KATHRYN NICOLAI Storytelling as Sleep Medicine

<p><a href="https://www.nothingmuchhappens.com/">Kathryn Nicolai</a> is the creator and host of Nothing Much Happens, one of the most listened-to sleep podcasts in the world, where millions of listeners use her stories to calm anxiety, fall asleep, and feel more at ease in their bodies.</p> <p>With over 20 years of experience as a yoga and meditation teacher, Kathryn is a trusted voice in self-care, with a focus on sleep hygiene, nervous system regulation, mindfulness, and storytelling as medicine.</p> <p>She draws on lived experience and practices including Vipassana meditation, gentle movement, brain training, and bibliotherapy to support people navigating stress, anxiety, depression, and more.</p> <p>Through her work, Kathryn helps people cultivate rest, creativity, and emotional resilience in a culture shaped by overstimulation and burnout. Her new audio book, <a href= "https://shop.nothingmuchhappens.com/collections/bookstore">On The Street Where You Live</a>, also comes out in July 2026.</p> <p>In this episode, Kathryn Nicolai breaks down why storytelling calms the anxious brain, how repetition helps you fall asleep, and why joy—not discipline—is the real key to lasting wellness.</p> <p> </p> <p>RESOURCES:</p> <ul> <li>Learn more about Kathryn, her podcast, app and book here: <a href= "https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nothingmuchhappens.com%2F&user_uuid=BFHFGUBNNLLO7ODJ&stage=1&hmac=2aa380eb93cbf9d3221cbc778e348b1b0b702fa3a622e6ab31fd18632c836050" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl= "https://www.google.com/url?q=https://calendly.com/url?q%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.nothingmuchhappens.com%252F%26user_uuid%3DBFHFGUBNNLLO7ODJ%26stage%3D1%26hmac%3D2aa380eb93cbf9d3221cbc778e348b1b0b702fa3a622e6ab31fd18632c836050&source=gmail&ust=1787814710768000&usg=AOvVaw2w_hmRWSTC4zuc053SnHau">https://www.nothingmuchhappens.com/</a></li> <li>Instagram: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/nothingmuchhappens/">@nothingmuchhappens</a></li> <li>Get 10% off Peluva minimalist shoe with coupon code COACHTARA here: <a href= "http://peluva.com/coachtara">http://peluva.com/coachtara</a></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p class="p1">CHAPTERS:</p> <p class="p1">00:00 – Intro: meet Kathryn Nicolai 01:32 – Sponsor: Peluva Shoes ad 03:19 – Interview begins: 200 million downloads 05:11 – Storytelling and the sleeping brain 08:06 – Coqui frogs, Hawaii, and finding your own sound 09:40 – There's no one "right" way to sleep 11:09 – Falling asleep vs. staying asl