Frequently Asked Questions

Sleep Tight Media is a small, independent family company in Prince Edward Island, Canada. We're Sheryl and Clark MacLeod. Sheryl, an elementary school teacher, narrates our shows, and Clark writes and produces them.

We make calming podcasts for kids and their grown-ups:

• Sleep Tight Stories: original and classic bedtime stories

• Sleep Tight Science: kids' science questions, answered at bedtime

• Sleep Tight Relax: stories, guided relaxation and mindfulness

• Sleep Tight Sounds: soothing music and soundscapes

• Sleep Tight Minis: shorter stories for nights when you want something brief

Yes. All our shows are free in podcast apps such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music and Amazon Music. Free episodes may start with a short ad.

If you'd like more, Sleep Tight Premium adds ad-free listening, bonus episodes and our full library. It's completely optional, and our free shows will stay free. See the Sleep Tight Premium section below. here

Search for the show's name in any podcast app, then tap Follow so new episodes appear on their own.

• Sleep Tight Stories on Apple Podcasts

• Sleep Tight Science on Apple Podcasts

• Sleep Tight Relax on Apple Podcasts

• Sleep Tight Sounds on Apple Podcasts

• All our shows on the Sleep Tight Media channel

• Sleep Tight Stories on Spotify

Sleep Tight Stories, Relax and Science are also in the Yoto app. See Listening on Yoto.

For most families, Sleep Tight Stories is the best place to start. The stories are calm and familiar, with characters kids get to know, like Bernice the Bear and Margherita the Cat.

• Kids who ask lots of questions often love Sleep Tight Science.

• For settling a busy body or busy mind, try Sleep Tight Relax.

• For calm music or nature sounds that play all night, try Sleep Tight Sounds.

• When it's late and you need something short, try Sleep Tight Minis.

Our shows are made for children about 5 to 11. Many 3- and 4-year-olds listen too, and plenty of grown-ups fall asleep before their kids do.

Sleep Tight Science sometimes explores real animal and nature behaviour that a few younger or more sensitive children may find a little strange. If that sounds like your child, read the episode description first or listen together.

How often do new episodes come out?

• Sleep Tight Stories: 3 to 4 new episodes a week

• Sleep Tight Science: 1 a week

• Sleep Tight Relax: 1 every 2 weeks

• Sleep Tight Minis: about 2 a week (this show is brand new)

Premium members get bonus episodes on top of these.

Most episodes stand on their own, so you can start anywhere. Our chapter-book series, like The Secret Garden and The Boxcar Children, are read one chapter a night and are best heard in order. Look for the part or chapter number in the episode title.

Premium is our paid membership. It includes:

• Ad-free listening

• Bonus episodes every week

• Our full library of more than 1,700 episodes: stories, science, relaxation and soothing sounds

• Chapter-book series such as The Secret Garden and The Boxcar Children

• A birthday shoutout for yearly members (you need to ask for it; see Birthday Shoutouts)

You can join through Apple Podcasts or through Supercast. Each signup page lists exactly what's included.

Yes. New members get a free trial on both Apple Podcasts and Supercast. The length of the trial is shown when you sign up. If you cancel before the trial ends, you won't be charged.

Choose based on where your family listens.

Choose Apple Podcasts if you only listen in the Apple Podcasts app on an iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV or HomePod. You can share it with your family through Apple Family Sharing, and Apple handles the billing.

Choose Supercast if you listen on Android, Spotify, a Yoto player, or a mix of devices and apps. You get a private Premium feed that works in most podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts. Supercast handles the billing.

The two are separate and can't be transferred. An Apple subscription only works inside Apple Podcasts. Please pick one so you're not charged twice.

How do I subscribe on Apple Podcasts?

1. Open the Apple Podcasts app on your iPhone, iPad or Mac, or go to podcasts.apple.com.

2. Open any of our shows, or the Sleep Tight Media channel.

3. Tap the subscription offer and choose monthly or yearly.

4. Follow the steps to start your free trial.

Premium episodes and ad-free versions then appear right inside our shows in Apple Podcasts. There's nothing else to add.

How do I subscribe through Supercast?

