Nothing much happens: bedtime stories to help you sleep

Nothing much happens: bedtime stories to help you sleep

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

The Leaf House (Encore)

October 9, 2025 • 32 mins
Originally Aired: October 4th, 2020 (Season 6, Episode 7) Our story tonight is called The Leaf House, and it’s a story about an autumn day spent working in the yard. It’s also a game remembered from childhood, a spider’s web spun on a chrysanthemum, and different ways to think about home. Visit ⁠⁠curednutrition.com/NOTHINGMUCH⁠⁠ and use code NOTHINGMUCH at checkout to receive 20% off your order. Subscribe to our ⁠Premium chan...
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Autumn at the Inn, Part 4

October 6, 2025 • 33 mins
Our story tonight is called Autumn at the Inn, Part Four, and for now it’s the last in this series. It’s a story about a new routine that heals as it unfolds, a morning cup of tea drunk from a window seat on the second floor, a room full of interesting objects, and stories waiting to be heard. It’s also about an armful of letters, a bike ride through falling leaves and stepping into something new to find yourself again. Subscrib...
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The Porch Steps (Encore)

October 2, 2025 • 33 mins
Originally presented as Season 12, Episode 19, October 2, 2023 Our story tonight is called The Porch Steps, and it’s a story about tending to a satisfying chore on a cool day. It’s also about acorns falling on the sidewalk, the scent of a wood fire on a cool night, a daydream about the wind, and stepping back to take in a job well done. Subscribe to our ⁠Premium channel.⁠ The first month is on us. 💙 ⁠NMH merch, autographed...
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Autumn at the Inn, Part 3

September 29, 2025 • 44 mins
Our story tonight is called Autumn at the Inn, Part Three. And, you guessed it, it is a continuation of the last two episodes. Though you don't need to go back and listen to those if you slept through them, which I hope you did. This is a story about arriving somewhere you've never been, but where you feel instantly at home. It's also about eucalyptus and chamomile, a thick blanket at the foot of the bed, ducks on the lake, meetin...
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Chef and Sycamore (Encore)

September 25, 2025 • 35 mins
Our story tonight is called Chef and Sycamore, and it’s a story about an afternoon in the kitchens at the Inn, as jars of pickles are lowered into the canner. It’s also about sheets of labels ready to add to the jars, the view of the hammocks in the side yard, and a kitty waiting not-so-patiently to play.  For a limited time, you can try OneSkin with 15% off using code NOTHINGMUCH at ⁠oneskin.co⁠. Subscribe to our ⁠Premium ch...
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Autumn at the Inn, Part 2

September 22, 2025 • 38 mins
Our story tonight is called Autumn at the Inn, Part 2, and it’s the second in this series, though you don't need to go back and listen to Part 1, if, I don't know... you might have slept through it? Nothing much happened in it. This is a story about a train ride, through changing fields, an old station wagon packed-full of pies, a sketch of the moon on the pages of a journal, wind and waves, and a week full of adventure ahead. ...
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Thunder and Lightning (Encore)

September 18, 2025 • 40 mins
Originally presented as Episode 31 of Season 14, September 16, 2024 Our story tonight is called Thunder and Lightning, and it’s a story about slowing down and getting comfortable as the rain comes down. It’s also about cinnamon and clove, a candle’s flame reflected in a window pane, a sofa turned into a nest for afternoon napping, and the calm and quiet that comes when mother nature takes over.  Visit ⁠curednutrition.com/NOTH...
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Autumn at the Inn, Part 1

September 15, 2025 • 34 mins
Our story tonight is called Autumn at the Inn, Part One, and it’s a story written for all of you who have ever dreamt of taking a little trip to the Village of Nothing Much. It’s about a faded business card passed from friend to friend, an address of an Inn on a lake far away, geese flying overhead, a black cat, rustling leaves, and the start of an adventure taken when it is needed most. Subscribe to our Premium channel. The fi...
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The Librarian (Encore)

September 11, 2025 • 36 mins
Originally aired on Season 10, Episode 14 Our story tonight is called The Librarian. It’s a story about the quiet of the closed-up library at the end of the day. It’s also about the books that sometimes get overlooked on the top shelf, a string of lights over an outdoor table, and knowing what your next book will be. Cured CBN Night Caps: ⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠ and use code NOTHINGMUCH at checkout to receive 20% off your order. Lear...
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Autumn World

