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Christmas Past

Behind every Christmas tradition is a story, often a forgotten one. Every year as we put up a tree and pour the eggnog, we’re continuing generations-old narratives, while being mostly unaware of their starting chapters. Join Brian Earl to explore the fascinating stories behind the most wonderful time of the year. It's equal parts nerdy deep dive and warmhearted celebration. Think: NPR meets Clement Clarke Moore! Christmas Past is one of the longest running Christmas podcasts, now in its seventh season. Vanity Fair says: "With excellent production, engaging narration, and short, digestible running times, Christmas Past is perfect to put on while decorating your tree or preparing Christmas dinner." Brian's new book is out now from Lyons Press and Recorded books! Get your copy today, wherever books are sold. And remember...it makes a great gift!
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Now displaying: December, 2018
Dec 24, 2018

In a few short days, Christmas of 2018 will belong to Christmas Past. So in this final episode of the 2018 Christmas season, Brian looks back at some of the news and trends that defined this year's Christmas. There's also a little year-end wrap up for the show and the world of Christmas podcasts in general. 

Thank you all for being part of the 2018 season of Christmas Past! Everyone who listened, told a friend, shared a memory, participated in the Facebook group, and engaged on other social media. 

I wish you all a very merry Christmas!

Music in this Episode

"Deck the Hall B" - Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech

Dec 22, 2018

It's my favorite episode of the Christmas season: the one dedicated to you sharing your favorite Christmas memories and traditions. Thank you to everyone to shared a part of their Christmas with us in this episode! 

 

Music in this episode

"Night Light" - Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive

 

Visit http://christmaspast.media for more Christmas fun!

Dec 20, 2018

In this bonus episode, Brian answers questions from the listener mailbag, and we also here a a few Christmas memories. 

 

Music in this episode

"Relaxing Piano Music" - Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech

Dec 19, 2018

In 1955, a misplaced phone call unwittingly created an annual Christmas tradition. It's a story shrouded in a bit of mystery, a lot of Christmas spirit, and a sworn duty to ensure Santa’s safe passage through open airspace. Find out why NORAD tracks Santa on Christmas Eve. 

 

Music in this episode

  • "Escape"— Chris Holmes, via Free Music Archive
  • "A Little Powder"— Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
  • "Rabbit Hole"— Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
  • "Western Greb"— Chad Crouch, via Free Music Archive
  • "Wish Background"— Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech
Dec 16, 2018

Shortly after Thanksgiving, certain cable news and talk radio pundits remind you that it’s that it’s time once again to be outraged. Because sinister forces are working to take Christmas away from you. Is there really a war on Christmas? Listen to this episode and then judge for yourself. 

Music in this episode

  • "Undercover Vampire Policeman"— Chris Zabriskie, via Free Music Archive
  • "Together we Stand" — Scott Holmes, via Free Music Archive
  • "Gentle Marimbas" — Podington Bear, via Free Music Archive
  • "Holiday Gift" — Kai Engel, via Free Music Archive
  • "We Wish You" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech
  • "Wish Background" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech
  • "Box Canyon" — Podington Bear, via Free Music Archive

Rate Christmas Past on Apple Podcasts, and I'll send you a sticker to say thanks. After leaving your review, get in touch through the contact page at http://christmaspast.media/contact and let me know your Apple Podcasts username and an address where you can receive your sticker. 

Follow Christmas Past on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Christmas Past is a proud member of the Christmas Podcast Network, a collection of the best Christmas shows around.

Dec 13, 2018

Usually on Christmas Past, I share your Christmas memories. But this episode is dedicated to me sharing one of mine. It’s a memory you have too, in some form, because it’s inevitable for everyone who grows up celebrating Christmas and believing in Santa Claus. It should go without saying that this episode is for the grownups only!

 

Music in this episode

"Relaxing Piano Music" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech

 

Rate Christmas Past on Apple Podcasts, and I'll send you a sticker to say thanks. After leaving your review, get in touch through the contact page at http://christmaspast.media/contact and let me know your Apple Podcasts username and an address where you can receive your sticker. 

