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

Heirloom (Encore)

July 3, 2025 • 32 mins
Originally presented as Episode 6 of Season 12. Our story tonight is called Heirloom, and it’s a story about a garden in the middle of summer. It’s also about things handed down through generations, making and keeping friends of all ages, and a stack of farmer’s almanacs in the quiet corner of a shed. Subscribe to our ⁠Premium channel.⁠ The first month is on us. 💙 BIOptimizers’ Probiotic Breakthrough: ⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠ and us...
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The Last Train Home

June 30, 2025 • 32 mins
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 a...
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Magic Words (Encore)

June 26, 2025 • 29 mins
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, a...
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The Cabin in Summer

June 22, 2025 • 31 mins
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 cha...
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From the Hammock (Encore)

June 19, 2025 • 34 mins
Originally presented as Episode 13 of Season 7 Our story tonight is called From the Hammock, and it’s a story about naps, and where and when, and under what circumstances we take them. It’s also about a slow walk through the garden, jars of pickles put up in the cellar, and knowing that what you seek is seeking you. Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us. 💙 NMH merch, autographed books and more! Pay it ...
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W-A-L-K

June 16, 2025 • 34 mins
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...
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The Lake at the Inn (Encore)

June 12, 2025 • 37 mins
Originally presented as Episode 12 of Season 7, June 14, 2021 Our story tonight is called The Lake at the Inn, and it’s a story about a misty summer morning on the water. It’s also about a mug of coffee poured by a friend, the sounds you hear when you truly stop to listen and a row boat just waiting to be pushed out away from shore. Subscribe to our ⁠Premium channel.⁠ The first month is on us. 💙 BIOptimizers’ Probiotic Breakt...
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Cloud Club

June 9, 2025 • 34 mins
Our story tonight is called Cloud Club, and it’s a story about an afternoon stretched out under the open sky. It’s also about the friends you’ve known since you were young, a polka-dotted blanket, memories of games played, strawberries and wax paper, mint and quiet times, in the soft summer air. Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us. 💙 Jaspr Air Scrubber: Learn more at jaspr.co, and use the code SLEEP to...
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Joyride (Encore)

June 5, 2025 • 27 mins
Originally aired June 26, 2023, Season 12, Episode 4 Our story tonight is called Joyride, and it’s a story about a spontaneous trip for two friends on a summer day. It’s also about music coming from the records shop’s door, a new book in a beloved series, and riding off into the sunset with the windows rolled down.  Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us. 💙 NMH merch, autographed books and more! Listen to...
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Wallpaper and Paint

June 2, 2025 • 37 mins
Our story tonight is called Wallpaper and Paint, and it’s a story about a room in a cottage by the lake, that is ready for redoing. It’s also about a claw foot tub and an airy kitchen with beams crisscrossing the ceiling, the faded patches of wall behind pictures, ferns and seagrass, binoculars and stir sticks, and the wonderfully satisfying feeling of peeling away the old and laying out the new. Subscribe to our Premium channel...
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A Month of Sundays (Encore)

May 29, 2025 • 28 mins
Originally Aired May 13, 2024, Season 13, Episode 39 Our story tonight is called A Month of Sundays, and it’s a story about finding a way to make time for rest and enjoyment. It’s also about a tin box of recipe cards, a neatly made bed with the corner folded down, aunts and idioms, porch swings and school buses, and the delight of one of the best days of the week. Subscribe to our ⁠Premium channel.⁠ The first month is on us. 💙...
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The Fountain in the Square

May 26, 2025 • 37 mins
Our story tonight is called The Fountain on the Square, and it’s a story about a place to make a wish as the season tips to summer. It’s also about local lore and shared customs, cool running water, light falling through leaves, marbles and theatre games, and remembering someone by adding to the world. It is dedicated to the memory of my friend Sarah Kramer. Subscribe to our ⁠Premium channel⁠. The first month is on us. Cornbr...
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Tell the Bees (Encore)

May 22, 2025 • 33 mins
Originally aired May 20, 2024, Season 13, Episode 41 Our story tonight is called Tell the Bees, and it is a story that so many of you have asked for. I know that the podcast has seen many of you through difficult times, and often, you’ve asked for a story that might be a balm to a heavy or grieving heart, and this is my first attempt at that. If you want to avoid any heaviness tonight, that’s understandable. Marmalade and Crumb a...
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Nothing Much Happens - Trailer

May 19, 2025 • 29 secs
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. See omnystudio.com/li...
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The Houseboat

May 19, 2025 • 39 mins
Our story tonight is called The Houseboat, and it’s a story about a calm morning on the water and the small joys of observation. It’s also about a kettle on the stove, orange zest and Sweetgum flowers, properly tied knots and a sweet reunion celebrated without words. 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 Adopt-A-Pet of Fenton, Michi...
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Date Night (Encore)

May 15, 2025 • 37 mins
Originally aired May 27, 2024, Season 13, Episode 43 Our story tonight is called Date Night, and it is a story about a bike ride to a place where X marks the spot on a hand-drawn map. It’s also about lavender lemonade, minnows in the shallows, wagging tales, and a toast made while the dogs wind a leash around your ankle. Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠Premium channel.⁠⁠⁠ The first month is on us. 💙 BIOptimizers’ Sleep Breakthrough: ⁠...
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Dandelions and Moss

May 12, 2025 • 32 mins
Our story tonight is called Dandelions and Moss, and it’s a story about a craft project made from things gathered in the yard. It’s also about wishes and wire, memories of schoolyard games, making something with your hands at the picnic table in the afternoon sun and the magic of a moment preserved under glass. Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us. We give to a different charity each week and this week ...
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The Book Fair (Encore)

May 8, 2025 • 32 mins
Originally aired May 22, 2023, Season 11, Episode 22 Our story tonight is called The Bookfair, and it’s a story about a love of reading and the creativity that inspires. It’s also about the last days of school before summer vacation, taking class outside into the open air, and the feeling of watching little ones grow up and expand their worlds. Subscribe to our ⁠⁠Premium channel.⁠⁠ The first month is on us. 💙 Go to Cymbioti...
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The Lilac Booth, Part 2

May 5, 2025 • 33 mins
Our story tonight is called The Lilac Booth, Part Two, and it’s a story about a lovely spring day at the farmer’s market and the sweet smell of a favorite flower. It is also about street food and sunshine, memories pulled forward by a breath of perfume, crumpled dollar bills, and the kind of beauty that can sit on your windowsill. Subscribe to our ⁠Premium channel.⁠ The first month is on us. 💙 We give to a different charity e...
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The Hardware Store (Encore)

May 1, 2025 • 30 mins
Originally presented as Episode 11 of Season 5, June 1, 2020. Our story this week is called The Hardware Store, and it's a story about finding all the right things for a few projects at home. It’s also about stacks of fresh-sawn wood, a packet of peanut butter cups, and the ride home, with the window down. Subscribe to our ⁠Premium channel.⁠ The first month is on us. 💙 AquaTru water purifier: ⁠⁠Click here and get 20% O...
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