Nothing much happens: bedtime stories to help you sleep

By: Wellness Loud
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  • Summary

  • 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. Find our bestselling book Nothing Much Happens in over 20 languages worldwide.
    2025 Wellness Loud
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Hygiene & Healthy Living
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Episodes
  • The Book Fair (Encore)

    The Book Fair (Encore)
    May 8 2025
    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. 💙 Buffy and use code NOTHINGMUCH for⁠⁠ a great deal⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    32 mins
  • The Lilac Booth, Part 2

    The Lilac Booth, Part 2
    May 5 2025
    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 each week and this week we are giving to The Humane League. Helping animals live better lives. AquaTru water purifier: Click here and get 20% OFF with code NOTHINGMUCH. Beam Dream Powder: Click here for up to 40% off with code NOTHINGMUCH. BIOptimizers’ Sleep Breakthrough: Click here and use code NOTHINGMUCH for 10% off any order! Cornbread Hemp’s CBD gummies: Click here to save 30% on their first order! Cymbiotika products: Click here for 20% off and free shipping! Moonbird, the world’s first handheld breathing coach: Click here and save 20%! NMH merch, autographed books and more! Pay it forward subscription Listen to our daytime show Stories from the Village of Nothing Much on your favorite podcast app. Join us tomorrow morning for a meditation
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    32 mins
  • The Hardware Store (Encore)

    The Hardware Store (Encore)
    May 1 2025
    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% OFF⁠⁠ with code NOTHINGMUCH. Beam Dream Powder: ⁠⁠Click here for up to 40% off⁠⁠ with code NOTHINGMUCH. BIOptimizers’ Sleep Breakthrough: ⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠ and use code NOTHINGMUCH for 10% off any order! Cornbread Hemp’s CBD gummies: ⁠⁠Click here to save 30%⁠⁠ on their first order! Cymbiotika products: ⁠⁠Click here for 20% off ⁠⁠and free shipping! Moonbird, the world’s first handheld breathing coach: ⁠⁠Click here and save 20%!⁠⁠ ⁠⁠NMH merch, autographed books and more!⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Pay it forward subscription⁠⁠ Listen to our daytime show ⁠⁠Stories from the Village of Nothing Much⁠⁠ on your favorite podcast app. ⁠⁠Join us tomorrow morning for a meditation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    30 mins
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Featured Article: The Best Sleep Podcasts to Count Your Sheep and Get Some Zzzs


Though sleep is vital, many people struggle with falling and staying asleep. It’s just not as easy as getting into bed, turning off the lights, and lulling into blissful dreams. Meditations, affirmations, bedtime stories, and thoughtful blends of music and soundscapes can help provide the background you need to get in the right headspace for sleeping. Explore some of the best sleep podcasts to help you craft a nighttime routine that supports restful slumber.

Featured Article The Best Sleep Podcasts to Count Your Sheep and Get Some Zzzs

What listeners say about Nothing much happens: bedtime stories to help you sleep

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

Well Done!

This is an incredibly effective, lovely, feel-good sleeping aid. Love this. Thank you for making it!

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Profile Image for Justin R. Homeyer

Awesome

I Love the story's, and her voice, but the intro is SUCH A DRAG

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Profile Image for Ashley B.

100/100 STARS!!!!

This woman is the best in the biz for night time podcasts. I have been through a ton of them, so i feel qualified to give that rating! these keep me asleep ALL NIGHT. I can even dream again, and they are all pleasant dreams. I'm SO grateful for this free podcast 🥲🙏🏻 love you NMH podcast!!!!!

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Profile Image for Kindle Customer

These stories really so help you sleep

Love the readers voice, so calming. I also like that the story is read a second time but slower.

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Profile Image for Jessica Betancourt

Absolutely Superb

This really does help you fall asleep, and have a deeper more restful sleep- at least I’ve found it to have done so. It is perfect

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Profile Image for mamaof3punkins

Effectively Soothing Sleep Aid

From the sound of her soft pleasant voice to the feel-good story content and topics, this podcast is now solidly a part of my go-to bedtime routine! I love the feeling of my body preparing itself for sleep, it’s effortless!! I haven’t finished a story yet! The ads at the beginning are not my favorite, and much less tolerable when it’s spoken by anyone else. But it’s a small price to pay for a good story.

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This is genius!

I don't know how the writers come up with these kind of stories? so perfect to lull you to sleep. the person who narrates has a voice with just the right tone. So happy to have found this!

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Profile Image for Susan Karnak

Life changing

I listen Every. Single. Night. I used to struggle to fall asleep and dread bedtime as a result. Now I look forward to it. I love Kathryn’s voice and she has a gift for telling a story that captures my mind to relax and drift to sleep.

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Profile Image for Debbie O

Like Medicine without the after effects!

So I hope this review makes it to the top of the list, as the first two were abhorrent based on bias! This podcast is so soothing and yes the stories are sweet and simple for a reason….sleep. For those who expect a piece of literature go read a good book, and stay awake! One of my favorites that stood out was ‘Front door back door.’ it has a really nice message. The whole series is perfect for what it’s meant to be. A lovely soothing voice telling a simple story to help you fall asleep. It works… and I’m so glad I found Katherine and Bob to help me with insomnia. Not surprising that she is practiced in meditation.
Thank you so much!

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Profile Image for dawn jones

bless nothing much

I have always had trouble falling asleep, it takes me hours. now I can fall peacefully to dream land before the end of a story. this podcast has changed my life from running on a few hours sleep every day, being rested and refreshed on a daily basis. thank you and bless you.

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