Nothing much happens: bedtime stories to help you sleep

Our story tonight is read by Mara Wilson and it's called Ship in a Bottle. It's a story about a crate of bequests ready to be unwrapped. It’s also about the dark bark of oak trees after a storm, garden benches waiting to be sat on and the ordinary magic of handmade things.

Like so many people, I first knew Mara through the stories she helped bring to life on screen, but over the years, I’ve come to admire her just as much as a writer, a storyteller, and voice actor/audiobook narrator. In fact, she beautifully voices a part of my new audiobook On the Street Where You Live. You can learn more about Mara and the projects she is working on here.

→ Talkiatry | Head to talkiatry.com/NOTHINGMUCH to complete the short assessment and get matched with an in‐network psychiatrist in just a few minutes.

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Check out our Q&A with Mara Wilson.

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Originally presented as: Season 16, Episode 38 (November 10th, 2025)

Our story tonight is called Recipe Testing, and it’s a story about a quiet afternoon at home, preparing for the holidays. It’s also about leaves raked into piles in the backyard, cranberries and pastry flour, the incredible softness of a dog’s ears, soup pots and sage, and the comfortable feeling of your loved ones resting nearby as you cook.

→ Quince | Make your bed your favorite place to be this season with Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to https://quince.com. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too. And when Quince asks where you heard about them, let them know it was Nothing much happens: bedtime stories to help you sleep.

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Our story tonight is called Closing up for the Season, Part Two and it’s the second section of last week's story, though this one is told from a different perspective. It’s a story about fall chores in the garden made more enjoyable with the company of a friend. It’s also about bee balm and outer space, a bar of soap and a nail brush by the outdoor faucet, meals made with care, and small mysteries that like to remain so.

We give to a different charity each week and this week we are giving to Joyful Heart Foundation. Creating a more compassionate world that supports survivors on their path to justice and healing.

Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠Premium channel⁠⁠⁠. The first month is on us. 💙

The Village is growing! As new voices and stories find a home here, we want to ensure you can tailor your listening experience. Click here for guidance.

Join the Village of Nothing Much App!Order Kathryn’s new book On the Street Where You LiveNMH Merch, Autographed Books and More!Listen to our daytime show, Stories from the Village of Nothing MuchSit Meditation with KathrynFollow us on InstagramVisit Nothing Much Happens for more Village fun!Sign up for our Newsletter here to be in the know!

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The Village is growing, and new voices and new stories are finding a home here. Because of this, we want everybody to be able to listen to the stories and voices they enjoy.

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Our story tonight is read by Andy Richter and it's called “Crumb Meets Santa”. It’s a story about a trip into town on a December afternoon. It’s also about a chew toy in a red suit and hat, jingle bells on a collar, being surrounded by your family at the holidays, whether furry or otherwise, and letting the joy of another fill your heart.

Andy Richter is a comedian, actor, writer, and host, best known for his many years alongside Conan O’Brien. He also happens to be part of one of those movies so many of us return to year after year, Elf. This fall, he’s taking us behind the scenes of that holiday classic in his new book, Elf Unwrapped, out November 3rd. Follow Andy on Instagram to keep up with his adventures!

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Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠Premium channel⁠⁠⁠. The first month is on us. 💙

Check out our Q&A with Andy Richter

Join the Village of Nothing Much App!

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

Follow us on Instagram

Visit Nothing Much Happens for more Village fun!

Sign up for our Newsletter here to be in the know!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices