Sharon Handy

@shandy.bsky.social

701 Followers 949 Following

Formerly gruntled writer, media developer, museum exhibit designer & producer/host of the Boring Books for Bedtime sleep podcast Boring Books for Bedtime: bio.link/bbbpod

Opening screen to The Long Dark game that says: STATEMENT AGAINST THE USE OF GENERATIVE AI Hinterland is a humans-first company. We believe in the primacy of human creativity, and in the dignity of all human creators. We will never use generative Al for any of our games, nor include any code or content in our games that wasn't created purely by humans. We are opposed to the widespread exploitation and abuse of human creativity, exploitation that underpins the business models of all generative Al companies. We believe that this fight is an existential fight for the soul of humanity, and we see games standing at the forefront of this fight. There is no ethical application of generative Al, as all commercial models are built on the industrial-scale theft and exploitation of workers, as well as the destruction of our environment, to the sole benefit of the billionaire-class. We also do not consent to have any of our work added to any generative Al models, for training purposes or otherwise, and will use all legal means at our disposal to protect our creations and our intellectual property. We believe that our work, and the commitment to our players, demands this of us.
Screenshot of a comment from Buy Me a Coffee from "Appreciative Listener" of Boring Books for Bedtime who tipped the podcast by buying 12 coffees. It says: "Thank you so much for keeping your podcast ad free. I've been listening and benefiting for a while. Best podcast for getting to sleep and returning to sleep when I wake at 4 am. A regular contribution doesn't feel doable right now so l appreciate the opportunity to "buy a coffee," when it works for me. Thank you!"
A five star review for Boring Books for Bedtime on Apple Podcasts that says: Grateful Jun 7, 2026 NemikSaysTry Glad I found this podcast. It hits the spot. Origin of Species was just interesting enough to capture me, and stop the wheels from spinning. Just dry and academic enough to release me to drift off to sleep....
A note from a supporter of Boring Books for Bedtime that reads: Karen bought you 8 coffees. Hi Sharon, I'm overdue to buy you some root beer floats, but I also wanted to confess that l've checked out other sleep podcasts, and... I just can't find anything as well produced and performed as well as yours. There's always something that irritates me: the voice has a dialectical difference, the sound is annoying, there are ads, the pacing is just not right, etc, etc, etc. You're just the best!
A result card from the Otter Planet character quiz assigning me Manta Birostris, a deepwave problem-solver, with characteristics "reflective, adaptive, patient, cerebral." The card shows a graphic depiction of a manta in calm blues and purples, with what appears to be a purple curlicue mustache along the top of its mouth.
A 1-star review for Boring Books for Bedtime that falsely declares, "So this podcast is completely AI created garbage. And there is no Sharon Handy. This was created so some twit could make a little money via Patreon and Buy Me a Coffee. Zero stars"
A 1920s era poster advertising the C.G. Transatlantique French Line of cruise ships sailing the Atlantic, Pacific and Mediterranean. The design is striking bold and minimalist, with the tall, sharp bow of a black and white cruise ship seeming to sail out of a the background, which is made up of the three color stripes of the French flag - blue, white, and red. A slight ripple in the background creates movement in the stripes, as well as a sense of light playing on water. Two-thirds of the way down, opposing ripples and shading create the water the ship is sailing in, along with reflections. The graphic conveys a sensibility of strength, elegance, and a bit of mystery that complements the idea of adventure in the 1920s Age of Travel. The artist was Paul Colin, a well-known French graphic designer who did many striking posters during the Jazz Age.
A photo of the box for a new LEGO set for the book-now-movie Project Hail Mary, featuring the Hail Mary ship with long, white cylindrical fuel tanks, grey horizontal arms or solar panels, a dark grey, industrial-looking stand, a small Grace figurine in a red spacesuit, and a smaller brown figurine of Rocky with five arms that appear poseable. Amaze! Fist my bump!
The booth for Valerie Becker Studio at the Indie Flea Market in Saint Petersburg, with two tables of pendants, rings, earrings and bracelets made from brightly colored 1950s and 1960s enamel flowers, animals, and floral designs set on new gold rings and bracelets, or backed by handmade wooden pendant mounts. All unique, all for the viewing on a glorious sunny day in Florida.
Another five-star review for Boring Books for Bedtime that says, "Guys, this is the most boring podcast ever. Not interesting at ALL." Thanks, reviewer!
A five-star review for Boring Books for Bedtime that says, "These episodes are the only thing helping us get our two toddlers (1 yr & 2 yr) to sleep! Thank you." Thank you, kind listener!
A colorful gif advertising the BOGO audiobook sale at Libro.fm, which includes pictures of the covers of just a few books on offer.
A notice from Buy Me A Coffee that "Ellen has bought 5 coffees" as a way to support the podcast and keep it ad-free. She says, "I am really enjoying the first three or four minutes of your podcasts! They're very effective, and your reading style is perfect." Thank you for the kind words and generosity, Ellen!
A sleeping tabby cat named Max, with light brown and chocolate brown stripes, contented sleeping in a C shape on a light marbled grey couch. He had no care in the world, and I was envious beyond words.
A sample minute of this week's Boring Books for Bedtime podcast for sleep and relaxation, which this week comes from Emily Post's classic on Etiquette.
Dark purple graphic at the bottom of which is a shelf of books in light purple, orange, dark purple, and yellow hues. A contented white cat sleeps on top of the books. Above the cat is a title announcing this week's new Boring Books for Bedtime episode, part 6 of "On the Origin of Species" by Charles Darwin.
A young Black woman dressed in white and wearing white headphones relaxes with her eyes closed, clearly at peace from listening to her fave sleep podcast, Boring Books for Bedtime. The image announces "Win Your Own Episode," which is this month's special giveaway for paying supporters of our ad-free podcast.
A kind review from Apple Podcasts for Boring Books for Bedtime, lauding it both for inducing sleep and for being really rather interesting from time to time, which is also fun.
A one-minute snippet of this week's Boring Books for Bedtime podcast, our seventh reading from the Manual of Egyptian Archaeology. The image is a tomb painting featuring Osiris standing on the left facing a pharaoh standing on the right. Hieroglyphics fill the sandstone space between them.
A close-up photo of the head of a brown striped tabby cat with white whiskers and a little blep of a tongue poking out, gazing up and to the right, probably where a treat is discretely held out of frame. It's a hint as to the content of the next Boring Books for Bedtime reading for sleep and relaxation.
An image of colorful fireworks announcing "We Have Our Winners!" for the Boring Books for Bedtime holiday giveaway.