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

Return to the Chalet, Part 3

January 12, 2026 • 36 mins
Our story tonight is called Return to the Chalet, Part 3, and it is, for now, the last in this series. It’s a story about a trek through the snow to the home of a friend, it’s also about French Toast and roasted potatoes, a snoring dog beside the fire, bird feeders and twinkle lights, lighted windows seen from a far and someplace safe to wait out the storm. Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠Premium channel.⁠⁠⁠⁠ The first month is on us. 💙 ...
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Window Weather (Encore)

January 8, 2026 • 39 mins
Originally aired on January 6th, 2025 (Season 15, Episode 2) Our story tonight is called Window Weather, and it’s a story about the deep cold of mid-winter and calm cozy feeling of watching it from your window. It’s also about  oranges and lemons, bells on collars, a well stocked pantry and fridge, and the joy of getting into your pajamas at three in the afternoon. Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠Premium channel.⁠⁠⁠ The first month is on...
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Return to the Chalet, Part 2

January 5, 2026 • 30 mins
Our story tonight is called Return to the Chalet, Part 2, and it’s picking up where Part 1 ended, at a little cabin at the foot of a snow-covered slope. It’s also about waking without an alarm and coffee by the fire, saunas and hot stones, soft hoodies, and not having to decide anything, quiet exchanges, and the achievement of letting yourself receive care without argument. We donate to a different charity each week, and this we...
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Winter Getaway, Parts 1 - 3 (Encore)

January 1, 2026 • 88 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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Return to the Chalet, Part 1

December 29, 2025 • 41 mins
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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Game Night (Encore)

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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Candlewalk

December 22, 2025 • 33 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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Out of the Cold (Encore)

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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Merry Much Happens - 2025

December 15, 2025 • 182 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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Mistletoe and Marmalade (Encore)

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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Fogged Glasses and Felting Fibers

December 8, 2025 • 36 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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City Sidewalks (Encore)

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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Outside At Night, With My Dog

December 1, 2025 • 28 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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Thanksgiving at the Cabin (Encore)

November 27, 2025 • 34 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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After Dinner

November 24, 2025 • 34 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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The Joy of Missing Out (Encore)

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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Curtain Call

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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The Guest Room

November 17, 2025 • 34 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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Sunday Reset (Encore)

November 13, 2025 • 32 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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Recipe Testing

November 10, 2025 • 36 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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