1. Go to sleeptight.supercast.com.

2. Choose a plan and start your free trial.

3. Look for a welcome email from Supercast. If it isn't in your inbox, check your spam or promotions folder.

4. Open that email on the phone or tablet you listen on, and tap the button for your podcast app.

Your Premium episodes appear as a separate show in your app. See "I've subscribed. Where are my Premium episodes?" below.

You'll see both on our Supercast page. Both are ad-free, include our full library, and include a birthday shoutout for yearly members.

• Sleep Tight Premium puts everything in one feed.

• Sleep Tight, Friends! lets you get every show in one feed, or follow only the shows your family likes.

It depends on how you subscribed.

Apple Podcasts: Premium episodes appear inside our shows in the Apple Podcasts app. Make sure you're signed in with the same Apple Account you subscribed with.

Supercast: Premium comes as a separate, private show, delivered by a personal link that only you have. Add it to your podcast app once:

1. Sign in at supercast.com with your email. Supercast emails you a sign-in code; there's no password.

2. Choose your subscription.

3. Tap the plus (+) icon under the artwork and choose your podcast app.

4. Tap Subscribe or Follow in the app.

The Premium show then sits in your library next to our free shows. Play episodes from the Premium one for ad-free listening. If your app isn't listed, copy the RSS link from your Supercast dashboard and use your app's "add a show by URL" option.

Please keep your link private. Anyone who has it can hear your Premium episodes.

Most apps that let you add a show by link. These include Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Castro, Castbox, Podcast Addict and Player FM.

A few apps don't support private feeds, including Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher. If yours isn't working, try one of the apps above.

You can also listen in a web browser: sign in at supercast.com, choose your subscription, then Episodes.

Yes, if you subscribe through Supercast.

1. Sign in at supercast.com and choose your subscription.

2. Tap the plus (+) icon under the artwork and choose Spotify.

3. Approve the connection on Spotify's page, then tap Follow.

If Spotify says "This link is not valid anymore", go to content-access.spotify.com, unlink any other account, and try again. If it still won't connect, email Supercast at support@supercast.com.

Apple Podcasts subscriptions can't be used on Spotify.

Yes. Premium is for your whole household, so use it on your family's own devices. One subscription covers all your children.

• Supercast: add your private feed to each phone, tablet or Yoto in your home. Please don't share the link outside your household.

• Apple Podcasts: share with up to five family members through Apple Family Sharing.

Yes. Monthly and yearly memberships renew automatically on both Apple and Supercast until you cancel. You can cancel any time and keep Premium until the end of the period you've paid for. See Managing or Cancelling Premium.

Yes, through Supercast.

1. Go to sleeptight.supercast.com and choose Gift a Subscription.

2. Pick a plan and how long the gift should last.

3. Enter the recipient's email, a message and your payment details.

The recipient gets an email to activate their gift. Your card isn't attached to their subscription. When the gift ends, they can add their own payment details to keep listening.

Search your email for your receipt.

• A receipt from Apple means you subscribed through Apple Podcasts. On an iPhone, it also appears in Settings > [your name] > Subscriptions.

• A welcome email or receipt from Supercast means you subscribed through Supercast.

If you're still not sure, check your bank or card statement to see who charged you, or email us at hello@sleeptight.media.

On an iPhone or iPad:

1. Open Settings and tap your name.

2. Tap Subscriptions.

3. Tap Sleep Tight Premium.

4. Tap Cancel Subscription.

On the web: sign in at podcasts.apple.com, click your name in the bottom-left corner, click Settings, then click Manage next to Subscriptions.

Unfollowing our shows doesn't cancel your subscription. If there's no Cancel button, or you see an expiry date in red, it's already cancelled. More help: Cancel a subscription from Apple.

1. Sign in at supercast.com with your email. Supercast emails you a sign-in code.

2. Choose your Sleep Tight subscription.

3. Click Change / Cancel.

4. Scroll down and click Cancel Subscription.

You keep Premium until the end of the period you've paid for. If you change your mind, click Change / Cancel, then Un-do Cancellation.

If you can't sign in or can't find your subscription, email Supercast at support@supercast.com.

