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 11 Kathryn Nicolai Season 11 Kathryn Nicolai

Strawberry Moon

Our story tonight is called Strawberry Moon and it’s a story about dusk on the porch on one of the first warm evenings of summer. It’s also about the lit window of a neighbor’s house, the quiet tick of clock in the hall and a good book before bed.

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Season 11 Kathryn Nicolai Season 11 Kathryn Nicolai

The Bookfair

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.

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The Piano

Our story tonight is called The Piano and it’s a story about an out-of-tune instrument ready for a new owner. It’s also about birds with glimmering feathers, an old Victorian house full of treasures, and a friendship formed from an act of generosity.

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The Lilac Grower

Our story tonight is called The Lilac Grower and it’s a story about a beloved flower that blooms briefly in the spring. It’s also about a clothesline strung with a new cord, a serendipitous meeting on a dirt road and a reminder of how to be a good and gentle neighbor.

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Dandelions and Mayapples

Our story tonight is called Dandelions and Mayapples and it’s a story about a trip down to the creek on a spring afternoon. It’s also about a bench on the bank where the sound of the water echoes, rhododendrons, and stone steps, and giving yourself grace to ebb and flow.

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Season 11 Kathryn Nicolai Season 11 Kathryn Nicolai

At the Tower Mill

Our story tonight is called At the Tower Mill and it’s a story about the sails of a windmill turning in the Spring breeze. It’s also about a warm morning and breakfast in the open air, cherry trees, carved burstone, and the things that bring neighbors together.

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Old Houses (Reprise)

Our story tonight is called “Old Houses” and it’s a story about a wandering amble through an unknown neighborhood. It’s also about a forgotten piece of music in an old piano bench, a penny pressed into a sidewalk, and the stories we tell about the places we live.

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Season 11 Kathryn Nicolai Season 11 Kathryn Nicolai

Five Year Anniversary Special!

Let's celebrate five years of bedtime stories and sweet dreams together with this special Q&A episode with Kathryn and Bob! While still relaxing and calm, this episode is best saved for a time other than bedtime.

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Back Home Again

Our story tonight is called Back Home Again and it is the final chapter (for now) in the great saga of Marmalade the cat and her dog friends, Crumb and Birdy. It’s about the end of a trip away and the memories that are carried home after. It’s also about a sunny plaza and cups of lemonade, falling in love, and a tea party that serves catnip and biscuits.

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Marmalade at the Inn Part 3

Our story tonight is called Marmalade at the Inn Part Three because I just have too much to tell you about Marmalade the cat, and her dog friends Crumb and Birdy. It’s a story about a bit of the Inn’s history. It’s also about fresh sheets, a package waiting at the front door, and the sweet sound of ringing bells.

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Marmalade at the Inn Part 2

Our story tonight is called Marmalade at the Inn Part Two and if you didn’t hear part one, it couldn’t matter less. It’s a story about the beautiful old Inn that sits on the edge of the lake and the Innkeeper who takes care of all who stay there. It’s also about enjoying a new routine, the healing result of a bit of affection, and a bright morning at the end of a long winter.

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Sticks and Stones (special bonus)

Our story tonight is called “Sticks and Stones” and it’s a story about solitude and slowing down for a long walk. It’s also about a stream full of colored rocks, one man’s treasure and a spot in the forest for admiring beautiful things.

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Marmalade at the Inn

Our story tonight is called Marmalade at the Inn and it’s a story about a few days at the Inn on the Lake. It’s also about dog beds laid out in front of the fire, three cups of coffee poured in the library, and a small adventure for three of our favorite souls in the village of Nothing Much.

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Catnap

Our story tonight is called Catnap and it’s a story about Marmalade the cat and Crumb the dog as they find ways to play through the winter. It’s also about a spark of something sweet that begins to grow between friends, a pup cup enjoyed on a heated patio and a suitcase ready to be packed.

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Snowfall at the Bakery Part 3

Our story tonight is called Snowfall at the Bakery Part Three and it’s a story about the snowmen in the park and the sledding hill beside them. It’s also about a memory of a grandfather in front of the fire, a pocketful of dog treats, and the simple joy of playing in the snow.

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Snowfall at the Bakery Part 2

Our story tonight is called Snowfall at the Bakery Part Two and it’s a story about closing up shop and stepping out into falling flakes. It’s also about a bag full of wrapped treats, knowing today that you’ll be snowed in tomorrow, and a lost glove on its way back to its owner.

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Snowfall at the Bakery

Our story tonight is called Snowfall at the Bakery and it’s a story about the reappearance of winter after a few weeks of mild weather. It’s also about hot chocolate made with care, schoolchildren let out early, and the prospect of snowmen in the park.

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Quiet Celebration

Our story tonight is called Quiet Celebration, and it’s a story about softly stepping into the next year of your life. It’s also about a good dream that lingers after waking, a glass raised with best wishes and a cake decorated with orange slices and rosettes.

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Winter Views

Our story tonight is called Winter Views, and it’s a story about some different things to enjoy or look forward to in the winter. It’s also about a cardinal singing from the branches, a jar of huckleberry jam, and the extra minutes of light that come with each day after the solstice.

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The Innkeeper's Blanket

Our story tonight is called The Innkeeper’s Blanket, and it’s a story about a favorite hobby rediscovered in the quiet of winter. It’s also about a simmering pot in the kitchen, geese gathering before they fly, and making something by hand that is perfectly imperfect.

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