Nothing much happens: bedtime stories to help you sleep

Originally presented as Episode 8 of Season 10 (July 25, 2022) Our story tonight is called Beach Walk, and it's a story about meeting the morning light where the water meets the land. It's also about the first step into the cool water, a dog chasing a stick into the waves, and a beach towel laid out neatly in the sand. Get 15% off OneSkin with the code NOTHINGMUCH at oneskin.co/NOTHINGMUCH  #oneskinpod Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠Premium channel.⁠⁠⁠ The first month is on us. 

Our story tonight is called WNMH, and it's a story about a Saturday morning broadcast from the radio station in downtown Nothing Much. It's also about the community calendar and cinnamon buns, still warm at the bakery. A blinking light on the sound board, a bouquet of flowers for someone special, and an ordinary morning that feels just right. For bonus enjoyment, I recommend you think of the character telling this story as our own Bob Wittersheim. Whether it's a hobby, a passion, or a long-held idea, Shopify can help you bring it to life. Start with a free trial at ⁠⁠⁠shopify.com/nothingmuch We give to a different charity each week and this week we are giving to Animal Farm Foundation's Pet Pantry Project. Collaborating with existing food pantries, to help folks access essentials for every family member in one place. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to our ⁠⁠Premium channel⁠⁠. The first month is on us.

Originally aired July 28, 2025 (Season 16, Episode 8) Our story tonight is called Sidewalk Chalk, and it's a story about a journey through the park on a bright day. It's also about a cold drink from the coffee shop, a frog blinking from a pond, Alice and the Caterpillar, birch trees and drawings on the sidewalk, and paying more attention when small happy moments wash over you. Go to AquaTru.com now for 20% off (your purifier) using promo code NOTHINGMUCH. AquaTru even comes with a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee. Subscribe to our ⁠⁠Premium channel⁠⁠. The first month is on us.

Enjoy this sneak peek into Kathryn's new cozy audiobook, On the Street Where You Live, out on July 28th. Preorder now here. Copyright © 2026 by Kathryn Nicolai. Audio excerpt courtesy of Simon & Schuster Audio read by Kathryn Nicolai, Javier Munoz, Mara Wilson, Alma Cuervo, Holter Graham, Danny Burstein, Natalie Naudus, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Patti Murin, from the audiobook On the Street Where You Live by Kathryn Nicolai, published by Simon & Schuster Audio, a Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.  Used with permission from Simon & Schuster, LLC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our stories tonight treat us to many sunny moments in and around the Inn. They are stories about a stately home at the end of a long drive, a lake shimmering as rowboats glide across it, coffee cake and names in a ledger and a place to rest and enjoy some of the sweetest days of summer. Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us.

Originally aired July 7, 2020 (Season 6, Episode 1) Our story tonight is called In the Map Room, and it's a story about the pleasures of looking at the world drawn out on paper. It's also about a gasp of koi fish in a pond, a bike ride that leads somewhere surprising, and the view from the upper room of an old house. Subscribe to our ⁠Premium channel⁠. The first month is on us.

Our story tonight is called Out and Back, and it's a story about a calm way to cap a long summer day. It's also about hickory trees and fresh hay in the field, katydids and kickstands, and letting your senses fill with the sights and sounds around you, being here while here is happening. Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us.

Originally aired July 7, 2025 (Season 16, Episode 2) Our story tonight is called The Evening of the 4th, and it's a story about a day-long event that ends with a picnic and a concert on the grass. It's also about hand pies and potato salad, a busy kitchen full of aproned volunteers and the sound of the instruments tuning up on the patio. Thyme and lemon zest, and the satisfaction of sharing good times with your neighbors. Subscribe to our ⁠Premium channel⁠. The first month is on us.

