Unwind to a gentle, cinematic journey through the quiet evenings of Cole Porter—the dazzling Broadway composer whose public sophistication sheltered a tender, private LGBTQ+ life. This bedtime episode drifts from Indiana winters to Yale corridors at dusk; from pearl‑lit Paris salons with Linda Lee Thomas to water‑soft Venetian nights; from New York stages after the curtain falls to rain‑polished windows in his later years. Along the way, the story illuminates Porter's chosen family, discreet romances, and the coded tenderness woven into classics like Night and Day, Anything Goes, I Get a Kick Out of You, and Begin the Beguine—songs that sparkle in public and speak softly in private.
Designed for deep rest and gentle focus, this episode blends history with hush: elegant imagery, slow pacing, and a lullaby‑like cadence. Perfect for sleep, anxiety relief, insomnia support, calm study, or a serene evening wind‑down—especially if you love LGBTQ+ history, vintage glamour, and the Great American Songbook.
What you’ll hear
Cole Porter’s early years and musical ear for quiet
His marriage to Linda Lee Thomas as sanctuary and partnership
Discreet queer circles in Paris, Venice, and New York
Backstage calm, private dedications, and coded lyrics
Resilience after injury and the enduring elegance of his craft
If you enjoy this episode: try our other LGBTQ+ history sleep stories and follow Restful Rainbow for new releases.