From the village of nothing much

Let's get sleepy

Bedtime stories are like a soft landing spot for your mind. Rather than letting your brain race through the same thoughts you’ve been chasing all day, we are taking a detour to a calm and comfy place. We tell the story twice and go a bit slower the second time. Each week we donate to a non-profit. View past episode and charity list here.

 
Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

The Corner Store (Encore)

About the aisles of the neighborhood grocery where there are always interesting things to discover. It’s also about a display of school supplies, a recipe from a neighbor, and the feeling of belonging in a particular place.

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Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

The Old School, or, Garden Tour, Part 1

A story about the start of a gentle adventure on a brisk, bright day. It’s also about the long, quiet hallway of an empty building, seed vaults and blackboards, the layers of history in a special space, and a day ahead of beautiful sights.

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Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

The Dog Days Of Summer (Encore)

This heartwarming tale explores a day spent with a best friend, a fresh cucumber from the garden, and the valuable lessons learned from our beloved pets. Perfect for winding down and drifting off to sleep.

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Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

Beach Day

A story about cooling off by the water on a hot summer day. It’s also about watermelon and the sloping sandy lake bottom, getting everything from the car in just one trip, a new book that you can’t put down, pinwheels, and the magic of floating in the waves.

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Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

The Turnaround (Encore)

About a trip down a gravel road on a summer day, bulrushes, bonfires, family stories, and coming back to a place you know well. So get cozy and ready to sleep.

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Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

Lightning Bugs at Oxbow Lake

a story about an evening spent on soft pine needle paths beside the water. It’s also about cattails and crested herons, the changing paths of rivers, a small voice reminding you that you can, and the spell of a good night’s sleep.

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Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

In the Map Room (Encore)

About the pleasures of looking at the world drawn out on paper, a gasp of koi fish in a pond, a bike ride that leads somewhere surprising, and the view from the upper room of an old house.

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Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

The Village Races

Our story tonight is called The Village Races. It’s about a group of runners setting out on a bright, sunny morning. It’s also about butterflies and bagels, lucky numbers and picnic blankets, and the joy of being a part of something you’re proud of.

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Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

At The Summer Fair (Encore)

A story about a yearly tradition and how it changes in the different summers of your life. It’s also about plums taken from the icebox, a handmade cup wrapped in paper, and strolling along the river as the streetlights blink on above you.

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When the Streetlights Come On

A trip to the mailbox during the last lit moments of the day. It’s also about bikes being wheeled into the garage for the night, things learned from the farmer’s almanac, layers of paint peeling away under your hand, and a tender way to be shepherded home and sent to dreamland.

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Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

Summer Afternoons

A story about the possibilities of a special part of the day. It’s also about an empty ginger ale bottle filled with windflowers, a walk by the railroad tracks, date bars, and park benches, and elevating the everyday. 

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Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

The Hardware Store (Encore)

Our story this week is called “The Hardware Store,” and it's about finding all the right things for a few projects at home. It’s also about stacks of fresh-sawn wood, a packet of peanut butter cups, and the ride home with the window down.

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Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

Paddling on the Canal

A quiet morning on the lake, dragonflies and water lilies, weeping willows along the shore, a bell ringing from the inn's back porch, and a connection point felt by people around the world.

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Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

Coffee On The Stoop (Encore)

Our story tonight is called “Coffee on the Stoop,” and it’s a story about a day devoted to small acts of kindness. It’s also about a kitty sleeping in a window, paints, brushes, and flower seeds, and the awe we feel when a stranger reaches out to do us a good turn.

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Summer at the Library, Part 2

A continuation of last week’s story, but you don’t really need to hear part one, to enjoy part two. It’s a story about a special summer program that brings littles and furry friends together at a favorite place. It’s also about red popsicles, sounding out big words, beach towels spread on the patio stones, books spread out on tables, and enjoying the feeling of having something to look forward to.

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Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

From the Hammock (Encore)

Our story tonight is called “From the Hammock,” and it’s a story about naps, and where and when, and under what circumstances we take them. It’s also about a slow walk through the garden, jars of pickles put up in the cellar, and knowing that what you seek is seeking you.

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Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

Summer at the Library, Part 1

Our story tonight is called Summer at the Library. It’s about special programming for some of the younger and four-legged residents of the Village. It’s also about the view from the circulation desk, water bowls set out on the shady patio, study rooms, walking trails, and learning to feel happiness from moment to moment.

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Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

The Lake at the Inn (Encore)

Tonight, our story is called “The Lake at the Inn,” and it’s about a misty summer morning on the water. It’s also about a mug of coffee poured by a friend, the sounds you hear when you truly stop to listen, and a row boat just waiting to be pushed out away from shore.

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Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai Season 14 Kathryn Nicolai

Ladybugs and New Leaves

Our story tonight is called Ladybugs and New Leaves. It’s about a day in the yard at the potting bench. It’s also about learning to read the leaves of plants to understand what they need, things found in the hardware store checkout line, shiny red wings and black dots, and recognizing that we all need a fresh start from time to time.

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