Our story tonight is called Slow Life, and it's about changing your pace in lots of small ways. It's also about the texture of tree bark, your shoulders releasing from your ears, and the feeling of cello music vibrating in your chest. Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠Premium channel⁠⁠⁠. The first month is on us. We give to a different charity each week, and this week we are giving to Tiny Paws Pug Rescue Finding pugs their forever homes. ⁠Pre-register for the Village of Nothing Much app⁠⁠. Use code VILLAGE-FOUNDER for 25% off for life! Sign up for our ⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠ to stay in the know. Pre-order Kathryn's new book, ⁠⁠On the Street Where You Live⁠⁠. ⁠⁠NMH merch, autographed books, and more⁠⁠ Listen to our daytime show, ⁠⁠Stories from the Village of Nothing Much⁠⁠. ⁠⁠Sit Meditation with Kathryn⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Pay It Forward Subscription⁠⁠ Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠. Visit ⁠⁠Nothing Much Happens⁠⁠ for more Village fun. Stop by the Cabin with this playlist! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our story tonight is called The Last Day of School, and it's a story about a slow parade of proud students through downtown Nothing Much. It's also about baseball cards and bike spokes, lemon candies and bubbles, bookmarks and summer music, and lazy days ahead. Subscribe to our ⁠⁠Premium channel⁠⁠. The first month is on us. Pre-register for the Nothing Much Happens app launching July 9th at https://www.nothingmuchhappens.com/village-preregister using promo code: VILLAGE-FOUNDER to lock in the 25% discount for life.  Sign up for our ⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠ to stay in the know. Pre-order Kathryn's new book, ⁠⁠⁠On the Street Where You Live⁠⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠NMH merch, autographed books, and more⁠⁠⁠ Listen to our daytime show, ⁠⁠⁠Stories from the Village of Nothing Much⁠⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠Sit Meditation with Kathryn⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Pay It Forward Subscription⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠. Visit ⁠⁠⁠Nothing Much Happens⁠⁠⁠ for more Village fun. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our story tonight is called Family Photos, and it's a story about an afternoon in the village square and moments caught on film. It's also about oak trees and rowboats, a gate in a fence and the feeling of belonging in your family and in your community. Subscribe to our ⁠Premium channel⁠. The first month is on us. OneSkin Get 15% off OneSkin with the code NOTHINGMUCH at ⁠oneskin.co/NOTHINGMUCH⁠. #oneskinpod We give to a different charity each week and this week we are giving to CommUNITY Pride of Saugatuck/Douglas. They support and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community through events, advocacy, partnerships, and year-round connection. Pre-register for the Village of Nothing Much app⁠. Use code VILLAGE-FOUNDER for 25% off for life! Sign up for our ⁠newsletter⁠ to stay in the know. Pre-order Kathryn's new book, ⁠On the Street Where You Live⁠. ⁠NMH merch, autographed books, and more⁠ Listen to our daytime show, ⁠Stories from the Village of Nothing Much⁠. ⁠Sit Meditation with Kathryn⁠ ⁠Pay It Forward Subscription⁠ Follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠. Visit ⁠Nothing Much Happens⁠ for more Village fun. Listen to the adventures of our favorite furry trio with this playlist! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Originally aired June 23, 2025 (Season 15, Episode 50) Our story tonight is called The Cabin in Summer, and it's a story about days spent in the sunny garden and the shaded forest. It's also about lemon balm and raspberries, the cool water of the creek running over your ankles, mushroom hunting and threshold sweeping, and the wisdom of wild places handed down from one generation to the next. Go to ⁠AquaTru.com⁠ now for 20% off your purifier using promo code NOTHINGMUCH. AquaTru even comes with a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee. Subscribe to our ⁠⁠Premium channel.⁠⁠ The first month is on us. 

Our stories tonight have us packing up the car and heading out of town to the cottage. They are stories about lounge chairs and lazy days, sailboats and swimsuits and listening to the waves as they rock you to sleep. Subscribe to our Premium channel.⁠⁠ The first month is on us.

