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

January 1, 2026 89 mins
Originally Presented as Episodes 1 - 3 of Season 11, January 2023. Our story tonight is called Winter Getaway, and it tells, from two perspectives, the tale of a snowy mountain, a warm cabin, and a meal shared between friends. It's also about taking time to rest deeply, snowflakes and silver needle tea, and a book wrapped in brown paper. Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us. 💙 NMH merch, autographed books...
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Our story tonight is called Return to the Chalet, and it is a sort of "season two" of a fan-favorite series from a few winter’s back called Winter Getaway though you don’t need to listen to that three-parter to find your place in this one. It’s a story about a trip out of town after the bustle of the holidays settles down. It’s also about landmarks spotted from the highway, a plate of black and white cookies made with love, the mom...
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December 25, 2025 35 mins
Originally presented as Season 6, Episode 13 (December 8, 2020) Our story tonight is called Game Night, and it’s a story about ringing in the New Year with friends around the kitchen table. It’s also about a memory of card games with aunts and uncles, a secret ingredient, and the importance of good old-fashioned fun. Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠Premium channel.⁠⁠⁠ The first two months are on us. 💙 ⁠⁠⁠⁠NMH Merch, Holiday Capsule, Autogr...
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December 22, 2025 34 mins
Our story tonight is called Candlewalk, and it's a story about a special Holiday tradition in downtown Nothing Much. It's also about tea lights and snow shovels, Christmas cookies, and cocoa, keeping warm in a thermos. A smiley face on a sticky note, voices in harmony, and a winding, forgotten alley where light begins to shine. Subscribe to our ⁠Premium channel.⁠ The first two months are on us. 💙 Nature’s Sunshine is offerin...
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December 18, 2025 33 mins
Originally presented as Season 14, Episode 57 Our story tonight is called Out of the Cold, and it’s a story about a windy day and a place to warm up. It’s also about pine boughs and an open wrought iron gate, smoke rising from a chimney in the distance, a black cat, cookies, and tea, and the good feeling of stepping into the warmth with a friend. Visit ⁠https://www.curednutrition.com/NOTHINGMUCH and use code NOTHINGMUCH at check...
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December 15, 2025 184 mins
Our stories tonight have been picked by the team that makes Nothing Much…Happen. They are stories of snowfall and market stalls draped with greenery, quiet moments at home and exciting new meetings, some comfort some joy, and some steadiness for the new year. From all of us, we wish you sweet dreams. Subscribe to our ⁠Premium channel.⁠ The first two months are on us. 💙 From infant to age 5, Primrose Schools is The Leader in Ea...
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December 11, 2025 30 mins
Originally presented as Season 12, Episode 39 Our story tonight is called Mistletoe and Marmalade, and it’s a story about decorating for the holidays with the whole family. It’s also about birds at the feeder, ornaments made in kindergarten that still make it onto the tree, the ways that love can surprise you, and a greyhound in a Christmas sweater. Visit ⁠curednutrition.com/NOTHINGMUCH⁠ and use code NOTHINGMUCH at checkout to...
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December 8, 2025 35 mins
Our story tonight is called Fogged Glasses and Felting Fibers, and it’s a story about an evening spent working on a project among friends. It’s also about a tote bag full of spools of colored thread, the moon reflected in a car window, a saved seat, a black and white movie, the quiet companionable sound of knitting needles clicking and a gentle nudge to direct more attention to the things that make you grateful and content. Subs...
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December 4, 2025 33 mins
Originally Aired: December 14th, 2020 (Season 6, Episode 12) Our story tonight is called City Sidewalks and it’s a story about an evening looking into shop windows filled with Holiday displays. It’s also about miracles made in gingerbread, realizing when something is good, and the hushed excitement in a theater as the movie is about to begin. Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠Premium channel.⁠⁠⁠ The first month is on us. 💙 Visit https://www....
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December 1, 2025 27 mins
Our story tonight is called Outside at Night, with my Dog, and it’s a story that you might have read if you have my book, but has never appeared on the podcast before. I picked it to read for you this week in tribute to my own dogs, as we are healing from loss and stories are medicine. It’s a story about waking with a loved one when the moon is high. It’s also about flower bulbs and a heavy quilt, the scent of the night air as wint...
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November 27, 2025 33 mins
Originally presented as Season 14, Episode 51 Our story tonight is called Thanksgiving at the Cabin, and it’s a story about a walk through the woods with a friend to start the day. It’s also about the sun on your face, empty branches, and squirrels, cranberries, and apples. The sound of the shower in the other room, and a note written in the steam on the mirror. Family, as you find it, and the deep feeling of enough. For Cured’s...
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November 24, 2025 33 mins
Our story tonight is called After Dinner, and it is the third part in a series featuring some favorite animals in the Village of Nothing Much. You could go back and listen to the previous two if you’ve missed them, but you’ll probably be asleep in a few moments. This is a story about the quiet that settles in as the plates are cleared and the candles burn down. It’s also about passed-down recipes, dogs chasing through the halls, ba...
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November 20, 2025 32 mins
Originally Presented as Season 12, Episode 31 Our story tonight is called The Joy of Missing Out, and it’s a story about recharging your body when your battery has run down. It’s also about frost on the windows, reading a favorite book snuggled deep under the covers, being honest about what you need, and giving others permission to do the same. Cured Dream Gummies: Visit ⁠https://curednutrition.com/pages/nothingmuch⁠ and use ...
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November 17, 2025 4 mins
Join Kathryn Nicolai and friends for a one-night-only live virtual event on Wednesday, November 19th filled with calming bedtime stories, live music, guided journaling, and a few thoughtful surprises. You can tune in from anywhere! Tickets available now at ⁠pave.live/nothingmuchhappens ⁠🎟️ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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November 17, 2025 35 mins
Our story tonight is called The Guest Room, and it’s a story about making a space feel warm and welcoming. It’s also about fresh sheets and fluffy stacks of towels, a pearly button and a jewelry box, the clean feeling of a room that’s been properly aired out, a silly dog who sees every chore as a chance for play, and showing love through thoughtful hospitality. Join Kathryn Nicolai and friends for a one-night-only live virtual eve...
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November 13, 2025 33 mins
Originally presented as Season 10, Episode 23 Our story tonight is called Sunday Reset, and it’s a story about a day set aside to plan for a good week ahead. It’s also about sheets hung on the line, drying in the last warm rays of the autumn, a record spinning on the turntable, and a changed outlook after advice from a friend. Join Kathryn and friends for a one-night-only live virtual event on Wednesday, November 19th filled wi...
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November 10, 2025 35 mins
Our story tonight is called Recipe Testing, and it’s a story about a quiet afternoon at home, preparing for the holidays. It’s also about leaves raked into piles in the backyard, cranberries and pastry flour, the incredible softness of a dog’s ears, soup pots and sage, and the comfortable feeling of your loved ones resting nearby as you cook. Join Kathryn Nicolai and friends for a one-night-only live virtual event on Wednesday, ...
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November 6, 2025 35 mins
Originally presented as Season 14, Episode 45, November 4, 2024 Our story tonight is called Autumn Sun, and it’s a story about a day at Weathervane Farm, treating the animals to autumnal enrichment. It’s also about light shifting through orange and red leaves, the pillowy soil of a well tilled garden, the last pumpkins picked from their vines, and the simple joy of watching kids play. Join Kathryn and friends for a one-night...
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November 3, 2025 35 mins
Originally presented as Season 8, Bonus Episode 4 Our story tonight is called Rainy Morning, and it’s a story about savoring a good book from bed. It’s also about resting your eyes, having the house to yourself, and looking forward to the next great read. Join Kathryn and friends for a one-night-only live virtual event on Wednesday, November 19th filled with calming bedtime stories, live music, guided journaling, and a few tho...
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October 30, 2025 35 mins
Originally presented as Season 8, Episode 12, October 25, 2021 Our story tonight is called Trick or Treat, and it’s a story about a roaming the streets on All Hallows' Eve. It’s also about a gust of wind that turns you around, lit porch lights, and making memories with the people you love. Join Kathryn and friends for a one-night-only live virtual event on Wednesday, November 19th filled with calming bedtime stories, live mu...
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