Nothing much happens: bedtime stories to help you sleep artwork

Health & Fitness · Wellness Loud

Nothing much happens: bedtime stories to help you sleep

by Wellness Loud

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. Subscribe to our ⁠⁠Premium channel.⁠⁠ The first month is on us. 💙 Find our bestselling book Nothing Much Happens in over 20 languages worldwide.

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

The Middle Path (Encore)

Originally presented as: Season 12, Episode 29 (November 6th, 2023) Our story tonight is called The Middle Path, and it’s a story about a trek down an unknown trail at t

Nov 5
34 min

Closing Up for the Season, Part 1

#6 trending · Health & Fitness

Our story tonight is called Closing up for the Season, Part One and it’s a story about a day of chores at the Inn that starts off nice and slow. It’s also about fog on th

Nov 2
37 min

The Secret Stair (Encore)

Originally presented as Season 14, Episode 43 (Oct 27, 2024) Our story tonight is called The Secret Stair, and it’s a story about a costume party on Halloween night at t

Oct 29
1 h 00 min

Doug the Pug and Dory in the Village for Halloween

Our story tonight is called Doug the Pug and Dory in the Village for Halloween, and it’s a story about an afternoon at the end of October in the Village Square. It’s also

Oct 26
47 min

All Hallows' Eve at the Inn (Encore)

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 Sy

Oct 22
41 min

The Moon and the Maker's Mark

Our story tonight is called The Moon and the Maker’s Mark, and it’s a story about a friendship born on an autumn day and plans made in the dark of night. It’s also about

Oct 19
1 h 01 min

Crows and Candles (Encore)

Originally presented as Season 14, Episode 39 (Oct 14, 2024) Our story tonight is called Crows and Candles, and it is the next in this month’s special Halloween episodes

Oct 15
39 min

Slightly More Happens - October Oracles

Our stories tonight are some of my favorites. We’ll spend time at the Inn as the pumpkins are lit and the ballroom fills up with costumed neighbors. There will be cats in

Oct 12
2 h 09 min

The Corn Maze or The Say Yes Club (Encore)

Originally presented as Season 12, Episode 23 (Oct 16, 2023) Our story tonight is called The Corn Maze, or The Say Yes Club, and it’s a story about a trip out into the c

Oct 8
30 min

Paper Flowers

Our story tonight is called Paper Flowers, and it’s a story about a place to spend a cozy and creative afternoon. It’s also about the magic of miniature things, having so

Oct 5
31 min

Autumn Ride (Encore)

Originally Presented as Episode 19 of Season 10 (Oct 10, 2022) Our story tonight is called Autumn Ride, and it’s about pedaling with friends under falling leaves. It’s a

Oct 1
31 min

Stargazing in the Woods

Our story tonight is called Stargazing in the Woods, and it’s a story about a few days away from everything and at the same time closer to everything. It’s also about fla

Sep 28
33 min

The Big Day (Encore)

Originally presented on Season 12, Episode 17 (Sept 21, 2023) Our story tonight is about a wedding beside the lake on a soft September day. We’ll hear piano music drifti

Sep 24
58 min

Coat Check at the Supper Club

Our story tonight is called Coat Check at the Supper Club, and it’s a story about a restaurant on the edge of the lake. It’s also about a quiet corridor lined with number

Sep 21
36 min

Something Blue (Encore)

Originally presented as Episode 16 of Season 12 (Sept 18, 2023) Our story tonight is called Something Blue, and it brings us a little closer to a much-anticipated event

Sep 17
36 min

Slightly More Happens - September Splendor

Our stories tonight are, if I do say so myself, such a treat. If you have ever wished to book a stay at the Inn of Nothing Much and watch the leaves change while sipping

Sep 14
1 h 41 min

Something Borrowed (Encore)

Originally presented as Episode 15 of Season 12 (September 11, 2023) Our story tonight is called Something Borrowed, and it’s the next installment in our series leading

Sep 10
41 min

Moving In

Our story tonight is called Moving In, and it’s a story about a long drive in a packed car at the beginning of freshman year. It’s also about paper cups of coffee, new to

Sep 7
35 min

Something New (Encore)

Originally presented as Episode 14 of Season 12 (September 4, 2023) Our story tonight is called Something New, and it’s a story about stumbling upon a beautiful place on

Sep 3
32 min

School Supplies

Our story tonight is called School Supplies, and it is a story about a way to mark the end of warm weather and the beginning of crisp days. It’s also about planners and p

Aug 31
34 min

Chart trend

Position in the Health & Fitness chart (US), last 90 days.

#2
all-time peak
31
days in the top 3 since Nov 2024

Chart positions

Where Nothing much happens: bedtime stories to help you sleep ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Nov 5, 2026).

#15 ▼ 5 Health & Fitness US

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

These are not just sleep stories — they’re an entire alternate reality, where the people are calm, caring, and engaged, the scenery is lush and colorful, and the town is filled with peaceful, affirming activity. I wish I could move to your village, but it is just as nice to visit every night at bedtime.

Mapgirl61 · Sep 2026

My littlest is almost 2 and falls asleep best to his great uncle simply talking to him quietly. I apparently am not able to replicate that experience for him, but this podcast does exactly that. He falls asleep every nap and every night to the lovely descriptions of nothing much. It’s so relaxing that I struggle not to fall asleep with him!

Tiredmama02 · Sep 2026

The best I’m asleep within a few minutes of hearing her voice. This podcast has helped me tremendously. Thank you Kathryn and Bob

breakfast club fan · Aug 2026

I’ve listened to this sleep storytelling podcast and subscribed on & off for years now. I’m not sure when it happened, but each storytelling now includes a breathing exercise near the beginning. I’m familiar with these exercises from daily meditation apps like Calm, Headspace, Balance, etc., but I’m not sure what led to the addition of that exercise in this storytelling. I mention it only because the volume of the narrator’s in/out breathing during the exercise is noticeably louder than her soft narrating voice. So it takes me out of the relaxation mode already settling in from the narration, which I presume to be the opposite of the intended effect. I’m sure I’m in the minority on this, maybe even a minority of one, but if it’s possible, I gently suggest an adjustment to the sound mix that makes the volume of the inhale/exhale a bit more in line with the soft volume of the narration. Either way, thanks for the great sleep storytelling.

bradleybannon · Aug 2026

I used to love this podcast. i still like it a lot and it’s so soothing. however, the ads have gotten INSANE. i’m fine with ads at the very beginning to get them out of the way, and then get into sleeping, but now you’re actually beginning the podcast and then adding MORE ads after the first few minutes of relaxation?? seriously??? that’s just ridiculous!!! i have already started to relax, maybe even drift off to sleep and the ads jolt me back awake. completely defeats the purpose of a sleep podcast and is so inconsiderate to the listener. i understand you need to make money but put them all at the beginning, not in the middle, for gods sake! this will cause me and so many others to stop listening.

mrpotatohead14 · Dec 2024

I was prepared for the ads. I listened to the 3 fast paced ads, then came the intro in a slow, relaxing voice which I thought meant the podcast was beginning. I was already relaxing, the brain training from listening to NMH for a long time had worked! Then, instead of starting the story, here comes another ad; one I had just heard, in a fast-paced cadence which jerked me back to fully awake, and quite annoyed. I abandoned the episode and found something else. Now, I don’t want to try another episode— the brain training has backfired.

SP inOR · Dec 2024

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