Pre-register for the new Nothing Much Happens App here. Originally Aired: June 16, 2025 (Season 15, Episode 48) Our story tonight is called W-A-L-K, and it's a story about a little brown dog and his favorite outdoor activity. It's also about the smell of watered lawns in the evening, a frisbee and friends from down the block, porch lights and watermelon, and the moment when you close the door on the day. Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us. Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the know. Pre-order Kathryn's new book, On the Street Where You Live. NMH merch, autographed books, and more Listen to our daytime show, Stories from the Village of Nothing Much. Sit Meditation with Kathryn Pay It Forward Subscription Follow us on Instagram. Visit Nothing Much Happens for more Village fun. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our story tonight is called The Gardener's Arms, and it's a story about a developing friendship at the Inn by the lake. It's also about sunrise and suspenders, peonies and paddling in the shallows, and the safe harbor of someone you can count on. Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us. ShopifyStart your business today with the industry's leading commerce platform. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/nothingmuch. OneSkinGet 15% off OneSkin with the code NOTHINGMUCH at oneskin.co/NOTHINGMUCH. #oneskinpod We give to a different charity each week, and this week we are supporting Fauna & Flora, working to save nature, together. Pre-register for the Village of Nothing Much app. Use code VILLAGE-FOUNDER for 25% off. Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the know. Pre-order Kathryn's new book, On the Street Where You Live. NMH merch, autographed books, and more Listen to our daytime show, Stories from the Village of Nothing Much. Sit Meditation with Kathryn Pay It Forward Subscription Follow us on Instagram. Visit Nothing Much Happens for more Village fun. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pre-register for the new Nothing Much Happens App HERE! Originally Aired: June 24th, 2024 (Season 14, Episode 7) Our story tonight is called Paddling on the Canal, and it's a story about a quiet morning on the lake. It's also about dragonflies and water lilies, weeping willows along the shore, a bell ringing from the back porch of the inn, and a connection point felt with people around the world. Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us.

Our story tonight is called Piano, Piano, and it's a story about replacing rush with something more settled and helpful. It's also about a walk and a watering can, a dishcloth and a deep breath, and the useful lessons we can learn at any age. Get 15% off OneSkin with the code NOTHINGMUCH at ⁠⁠⁠oneskin.co/NOTHINGMUCH⁠⁠⁠  #oneskinpod We give to a different charity each week, and this week we are giving to Solidarity and Snacks. They are a mutual aid group providing supplies along Skid Row every Saturday. Sign-Up for our Newsletter HERE to be in the know! Subscribe to our ⁠⁠Premium channel⁠⁠. The first month is on us.

Originally Aired: May 15th, 2022 (Season 9, Episode 2)   Our story tonight is called Petrichor, and it's a story about things getting greener as the spring rain falls. It's also about a record player with a favorite album on the turntable, deer dozing in the grass, and making a habit out of enjoying yourself. Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us. 

Our story tonight is called A Concert in the Park, and it's a story about a warm evening spent enjoying live music. It's also about tiger lilies and elephant ears, stone benches and sneakers, and the memories that melodies can bring to the surface. Subscribe to our ⁠Premium channel⁠. The first month is on us.

Originally Aired: May 5, 2025 (Season 15, Episode 36) Our story tonight is called The Lilac Booth, Part Two, and it's a story about a lovely spring day at the farmer's market and the sweet smell of a favorite flower. It's also about street food and sunshine, memories pulled forward by a breath of perfume, crumpled dollar bills, and the kind of beauty that can sit on your windowsill. Go to AquaTru.com now for 20% off your purifier using promo code NOTHINGMUCH. AquaTru even comes with a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee. Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us. Pre-order Kathryn's new book On the Street Where You Live. NMH merch, autographed books, and more Listen to our daytime show Stories from the Village of Nothing Much Sit Meditation with Kathryn Pay it forward subscription Follow us on Instagram Visit Nothing Much Happens for more Village fun. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our story tonight is called The Garden Center, or, The Left-Handed Snail, and it's a story about a quiet corner of the plant nursery where a slow moving community is coming together. It's also about push brooms and dropped leaves, shadows in the gloaming, and something rarer than a four leaf clover. Subscribe to our ⁠Premium channel⁠. The first month is on us.

