

Nothing much happens: bedtime stories to help you sleep
Wellness Loud
Can’t sleep? You’re not alone—and there’s help.Nothing Much Happens is a bedtime story podcast beloved by millions. Yoga and meditation teacher Kathryn Nicolai tells soothing, cozy stories where—just as the title says—nothing much happens. That’s the magic.Instead of spiraling thoughts or anxious scrolling, you’ll be gently guided to a calm, comfortable place. Each episode is read twice, with a slower second telling to ease you into rest.Trusted by listeners for over seven years and streamed more than 180 million times, it’s a ritual of safety, comfort, and sleep.Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us. 💙Find our bestselling book Nothing Much Happens in over 20 languages worldwide.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 17, 2025 • 42min
Back to the Bakery (Encore)
Originally presented as Episode 1 of Season 8
Our story tonight is called Back to the Bakery, and it’s a story about the early morning preparations made in the kitchen before the Village of Nothing Much wakes. It’s also about a kitty with a crooked tail, hot donuts set out on a tray, and a summer pick-me-up made with love.
Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us. 💙
BIOptimizers’ Probiotic Breakthrough: Click here and use code NOTHINGMUCH for 10% off any order!
NMH merch, autographed books and more!
Pay it forward subscription
Listen to our daytime show Stories from the Village of Nothing Much.
First This, Kathryn’s guided mediation podcast.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 14, 2025 • 37min
Street Sweepers
Our story tonight is called Street Sweepers, and it’s a story about an early morning tending of the village lanes. It’s also about hoppers and windrows, zinnia heads and locust pods, clearing small floods near blocked up drains, and a simple but important way to care for a place you love.
Subscribe to our Premium Channel. The first month is on us. 💙
AquaTru water purifier: Click here and get 20% OFF with code NOTHINGMUCH.
We give to a different charity each week, and this week we are giving to Raincoast Conservation Society. They inspire action to protect wildlife and wildlife habitats.
NMH merch, autographed books, and more!
Pay it Forward Subscription
Listen to our daytime show, Stories from the Village of Nothing Much.
First This, Kathryn’s guided mediation podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 10, 2025 • 38min
When the Streetlights Come On (Encore)
Originally presented as Episode 11 of Season 14
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.
BIOptimizers’ Probiotic Breakthrough: Click here and use code NOTHINGMUCH for 10% off any order!
Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us. 💙
NMH merch, autographed books and more!
Pay it forward subscription
Listen to our daytime show Stories from the Village of Nothing Much.
First This, Kathryn’s guided mediation podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 7, 2025 • 33min
The Evening of the 4th
Our story tonight is called The Evening of the 4th, and it’s a story about a day-long event that ends with a picnic and a concert on the grass. It’s also about hand pies and potato salad, a busy kitchen full of aproned volunteers, and the sound of the instruments tuning up on the patio. Thyme and lemon zest, and the satisfaction of sharing good times with your neighbors.
Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us. 💙
We give to a different charity each week,and this week we are giving to Save the Chimps. Save the Chimps is one of the largest chimpanzee sanctuaries in the world, whose mission is to provide sanctuary and exemplary care to chimpanzees in need.
NMH merch, autographed books, and more!
Pay it forward subscription.
Listen to our daytime show, Stories from the Village of Nothing Much.
First This, Kathryn’s guided mediation podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 3, 2025 • 33min
Heirloom (Encore)
Explore the serene beauty of a summer garden where generational friendships blossom alongside heirloom vegetables. Delve into the joys and challenges of cultivating these unique plants, even in dry conditions. Discover how gardening fosters connections and celebrates the rich history behind each heirloom variety. This tranquil journey emphasizes the rejuvenating power of nature and the importance of nurturing both plants and relationships.

Jun 30, 2025 • 33min
The Last Train Home
Our story tonight is called The Last Train Home, and it's a story about a few moments at the end of a long day. It's also about dogwood flowers and sodium lights, a seat on a bench, the long summer twilight, a yawn that resets your system, and some soft, quiet time settled in with your fellow passengers.
Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us. 💙
We give to a different charity each week, and this week we are giving to Greyhound Pets, Inc. They work to find responsible, loving homes for greyhounds, to acquaint the public with the desirability of greyhounds as pets, and to help them adopt.
Jaspr Air Scrubber: Learn more at jaspr.co , and use the code SLEEP to get $300 off.
NMH merch, autographed books, and more!
Pay it forward subscription
Listen to our daytime show, Stories from the Village of Nothing Much.
First This, Kathryn’s guided mediation podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 26, 2025 • 31min
Magic Words (Encore)
Originally presented as Episode 3 of Season 12
Our story tonight is called Magic Words, and it’s a story about a trip into town on a summer morning. It’s also about the scent of fresh-cut lumber, a dog biscuit buried in the flower beds, how a moment at the start of the day can alter your path, and something in a shop window that catches your eye.
Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us. 💙
NMH merch, autographed books, and more!
Pay it forward subscription
Listen to our daytime show, Stories from the Village of Nothing Much.
First This, Kathryn’s guided mediation podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 23, 2025 • 33min
The Cabin in Summer
Our story tonight is called The Cabin in Summer, and it’s a story about days spent in the sunny garden and the shaded forest. It’s also about lemon balm and raspberries, the cool water of the creek running over your ankles, mushroom hunting and threshold sweeping, and the wisdom of wild places handed down from one generation to the next.
Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us. 💙
We give to a different charity each week, and this week we are giving to the National Book Foundation. They work to celebrate the best literature published in the United States, expand its audience, and ensure that books have a prominent place in our culture.
Jaspr Air Scrubber: Learn more at jaspr.co , and use the code SLEEP to get $300 off.
NMH merch, autographed books, and more!
Pay it forward subscription
Listen to our daytime show, Stories from the Village of Nothing Much.
First This, Kathryn’s guided mediation podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 19, 2025 • 35min
From the Hammock (Encore)
Discover the soothing art of napping in various delightful settings, from cozy couches to hammocks swaying in the breeze. The discussion dances through cherished memories of lazy summer days, emphasizing the joy of relaxation. It also explores how taking a step back can reconnect you with nature and personal happiness. Through vivid storytelling, find comfort in the beauty of life's simple pleasures and the notion that what you seek is also searching for you.

Jun 16, 2025 • 35min
W-A-L-K
Our story tonight is called W-A-L-K, and it’s a story about a little brown dog and his favorite outdoor activity. It’s also about the smell of watered lawns in the evening, a frisbee and friends from down the block, porch lights and watermelon, and the moment when you close the door on the day.
Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us. 💙
We give to a different charity each week and this week we are giving to Ele’s Place for Grieving Children. Ele's Place is a nonprofit, community-based organization dedicated to creating awareness of and support for grieving children, teens and their families.
Jaspr Air Scrubber: Learn more at jaspr.co , and use the code SLEEP to get $300 off.
NMH merch, autographed books and more!
Pay it forward subscription
Listen to our daytime show Stories from the Village of Nothing Much.
First This, Kathryn’s guided mediation podcast.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices