Get Sleepy: "A Dreamy Myth of Hermes" (Olympians #10)

Podcast by Slumber Studios | Host: Thomas
Release Date: October 1, 2025

Brief Overview

This episode takes listeners on a soothing, mythological journey through the origin story of Hermes, the quick-witted and mercurial Olympian god. Told in the podcast’s signature calm and lyrical style, the episode explores Hermes’ miraculous birth, his precocious acts as an infant, and his earliest adventures—including the invention of the lyre and his gaining of divine responsibilities. Designed to be both calming and gently engaging, the story is woven with atmospheric details and contemplative narration to help listeners relax and drift into sleep.

Key Discussion Points & Story Narrative

1. Introduction to Hermes

[03:35]

• Host Thomas welcomes listeners and introduces Hermes as the next god in the Olympian series, describing him as the "quick-witted, silver-tongued, fleet-footed God of wit, cunning, speed, travellers, thieves, roads, and shepherds."
• Hermes' lineage and mythological reputation are established.
• Listeners are invited to relax and prepare for the story with a short mindfulness and breathing exercise.

“Hermes is so much more than the messenger of the gods. His divine life is studded with remarkable feats and events.” — Thomas (03:58)

2. Birth of Hermes

[07:41]

• The story sets in a magical cave on Mount Cyllene, where Maia, a Pleiad and nymph, is about to give birth.
• Maia’s close bond with Artemis is highlighted, and their efforts to keep the birth a secret for privacy and peace.
• The birth is swift and peaceful. Baby Hermes is instantly alert and curious.

“Within minutes of his arrival, his eyes are open and he is inspecting his mother’s face eagerly.” — Narration (09:42)

• In a moment both magical and humorous, Hermes rapidly grows from newborn to toddler, astonishing his mother and Artemis.

3. Hermes’ First Adventure: Herding Cattle and Inventing the Lyre

[12:14–31:36]

• Hermes declares he’s "going on a walk," and despite Maia’s maternal anxiety, Artemis reassures her to let the demi-god child be adventurous.
• Hermes travels from Cyllene to Thessaly, drawn to a beautiful herd of golden cattle.
• Showcasing supernatural maturity, Hermes successfully herds the cattle back home on his own.

“As if he’s had many decades of practice, the young god herds the cows together and begins to lead them back the way he came.” — Narration (16:01)

• Along the way, Hermes discovers a tortoise shell and, with inventive curiosity, strings it with grass to create the first lyre.
• The narrative bathes these moments in gentle sensory details—sunlit fields, playful breezes, and chatty cows.

4. Confrontation and Reconciliation with Apollo

[31:37–38:49]

• Apollo, infuriated by the theft of his cattle, tracks Hermes to the cave.
• Artemis intervenes, easing the tension, and Hermes charms everyone by narrating his adventure, demonstrating his “silver tongue.”
• Rather than anger, Apollo is entranced by the music of the newly invented lyre.

“The story seems to float through the air and alight in the ears of the listeners. Apollo, his outrage gradually dwindling, is wrapped by the tale.” — Narration (35:56)

• Hermes gives Apollo the lyre as an apology and gift, initiating Apollo’s association with music and cementing the gods’ camaraderie.

5. Hermes’ Divine Recognition and Gifts

[39:00–44:30]

• Apollo takes Hermes to Olympus to be introduced to the gods.
• After an intense interview, Zeus and Athena affirm Hermes’ abilities and announce his roles: god of orators, thieves, cowherds, merchants, and travelers.
• Hephaestus, impressed, crafts two legendary gifts for Hermes: the winged sandals (talaria) and the winged hat (ptasos), symbolizing his speed and messenger status.

“The sandals allow him to dart around the world in the blink of an eye. To accompany the sandals, Hephaestus has made him a winged hat... These are to become his signature items for the rest of eternity.” — Narration (43:05)

6. Hermes’ Mission to the Underworld

[44:31–54:00]

• Zeus sends Hermes to present himself to Hades and accept the important duty of leading souls to the underworld (psychopomp).
• The underworld is depicted as a place of serene, haunting beauty, introducing Cerberus, the Hydra, and other deities like Styx, Nyx, Charon, and Hecate.
• Hermes and Hades share an amiable meal. Hades bestows upon Hermes the caduceus, his iconic staff entwined with two snakes and topped with wings—a symbol of transition and passage.

“Forevermore, this staff will be the ultimate symbol of Hermes. It will last through the ages. As a sign of those who walk the line between worlds.” — Narration (53:25)

7. Closing Imagery and Reflection

[54:01–end]

• Hermes is celebrated as the god who bridges worlds—air, earth, the afterlife—a figure as light and elusive as quicksilver itself.
• The story closes with Hermes zipping away into the sky, the ultimate symbol of speed and transition.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Hermes' precocious growth:

  “Where a moment before she put down a newborn, there now sits a toddler, still wrapped in the lamb's wool and with the same sparkling eyes.” (11:22, Narration)

• On his invention of the lyre:

  “When plucked in a certain way, a lovely sound comes from the shell... Hermes is playing songs of his own invention.” (28:47, Narration)

• On Apollo’s response to the lyre:

  “As soon as the golden God lays a hand on the lyre. A moment of stillness washes over the world.” (36:27, Narration)

• On receiving his signature items:

  “He is cheeky, funny, teasing and charming. Soon enough, it's as if the young God has been on Olympus for as long as anyone can remember.” (42:55, Narration)

• On his new underworld duties:

  “Hermes accepts the duty gladly. Uncle and nephew walk down to the bank of the river Styx. The waters are calm and cool as they flow through the underworld.” (51:43, Narration)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:35] – Introduction to Hermes and relaxation guidance
• [07:41] – Maia's cave and the birth of Hermes
• [12:14] – Hermes’s transformation into a toddler and first steps
• [16:01] – Hermes herds the divine cattle
• [28:47] – Hermes invents and reveals the lyre
• [31:37] – Apollo discovers the cattle theft
• [36:27] – Hermes gifts the lyre, Apollo’s transformation
• [39:00] – Hermes introduced to Olympus
• [42:55] – Hephaestus presents the winged sandals and hat
• [44:31] – Hermes journeys to the Underworld
• [51:43] – Hermes accepts role as psychopomp
• [53:25] – Hades gives Hermes the caduceus
• [54:01] – Poetic closing reflection on Hermes’ nature

Tone and Language

The storytelling is gentle, poetic, and immersive, infused with mythic wonder and vivid, calming description. Listeners are encouraged to relax, visualize, and surrender to sleep, guided by the lyrical cadence of Thomas’s narration.

This episode beautifully melds myth, relaxation, and lyrical storytelling, providing a dreamy meditation on the origins and character of Hermes—perfectly tuned for sleep and gentle contemplation.