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 like never before with the Nothing Much Happens Wind-Down Box—a curated selection of Kathryn’s favorite relaxation essentials! 

Season 2 Kathryn Nicolai Season 2 Kathryn Nicolai

Bustle in the City

Our story tonight is called “Bustle in the City” and it’s a story about watching the streets of downtown come to life on a dark December night. It’s also about the merriness of seeing friends at the height of the holiday season, the quiet refuge of a room of one’s own, and sending your love in a letter to someone far far away.

Read More
Season 2 Kathryn Nicolai Season 2 Kathryn Nicolai

The day after Thanksgiving

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 2 Kathryn Nicolai Season 2 Kathryn Nicolai

A rainy day, making soup

Our story tonight is called “A rainy day, making soup” and it’s a story about feeling lit up from the inside when it gets dark and gloomy out. It’s also about a drink of something special, a welcome home kiss and falling asleep on the sofa while dinner is being made.

Read More
Season 2 Kathryn Nicolai Season 2 Kathryn Nicolai

A Cool Walk and a Hot Bath

A cool walk and a hot bath" and it’s a story about those particular days right on the edge of Autumn and Winter when the wind is changing and there are pleasures to be found in being outside and in being in. It’s also about saying hello to a friend, the joy of unwrapping a gift, and watching the seasons change.

Read More
Season 2 Kathryn Nicolai Season 2 Kathryn Nicolai

Ducks in a Row

Our story tonight is called “Ducks in a Row” and it’s a story about a slow-paced Sunday, several cups of tea, and having the time to do the things you need to. It’s also about a shared loaf of banana bread, watching a cold wind blow through the last leaves of autumn, and feeling cared for and ready for a new week.

Read More
Season 2 Kathryn Nicolai Season 2 Kathryn Nicolai

Halloween, in an Old House

Our story tonight is called "Halloween, in an old house" and it’s a story about making friends with whoever you share your space with. It’s also about getting to be someone else for a bit and the contagious excitement of children on one of their favorite nights of the year.

Read More
Season 2 Kathryn Nicolai Season 2 Kathryn Nicolai

At the Mill, with Pumpkins and Cider

Our story tonight is called “At the Mill, with Pumpkins and Cider” and it’s a story about an afternoon in the cool autumn air doing some favorite things. It’s also about taking the time to let a moment unfold, a childhood memory, and a shared cup of cider.

Read More
Season 2 Kathryn Nicolai Season 2 Kathryn Nicolai

At the Farmers Market, on a Fall Morning

Our story tonight is called “At the Farmer’s Market, on a Fall Morning” and it’s a story about the abundance of autumn and the bustle of a busy neighborhood market. It’s also about the feeling of looking forward to the winter and of looking back to being a child.

Read More
Season 2 Kathryn Nicolai Season 2 Kathryn Nicolai

In the Library

Our story tonight is called “In the Library” and it’s a story about a day spent in the cool quiet company of books. It’s also about an early morning cup of coffee, the first cool days of Autumn and the excitement of a new book.

Read More
Season 1 Kathryn Nicolai Season 1 Kathryn Nicolai

The last warm days

Our story tonight is called “The Last Warm Days” and it’s a story about enjoying the heat of summer before Autumn comes to take its place. It’s also about sheets dried in the sun, the smell of tomato plants, and taking time to do as one likes.

Read More
Season 1 Kathryn Nicolai Season 1 Kathryn Nicolai

In the kitchen, during a storm

Our story tonight is called “In the kitchen, during a storm” and it’s a story about doing something simple with great care. It’s also about the cool breeze that comes with a storm, remembering a sweet time in your past and listening to records on a summer night.

Read More
Season 1 Kathryn Nicolai Season 1 Kathryn Nicolai

A walk in the woods

Our story tonight is called "A walk in the woods" and it’s a story about getting far out into nature and trading in your usual cares for the sights and sounds of the countryside. It’s also about the pleasures of wandering, whirlybirds falling to the forest floor and being alone.

Read More
Season 1 Kathryn Nicolai Season 1 Kathryn Nicolai

Summer Vacation

Our story tonight is called "Summer Vacation" and it’s a story about the feeling of freedom and having lots of time ahead of you to do what you like. It’s also about planning sweet things with someone special, the fresh harvest of the late summer and enjoying the sights along the way.

Read More
Season 1 Kathryn Nicolai Season 1 Kathryn Nicolai

Summer nights

Our story tonight is called “Summer Nights” and it’s a story about a day at the lake with friends, a huge summer feast and sweet night air. It’s also about the feeling of realizing when something is good and being happy about it.

Read More
Season 1 Kathryn Nicolai Season 1 Kathryn Nicolai

Afternoon nap

Our story tonight is called “Afternoon nap” and it’s a story about the best kind of nap, the one you didn’t think you had time for. It’s also about enjoying small luxuries and the serendipity of unexpected free time.

Read More
Season 1 Kathryn Nicolai Season 1 Kathryn Nicolai

Early to yoga

Our story tonight is called “Early to Yoga” and it’s a story about the comfort of a quiet safe place. It’s also about the feeling of privacy and the ease and serenity that come from someone showing you a little tenderness and affection.

Read More
Season 1 Kathryn Nicolai Season 1 Kathryn Nicolai

Three Good Things

Our story tonight is called "Three Good Things" and it’s about reminding yourself of some of the simple happy moments that happen during the day. Sometimes good stuff slips through our brains without leaving much of a trace, while scary upsetting stuff gets stuck in there. So it helps to notice and highlight sweetness when it shows up, even if that just amounts to us saying to ourselves, “Oh that’s nice.”

Read More
Season 1 Kathryn Nicolai Season 1 Kathryn Nicolai

The windows were open

story tonight is called “The windows were open” and it’s a story about a sunny summer day by the lake, solitude, and strawberries. It’s also about the feeling of being free from a schedule and deadlines, and about doing some favorite things.

Read More
Season 1 Kathryn Nicolai Season 1 Kathryn Nicolai

Some days, a bonus episode

Our story tonight is called "Some days" and is short, and not so much a story as just some reminders for when you’ve had a crummy day, so we’re releasing it as a bonus episode.

Read More
Season 1 Kathryn Nicolai Season 1 Kathryn Nicolai

Spring in the yard

Our story tonight is called “Spring in the Yard” and it’s a story about getting outside at the end of a long winter, being in the fresh air and tidying things up. It’s also about quiet companionship, dogs, and the last fire of the season.

Read More