340 episodes

Having trouble sleeping?  Join Yoga and meditation teacher Kathryn Nicolai for bedtime stories where nothing much happens to help you relax and sleep peacefully. The stories are a soft landing spot for your mind. Rather than letting your brain race through the same thoughts you’ve been chasing all day, we are taking a detour to a calm and comfy place. We tell the story twice and go a bit slower the second time.

You can find our book, "Nothing Much Happens," in over 20 languages. Request your local bookseller to shelve it: https://bit.ly/Nothing-Much-Happens

Nothing much happens: bedtime stories to help you sleep NMH Premium+

    • Health & Fitness
    • 4.8 • 8.4K Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

Having trouble sleeping?  Join Yoga and meditation teacher Kathryn Nicolai for bedtime stories where nothing much happens to help you relax and sleep peacefully. The stories are a soft landing spot for your mind. Rather than letting your brain race through the same thoughts you’ve been chasing all day, we are taking a detour to a calm and comfy place. We tell the story twice and go a bit slower the second time.

You can find our book, "Nothing Much Happens," in over 20 languages. Request your local bookseller to shelve it: https://bit.ly/Nothing-Much-Happens

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    Lightning Bugs at Oxbow Lake

    Lightning Bugs at Oxbow Lake

    Our story tonight is called Lightning Bugs at Oxbow Lake, and it’s a story about an evening spent on soft pine needle paths beside the water. It’s also about cattails and crested herons, the changing paths of rivers, a small voice reminding you that you can, and the spell of a good night’s sleep.
    We give to a different charity each week, and this week, we are giving to the Marine Mammal Center. The center's mission is to advance global marine conservation through rescue and rehabilitation, research, and education. 
    Subscribe for ad-free, bonus, and extra-long episodes now, as well as ad-free and early episodes of Stories from the Village of Nothing Much! Search for the NMH Premium channel on Apple podcasts or follow the link below: nothingmuchhappens.com/premium-subscription.
    Listen to our new show, Stories from the Village of Nothing Much, on your favorite podcast app.
    Join us tomorrow morning for a meditation at firstthispodcast.com.
    Purchase Our Book: https://bit.ly/Nothing-Much-Happens
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 31 min
    In the Map Room (Encore)

    In the Map Room (Encore)

    Originally Aired: July 12th, 2020 (Season 6 Episode 1)
    Our story tonight is called In the Map Room, and it’s a story about the pleasures of looking at the world drawn out on paper. It’s also about a gasp of koi fish in a pond, a bike ride that leads somewhere surprising, and the view from the upper room of an old house.
    So get cozy and ready to sleep.
    Subscribe for ad-free, bonus, and extra-long episodes now, as well as ad-free and early episodes of Stories from the Village of Nothing Much! Search for the NMH Premium channel on Apple podcasts or follow the link below: nothingmuchhappens.com/premium-subscription.
    Listen to our new show, Stories from the Village of Nothing Much, on your favorite podcast app.
    Join us tomorrow morning for a meditation at firstthispodcast.com.
    Purchase Our Book: https://bit.ly/Nothing-Much-Happens
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 27 min
    The Village Races

    The Village Races

    Our story tonight is called The Village Races, and it’s a story about a group of runners setting out on a bright, sunny morning. It’s also about butterflies and bagels, lucky numbers and picnic blankets, and the joy of being a part of something you’re proud of.
    We give to a different charity each week, and this week, we are giving to Lasagna Love. Their mission is simple: feed families, spread kindness, and strengthen communities. 
     
    Subscribe for ad-free, bonus, and extra-long episodes now, as well as ad-free and early episodes of Stories from the Village of Nothing Much! Search for the NMH Premium channel on Apple podcasts or follow the link below: nothingmuchhappens.com/premium-subscription.
    Listen to our new show, Stories from the Village of Nothing Much, on your favorite podcast app.
    Join us tomorrow morning for a meditation at firstthispodcast.com.
     
