Christmas Past
By Brian Earl
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Category: Society & Culture
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Subscribers: 154
Reviews: 0
Episodes: 218
Description
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, soon entering its ninth 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!
| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
|
Christmas 2023
|
Dec 25, 2023 |
|
Backstory — Boxing Day
|
Dec 22, 2023 |
|
Your Christmas Memories: 2023, vol 2
|
Dec 20, 2023 |
|
Backstory — A Meatless Christmas Eve Meal
|
Dec 18, 2023 |
|
A Visit to Old Fezziwig's Christmas Eve Ball
|
Dec 17, 2023 |
|
Backstory — Christmas Postage Stamps
|
Dec 15, 2023 |
|
The Brady Bunch: The Voice of Christmas (with Christopher Knight!)
|
Dec 13, 2023 |
|
Backstory — Shortbread
|
Dec 11, 2023 |
|
Your Christmas Memories: 2023, vol 1
|
Dec 10, 2023 |
|
Backstory — Wishbooks
|
Dec 08, 2023 |
|
Backstory — Stollen
|
Dec 06, 2023 |
|
Backstory — The Mari Lwyd
|
Dec 04, 2023 |
|
Backstory — Christmas Seals
|
Dec 01, 2023 |
|
Backstory — The Twelve Days of Christmas
|
Nov 29, 2023 |
|
Backstory — Elves
|
Nov 27, 2023 |
|
Backstory — Nutcrackers
|
Nov 23, 2023 |
|
Story Time — The Christmas Sing In Our Village
|
Nov 16, 2023 |
|
Interview & Story Time — The Christmas Stories of Mary Wilkins Freeman
|
Nov 09, 2023 |
|
Story Time — The Captain of the Polestar
|
Oct 31, 2023 |
|
Christmas 2022
|
Dec 25, 2022 |
|
Backstory — Pfeffernusse
|
Dec 23, 2022 |
|
Backstory — Christmas Popcorn Tins
|
Dec 21, 2022 |
|
Backstory — Panettone
|
Dec 19, 2022 |
|
Your Christmas Memories, 2022
|
Dec 16, 2022 |
|
Backstory — Classic American Christmas Music
|
Dec 14, 2022 |
|
Backstory — It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
|
Dec 12, 2022 |
|
Backstory — Christmas Crackers
|
Dec 09, 2022 |
|
Backstory — Father Christmas
|
Dec 07, 2022 |
|
Backstory — Pantomime
|
Dec 05, 2022 |
|
Backstory — The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
|
Dec 02, 2022 |
|
Backstory — Aluminum Christmas Trees
|
Nov 30, 2022 |
|
Backstory — Christmas Trees
|
Nov 28, 2022 |
|
2022 Season Kickoff from the Great Dickens Christmas Fair
|
Nov 24, 2022 |
|
2022 Indie Christmas Music Playlist
|
Nov 21, 2022 |
|
Two Truths and a Lie: Four Decades
|
Nov 14, 2022 |
|
Interview — Tru-Tone Founder, David Andora
|
Nov 08, 2022 |
|
Interview — Emily Zarka, host of PBS's Monstrum
|
Oct 31, 2022 |
|
Story Time — Christmas Eve on a Haunted Hulk
|
Oct 24, 2022 |
|
Story Time — The Corner Shop
|
Oct 17, 2022 |
|
Story Time — The Dead and the Countess
|
Oct 10, 2022 |
|
Story Time — Mr. Dog's Christmas at the Hollow Tree Inn
|
Oct 03, 2022 |
|
Christmas 2021
|
Dec 25, 2021 |
|
Christmas Eve, Christmas Memories 2021
|
Dec 24, 2021 |
|
Your Christmas Memories: 2021, vol 2
|
Dec 22, 2021 |
|
Backstory — Xmas
|
Dec 21, 2021 |
|
Trivia Double Header — Sheperdy
|
Dec 19, 2021 |
|
Trivia Double Header — Two Truths and a Lie: 1970s
|
Dec 18, 2021 |
|
Backstory — Figgy Pudding
|
Dec 16, 2021 |
|
Story Time — The Christmas Fairy
|
Dec 15, 2021 |
|
Backstory — Christmas Charity
|
Dec 13, 2021 |
|
Backstory — Chestnuts
|
Dec 11, 2021 |
|
Your Christmas Memories: 2021, vol 1
|
Dec 09, 2021 |
|
Backstory — The Cinnamon Bear
|
Dec 07, 2021 |
|
Story Time — Festival of the Elves
|
Dec 05, 2021 |
|
Backstory — Ugly Christmas Sweaters
|
Dec 04, 2021 |
|
Interview — Megan Alexander, host of Small Town Christmas on UPtv
|
Dec 02, 2021 |
|
Backstory — A Charlie Brown Christmas
|
Dec 01, 2021 |
|
Christmas Past Presents — Christmas on Henry Street
|
Nov 29, 2021 |
|
Backstory — Jingle Bells
|
Nov 28, 2021 |
|
Story Time — The Doll's Ghost, by F. Marion Crawford
|
Nov 26, 2021 |
|
Backstory — TV Christmas romance movies
|
Nov 25, 2021 |
|
Brian has a WICKED BIG Announcement!
|
Nov 18, 2021 |
|
Interview — Brandon Gray, co-author of I'll Be Home For Christmas Movies
|
Nov 04, 2021 |
|
Christmas Past Presents — The Midnight Carols: Chapter 1
|
Oct 31, 2021 |
|
Christmas Past Presents — The Professor and the Tilted Glass
|
Oct 25, 2021 |
|
Story Time — The Wicked Editor's Christmas Dream
|
Oct 19, 2021 |
|
Playlist — A festive five pack of Christmas tracks from indie artists
|
Oct 10, 2021 |
|
History Lesson — The Christmas Stories of 19th Century America
|
Sep 29, 2021 |
|
Roundtable — Two Truths and a Lie, 80s edition with Todd Killian and Gerry Davilla
|
Sep 20, 2021 |
|
Story Time — The Burglar's Christmas
|
Sep 10, 2021 |
|
History Lesson — The Eggnog Riot
|
Sep 01, 2021 |
|
Quiz Show — Christmas Trivia with Bob and Mary Ellen from Illinois
|
Apr 23, 2021 |
|
Interview — Geoff LeBaron, director of the annual Christmas Bird Count
|
Mar 02, 2021 |
|
Interview — Julia Georgallis, author of How to Eat Your Christmas Tree
|
Jan 25, 2021 |
|
Christmas 2020
|
Dec 25, 2020 |
|
Your Christmas Memories: 2020, vol 4
|
Dec 24, 2020 |
|
Backstory — A Visit From Saint Nicholas
|
Dec 23, 2020 |
|
Your Christmas Memories: 2020, vol 3
|
Dec 21, 2020 |
|
Backstory — Mrs. Claus
|
Dec 19, 2020 |
|
Backstory — Poinsettias
|
Dec 17, 2020 |
|
Your Christmas Memories: 2020, vol 2
|
Dec 15, 2020 |
|
Backstory — Mince Pies
|
Dec 13, 2020 |
|
Interview — Mark Voger, author of Holly Jolly
|
Dec 12, 2020 |
|
Backstory — Christmas in Connecticut
|
Dec 11, 2020 |
|
Your Christmas Memories: 2020, vol 1
|
Dec 09, 2020 |
|
Backstory — Wassail
|
Dec 07, 2020 |
|
Interview — Dana Nachman on her new documentary, Dear Santa
|
Dec 05, 2020 |
|
Backstory — Snow Globes
|
Dec 03, 2020 |
|
Bonus Episode — This. Is. Sheperdy!
|
Dec 01, 2020 |
|
Backstory — Candy Canes
|
Nov 28, 2020 |
|
Season Opener — Brian reads "The Velveteen Rabbit"
|
Nov 26, 2020 |
|
Christmas Past Classic: Backstory — Why do we say 'Merry Christmas'?
|
Nov 23, 2020 |
|
Christmas Past Classic: Backstory — Christmas Advertisements
|
Nov 20, 2020 |
|
Christmas Past Classic: Backstory — The Nutcracker
|
Nov 17, 2020 |
|
Christmas Past Classic: Backstory — Santa Claus, part 3
|
Nov 14, 2020 |
|
Christmas Past Classic: Backstory — Santa Claus, part 2
|
Nov 11, 2020 |
|
Christmas Past Classic: Backstory — Santa Claus, part 1
|
Nov 08, 2020 |
|
Christmas Past Classic: Backstory — Sugar Plums
|
Nov 05, 2020 |
|
Interview — Alex Palmer, author of The Atlas of Christmas
|
Nov 02, 2020 |
|
Story Time — Brian reads "Smee"
|
Oct 30, 2020 |
|
Story Time — Brian reads "It Was the Same Christmas Morning"
|
Oct 23, 2020 |
|
Story Time — Brian reads "My Christmas Dinner"
|
Oct 16, 2020 |
|
Story Time — Brian reads "The Lone Scout's Christmas"
|
Oct 09, 2020 |
|
Story Time — Brian reads “Campfire Girls in the Allegheny Mountains,” part 9
|
Oct 04, 2020 |
|
Story Time — Brian reads “Campfire Girls in the Allegheny Mountains,” part 8
|
Sep 29, 2020 |
|
Story Time — Brian reads "Campfire Girls in the Allegheny Mountains," part 7
|
Sep 26, 2020 |
|
Story Time — Brian reads "Campfire Girls in the Allegheny Mountains," part 6
|
Sep 23, 2020 |
|
Story Time — Brian reads "Campfire Girls in the Allegheny Mountains," part 5
|
Sep 15, 2020 |
|
Story Time — Brian reads "Campfire Girls in the Allegheny Mountains," part 4
|
Sep 08, 2020 |
|
Story Time — Brian reads "Campfire Girls in the Allegheny Mountains," part 3
|
Sep 05, 2020 |
|
Story Time — Brian reads "Campfire Girls in the Allegheny Mountains," part 2
|
Sep 02, 2020 |
|
Story Time — Brian reads "Campfire Girls in the Allegheny Mountains," part 1
|
Aug 31, 2020 |
|
Interview — Leon Day 2020 with crafter Juliette Williams
|
Jun 25, 2020 |
|
Story Time — Brian reads "Lill's Travels in Santa Claus Land"
|
Jun 10, 2020 |
|
Roundtable — Two Truths and a Lie, with Todd Killian, Carrie Mercer, and Chris Swietlik
|
May 20, 2020 |
|
Story Time — Brian reads "The Heavenly Christmas Tree"
|
May 06, 2020 |
|
Interview — Carrie Mercer from Christmas Book Review (plus: Giveaway Announcement!)
|
Apr 23, 2020 |
|
Episode 100!
|
Apr 15, 2020 |
|
Story Time — Brian reads "Christmas, a Happy Time," Part 2
|
Apr 09, 2020 |
|
Story Time — Brian reads "Christmas, a Happy Time," Part 1
|
Apr 08, 2020 |
|
Roundtable — Two Truths and a Lie, with Julia Colburn, Duane Bailey, and Craig Brewer
|
Apr 07, 2020 |
|
Roundtable — He-Man & She-Ra: A Christmas Special with Mike Westfall and Tim Babb
|
Apr 06, 2020 |
|
Story Time — Brian reads "Deck the Halls"
|
Apr 05, 2020 |
|
Christmas Past Presents — The Plot to Overthrow Christmas
|
Apr 04, 2020 |
|
Roundtable — Deck the Halls with Wacky Walls, with Chris and Kris Sisley and Mike Patton
|
Apr 03, 2020 |
|
Story Time — Brian reads "The Story of the Goblins Who Stole a Sexton," Part 2
|
Apr 02, 2020 |
|
Story Time — Brian reads "The Story of the Goblins Who Stole a Sexton," Part 1
|
Apr 01, 2020 |
|
Roundtable — Two Truths and a Lie, with Todd Killian and Gerry Davila
|
Mar 31, 2020 |
|
Interview — Author Jon Clinch discusses his novel, Marley
|
Mar 30, 2020 |
|
Playlist — New Christmas Music Sampler, Vol 2
|
Mar 28, 2020 |
|
Story Time — Brian reads "Christmas Every Day"
|
Mar 28, 2020 |
|
Roundtable — The Dean Martin Christmas Show, with Jenna Knorr and Todd Killian
|
Mar 27, 2020 |
|
Roundtable — Christmas Trivia Game with Lee Cameron, Tim Babb, Thom Crowe, and Joanna Wilson
|
Mar 26, 2020 |
|
Christmas Past Presents — Yours Truly, Jonny Dollar: The Carmen Kringle Matter
|
Mar 25, 2020 |
|
Story Time — Brian reads "Christmas Dinner"
|
Mar 24, 2020 |
|
Story Time — Brian reads "Christmas Day"
|
Mar 23, 2020 |
|
Story Time — Brian reads "Christmas Eve"
|
Mar 22, 2020 |
|
Story Time — Brian reads "The Stagecoach"
|
Mar 21, 2020 |
|
Story Time — Brian reads "Christmas"
|
Mar 20, 2020 |
|
Story Time — Brian reads "A Kidnapped Santa Claus"
|
Mar 19, 2020 |
|
Story Time — Brian reads "As the Automobile Ran Down"
|
Feb 15, 2020 |
|
Christmas Around the World — The UK
|
Feb 03, 2020 |
|
Interview — Joshua Reid-Davis from Christmas in July
|
Jan 20, 2020 |
|
Christmas Around the World — Canada
|
Jan 01, 2020 |
|
Christmas 2019
|
Dec 25, 2019 |
|
Christmas Memories 2019
|
Dec 23, 2019 |
|
Backstory: It's a Wonderful Life
|
Dec 20, 2019 |
|
Backstory: Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus
|
Dec 18, 2019 |
|
Backstory: Mistletoe
|
Dec 16, 2019 |
|
Miniseries: Rikki Meece Reads "When the Yule Log Burns," Part 4
|
Dec 15, 2019 |
|
Miniseries: Rikki Meece Reads "When the Yule Log Burns," Part 3
|
Dec 14, 2019 |
|
Miniseries: Rikki Meece Reads "When the Yule Log Burns," Part 2
|
Dec 13, 2019 |
|
Miniseries: Rikki Meece Reads "When the Yule Log Burns," Part 1
|
Dec 12, 2019 |
|
Backstory: Silent Night
|
Dec 10, 2019 |
|
Discussion: The Glo Friends Save Christmas with Todd Killian, Duane Bailey, Tim Babb, and Mike Westfall
|
Dec 08, 2019 |
|
Backstory: Christmas Dinner
|
Dec 07, 2019 |
|
Discussion: The Christmas Pickle, with Richard Parks III, Craig Kringle, and Tim Babb
|
Dec 05, 2019 |
|
Backstory: Christmas Ghost Stories
|
Dec 04, 2019 |
|
Interview: Barbara Hinske, Author of 'The Christmas Club'
|
Dec 02, 2019 |
|
Live From The Great Dickens Christmas Fair
|
Dec 01, 2019 |
|
Miniseries: My Dear Santa, Chapter 1: The Tardy Saint
|
Nov 28, 2019 |
|
Miniseries: My Dear Santa, Chapter 2: Santa's Secretary and the Gun-Toting Boy Scouts
|
Nov 28, 2019 |
|
Miniseries: My Dear Santa, Chapter 3: From a Cave to a High Rise
|
Nov 28, 2019 |
|
Miniseries: My Dear Santa, Chapter 4: War Santa Claus
|
Nov 28, 2019 |
|
Miniseries: My Dear Santa, Chapter 5: A Spy in the House of Claus
|
Nov 28, 2019 |
|
Miniseries: My Dear Santa, Chapter 6: A Comeback and a Takedown
|
Nov 28, 2019 |
|
Playlist: New Christmas Music Sampler, Vol 1
|
Nov 23, 2019 |
|
Story Time: "The Little Match Girl"
|
Nov 18, 2019 |
|
Christmas Con 2019
|
Nov 11, 2019 |
|
Storytime: "Keep it all the Year"
|
Nov 02, 2019 |
|
Christmas Around the World: Japan
|
Oct 28, 2019 |
|
Storytime: "A Christmas Adventure"
|
Oct 19, 2019 |
|
Presenting: The Best of Christmas Clatter
|
Oct 12, 2019 |
|
Storytime: "The Christmas Present"
|
Oct 04, 2019 |
|
Story Time: "The Gift of the Magi"
|
Sep 26, 2019 |
|
Story Time: Mister Christmas with Kyle Bullock
|
Sep 20, 2019 |
|
Presenting: Christmas TV History with Joanna Wilson
|
Sep 07, 2019 |
|
Backstory: Leon Day (Plus Special Announcements!)
|
Jun 25, 2019 |
|
Christmas 2018
|
Dec 24, 2018 |
|
Christmas Memories 2018
|
Dec 22, 2018 |
|
Listener Mail and Christmas Memories
|
Dec 20, 2018 |
|
Backstory: NORAD Tracks Santa Claus
|
Dec 19, 2018 |
|
Backstory: The War on Christmas
|
Dec 16, 2018 |
|
Learning the Truth About Santa Claus
|
Dec 13, 2018 |
|
Backstory: The Twelve Days of Christmas (the song)
|
Dec 10, 2018 |
|
Interview: Welcome to Tinsel Town's Jenna Knorr and Adam Ganong
|
Dec 08, 2018 |
|
Backstory: The WPIX Yule Log
|
Dec 07, 2018 |
|
Backstory: Miracle on 34th Street
|
Dec 04, 2018 |
|
Backstory: Fruit cake
|
Dec 01, 2018 |
|
Backstory: Did Charles Dickens Really "Invent" Christmas?
|
Nov 28, 2018 |
|
Backstory: Why do we say "Merry Christmas"?
|
Nov 25, 2018 |
|
A Podcast Family Thanksgiving 2018
|
Nov 22, 2018 |
|
Backstory: Christmas in July
|
Jul 15, 2018 |
|
Christmas 2017
|
Dec 24, 2017 |
|
Christmas Memories 2017
|
Dec 22, 2017 |
|
Backstory: A Christmas Story
|
Dec 20, 2017 |
|
Backstory: Eggnog
|
Dec 18, 2017 |
|
Backstory: La Buche du Noel
|
Dec 14, 2017 |
|
Backstory: The Nutcracker
|
Dec 11, 2017 |
|
Backstory: Holly
|
Dec 07, 2017 |
|
Backstory: Golden Age Christmas TV Cartoons
|
Dec 04, 2017 |
|
Story Time: The House of Seven Santas, Part 1
|
Dec 01, 2017 |
|
Backstory: Christmas Lights
|
Nov 30, 2017 |
|
Backstory: Department Store Santas
|
Nov 27, 2017 |
|
Backstory: Christmas Advertisements
|
Nov 23, 2017 |
|
Christmas Day 2016
|
Dec 25, 2016 |
|
Christmas Eve 2016
|
Dec 24, 2016 |
|
Backstory: Sugar Plums
|
Dec 21, 2016 |
|
Backstory: Christmas Old Time Radio
|
Dec 17, 2016 |
|
Backstory: Christmas Cards
|
Dec 13, 2016 |
|
Backstory: Wrapping Paper
|
Dec 09, 2016 |
|
Backstory: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
|
Dec 05, 2016 |
|
Backstory: Letters to Santa
|
Dec 01, 2016 |
|
Backstory: Gingerbread Houses
|
Nov 27, 2016 |
|
Backstory: Santa Claus, Part 3
|
Nov 23, 2016 |
|
Backstory: Santa Claus, Part 2
|
Nov 19, 2016 |
|
Backstory: Santa Claus, Part 1
|
Nov 15, 2016 |
|
Trailer: Introducing Christmas Past
|
Nov 01, 2016 |