Radiolab: "Wake Up and Dream"

Release Date: January 24, 2012
Hosts: Jad Abumrad & Robert Krulwich
Reporter: Matthew Kielty
Guest: Steve Volk

Main Theme

This episode dives deep into the science and personal power of lucid dreaming, told through the harrowing and ultimately transformative story of journalist Steve Volk. For decades, Volk faced a recurring nightmare—until he learned to confront it through lucid dreaming. The episode explores the line between waking and dreaming, the scientific validation of lucid dreaming, and the practical methods for controlling your dreams to overcome fear.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Steve Volk’s Recurring Nightmare

[02:14–05:33]

• Steve Volk, a Philadelphia reporter, describes a vivid recurring nightmare that haunted him for 20 years:
  • He wakes in his apartment, senses impending doom, and sees a threatening face outside his window.
  • The figure knocks on the door, provokes Steve’s rage, and they engage in a violent confrontation.
  • Steve awakens in panic, his hand still balled into a fist.
• The dream recurred whenever he was under stress:
  • “Anytime there was any sort of anxiety that flared up in his life...back again. And every time, the same thing.” – [Producer, 04:58]
  • “I would say I had this dream at least six times a year for about 20 years.” – Steve Volk [05:22]

The Concept and Science of Lucid Dreaming

[05:39–10:07]

• While researching for his book, Volk discovers lucid dreaming, a state where the dreamer is aware they are dreaming and can control the dream.
• Western science originally denied lucid dreaming, but it is now scientifically validated.
• Stephen LaBerge’s Experiment at Stanford:
  • LaBerge, a lifelong lucid dreamer, proved lucid dreaming using “eye signal” experiments: dreamers would move their eyes in agreed patterns during REM sleep, which could be observed externally.
  • “If you move your eyes in a dream, someone sitting out there in the real world will actually see your eyes move...” – Producer [08:04]
  • “He was conscious while he was unconscious, is what you’re saying?” – Jad Abumrad [09:39]
  • “At this stage, you won’t really find credible dream researchers denying the reality of lucid dreaming...” – Steve Volk [09:57]

How to Learn Lucid Dreaming

[10:07–12:25]

• LaBerge now teaches lucid dreaming, offering techniques anyone can use:
  • In “state tests,” you repeatedly ask yourself during the day, “Am I awake or am I dreaming?”—this habit can transfer into your dreams.
  • Text behaves unpredictably in dreams: “Text in a dream changes really dramatically from moment to moment.” – Steve Volk [10:45]
  • The idea is to notice abnormalities and trigger awareness.
  • “If you start doing this in real life...that thought will occur to you in the dream.” – Steve Volk [11:25]

Targeted Lucidity: Facing the Nightmare Directly

[11:48–13:13]

• Since regular techniques didn’t work for Volk, LaBerge’s assistant suggests a specific approach:
  • Envision the nightmare and strategically pick a “moment of awareness” (i.e., when the face appears at the window).
  • In waking life, repeatedly imagine gaining lucidity at that specific point—“Face awareness. Face awareness.” – Producer [12:33]

The Lucid Dream Showdown

[13:13–17:13]

• The nightly rehearsal pays off—Steve finds himself inside his recurring nightmare, fully lucid.
• He experiences the dream in vivid sensory detail, but this time, instead of fighting, he lets the intruder in and stands his ground.
• The intruder pulls a gun and shoots, but Steve remains unharmed and fearless:
  • “I really feel—and I had this thought at the time—I’m Neo, I am Superman. This guy’s firing bullets at me, and nothing.” – Steve Volk [16:03]
• The dream character drops the weapon and smiles, communicating:
  • “See? You got it. I’m nothing to be afraid of at all.” – Steve Volk [16:18]
• Steve wakes up, feeling empowered, and never has the nightmare again:
  • “It’s gone. My dream is gone.” – Steve Volk [17:13]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “[Lucid dreaming] is where, like, you wake up inside your dream, like you’re awake.” – Jad Abumrad [05:57]
• “My dream is gone.” – Steve Volk [17:13]
• “I really feel—and I had this thought at the time—I’m Neo, I am Superman. This guy’s firing bullets at me, and nothing.” – Steve Volk [16:03]
• “That message was like, see? You got it. I’m nothing to be afraid of at all.” – Steve Volk [16:18]
• “This is something that everybody can take home and use tonight.” – Robert Krulwich [17:43]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Steve’s Nightmare Introduced: 02:14–05:39
• What is Lucid Dreaming & Scientific Validation: 05:39–10:07
• Lucid Dreaming Techniques: 10:07–12:25
• Targeted Lucidity for Nightmare Intervention: 11:48–13:13
• The Transformative Lucid Dream: 13:13–17:13
• Epilogue/One-Liner Takeaway: 17:43

Tone and Style

Engaging, personal, slightly playful, with a strong sense of wonder and curiosity. The episode moves seamlessly between investigative journalism, scientific explanation, and intimate storytelling. The hosts express both healthy skepticism and awe, matching the narrative of confronting the unknown in both science and the mind.

Summary Takeaway

Radiolab’s “Wake Up and Dream” is a fascinating exploration of lucid dreaming as both a scientifically validated phenomenon and a powerful tool for personal transformation. Steve Volk’s story offers hope—illustrating that by becoming aware and courageous inside our own dreams, we can fundamentally change our waking lives as well.