The Sleeping World: Feeding the Forest with a Mushroom

Wind down by escaping into nature. Part soundscape and part bedtime story, The Sleeping World is an intimate journey through ecologies around the world.

In a quiet forest in Sweden, a cluster of Amanita muscaria mushrooms, with their iconic red caps dotted with white spots, push through a bed of soft reindeer moss. These crimson fungi interact with all manner of species in the forest—including a squirrel, who takes a nibble and wanders away in an altered state. These enchanted mushrooms also form partnerships with the trees, trading nutrients under the soil.

This is the world in its natural state, defined by seasons, routines, and cycles. By the time this mushroom is ready to send spores to drift away in the wind, you’ll be ready to drift off to sleep.

Produced by Audible and Mumble Media Written by Bonnie Swift Narrated by Cynthia Kimola Executive Producers for Mumble Media: Cara Ehlenfeldt and Jake Young Executive Producer for Audible: Anna Stitt Sound Design and Mix: Mumble Media The Mumble Media team is Jaymeson Catsouphes, Cara Ehlenfeldt, Liz Mak, Lee Mengistu, David Tatasciore, Renée Vargas, Jake Young, and Sharif Youssef Mycology Consultant: Dr. Anders Dahlberg Fact-Checker: Andrea López-Cruzado Head of Creative Development: Kate Navin Head of Audible Originals, North America: Marshall Lewy Chief Content Officer: Rachel Ghiazza