USC has named its ‘most calming professor' — you can hear for yourself why

Oliver Mayer is an award-winning playwright and professor of dramatic writing at USC. But recently he found out his students love him for yet another talent: the "most calming professor."

“Are my students falling asleep in my class?" he said, joking.

Mayer won a competition at the university set up by the Trojan Health Club and mental health company Calm to find the most tranquil teacher. Students voted him most calming professor and he was awarded the opportunity to record a Sleep Story for Calm app users.

The professor said, for him, it means more than ever to be considered a voice of calm, especially in what he calls the “upside down days” we’re living through. And Mayer also enjoyed being a twilight tour guide for his city.

“I do love the idea that not only might I be calming someone with a route through Los Angeles, but I’m also hopefully inspiring students and everyone else to explore their cities, Los Angeles and otherwise,” he said.

Mayer's sunset trek includes an audio journey to the Griffith Observatory:
 
“Our climb ends. Here we are: The perfect place to fall asleep under the stars," he says on the recording.

"And we easily find a spot to park.”

Maybe the most calming words an Angeleno can hear.

Hear for yourself

Mayer’s Sleep Story is available on the Calm app. You can check out a preview here.