Follow Christmas Past on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Christmas Past is a proud member of the Christmas Podcast Network, a collection of the best Christmas shows around.

Dec 10, 2018

Twelve days of Christmas? What's up with that? And who ever thought turtle doves and partridges make good Christmas gifts? (Come to think of it, just what the heck is a turtle dove?) We'll get to the bottom of it all with the help of language professor Mark Sundaram.

Music in this episode

  • "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" — Doug Hammer, via Feels Like Christmas
  • "Wish Background" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech
  • "Twelve Days of Christmas" — Inner Splendor, via Feels Like Christmas
  • "Gentle Marimbas" — Podington Bear, via Free Music Archive
  • "Thannoid" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
Dec 8, 2018

Welcome to Tinsel Town is a new Christmas adventure podcast that arrived on Thanksgiving Day. Join me as I talk to Jenna Knorr and Adam Ganong to discuss the making of a new audio drama. And then check out their show wherever you get podcasts, or https://trianglecontent.com/podcasts/welcometotinseltown/

Music in this Episode

  • "Night Light" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive

Rate Christmas Past on Apple Podcasts, and I'll send you a sticker to say thanks. After leaving your review, get in touch through the contact page at http://christmaspast.media/contact and let me know your Apple Podcasts username and an address where you can receive your sticker. 

Follow Christmas Past on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Christmas Past is a proud member of the Christmas Podcast Network, a collection of the best Christmas shows around.

Dec 7, 2018

Few things are more Christmassy than the flickering glow of a log on the fire. Even when that fire is experienced on a TV or device screen, it still conjures up a cozy and festive atmosphere. A New York city TV station introduced the  televised Yule Log in 1966. What began as a quirky experiment would eventually take on a life of its own!

Music in this Episode

  • "Let There be Joy" — Cathy Oakes, via Feels Like Christmas
  • "Early Morning Snowfall" — Chuck Brown, via Feels Like Christmas
  • "Wish Background" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech
  • "Angels We Have Heard" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech

Rate Christmas Past on Apple Podcasts, and I'll send you a sticker to say thanks. After leaving your review, get in touch through the contact page at http://christmaspast.media/contact and let me know your Apple Podcasts username and an address where you can receive your sticker. 

Follow Christmas Past on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Christmas Past is a proud member of the Christmas Podcast Network, a collection of the best Christmas shows around.

Dec 4, 2018

Miracle on 34th Street doesn't fit today's standards for what makes a movie Christmassy. It involved a cynical child and a Santa Claus who gets locked up in a mental health institution before undergoing a public psych hearing. Not only that, but the movie was released in June of 1947. And yet, it has gone on to become not only a beloved movie, but also a cherished tradition. How did that happen? We'll find out with the help of film critic Alonso Duralde.

Music in this episode

  • “Losing Love” — Dexter Britain
  • "Hard Boiled" — Kevin MacLeod
  • "Cherry Blossom" — Kevin MacLeod
  • "Sad Marimba Planet" — Lee Rosevere
  • "Do You Hear What I Hear?" — Jimmy Atkins 

Rate Christmas Past on Apple Podcasts, and I'll send you a sticker to say thanks. After leaving your review, get in touch through the contact page at http://christmaspast.media/contact and let me know your Apple Podcasts username and an address where you can receive your sticker. 

Follow Christmas Past on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Christmas Past is a proud member of the Christmas Podcast Network, a collection of the best Christmas shows around.

Dec 1, 2018

It's the Christmas cake we love to hate. But why? How did a cake steeped in history and tradition, tied closely to the Christmas celebration (and often soaked in booze, no less) go on to become so widely mocked? 

Music in this Episode:

  • Night Day: Dan Yan Key
  • Blue Highway: Poddington Bear
  • Dowl: Poddington Bear
  • Wish Background: Kevin MacLeod 

Rate Christmas Past on Apple Podcasts, and I'll send you a sticker to say thanks. After leaving your review, get in touch through the contact page at http://christmaspast.media/contact and let me know your Apple Podcasts username and an address where you can receive your sticker. 

Follow Christmas Past on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Christmas Past is a proud member of the Christmas Podcast Network, a collection of the best Christmas shows around.

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