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First This

First This

Kathryn Nicolai

Kathrynnicolai, Health & Fitness, Alternative Health, Self-improvement, Relaxation, Mindfulness, Nothingmuchhappens, Education, Mental Health, Meditation

4.9 • 701 Ratings

Overview

First This is a short mindfulness and meditation podcast by Kathryn Nicolai, creator of Nothing Much Happens. Take ten minutes to settle your mind, observe your breath and be gently lead through a meditation practice. First this, then that.

195 Episodes

Most Things Don't Matter

Transcribed - Published: 12 January 2026

Actually, I Can

Big emotions serve a purpose.

Transcribed - Published: 5 January 2026

Quiet Company

A gentle reminder that silence is not a void.

Transcribed - Published: 29 December 2025

Relax To Baseline

"Relaxation is who you are, anxiety is who you think you are supposed to be."

Transcribed - Published: 22 December 2025

Effort and Ease

Hold it lightly.

Transcribed - Published: 15 December 2025

Enough For Now

The practice of sufficiency. Recognizing the small, momentary sense that, right now, this is enough. Nothing is missing in order for this moment to be complete.

Transcribed - Published: 8 December 2025

When There is Grief

A grounding, compassionate meditation for anyone carrying something heavy.

Transcribed - Published: 1 December 2025

Levels of Awareness

Steady breaths, simple points of focus, and a gentle reminder that each of us enters the moment with the awareness we have.

Transcribed - Published: 24 November 2025

Musical Chairs

Today, we’re practicing coming back to the present—quickly, gently, and without judgment

Transcribed - Published: 17 November 2025

Quiet Time Together

Today’s practice is all about softening—just a little. We’ll check in with the body, breathe deeply, and ease ourselves into the present moment one small percentage at a time.

Transcribed - Published: 10 November 2025

Unitask With Me

In today’s practice, we slow everything down and let ourselves simply observe. No forcing, no fixing—just a gentle return to the breath and a little more space in the mind.

Transcribed - Published: 3 November 2025

What's Most Advanced Is...

A grounding mindfulness practice about tuning into your body, noticing sensation without judgment, and redefining what it means to be “advanced” — presence, not perfection.

Transcribed - Published: 27 October 2025

RAIN Method

Recognize, Allow, Investigate, and Nonreact. Learn to meet your thoughts and emotions with curiosity, compassion, and calm awareness.

Transcribed - Published: 20 October 2025

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Today’s practice focuses on progressive muscle relaxation, a powerful technique to help your body release tension, close out stress cycles, and invite deep calm.

Transcribed - Published: 13 October 2025

Ope

A gentle mindfulness practice that uses breath and awareness to find calm in everyday moments. Learn how the Midwestern “op” can become your mantra for non-judgmental observation and emotional steadiness

Transcribed - Published: 6 October 2025

Downshift, Then Decide

A short guided practice helps you soften your body, focus your breath, and reset your nervous system — perfect for moments of stress, overwhelm, or simply to begin again with intention.

Transcribed - Published: 29 September 2025

Non-Grasping

Learn to release the urge to control, embrace sufficiency, and find peace in presence through gentle breathing and guided reflection.

Transcribed - Published: 22 September 2025

Cookie Monster

Release tension, quiet racing thoughts, and gently sit with your emotions just as they are.

Transcribed - Published: 15 September 2025

Metta to the People

Soothe your nervous system with a gentle loving-kindness meditation, softening self-criticism and nurturing compassion for yourself and the world.

Transcribed - Published: 8 September 2025

Breathing School: Pursed Lip Breathing

Learn how to use extended exhales, pursed-lip breathing, and even simple tools like a straw to calm your nervous system and find peace anytime.

Transcribed - Published: 1 September 2025

1-2-3

Through mindful breathing and gentle observation, you’ll learn how to realign your focus, stay present, and access a steady middle ground.

Transcribed - Published: 25 August 2025

Option 3

Move away from numbness or overwhelm, observe without reacting, and find balance in the present moment.