When your subscription ends, your Premium feed stops updating and Premium episodes may stop playing. Episodes already downloaded to your device may stay for a while, but they can disappear when your app refreshes, so please don't count on keeping them.

Our ad supported shows are always there.

Apple Podcasts: Apple uses the payment method on your Apple Account. On an iPhone, open Settings, tap your name, then tap Payment & Shipping. More help: Change your Apple Account payment method.

Supercast: sign in at supercast.com, choose your subscription, then click Payment Card. You can update your card or add a new one.

Supercast doesn't use passwords.

1. Go to supercast.com and click Log In.

2. Choose Sign In With Email and enter the email you subscribed with.

3. Enter the code Supercast emails you.

From your dashboard you can reconnect your podcast app, copy your feed link or listen in your browser. This also works when you get a new phone or switch apps.

If you paid with Apple Pay or Google Pay, your account may use the email address from that wallet. If you're still stuck, Supercast can help at support@supercast.com.

This happens, and it can be sorted out.

1. Decide which one to keep. See "Should I subscribe through Apple Podcasts or Supercast?"

2. Cancel the other one using the steps above.

3. Email us at hello@sleeptight.media and we'll do our best to help with the extra Supercast charge.

If you're cancelling the Apple subscription, Apple handles refunds for Apple charges at reportaproblem.apple.com.

Supercast: email us at hello@sleeptight.media and tell us what happened. We look at every request personally and do our best to be fair.

Apple Podcasts: Apple handles all billing and refunds for Apple subscriptions, and we can't see or change them. Request a refund at reportaproblem.apple.com. More help: Request a refund from Apple.

Sign in at supercast.com, click the profile icon in the top-right corner, then click Profile. Enter your new email address and click Update. Supercast sends a confirmation link to the new address.

Open the Apple Podcasts app (it comes with your device), search for the show, and tap Follow. New episodes will appear in your Library. Spotify, Overcast and Pocket Casts work well too.

• Premium through Apple: subscribe right in the Apple Podcasts app.

• Premium through Supercast: open your Supercast welcome email on the iPhone or iPad and tap the Apple Podcasts button, or sign in at supercast.com and do the same from your dashboard.

Use any podcast app. Spotify, YouTube Music, Pocket Casts and Podcast Addict are popular. Search for the show and tap Follow.

For Premium, subscribe through Supercast, then add your private feed (see "I've subscribed. Where are my Premium episodes?"). In YouTube Music, go to Library > Podcasts > Add podcast > Add a podcast by RSS feed, then paste your link. YouTube Music needs an adult (18+) Google account for this.

Apple Podcasts subscriptions don't work in Android apps. Apple subscribers can listen in a web browser at podcasts.apple.com.

Yes. Most podcast apps have a download button on each episode, often an arrow. Download a few before a trip or a night away and they'll play without Wi-Fi or data. Many apps can also download new episodes automatically; look in your app's settings.

This works for Premium episodes too, while your subscription is active.

• Apple Podcasts: use the Podcasts app on a Mac, or go to podcasts.apple.com on any computer.

• Spotify: use the Spotify app or open.spotify.com.

• Supercast Premium: sign in at supercast.com, choose your subscription, then Episodes to listen in your browser.

Yes, for our ad supported shows. Try "Alexa, play Sleep Tight Stories." Depending on your settings, Alexa can play podcasts from Amazon Music, Spotify or Apple Podcasts. HomePod plays our shows and Apple Podcasts Premium.

Premium through Supercast is harder on smart speakers, because many can't play private feeds (yet). The simplest option is to play from your phone to a Bluetooth or AirPlay speaker.

Yes, and our shows are made for it. Start an episode on your phone, then put the phone away or face down, or play it through a speaker or Yoto player in your child's room. Many podcast apps also have a sleep timer that stops playback after a set time.

Use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto with your usual podcast app. On longer drives, download episodes before you leave so they play without a signal.

Yes. Sleep Tight Stories, Sleep Tight Relax and Sleep Tight Science are in the Yoto app's podcast library.

1. In the Yoto app, go to the Library tab and find the show.

2. Tap the three-dot menu and choose Link to a card.

3. Follow the steps to link it to a Make Your Own card.

Podcast cards stream episodes, so your Yoto needs Wi-Fi to play them. More help: Yoto's guide to podcasts.

