Nothing much happens: bedtime stories to help you sleep

iHeartPodcasts

Having trouble sleeping?  Join Yoga and meditation teacher Kathryn Nicolai for bedtime stories where nothing much happens to help you relax and sleep peacefully. The stories are 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.

You can find our book, "Nothing Much Happens," in over 20 languages. Request your local bookseller to shelve it: https://bit.ly/Nothing-Much-Happens

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Our Editor's Take

Listeners can drift off with the soothing words of Kathryn Nicolai. Her podcast is Nothing much happens: bedtime stories to help you sleep. Stressful days wind people up so much at times that counting sheep to sleep doesn't work. TV shows mean more screen time and stimulating blue light. Things come up in some audiobooks that trigger worries for many. That goes doubly for those who already suffer from things like anxiety. This podcast is a sleepy alternative.

Nicolai draws on her experience as a yoga and meditation instructor to calm the mind and body. She crafts her podcast stories with alluring sensory detail and gentle character arcs to distract minds. Her stories take listeners on a walk in the woods or a stroll to a magical tea shop after a good day. Sounds and smells and mellow ambiance team up to calm the mind. Simple and pleasant experiences help listeners get their minds off the day.

Nicolai crafts stories with ideal meter and repetition to lull listeners to sleep. Her pace is slow, but not too slow in Nothing much happens: bedtime stories to help you sleep. Like hypnosis, Nicolai's voice talent is as effective as her writing. Her resonating voice is soft but not too soft.

She recites each story twice. (So, each podcast is about 30 minutes.) The first, faster read works as a step down to the second, slower read. Her style makes her bedtime stories great for many audiences with trouble sleeping. She welcomes the wandering mind to do so and drift off at its own pace. Her sensation and forward motion blend can lure even the most distracted listeners.

Nicolai first started using her storytelling technique to help older kids wind down. Eventually, she employed the approach in her yoga and meditation classes. Nothing much happens: bedtime stories to help you sleep is primarily for adults. However, Nicolai encourages parents to listen along with their kids. Her podcast has a large following, and listeners report better sleep and health. Many find it to be a quiet celebration of comfort and joy at the end of a long day.

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Episodes

All Hallows' Eve at the Inn
21-10-2024
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. We give to a different charity each week, and this week, we are giving to Save a Fox Sanctuary. They work to rescue and provide forever homes for captive-born, non-releasable wildlife.  Subscribe for ad-free, bonus, and extra-long episodes now, as well as ad-free and early episodes of Stories from the Village of Nothing Much! Search for the NMH Premium channel on Apple Podcast or follow the link belownothingmuchhappens.com/premium-subscription  Save over $100 on Kathryn’s hand-selected wind-down favorites with the Nothing Much Happens Wind-Down Box. A collection of products from our amazing partners: Eversio Wellness: Chill NowVellabox: Lavender Silk CandleAlice Mushrooms NightcapNutrachamps Tart Cherry GummiesA Brighter Year Mini Coloring BookNuStrips Sleep StripsWoolzies Lavender Roll-On Listen to our new show, Stories from the Village of Nothing Much, on your favoritepodcast app.  Join us tomorrow morning for a meditation at nothingmuchhappens.com/first-thisPurchase Our Book: https://bit.ly/Nothing-Much-HappensSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Crows & Candles
14-10-2024
Crows & Candles
Our story tonight is called Crows and Candles, and it is the next in this month’s special Halloween episodes. While it isn’t at all a scary story, it is meant to be a bit of balm for those that are grieving, and if that feels too heavy for tonight, that’s understandable, might I recommend The Leaf House from a week and half ago in your queue. 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. We give to a different charity each week, and this week we are giving to Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue. Providing a safe and loving environment to domestic donkeys.  Subscribe for ad-free, bonus, and extra-long episodes now, as well as ad-free andearly episodes of Stories from the Village of Nothing Much! Search for the NMH Premium channel on Apple Podcasts or follow the link below:nothingmuchhappens.com/premium-subscription  Save over $100 on Kathryn’s hand-selected wind-down favorites with the Nothing Much Happens Wind-Down Box. A collection of products from our amazing partners: Eversio Wellness: Chill NowVellabox: Lavender Silk CandleAlice Mushrooms NightcapNutrachamps Tart Cherry GummiesA Brighter Year Mini Coloring BookNuStrips Sleep StripsWoolzies Lavender Roll-On Listen to our new show, Stories from the Village of Nothing Much, on your favoritepodcast app.  Join us tomorrow morning for a meditation at nothingmuchhappens.com/first-this.Purchase Our Book: https://bit.ly/Nothing-Much-HappensSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Grey Cat & Grimoire
07-10-2024
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. Vote for Nothing Much Happens in the Signal Awards!  We give to a different charity each week, and this week, we are giving to Girls in the Game. At Girls in the Game, every girl finds her voice, discovers her strength, and leads with confidence through fun and active sports, health, and leadership programs.  Subscribe for ad-free, bonus, and extra-long episodes now, as well as ad-free andearly episodes of Stories from the Village of Nothing Much! Search for the NMH Premium channel on Apple Podcasts or follow the link belownothingmuchhappens.com/premium-subscription  Save over $100 on Kathryn’s hand-selected wind-down favorites with the Nothing Much Happens Wind-Down Box. A collection of products from our amazing partners: • Eversio Wellness: Chill Now• Vellabox: Lavender Silk Candle• Alice Mushrooms Nightcap• Nutrachamps Tart Cherry Gummies• A Brighter Year Mini Coloring Book• NuStrips Sleep Strips• Woolzies Lavender Roll-On Listen to our new show, Stories from the Village of Nothing Much, on your favoritepodcast app.  Join us tomorrow morning for a meditation at nothingmuchhappens.com/first-this Purchase Our Book: https://bit.ly/Nothing-Much-HappensSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.