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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: March, 2020
Mar 31, 2020

Christmas in Quarantine: Day 13. Today's installment is a devious twist on Christmas trivia. We're playing a game of Two Truths and a Lie. Join me and Todd Killian from Christmas Clatter, and Gerry Davila from the forthcoming podcast, Totally Rad Christmas, as we challenge each other to separate fact from fiction!

Christmas in Quarantine is Christmas Past's impromptu miniseries of indeterminate length. Stay subscribed for one new episode each day until things settle down on the COVID-19 crisis. 

Music in this episode

"Skyway" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive

 

Mar 30, 2020

Christmas in Quarantine: Day 12. Today's installment is an interview with author Jon Clinch. His 2019 novel, Marley is a prequel to A Christmas Carol and the untold story of Scrooge's mysterious business partner. It's a moody, noirish return to the world of Dickens in a story of double dealings, false identities, debauchery, and even worse! I recently caught up with Jon Clinch from his home in Vermont. 

Stay subscribed for daily episodes. 

Music in this episode

"Snowflake" — Borrtex, via Free Music Archive

 

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Mar 28, 2020

Christmas in Quarantine: Day 11. Today's installment is a playlist of new Christmas music from independent artists! Discover some new festive faves to set the mood! 

Stay subscribed for a new episode every day for the foreseeable future! 

Music in this episode

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Mar 28, 2020

Christmas in Quarantine: Day 10. Today's installment is another classic Christmas story for the whole family. As requested by a member of the Facebook group, Brian is reading "Christmas Every Day," the 1892 short story by William Dean Howells. 

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Music in this episode

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Mar 27, 2020

Christmas in Quarantine: Day 9. Today's installment is a trip back to when the crooners crooned and the eggnog was always spiked. Join me and my guests Todd Killian from Christmas Clatter and Jenna Knorr from Welcome to Tinsel Town as we discuss the 1968 variety special, The Dean Martin Christmas Show

Stay subscribed, because there will be a new episode of Christmas Past every day until we're all in the clear! 

Music in this Episode

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Mar 26, 2020

Christmas in Quarantine: Day 8. Today's installment is a challenging game of Christmas trivia! Join me along with Lee Cameron of The Christmas Stocking, Tim Babb from Can't Wait for Christmas, Thom Crowe from Tis the Podcast, and Joanna Wilson from Christmas TV history as we put your Christmas spirit to the test. 

Stay subscribed, because there will be a new episode of Christmas Past every day until we're all in the clear! 

Music in this Episode

  • "Thannoid" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive

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Mar 25, 2020

Christmas in Quarantine: Day 7. Today's installment takes us back to the days when radio reigned supreme. It's a Christmassy adventure from the man with the action-packed expense account: Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar. This story, The Carmen Kringle Matter, first aired on December 22, 1957. 

Stay subscribed, because there will be a new episode of Christmas Past every day until we're all in the clear! 

Music in this Episode

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Mar 24, 2020

Christmas in Quarantine: Day 6. Today's installment features the fifth and final of Washington Irving's pieces from his "Old Christmas" collection. 

Stay subscribed, because there will be a new episode of Christmas Past every day until we're all in the clear! 

Music in this Episode

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Mar 23, 2020

Christmas in Quarantine: Day 5. Today's installment features the fourth of Washington Irving's five pieces from his "Old Christmas" collection. 

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Music in this Episode

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Mar 22, 2020

Christmas in Quarantine: Day 4. Today's installment features the third of Washington Irving's five pieces from his "Old Christmas" collection. 

Stay subscribed, because there will be a new episode of Christmas Past every day until we're all in the clear! 

Music in this Episode

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Mar 21, 2020

Christmas in Quarantine: Day 3. Today's installment of picks up where yesterday's episode left off, with the second of Washington Irving's five pieces from his "Old Christmas" collection. 

Stay subscribed, because there will be a new episode of Christmas Past every day until we're all in the clear! 

Music in this Episode

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Mar 20, 2020

Christmas in Quarantine: Day 2. Today's installment marks the first of a five part series where I read each of the five story/essays from Washington Irving's "Old Christmas from the Sketchbook of Washington Irving." The first piece, "Christmas" is a love letter to the season and the Christmas spirit.

Mentioned in this Episode

https://nypost.com/2020/03/18/people-are-putting-up-christmas-lights-during-coronavirus-pandemic/

https://www.etonline.com/hallmark-channel-schedules-christmas-movie-marathon-during-self-quarantine-exclusive-143313

Music in this Episode

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Mar 19, 2020

Christmas in Quarantine: Day 1. Everyone is housebound amid the COVID-19 crisis, and lots of us are putting up our Christmas decorations again to cope! Today I'm introducing "Christmas in Quarantine," an impromptu miniseries of indeterminate length. I'll release one new episode every day until the crisis subsides. 

Today, I bring you Frank L. Baum's 1904 classic, "A Kidnapped Santa Claus."

Mentioned in this Episode

https://nypost.com/2020/03/18/people-are-putting-up-christmas-lights-during-coronavirus-pandemic/

Music in this Episode

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