Welcome to the new podcast Stories from the Village of Nothing Much, like easy listening but for fiction. I'm Catherine Nikolai. A few years ago I had the idea to create

a podcast of bedtime stories to help folks relax and drift peacefully to sleep. And it works for millions of people

all over the world. In fact, maybe it works too well because my listeners often tell me that after a few weeks of

listening they fall asleep within seconds of hearing my voice and sometimes they

wish they could stay awake to actually hear the stories.

Other listeners have told me how helpful the stories were,

just for relaxation and soothing anxiety.

And since that can happen at any time of day, I wanted to create a version of my show for listening at any time without the fear that you might fall asleep.

So we've compiled collections of some of our favorite stories.

I've re-recorded them in a less soporific voice, so you probably won't fall asleep.

And we've added some sound design to make the world of nothing much a little more textured.

We think they would make for particularly good listening when you're out on a walk or doing

chores or you're on your commute. If you've never heard my stories before, welcome.

I write conflict-free fiction that is family-friendly and celebrates small everyday moments.

Not much happens in them, hence the name. everyday moments in

in them, hence the name, but, and maybe you could relate to this. Sometimes those are the nicest moments in books,

before the inciting incident, when it's just life.

That's what I write about.

My stories all take place in what I call the village of nothing much,

and if you listen closely, you might catch a few Easter eggs along the way.

When you tune in, you'll hear stories about bakeries and walks in the woods.

A favorite booth at the diner on a blustry autumn day, cats and dogs and rescued goats and

...