From the village of nothing much

Let's get sleepy

Bedtime stories are like 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. Each week we donate to a non-profit. View past episode donations.

 

Unwind in mind and body with the Quiet Mind x Nothing Much Happens Weighted Pillow! Hug, hold, and relax deeply as you listen.

Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

Holiday Window at the Bookshop

Our story tonight is called Holiday Window at the Bookshop, and it’s a story about clearing out the pumpkins and setting up the twinkle lights on a rainy December afternoon. It’s also about old buildings with tall ceilings and heavy front doors, a dog asleep in a chair, paper stars and puddles among the cobblestones, and the promise of a new book to whisk you away somewhere magical.

Read More
Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

Snow and Street Lights (Encore)

Our story tonight is called Snow and Streetlights, and it’s a story about an afternoon at the bookshop on the edge of winter. It’s also about a bell jingling on a dog’s collar, the soft buffer of the first snowfall, a door held open by a stranger, and a pack of paper stars. 

Read More
Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

Out of the Cold

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.

Read More
Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

The Day After Thanksgiving (Encore)

Our story tonight is called The Day After Thanksgiving, and it’s a story about enjoying the quiet after a big day, and looking forward to the season to come. It’s also about being in your pajamas for as long as you like, the best way to pop popcorn, and some happy traditions.

Read More
Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

Thanksgiving at the Cabin

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 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.

Read More
Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

Winter Evening Yoga (Encore)

Our story tonight is called Winter Evening Yoga, and it’s a story about stepping into a safe, soothing space after a long day. It’s also about bolsters and blankets, love notes sent to yourself, low lights and soft music, and feeling completely at ease.

Read More
Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

Pie Making

Our story tonight is called Pie Making, and it’s a story about an evening at the bakery with ready workstations and clean aprons. It’s also about an urn of hot cocoa ready on the counter, pastry cutters and crimped crusts, and the stages of learning that eventually allow us to play.

Read More
Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

First Frost (Encore)

Our story tonight is called First Frost and it’s a story about enjoying the sparkle of the first signs of winter. It’s also about a kitty watching the birds on a cold morning, pinecones scented with cinnamon, and something precious waiting to be found.

Read More
Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

Pies & Pinecones

Our story tonight is called Pies and Pinecones, and it’s a story about an upcoming adventure dreamt up in front of a fire. It’s also about a drawing spotted in the paper, a fence with a shared gate between yards, deep breaths, a shelf full of cookbooks, and delicious plans. 

Read More
Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

Ship In A Bottle (Encore)

Our story tonight is called Ship in a Bottle, and it’s a story about a crate of bequests ready to be unwrapped. It’s also about the dark bark of oak trees after a storm, garden benches waiting to be sat on, and the ordinary magic of handmade things.

Read More
Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

Autumn Sun

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.

Read More
Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

Trick or Treat (Encore)

Our story tonight is called Trick or Treat, and it’s a story about roaming the streets on All Hallow’s Eve. It’s also about a gust of wind that turns you around, lit porch lights, and making memories with the people you love.

Read More
Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

The Secret Stair

Our story tonight is called The Secret Stair, and it’s a story about a costume party on Halloween night at the Inn. It’s also about the bonfire down by the lake, a whiskered face at the window, a mystery waiting in the library, and a reminder of what is sacred and worth your attention and what is not.

Read More
Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

Grandmother's Grimoire (Encore)

Our story tonight is called Grandmother’s Grimoire, and it’s a story about a family heirloom that arrives in the crispy, cool days of October. It’s also about an afternoon in the attic with old trunks and photographs, a cup of sugar from the pantry, and the return of an old friend.

Read More
Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

All Hallows' Eve at the Inn

Our story tonight is called All Hallows’ Eve at the Inn, and it’s the third in our special Halloween series this year. It’s about the Innkeeper and her trusty sidekick Sycamore as they ready the Inn for guests on a dark October eve. It’s also about carved pumpkins that line the great staircase, a blurry face in an old photo, a bubbling cauldron of punch in the ballroom, a costume purchased from the thrift store, and a forgotten tradition brought back to life.

Read More
Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

The Pumpkin Farmer (Encore)

Our story tonight is called The Pumpkin Farmer, and it’s a story about a family tradition and the harvest that comes after a season of careful tending. It’s also about a long table set out beside the barn with every chair taken, a flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and living in step with the seasons.

Read More
Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

Crows & Candles

Tonight's story is about a walk on a misty day and a place at the bottom of the hill where the gate squeaks when you push it open. It’s also about rosemary and gifts brought by birds, the magic of speaking the names of those we love, and a choice to make friends wherever you go.

Read More
Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

The Lookout (Encore)

Our story tonight is called The Lookout, and it’s a story about a hidden place deep in the woods with a very special view. It’s also about all the different names for Juneberries, a maple leaf, and green stone, and enjoying your time when you’re alone.

Read More
Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

Much More Happens - Autumn Favorites, Parts 1 -4

Our stories tonight take you through the best months of the year... the ‘ber months. We’ll harvest the last bits from the garden, gather kindling for the fire, pick pumpkins, drink cider, and settle in for the coming winter. So come with me now, into the Village of Nothing Much.

Read More
Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

Grey Cat & Grimoire

Our story tonight starts our month of Halloween stories. It’s called Grey Cat and Grimoire, and it takes us into the cozy curios shop where a scarf is being knitted and a very old book with a green velvet cover sits on a stand. It’s also about lavender in the mop water, the domino effect of good deeds, rain dripping through maple leaves, and something hidden waiting to be found.

Read More