September 8, 2025 • 39 mins
Our story tonight is called Autumn World, and it’s a story about a morning with the windows open and fresh fall air blowing through the house. It’s also about crows cawing in a field, coffee and brown sugar, yesterday’s rain drops falling from the trees, a record playing on the turntable, and the feeling of renewal that comes as summer ends. Subscribe to our ⁠Premium channel.⁠ The first month is on us. 💙 We give to a differe...
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Sleeping Weather (Encore)

September 4, 2025 • 34 mins
Originally aired as Episode 15 of Season 10 Our story tonight is called Sleeping Weather, and it’s a story about a break from the heat and humidity. It’s also about the view from the porch swing at night, deer walking quietly through the corn fields, and clearing your mind with paper and pen, and the end of the day. Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us. 💙 NMH merch, autographed books and more! Pay it for...
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The Swim Platform

September 1, 2025 • 31 mins
Our story tonight is called The Swim Platform, and it’s a story about one of the last swims of the season. It’s also about remembered cues from long ago diving lessons, the sound of water lapping against boards, swans and sidestrokes, the smell of varnish and the feel of sun on chilled skin, and a unhurried perfect moment savored before the fall. Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us. 💙 We give to a diff...
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Summer Harvest (Encore)

August 28, 2025 • 29 mins
Originally aired as Episode 3 of Season 4, August 26, 2019 Our story tonight is called Summer Harvest, and it’s a story about the result of a season’s worth of hard work and planning. It’s also about telling time like a farmer would, a red popsicle eaten under a maple tree, and rows of canned tomatoes neatly lined up in the pantry. Subscribe to our ⁠Premium channel.⁠ The first month is on us. 💙 ⁠NMH merch, autographed books a...
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New Path

August 25, 2025 • 42 mins
Our story tonight is called New Path, and it’s a story about a late-summer stroll through high grasses and shaded glens. It’s also about coneflowers and crushed stone, lifting the hair from the back of your neck to feel the breeze, an eagle’s nest lined with moss, a cool creek to wash your hands in, and feeling welcomed and at home in the wild. Listeners can get 15% off at moonbird.life/nothingmuchhappens. Subscribe to our Premiu...
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The Corner Store (Encore)

August 21, 2025 • 33 mins
Originally Aired: August 28th, 2022 (Season 10, Episode 13) Our story tonight is called The Corner Store, and it’s a story about the aisles of the neighborhood grocery where there are always interesting things to discover. It’s also about a display of school supplies, a recipe from a neighbor, and the feeling of belonging in a particular place. Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us. 💙 NMH merch, autographed...
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Early Signs of Autumn

August 18, 2025 • 31 mins
Our story tonight is called Early Signs of Autumn, and it’s a story about turning leaves and a slight spicy scent on the breeze. It’s also about zucchini bread and hot coffees traded for iced, school supplies and new mysteries at the bookshop, orange candles, shifting evening light, and excitement for new experiences to come. Subscribe to our ⁠Premium channel.⁠ The first month is on us. 💙 We give to a different charity each ...
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Yard Sale (Encore)

August 14, 2025 • 31 mins
Originally presented as Season 10, Episode 10, August 8, 2022 Our story tonight is called Yard Sale, or, Another Man’s Treasure, and it’s a story about a neighborhood event on a summer day. It’s also about sidewalk chalk art, a collection of salt and pepper shakers, and red petunias growing in a flower box. Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us. 💙 NMH merch, autographed books and more! Pay it forward sub...
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The Journal

August 11, 2025 • 33 mins
Our story tonight is called The Journal, and it’s a story about the blank pages of a beautiful book, and the freedom to finally write in them, no matter what comes from your pen. It’s also about tonic water and espresso, deep breaths in child’s pose, a garden at midnight, and small prompts reminding us to let go of some things and dive deeper into others. Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us. 💙 We give ...
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The Labyrinth (Encore)

August 7, 2025 • 33 mins
Originally presented as Episode 3 of Season 6, August 10, 2020 Our story tonight is called The Labyrinth and it’s a story about a slow walk on a gravel path in mid-summer. It’s also about hidden places, unseen acts of kindness, the way cats sit in their windows, and always looking for magic. Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us. 💙 NMH merch, autographed books and more! Pay it forward subscription  Li...
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Pool Day

August 4, 2025 • 35 mins
Our story tonight is called Pool Day, and it’s a story about a cool dip in the water on a hot summer day. It’s also about the tiled walls of the changing rooms, broad open umbrellas, and rows of lounge chairs. A book by your side, droplets on your skin, and the heavy sleep that swallows you up after a day in the sun and water. Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us. 💙 We give to a different charity each wee...
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