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
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.
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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 🎟️
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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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October 27, 2025 • 42 mins
Our story tonight is called Chef and the Ghost Light, and it’s a story in which, fine, I’ll admit, something happens. The jig is up. It’s even a little spooky friends. So if that isn’t your cup of sleepy-time tea, please skip this episode and dive into one of the hundreds of others I’ve written for you. We’ll return to your regular programming next week. This is a story about Halloween Night at the Inn, as party guests dance and ca...
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October 23, 2025 • 34 mins
Originally Presented as Season 10, Episode 22, October 31, 2022
Our story tonight is called Behind the Curtain, and it’s a story about two friends meeting for the first time. It’s also about a copper kettle simmering on the stove, a gentle approach to tip people toward kindness, and cinnamon sticks and sliced apples.
Join Kathryn and friends for a one-night-only live virtual event on Wednesday, November 19th filled with calmi...
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October 20, 2025 • 37 mins
Our story tonight is called The Gatekeeper Tree, and it is ever-so-gently a spooky bedtime story. I know that’s not for everyone, so if it’s not for you, the good news is that we have hundreds of other episodes to listen always at your fingertips. This story is about a late night expedition, the flickering light of a lantern in the woods, tree roots that might trip you up, or make way, depending whether or not you ought to be there...
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