Many families listen to Premium this way. You'll need a Make Your Own card and your private Supercast feed link.

1. Sign in at supercast.com on a computer, choose your subscription, and copy your RSS feed link.

2. Go to yotoplay.com/create and sign in with the email you use for the Yoto app.

3. Choose Podcasts, then Add Podcast.

4. Paste your feed link, click Grab podcast details, then click Save.

5. In the Yoto app, go to Make Your Own and tap your new Sleep Tight playlist.

6. Tap the three-dot menu and choose Link to a Card. Put a Make Your Own card in your player and tap Link.

7. Take the card out and put it back in to start listening.

Good to know:

• Your Yoto needs Wi-Fi to play podcast cards.

• Your feed link is personal, so please keep this card and playlist within your family.

• If you cancel Premium, the card will stop getting Premium episodes.

More help: Yoto's guide to adding podcasts.

Unfortunately not. Apple subscriptions only play inside the Apple Podcasts app, and there's no feed link to give to a Yoto. Your Yoto can still play our ad supported shows.

If Yoto is how your family listens most, a Supercast subscription is the better fit. Cancel your Apple subscription first so you aren't charged twice.

1. Check that your player is connected to Wi-Fi.

2. Take the card out and put it back in.

3. Check whether the episode plays in the Yoto app. If it plays in the app but not on the player, please contact Yoto support. Yoto has said some podcasts can have trouble on its players.

4. For a Premium card, sign in at supercast.com and check that your subscription is active.

No. Podcast cards stream episodes, so they need Wi-Fi. For car trips or travel, connect your Yoto to a phone hotspot, or play downloaded episodes from your phone instead.

Our free shows may include ads. They play only at the very start of an episode, before the story, and last no more than two minutes. Our shows follow COPPA, the US children's online privacy law, and advertisers never receive personal information about you from us.

Premium members hear no ads.

Yes, that's what we make them for. Sheryl reads slowly, the music is soft, and the stories are interesting without being too exciting. As one young listener told us, "The stories are very entertaining, but they also are not entertaining enough to make it hard for me to sleep."

Every child is different, so try a few and see what works best for yours.

Yes. Our chapter-book series, read one chapter a night, suit older listeners. The Rat King is a longer adventure with more mature, slightly scarier moments, made for older kids. We hope to make more for older listeners in future.

Search your podcast app for the character or story name, like Bernice, Margherita or Anne of Green Gables. Most episode titles include the main character's name. Supercast Premium members can also browse the whole library at supercast.com > your subscription > Episodes.

We don't post transcripts on our website. Many podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, show a transcript you can read along with in the app.

Not yet, but read-along books are coming soon. Follow us on Instagram or Facebook to hear first.

Copies of our shows sometimes appear in podcast apps. Our official shows are published by Sleep Tight Media and narrated by Sheryl. To be sure, use the links on our website or our Sleep Tight Media channel on Apple Podcasts. If you spot a copy, please let us know at hello@sleeptight.media.

There are two ways:

• Buy a shoutout on our Shoutouts page.

• Yearly Premium members get a birthday shoutout included, whether you joined through Apple Podcasts or Supercast. You need to ask for it by emailing hello@sleeptight.media. We don't receive a list of birthdays, so if we don't hear from you, we won't know. There's no need to send proof; just tell us you're a yearly member.

Shoutouts play every Tuesday on Sleep Tight Stories, before the story.

Please email at least two weeks before the birthday. There are a limited number of spots each week, and they're given first come, first served. If a week is full, your child may hear a belated birthday wish instead.

Please include:

• Your child's first name, or the name they like to be called

• The age they're turning and their birthday

• A short message from you (under 50 words)

• Your town, if you'd like it mentioned

• Whether you bought a shoutout or are a yearly member

Please leave out last names, school names, addresses and other private details. Shoutouts are heard by families all over the world.

We do our very best to fit everyone in. Shoutouts are put together by hand, from email, by the two of us, so mistakes can happen. If we've missed your child's shoutout, please email us at hello@sleeptight.media. We sincerely want your child to feel celebrated.

We love questions. With a grown-up's help, email it to hello@sleeptightscience.com. Type it out, or attach a voice recording of your child asking it.

Please include your child's first name and age. If we answer the question on the show, we may say their first name. We reply to every email, though we can't turn every question into an episode. Everything is handled by hand, so the occasional mistake can happen.

Yes. Record your child asking their question with your phone's voice memo app, close up and in a quiet room, then email it to us. Science questions go to hello@sleeptightscience.com; everything else to hello@sleeptight.media.

A grown-up should always send it. We may include recordings in an episode, so please make sure your child only says their first name.

Yes. Send it through our contact page or email hello@sleeptight.media. We read and reply to every email. We can only use a few ideas, and we can't always mention on the show when an idea inspired a story.

We use what you send only to reply to you and, when you've asked, to include your child in a shoutout or episode. We never sell personal information.

We don't knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 13, so a parent or guardian should always be the one to send it. Please share only what we need: a first name, an age and your message. You can ask us to review or delete your child's information at any time. Read our privacy policy.

You're most likely playing the free version of the show.

• Supercast: Premium is a separate show in your podcast app. Find the Premium show in your library and play episodes from there. If you can't find it, see "I've subscribed. Where are my Premium episodes?"

• Apple Podcasts: make sure you're signed in with the Apple Account that has the subscription, and that it's still active (Settings > [your name] > Subscriptions).

An episode you downloaded before subscribing may still be the free version. Delete it and download it again.

1. Make sure you're following the show, not just playing an episode.

2. Pull down on the show page to refresh.

3. Check that your app is allowed to download new episodes and that you're online.

4. Update the app, then close and reopen it.

If it's still missing, check the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to see whether the episode has been released yet.

If you subscribed through Supercast:

1. Refresh the Premium show in your app.

2. Sign in at supercast.com and check that your subscription is active and your card is up to date.

3. If it's active but still not updating, remove the Premium show from your app and add it again from your Supercast dashboard.

4. If that doesn't work, email Supercast at support@supercast.com. They run the Premium feeds and can check yours.

If you subscribed through Apple, check Settings > [your name] > Subscriptions and make sure you're signed in with the right Apple Account.

Common reasons:

• A payment didn't go through. See "How do I update my payment card?"

• Your subscription was cancelled, or a free trial or gift ended.

• You're signed in with a different Apple Account or email from the one you subscribed with.

• On Spotify, your Supercast and Spotify accounts became unlinked. Reconnect from your Supercast dashboard.

For Supercast, email support@supercast.com. For Apple, contact Apple Support.

1. Check your Wi-Fi or data connection, and that your device has free storage.

2. Close and reopen the app, or restart your device.

3. Delete the download and try again.

4. Update your podcast app.

If one episode won't play in any app, email us at hello@sleeptight.media and tell us which one.

• Apple Podcasts: sign in on the new device with the same Apple Account. Premium will appear inside our shows.

• Supercast: install your podcast app, sign in at supercast.com on the new device, and tap the plus (+) icon under the artwork to reconnect. See "I can't sign in to Supercast or I've lost my welcome email."

For our free shows, follow them again in your new app.

Every episode we've made stays in our feeds, but some apps only show the newest ones at first.

• Scroll to the bottom of the show page and tap See All, or sort by oldest first.

• Search your app for the story or character name.

• Supercast Premium members can browse the whole library in a browser: sign in at supercast.com, choose your subscription, then Episodes.

Email us at hello@sleeptight.media. Sheryl reads and replies to every email herself, so please allow us a little time.

For Sleep Tight Science questions, email hello@sleeptightscience.com. You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook.

• Apple Podcasts subscriptions: Apple handles billing, refunds and account questions. See Apple's subscription help or reportaproblem.apple.com.

• Supercast subscriptions: for signing in, feeds, podcast apps and devices, email Supercast at support@supercast.com. They run the Premium feeds and can see your account. We're a two-person team and can't troubleshoot phones, apps or devices ourselves.

• Refunds and everything else: email us at hello@sleeptight.media.

Email us at hello@sleeptight.media with the show and episode name and what you noticed. We read every message, and we love hearing what your family enjoys.