Share
Fall asleep with Henrik
An introduction to Fall Asleep With Henrik
Welcome to the world of "Somna" - a Swedish word that means "fall asleep." But it's not just any ordinary word; it's a word that has become synonymous with a unique experience that only the Scandinavians have come to know.
"Somna med Henrik," is a podcast that has helped hundreds of thousands of people in Scandinavia to fall asleep since 2018. Now, this experience is available to the English-speaking world in the form of "Fall Asleep with Henrik."
Fall Asleep with Henrik is a podcast that is specifically designed to help people fall asleep. Unlike traditional relaxation or meditation podcasts, it does not use visualization techniques or deep breathing exercises to help you relax. Instead, it features the host, Henrik, who is an ordinary person from Sweden, talking about random things in an improvised and often illogical manner.
The podcast's main goal is to provide a distraction for listeners who are trying to fall asleep, be creative, or do boring repetitive tasks. The content is not meant to be actively listened to, and listeners are encouraged to let the host's voice become their jumbled thoughts for a while, without worrying about paying too much attention to the words.
The podcast's moral, if it has one, is to remind listeners that life is unpredictable and often illogical, but that's okay. The host's relaxed and humorous tone, combined with his improvised and often nonsensical content, is meant to create a comforting and carefree atmosphere that helps listeners unwind and drift off to sleep.
The English version of "Fall Asleep with Henrik" is a transcribed version of the Swedish podcast, which is entirely improvised. The host, Henrik, does not write any scripts or cut anything out of the episodes after recording. The goal is to keep the improvised feeling of the original version intact in the English version.
In the English version, Henrik very rarely corrects mistranslations or illogical passages, in order to maintain the authenticity of the Swedish version. This means that listeners can expect a similar level of improvisation and randomness in each English episode.
More episodes
View all episodes
4. Book of the Day
01:00:03"An Imaginative, Meandering Journey Through Time and Space"In this latest installment of "Fall Asleep with Henrik", the host Henrik Ståhl once again embarks on a captivating, free-flowing exploration of his own thoughts and memories. Rather than following a linear narrative, Henrik's musings drift between reflections on his youth, imaginative anecdotes, and profound musings on the nature of existence itself.Throughout the episode, Henrik fondly reminisces about his teenage adventures with his best friend Marcus, recounting their ambitious attempts to create a homemade fantasy film. He also introduces listeners to a quirky improvisation game called "Book of the Day" that he and Marcus invented, inviting the audience to try it out themselves.However, the conversational thread takes a more philosophical turn as Henrik ruminates on concepts of time, space, and the eternal human urge to connect across vast distances. Drawing inspiration from the Voyager space probes and their famous "Golden Record", Henrik muses on the poignancy and futility of attempting to preserve a piece of humanity for potential alien discovery.As the episode progresses, Henrik's stream-of-consciousness delivery becomes increasingly dreamlike and transcendent, touching on themes of mortality, the illusion of non-existence, and the profound wonder of simply being. Listeners are encouraged to let his words wash over them, using his voice as a catalyst for their own reflections and imaginings.If you're seeking a sleep aid that eschews generic relaxation techniques in favor of a deeply personal, thought-provoking experience, press play on this episode of "Fall Asleep with Henrik" and allow this charming Swede to guide you on an odyssey through the mysteries of time and space.3. Tranquil Tête-à-Tête
59:09An Endearing Ramble Through Thoughts, Memories, and the Joys of Simply Being.In this latest installment of "Fall Asleep with Henrik," the host Henrik Ståhl once again invites listeners into his charmingly meandering thought process. Rather than following a structured narrative, Henrik allows his mind to freely wander, touching on everything from his childhood memories, to the nature of reality, to the simple pleasure of being alive.Throughout the episode, Henrik openly embraces the imperfections of his English, pausing to acknowledge when his vocabulary or phrasing falters. However, these momentary stumbles only serve to enhance the organic, conversational quality of the podcast. Whether Henrik is reminiscing about his teenage barbershop quartet, reflecting on the comforting presence of an old friend, or pondering the wonders of human existence, his candid delivery creates a relaxing, almost hypnotic atmosphere.Listeners are encouraged to simply let Henrik's voice wash over them, rather than actively focusing on the content. As the episode progresses, his musings become increasingly free-flowing and dreamlike, providing the perfect distraction for drifting off to sleep. By the end, Henrik leaves the audience with a sense of wonder and appreciation for the simple act of being.If you're seeking a sleep aid that avoids generic relaxation techniques in favor of a personal, authentically human experience, press play on this episode of "Fall Asleep with Henrik" and allow this charming Swede to guide you into a peaceful slumber.2. Me being me
43:08"A Delightfully Rambunctious, Deeply Personal Journey"In this latest installment of "Fall Asleep with Henrik," the host Henrik Ståhl once again takes listeners on a charmingly unpredictable, stream-of-consciousness voyage. Rather than relying on scripted content or soothing affirmations, Henrik simply allows his mind to wander, openly embracing the fluidity of his English and the unpolished nature of his musings.Throughout the episode, Henrik shares intimate details about his life and creative endeavors, from his childhood fantasies of an interstellar "Adventure Wolf" spacecraft, to his past struggles with alcoholism and his rediscovery of his youthful imagination. He also ponders the complexities of national identity and his preference for a more global, interconnected worldview.Listeners are encouraged to simply let Henrik's voice wash over them, rather than actively focusing on the content. Whether he's reminiscing about schoolyard bullies, analyzing the romanticization of war in classic Swedish poetry, or contemplating the nature of sleep and insomnia, Henrik's candid, sometimes tangential delivery creates a uniquely calming, almost hypnotic atmosphere.If you're seeking a sleep aid that eschews generic relaxation tropes in favor of a genuine, deeply personal listening experience, press play on this episode of "Fall Asleep with Henrik" and allow this charming Swedish raconteur to lull you into a peaceful slumber.
1. The Humbling Rumbling Rambling
42:46Welcome to a Rambunctious, Relaxing Ride with Henrik"In this inaugural English-language episode of "Fall Asleep with Henrik", the host Henrik Ståhl takes listeners on an unpredictable, stream-of-consciousness journey. Unlike traditional sleep podcasts, Henrik does not utilize soothing music, guided meditations, or other typical relaxation techniques. Instead, he simply allows his mind to wander, sharing random thoughts, personal anecdotes, and quirky observations in his distinctive Swedish accent.Throughout the episode, Henrik openly embraces the imperfect nature of his English, acknowledging when his phrasing or word choices feel clumsy. However, he argues that this "rambling" style is precisely what makes the podcast unique and effective for lulling listeners into a peaceful, drowsy state.Whether Henrik is pondering the peculiarities of furry conventions, attempting to translate absurd Swedish phrases, or reflecting on the human tendency to be self-critical, his candid, slightly scattered delivery creates a comforting, almost hypnotic atmosphere. Listeners are encouraged to simply let Henrik's voice wash over them, rather than actively engaging with the content.If you're seeking a sleep aid that avoids generic relaxation tropes in favor of a refreshingly genuine, off-the-cuff listening experience, press play on this episode of "Fall Asleep with Henrik" and allow this charming Swede to guide you into slumber.