Originally aired April 28, 2025 (Season 15, Episode 34) Our story tonight is called The Lilac Booth, Part 1, and it's a story about a Spring morning at a familiar farm house. It's also about bullfrogs and garden clogs, old vases collected from friends, armfuls of fresh flowers, driving with the window down on a warm day, and the small decisions that add up to make a new path in life. Subscribe to our ⁠⁠Premium channel⁠⁠. The first month is on us.

Our stories tonight feature a fan favorite character who has been known to get up to some gentle floral-related trouble. We'll come along for a lilac heist in the countryside, then spend some time restoring an old house, and finally visiting the farmer's market for a bit of community service. Subscribe to our ⁠Premium channel.⁠ The first month is on us

Our story tonight is called A Month of Sundays, and it's a story about finding a way to make time for rest and enjoyment. It's also about a tin box of recipe cards, a neatly made bed with the corners folded down, aunts and idioms, porch swings and school buses, and the delight of one of the best days of the week. Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us.

Our story tonight is called The Wind Phone, and it's a story about a gentle way to say what's heavy on your heart. It's also about wood chips and lilacs, a private spot protected by trees, and lifting a handset to set down some grief. Start your business today with the industry's best business partner, Shopify, and start hearing “cha-ching”. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/nothingmuch. Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us.

Originally aired April 14, 2025 (Season 15, Episode 30) Our story tonight is called Tiny House, and it's a story about a snug small space to relax in. It's also about impatiens for the flower bed, sunny days on the edge of the woods, hammocks and reading nooks, and the relief of having fewer decisions to make and more time to enjoy. Thank you for being a Premium subscriber.

Our story tonight is called April Showers, and it's a story about a cloudy day spent window shopping in the village. It's also about the lovely sound the point of an umbrella makes against cobblestones, a bicycle ride taken just before the rain falls, and the perfect place to settle in to watch once it does. Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us.

Originally Aired: April 18th, 2021 (Season 7 Episode 8) Our story tonight is called The Tulip Farm, and it's a story about a bright spring day among beds of flowers. It's also about a gift left at dawn, redwing blackbirds, and soft moments that take your breath away. Subscribe to our ⁠Premium channel.⁠ The first month is on us. 

Our story tonight is called Late at the Library, and it's a story about an evening of study in a quiet spot. It's also about pens and pencils, a story told on a felt board, hushed footsteps through the mezzanine, and the camaraderie of people sharing a common goal and space. Subscribe to our ⁠Premium channel⁠. The first month is on us.

Originally aired April 15, 2024 (Season 13, Episode 31) Our story tonight is called First Mow of the Year, and it's a story about a day of yard work as spring arrives in full. It's also about pinecones and ladybugs, a glass of water enjoyed on the porch step, the sun on the back of your neck, and the shared experiences that connect us. Subscribe to our ⁠Premium channel.⁠ The first month is on us. 

Our stories tonight carry us into the bright days of Spring, with stories about time spent in gardens and neighborhood streets, enjoyable chores and small adventures, seeds and shovels, and the joy of growing sunlight. Subscribe to our ⁠Premium channel.⁠ The first month is on us. 

Originally aired April 15, 2024 (Season 13, Episode 31) Our story tonight is called Piano Lessons, and it's a story about a well-loved upright piano and the boy who plays it. It's also about a little cottage where ivy grows up the bricks, middle C, lesson books, and metronomes, and finding the things that feel like they were always meant for you. Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠Premium channel.⁠⁠⁠ The first month is on us. 