Transcribed - Published: 18 August 2025

Slow Down

Slow mental momentum, ease anxiety, and reconnect with the present moment.

Transcribed - Published: 11 August 2025

Performing Vs Being

Release the pressure to perform and find comfort in simply being yourself.

Transcribed - Published: 4 August 2025

Quiet Together

Transcribed - Published: 28 July 2025

The Lights in Your House

Room by room, shine a light into the corners.

Transcribed - Published: 21 July 2025

It's Okay To Stop

When to pause, shift, or simply give yourself permission to stop.

Transcribed - Published: 14 July 2025

Softly Softly

A Softer Approach to Habits

Transcribed - Published: 7 July 2025

Hot Air Balloon

See the thoughts, let them drift by.

Transcribed - Published: 30 June 2025

Talking To Your Brain

A gentle practice to shift unhelpful thoughts and support your brain’s natural ability to heal.

Transcribed - Published: 23 June 2025

Tenderness Checkpoint

Take a few mindful minutes to check in with yourself and soften.

Transcribed - Published: 16 June 2025

Bottom Up

Learn body-based mindfulness techniques to calm anxiety that begins physically. Includes breathwork, regulation tools, and nervous system support.

Transcribed - Published: 9 June 2025

Top Down

This top-down mindfulness meditation gently leads you from head to toe, helping release tension and bring balance through focused, peaceful attention.

Transcribed - Published: 2 June 2025

How Much Is Mine?

In this mindful moment, we’re guided to soften tension, notice the present, and let go of what isn’t ours to carry. Through gentle breathwork and reflection, we explore what belongs to us in this moment and what we can release with grace.

Transcribed - Published: 26 May 2025

Emotional Completion

Learn how to complete the emotional cycle through physical release in this calming mindfulness practice. Feel, process, and let go—one breath at a time.

Transcribed - Published: 19 May 2025

Human

Through a grounding breath practice and a thoughtful reflection on boundaries, self-care, and people-pleasing, we learn to soften, settle in, and honor our needs—even if it means disappointing someone else.

Transcribed - Published: 12 May 2025

Soften

Join Kathryn Nikolai for a soothing mindfulness practice about setting boundaries, embracing imperfection, and honoring your own needs—one breath at a time.

Transcribed - Published: 5 May 2025

Deflection Shield

This mindfulness practice encourages you to embrace comfort, gently redirect your attention to the present moment, and explore your own sensations without judgment.

Transcribed - Published: 28 April 2025

Open

Soften your body, roll back your shoulders, and receive the moment with openness.

Transcribed - Published: 21 April 2025

Rest & Digest

A gentle mindfulness practice to release tension, reset your nervous system, and reconnect with the present—one deep breath at a time.

Transcribed - Published: 14 April 2025

Your Spidey Sense (Encore)

Let's learn to speak the language of the body, the oldest language ever devised.

Transcribed - Published: 7 April 2025

Then Step Back (Encore)

Transcribed - Published: 31 March 2025

Self-Compassion (Encore)

Transcribed - Published: 24 March 2025

How Observing Helps (Encore)

Transcribed - Published: 17 March 2025

Joy? In This Economy?

Finding joy can feel impossible when stress and uncertainty weigh you down. Explore simple ways to nurture happiness, even in challenging times.

Transcribed - Published: 10 March 2025

The Radio Dial & The Pencil's Edge

Tune in to the present moment, where we explore the art of focus and the gentle shift that comes from paying attention—one breath, one thought at a time.

Transcribed - Published: 3 March 2025

Breathe With Me

Let's breathe in a way that helps our bodies reset to neutral.

Transcribed - Published: 24 February 2025

Minding Your Business

Attend to your own truth.

Transcribed - Published: 17 February 2025

Action Absorbs Anxiety

When anxiety feels overwhelming, movement can be the key to relief. Explore how taking small, intentional actions can help calm your mind and body.

Transcribed - Published: 10 February 2025

Two-Part Process

Awareness + Equanimity

Transcribed - Published: 3 February 2025

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Kathryn Nicolai, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

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