode and for being an important part of Exploration: Dreamland. We couldn’t do this without you. Drift off to Dreamland with us as we read the short story The Blue Tower by Evelyn E. Smith. Content warning: accidental death of an alien and a brief mention of the murder of a spouse. Includes "Kalimba Relaxation Music" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ /episode/index/show/c175c175-439f-40e5-b7a7-bb66f17fc308/id/30908928

Theory of Circulation by Respiration - Episode 86 05/05/2024

Theory of Circulation by Respiration - Episode 86 Drift off to Dreamland with us as we read "Theory of Circulation by Respiration" by Emma Willard. The book will be read in order, so if you would like to begin at the beginning, please start with Season 4, Episode 83. Content Warning: This episode includes references to the death of a child, animal experimentation,and livestock slaughtering. This episode covers SECTION IV which includes: Proofs from Dr. Cartwright’s Great Experiments on Alligators—Resuscitation of Dr. Ely’s Child—Dr. Bowling, Editor of the Nashville Medical Journal, endorses Dr. Washington, who, in that journal, “crushes out” all Opposition to the Theory—Dr. Draper’s Acknowledgment of it in New York—Homœopathists—Conclusion. /episode/index/show/c175c175-439f-40e5-b7a7-bb66f17fc308/id/30673398

Theory of Circulation by Respiration - Episode 85 04/28/2024

Theory of Circulation by Respiration - Episode 85 Drift off to Dreamland with us as we read "Theory of Circulation by Respiration" by Emma Willard. The book will be read in order, so if you would like to begin at the beginning, please start with Season 4, Episode 83. This episode covers SECTION III which includes: Uses of the Theory—Proofs.—Publication of a Work, in 1849, entitled “Respiration and its Effects, more, especially in relation to Asiatic Cholera and other Sinking Diseases.”—Examples. /episode/index/show/c175c175-439f-40e5-b7a7-bb66f17fc308/id/30607203

Theory of Circulation by Respiration - Episode 84 04/21/2024

Theory of Circulation by Respiration - Episode 84 Drift off to Dreamland with us as we read "Theory of Circulation by Respiration" by Emma Willard. The book will be read in order, so if you would like to begin at the beginning, please start with Season 4, Episode 83. This episode covers SECTION II which includes: Publication of the Theory, in 1846, in “A treatise on the Motive Powers which produce the Circulation of the Blood.” Its Reception: Critique in the New York “Journal of Medicine,” September, 1846. My Reply, in the same Journal, March, 1847. /episode/index/show/c175c175-439f-40e5-b7a7-bb66f17fc308/id/30547823

Theory of Circulation by Respiration - Episode 83 04/14/2024

Theory of Circulation by Respiration - Episode 83 Drift off to Dreamland with us as we read "Theory of Circulation by Respiration" by Emma Willard. The book will be read in order, so if you would like to begin at the beginning, please start with Season 4, Episode 83. This episode covers SECTION I which includes: First step in the discovery—Animal Heat the product of Respiration. Second step—Heat evolved in the lungs by Respiration there produces Expansion. Third step—Expansion; implied motion, which from the organism must conduct the blood to the left ventricle of the Heart. Theory imperfect, until the formation of sufficient vapor or steam in the lungs is perceived and acknowledged. /episode/index/show/c175c175-439f-40e5-b7a7-bb66f17fc308/id/30507783

The Last Man - Episode 82 03/31/2024

The Last Man - Episode 82 Drift off to Dreamland with us as we read "The Last Man," a dystopian novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (author of "Frankenstein"). The book will be read in order, so if you would like to begin at the beginning, please start with Season 4, Episode 54. [Content Warning: this episode contains descriptions of grief and mourning as well as suicidal ideation.] Volume 3, Chapter 10: And then there was one. Lionel learns to make his way in the world as THE LAST MAN. /episode/index/show/c175c175-439f-40e5-b7a7-bb66f17fc308/id/30430303

The Last Man - Episode 81 03/24/2024

The Last Man - Episode 81 Drift off to Dreamland with us as we read "The Last Man," a dystopian novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (author of "Frankenstein"). The book will be read in order, so if you would like to begin at the beginning, please start with Season 4, Episode 54. [Content Warning: this episode contains descriptions of the death of a child as well as suicidal thoughts.] Volume 3, Chapter 9: And then there were three. They leave Lake Como behind and travel to Venice and beyond. /episode/index/show/c175c175-439f-40e5-b7a7-bb66f17fc308/id/30263688