Our story tonight is called Connect the Dots, and it's a story about a moment carved out of the afternoon and a method to reorder a busy mind. It's also about raindrops and a birdbath, a clear spot at the kitchen table with enough light to see by, dots and lines and not having to decide. Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us.

Originally aired April 5, 2021 (Season 7, Episode 7) Our story tonight is called Toast and Marmalade, and it's a story about the first few months of a lifelong friendship. It's also about a collar with a bell on it, letting go of what-ifs, and the joy of watching someone discover a year of firsts. Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us. 

Our story tonight is called Crayons and Grains of Sand, and it's a story about a quiet morning at home on the cusp of a new season. It's also about a warm patch of sunlight on the wood floor, a clementine peeled in one long curling piece, a full box of crayons, and building peace inside as things change. Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠Premium channel.⁠⁠⁠ The first month is on us. 

Originally aired March 24, 2025 (Season 15, Episode 24) Our story tonight is called Rain on the Lake, and it's a story about a sudden arrival of drops and dark clouds on a spring afternoon. It's also about a brooch in a jewelry box, the smell of rain mixing with lake water, mist and lamps lit in the darkness, memories of rainbows and rowboats, and taking rest as showers move across the horizon. Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us.

Our story tonight is called Soap Bubbles and Sidewalks, and it's a story about some spring cleaning done in the fresh air. It's also about a curtain shifting near an open window, a hose and bucket, old CDs in the glovebox, clean that goes all the way into the corners, and the energy that returns when the spring does. Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us.

Originally aired March 11, 2024 (Season 13, Episode 21) Our story tonight is called Mudlarking on the River, Part 2, and it's a story about a search for ordinary treasures in the sand on a bright spring morning. It's also about a coin with a hole through its center, the red and white pole of a barber shop, forsythia stems, curiosity, and imagination, and seeing the things around us with new eyes. Subscribe to our Premium channel. The first month is on us.

Our stories tonight speak to the magic of the Inn on the lake, a secret space behind a hidden door, coffee cake and cat companions, getting to redo a formative moment with your present day heart and mind, music and glimpses of mid-winter sun, and the hope that comes from bravely wearing your heart on your sleeve. We give to a different charity each week and this week we are giving to ⁠The Southwest Detroit Immigrant and Refugee Center⁠. They are the largest provider of free- and low-cost legal services to Michigan's vulnerable communities. They are working for a Michigan where justice does not depend on how much money you have, and where immigrants are welcomed into our communities. It's time to turn those “What Ifs” into “cha ching” with Shopify today. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at ⁠⁠shopify.com/nothingmuch Go to AquaTru.com now for 20% off (your purifier) using promo code NOTHINGMUCH. AquaTru even comes with a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee. Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Premium channel.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The first month is on us. 

Originally aired March 4, 2024 (Season 13, Episode 19) Our story tonight is called Mudlarking on the River, Part 1, and it's a story about a sunny morning in early spring that inspires a walk along sandy banks. It's also about ordering your usual at the bakery counter, Canada geese and garden gloves, being gentle with yourself, and hidden treasure waiting to be unearthed. Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Premium channel.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The first month is on us. 

Our story tonight is called The Temperature Blanket, and it's a story about a project inspired by a chance meeting and a yen to keep track of the days as they pass. It's also about blank books and seashells, granny squares and garter stitches, rows of yarn blending into a account of the year, and taking a few moments each day to make something lasting and beautiful. Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠Premium channel.⁠⁠⁠ The first month is on us. 

Our stories tonight lead you through the vernal season, from the drizzly cool days of March, the on-again/off-again sunlight of April, and into the blossom filled environ of May. There will be long walks in the fresh air, seeds planted and flower beds raked, sweet treats from the bakery, trips to the cottage and the cabin, and of course, some lilacs and gentle larceny. Subscribe to our ⁠⁠Premium channel.⁠⁠ The first month is on us.