    Purchase Our Book: https://bit.ly/Nothing-Much-Happens
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 33 min
    At The Summer Fair (Encore)

    At The Summer Fair (Encore)

    Originally Aired: July 14th, 2019 (Season 3 Episode 13)
    Our story tonight is called “At the Summer Fair,” and it’s a story about a yearly tradition and how it changes in the different summers of your life. It’s also about plums taken from the icebox, a handmade cup wrapped in paper, and strolling along the river as the streetlights blink on above you.
    So get cozy and ready to sleep.
    Subscribe for ad-free, bonus, and extra-long episodes now, as well as ad-free and early episodes of Stories from the Village of Nothing Much! Search for the NMH Premium channel on Apple Podcast or follow the link below nothingmuchhappens.com/premium-subscription. 
    Listen to our new show, Stories from the Village of Nothing Much, on your favorite podcast app. 
    Join us tomorrow morning for a meditation at firstthispodcast.com.
    Purchase Our Book: https://bit.ly/Nothing-Much-Happens
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 21 min
    When the Streetlights Come On

    When the Streetlights Come On

    Our story tonight is called When the Streetlights Come On, and it’s a story about a trip to the mailbox through the last lit moments of the day. It’s also about bikes being wheeled into the garage for the night, things learned from the farmer’s almanac, layers of paint peeling away under your hand, and a tender way to shepherded home and sent to dreamland.
    We give to a different charity each week, and this week, we are giving to the Special Olympics. The Special Olympics' mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
    Subscribe for ad-free, bonus, and extra-long episodes now, as well as ad-free and early episodes of Stories from the Village of Nothing Much! Search for the NMH Premium channel on Apple podcasts or follow the link below: nothingmuchhappens.com/premium-subscription.
    Listen to our new show, Stories from the Village of Nothing Much, on your favorite podcast app.
    Join us tomorrow morning for a meditation at firstthispodcast.com.
    Purchase Our Book: https://bit.ly/Nothing-Much-Happens
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 36 min
    A Letter In An Envelope (Encore)

    A Letter In An Envelope (Encore)

    Originally Aired: July 28th, 2019 (Season 4 Episode 1)
    Our story tonight is called “A Letter in an Envelope” and it’s a story about the everyday magic of messages sent between friends. It’s also about peanut butter spread on toast, a favorite spot on the back porch, and a lifelong habit of saving stories.
    So get cozy and ready to sleep.
    Save over $100 on Kathryn’s hand-selected wind-down favorites with the Nothing Much Happens Wind-Down Box. A collection of products from our amazing partners:
    Eversio Wellness: Chill Now Vellabox: Lavender Silk Candle Alice Mushrooms: Nightcap NutraChamps: Tart Cherry Gummies A Brighter Year: Mini Coloring Book NuStrips: Sleep Strips Woolzies: Lavender Roll-On.  
    Subscribe for ad-free, bonus, and extra-long episodes now, as well as ad-free and early episodes of Stories from the Village of Nothing Much! Search for the NMH Premium channel on Apple Podcast or follow the link below nothingmuchhappens.com/premium-subscription. 
    Listen to our new show, Stories from the Village of Nothing Much, on your favorite podcast app. 
    Join us tomorrow morning for a meditation at firstthispodcast.com.
    Purchase Our Book: https://bit.ly/Nothing-Much-Happens
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 27 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
8.4K Ratings

8.4K Ratings

Draco.Malfoy simp ,

10/10 free melatonin

I have had struggles falling asleep, because I’m in a habit of where I need something to guide me to sleep. When I found this podcast.. OMG I fell asleep before the story even started. And when Kathryn (Same name and spelling btw) said to reflect on the story, I said in my head,” but I don’t even remember it!” Kathryn, could you make a story about fireflies if you haven't already? Love this podcast so freaking much.Thank you so much. You are helping so many people.

TheRealDasher5 ,

This is not my type of podcast

Im eleven and my mom forces me to listen to this podcast every night. I used to listen to a Minecraft podcast called The Spawn Chunks. I can’t fall asleep to this anyways so why switch?

Vegasjan ,

Better than Melatonin!

I have tried medications, meditation and neither worked for long. I have been listening to this podcast for several months and it manages to quite my thoughts and allows me to sleep. This is true no matter what time I need to get to sleep. I am so grateful for this & KN's expertise!
Thank you!

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