The Last Man - Episode 80 03/17/2024

The Last Man - Episode 80 Drift off to Dreamland with us as we read "The Last Man," a dystopian novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (author of "Frankenstein"). The book will be read in order, so if you would like to begin at the beginning, please start with Season 4, Episode 54. [Content Warning: this episode contains descriptions of the death of a child as well as suicidal thoughts.] Volume 3, Chapter 8: The surviving band of humans dwindles down to the final four, who try to find ways to be content in this lonely new world. /episode/index/show/c175c175-439f-40e5-b7a7-bb66f17fc308/id/30210628

The Last Man - Episode 79 03/10/2024

The Last Man - Episode 79 Drift off to Dreamland with us as we read "The Last Man," a dystopian novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (author of "Frankenstein"). The book will be read in order, so if you would like to begin at the beginning, please start with Season 4, Episode 54. [Content Warning: this episode contains descriptions of plague/pandemic, physical wasting/emaciation, and death of and mourning for a loved one.] Volume 3, Chapter 7: As the death toll mounts, more and more people begin to see supernatural signs and portents. /episode/index/show/c175c175-439f-40e5-b7a7-bb66f17fc308/id/30105068

The Last Man - Episode 78 03/03/2024

The Last Man - Episode 78 Drift off to Dreamland with us as we read "The Last Man," a dystopian novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (author of "Frankenstein"). The book will be read in order, so if you would like to begin at the beginning, please start with Season 4, Episode 54. [Content Warning: this episode contains descriptions of plague/pandemic, physical wasting/emaciation, and death of and mourning for a loved one.] Volume 3, Chapter 7: As the death toll mounts, more and more people begin to see supernatural signs and portents. /episode/index/show/c175c175-439f-40e5-b7a7-bb66f17fc308/id/30104643

The Last Man - Episode 77 02/25/2024

The Last Man - Episode 77 Drift off to Dreamland with us as we read "The Last Man," a dystopian novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (author of "Frankenstein"). The book will be read in order, so if you would like to begin at the beginning, please start with Season 4, Episode 54. [Content Warning: this episode contains descriptions of plague/pandemic, religious fanaticism, suicidal thoughts, and death.] Volume 3, Chapter 5: Adrian’s followers settle in at Versailles, but Lionel attempts to rescue a former friend from within the zealot’s camp. /episode/index/show/c175c175-439f-40e5-b7a7-bb66f17fc308/id/29979378

The Last Man - Episode 76 02/18/2024

The Last Man - Episode 76 Drift off to Dreamland with us as we read "The Last Man," a dystopian novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (author of "Frankenstein"). The book will be read in order, so if you would like to begin at the beginning, please start with Season 4, Episode 54. [Content Warning: this episode contains descriptions of plague/pandemic, religious fanaticism, and death.] Volume 3, Chapter 4: Incredible storms, a swift departure from England, and the rise of a zealot. /episode/index/show/c175c175-439f-40e5-b7a7-bb66f17fc308/id/29873208

The Last Man - Episode 75 02/11/2024

The Last Man - Episode 75 Drift off to Dreamland with us as we read "The Last Man," a dystopian novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (author of "Frankenstein"). The book will be read in order, so if you would like to begin at the beginning, please start with Season 4, Episode 54. [Content Warning: this episode contains descriptions of domestic abuse, plague/pandemic, physical wasting/emaciation, and death of and mourning for a loved one.] Volume 3, Chapter 3: A miracle, a desperate plea, and an angel gains her wings. /episode/index/show/c175c175-439f-40e5-b7a7-bb66f17fc308/id/29776993

The Last Man - Episode 74 02/04/2024

The Last Man - Episode 74 Drift off to Dreamland with us as we read "The Last Man," a dystopian novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (author of "Frankenstein"). The book will be read in order, so if you would like to begin at the beginning, please start with Season 4, Episode 54. [Content Warning: this episode contains descriptions of plague/pandemic as well as death of and mourning for a child.] Volume 3, Chapter 2 (continued): England is nearly emptied of people. Plague visits Lionel and his family. /episode/index/show/c175c175-439f-40e5-b7a7-bb66f17fc308/id/29645253

