In 2017, I began writing Sleep Stories for the popular meditation app Calm, and soon discovered a love of writing for the spoken word. There’s something magical about how beautiful narration, a soothing soundtrack, and even gentle sound effects can come together and bring a story to life, giving listeners a rich sense of place — and a deeper sense of peace.
The Maker Series
One of my most recent projects for Calm was creating the Maker Series, a collection of five tales about ancient craftwork read by award-winning narrator Edoardo Ballerini. Two of the stories were even inspired by real makers — the renowned 15th-century glass maker Marietta Barovier, who is credited with reviving the lost art of rosetta star beads; and the 19th-century guitar maker Antonio Torres, known as the father of the modern Spanish guitar.
Celebrated voices
Over the past five years, I’ve had the honor of writing or co-writing Sleep Stories for many well-known names. Most recently, I worked with poet Rupi Kaur on Into the Stars, about a wondrous voyage through the universe — and into ourselves.
Stories I’ve narrated
In addition to writing Sleep Stories, I’ve also narrated several of my own stories. The Magic of Yurts and Beneath the Starlit Dome were especially meaningful for me to read; they both transport listeners to unique dwellings I’ve stayed in myself that are perfect for cozying up in and drifting to sleep beneath the stars.
A World of Calm
In 2020, I was part of the writing team for Calm’s first TV series on HBO Max, A World of Calm. Like a visual Sleep Story, the series combines stunning footage, music, and gentle narratives read by top actors such as Nicole Kidman, Kate Winslet, and Mahershala Ali. I wrote two episodes in the series: “The Glassmaker,” narrated by Zoë Kravitz, and “Noodles,” read by Oscar Isaac.
The Pacific Crest Trail
This year, I had the honor of writing Calm’s first Sleep Story series, about one of the most iconic long-distance treks in the United States: the Pacific Crest Trail. Told over six episodes, the series follows the fictionalized journey of a hiker named Kai, as she walks all 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada. As PCT guidebook author Karen Berger has written, “At each trail junction, it seems, the trail has a new story to tell,” and I loved drawing on such a renowned route for inspiration.
Travel stories
My Sleep Stories for Calm are often inspired by my own journeys — through more than fifty countries over the past fourteen years — and many of the following stories have also been translated into Spanish, French, Portuguese, German, and Korean.
Europe
North America
Asia
South America & Africa
