Kathryn Nicolai’s mysterious houses of Lake Michigan

This week’s guest is someone Katherine has wanted on The Clearing since the very beginning. Sleep whisperer and ‘architect of coziness’, Kathryn Nicolai is the talent behind one of Katherine’s very favourite podcasts - Nothing Much Happens. Described as ‘bedtime stories for everyone’ it’s a show that combines Kathryn’s skill for storytelling with one of the most soothing voices in the business. The result is the aural equivalent of being rocked to sleep.

Mutual fans, their conversation meanders gently as Katherine explores the craft behind the podcast. Kathryn’s childhood of wanting to feel safe, her ability to lift the cognitive load of those attending her yoga classes and skill in observing small moments in everyday life all led to the creation of her shows. That and an understanding that it’s not just children who need safety and to be held, but adults too. And no more than now.

Kathryn also imagines a brilliantly dreamlike and mischievous getaway, that once again involves the idea of rummaging through other people’s belongings, and delights Katherine no end. The only thing to do is sit back and relax. If you’re lucky you will achieve Kathryn’s peak state of ‘so much time and nothing to accomplish’.

Links from the episode:

Kathryn’s website

Kathryn’s podcast, Nothing Much Happens

Kathryn’s book

Nothing Much Happens Instagram

Jalaluddin Rumi https://www.oxcis.ac.uk/publication/rumi

Bashō https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/basho

Kamo Chōmei https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kamo-Chomei

Renee and Georgette Magritte with Their Dog after the War by Paul Simon here