The Last Man - Episode 73 01/28/2024

The Last Man - Episode 73 Drift off to Dreamland with us as we read "The Last Man," a dystopian novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (author of "Frankenstein"). The book will be read in order, so if you would like to begin at the beginning, please start with Season 4, Episode 54. [Content Warning: this episode contains descriptions of plague/pandemic and death.] Volume 3, Chapters 1 and 2: Including the precursor to the children’s classic “Goodnight, Moon,” Chapter 1 could be called “Goodnight, Humanity.” Our narrator and his family also say goodbye to their beloved Windsor. /episode/index/show/c175c175-439f-40e5-b7a7-bb66f17fc308/id/29639578

The Last Man - Episode 72 01/21/2024

The Last Man - Episode 72 Drift off to Dreamland with us as we read "The Last Man," a dystopian novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (author of "Frankenstein"). The book will be read in order, so if you would like to begin at the beginning, please start with Season 4, Episode 54. [Content Warning: this episode contains descriptions of plague/pandemic, death of adults and children, and war/violence.] Volume 2, Chapter 9: Plague continues to winnow the population of the world. A band of North Americans invades. Lionel makes plans despite the uncertainty of the future. /episode/index/show/c175c175-439f-40e5-b7a7-bb66f17fc308/id/29534428

The Last Man - Episode 71 01/14/2024

The Last Man - Episode 71 Drift off to Dreamland with us as we read "The Last Man," a dystopian novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (author of "Frankenstein"). The book will be read in order, so if you would like to begin at the beginning, please start with Season 4, Episode 54. [Content Warning: this episode contains descriptions of plague/pandemic and death of adults and children.] Volume 2, Chapter 8 (continued): Plague takes hold of England. The reactions are varied and intense. /episode/index/show/c175c175-439f-40e5-b7a7-bb66f17fc308/id/29459213

The Last Man - Episode 70 01/07/2024

The Last Man - Episode 70 Drift off to Dreamland with us as we read "The Last Man," a dystopian novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (author of "Frankenstein"). The book will be read in order, so if you would like to begin at the beginning, please start with Season 4, Episode 54. [Content Warning: this episode contains descriptions of plague/pandemic and death.] Volume 2, Chapters 7 and 8: Plague begins to spread and Lionel discovers that all he has read of plague pales in comparison to the real thing. /episode/index/show/c175c175-439f-40e5-b7a7-bb66f17fc308/id/29364853

The Last Man - Episode 69 12/31/2023

The Last Man - Episode 69 Drift off to Dreamland with us as we read "The Last Man," a dystopian novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (author of "Frankenstein"). The book will be read in order, so if you would like to begin at the beginning, please start with Season 4, Episode 54. [Content Warning: this episode contains descriptions of plague/pandemic and death.] Volume 2, Chapter 6: Plague arrives in England and one man steps into his destiny while another runs away from his. /episode/index/show/c175c175-439f-40e5-b7a7-bb66f17fc308/id/29276408

The Last Man - Episode 68 12/24/2023

The Last Man - Episode 68 Drift off to Dreamland with us as we read "The Last Man," a dystopian novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (author of "Frankenstein"). The book will be read in order, so if you would like to begin at the beginning, please start with Season 4, Episode 54. [Content Warning: this episode contains descriptions of plague/pandemic and a brief mention of child death.] Volume 2, Chapters 4 and 5: A return to Windsor and an interlude of contentedness, marred only by reports of terrible events in faraway places. Plague begins to spread, and refugees begin to arrive on England’s shores. /episode/index/show/c175c175-439f-40e5-b7a7-bb66f17fc308/id/28909678

The Last Man - Episode 67 12/17/2023

The Last Man - Episode 67 Drift off to Dreamland with us as we read "The Last Man," a dystopian novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (author of "Frankenstein"). The book will be read in order, so if you would like to begin at the beginning, please start with Season 4, Episode 54. [Content Warning: this episode contains descriptions of death, pet death, bodies, and suicide.] Volume 2, Chapter 3: The fall of Lord Raymond, his funeral procession, and the deeply regretted perfidy of Lionel. /episode/index/show/c175c175-439f-40e5-b7a7-bb66f17fc308/id/28751988

The Last Man - Episode 66 12/10/2023

The Last Man - Episode 66 Drift off to Dreamland with us as we read "The Last Man," a dystopian novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (author of "Frankenstein"). The book will be read in order, so if you would like to begin at the beginning, please start with Season 4, Episode 54. [Content Warning: this episode contains descriptions of war, death, explosions, fire, and plague] Volume 2, Chapter 2: The siege of Constantinople. /episode/index/show/c175c175-439f-40e5-b7a7-bb66f17fc308/id/28625988

The Last Man - Episode 65 12/03/2023

The Last Man - Episode 65 Drift off to Dreamland with us as we read "The Last Man," a dystopian novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (author of "Frankenstein"). The book will be read in order, so if you would like to begin at the beginning, please start with Season 4, Episode 54. [Content Warning: this episode contains brief descriptions of war, death, and plague] Volume 2, Chapter 1: Lord Raymond and Perdita are reunited, the Greeks are victorious, and all seems well until a frightening prophecy is made. /episode/index/show/c175c175-439f-40e5-b7a7-bb66f17fc308/id/28520255

The Last Man - Episode 64 11/26/2023

The Last Man - Episode 64 Drift off to Dreamland with us as we read "The Last Man," a dystopian novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (author of "Frankenstein"). The book will be read in order, so if you would like to begin at the beginning, please start with Season 4, Episode 54. [Content Warning: this episode contains brief descriptions of war and pillaging] Volume 1, Chapter 10: Lord Raymond and Perdita go their separate ways, each dealing with their own pain until the situation is suddenly and dramatically altered. /episode/index/show/c175c175-439f-40e5-b7a7-bb66f17fc308/id/28446773

The Last Man - Episode 63 11/19/2023

The Last Man - Episode 63 Drift off to Dreamland with us as we read "The Last Man," a dystopian novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (author of "Frankenstein"). The book will be read in order, so if you would like to begin at the beginning, please start with Season 4, Episode 54. [Content Warning: this episode contains brief mentions of suicidal ideation] Volume 1, Chapter 9: Lionel, Adrian, and Idris are made aware of the problems between Lord Raymond and Perdita as their difficulty reconciling continues. /episode/index/show/c175c175-439f-40e5-b7a7-bb66f17fc308/id/28348715

The Last Man - Episode 62 11/12/2023

The Last Man - Episode 62 Drift off to Dreamland with us as we read "The Last Man," a dystopian novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (author of "Frankenstein"). The book will be read in order, so if you would like to begin at the beginning, please start with Season 4, Episode 54. [Content Warning: this episode contains brief mentions of suicidal ideation] Volume 1, Chapter 8: The drama between Lord Raymond and his wife Perdita reaches new heights when he finds out how difficult it is to lie to a perceptive and intelligent woman. /episode/index/show/c175c175-439f-40e5-b7a7-bb66f17fc308/id/28188434

The Last Man - Episode 61 11/05/2023

The Last Man - Episode 61 Drift off to Dreamland with us as we read "The Last Man," a dystopian novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (author of "Frankenstein"). The book will be read in order, so if you would like to begin at the beginning, please start with Season 4, Episode 54. [Content Warning: this episode contains brief mentions of suicide and suicidal ideation.] Volume 1, Chapter 7: Lord Raymond begins work on his legacy as Protector and in the process, finds an old friend in reduced circumstances. /episode/index/show/c175c175-439f-40e5-b7a7-bb66f17fc308/id/28075221

Halloween 2023 - Part 2 10/29/2023

Halloween 2023 - Part 2 Thank you for joining us for the second part of The Shunned House by H.P. Lovecraft, a short story where horror and science clash. Creep off to dreamland with us during this special Halloween episode. [Content Note: scary and a little gross] Includes "Kalimba Relaxation Music" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Also includes the following pieces from Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ SCP-x2x Martian Cowboy Ethereal Relaxation Right Behind You Redletter The Descent Bent and Broken Sound effects were downloaded from Pixabay.com /episode/index/show/c175c175-439f-40e5-b7a7-bb66f17fc308/id/28075188

Halloween 2023 - Part 1 10/22/2023

Halloween 2023 - Part 1 Thank you for joining us for the first part of The Shunned House by H.P. Lovecraft, a short story where horror and science clash. Creep off to dreamland with us during this special Halloween episode. [Content Warning: includes brief mention of stillbirths] Includes "Kalimba Relaxation Music" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Also includes the following pieces from Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Vanishing This House Night of Chaos Anguish Ethereal Relaxation Penumbra Sound effects were downloaded from Pixabay.com /episode/index/show/c175c175-439f-40e5-b7a7-bb66f17fc308/id/27919737

Exploration: Dreamland

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