Rephonic
Artwork for Christmas Past

Christmas Past

Brian Earl
Christmas
Twelve Days Of Christmas
Folklore
Christmas Traditions
Shortbread
Mari Lwyd
Elves
Merrymaking
St. Stephen's Day
Tuberculosis
The Brady Bunch
A Christmas Carol
Boxing Day
Literature
Scandinavian Mythology
Feast Of the Epiphany
Twelfth Night
American Lung Association
Christmas Seals
Dark Side Of Christmas

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 Clemen... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes246Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Kids & FamilySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Christmas Past

Latest Episodes

Merry Christmas! The festive season reaches its peak today. And for the tenth year in a row, I'm here on Christmas Day to take a look back. We'll reflect on the news and trends, the sights and sounds that made Christmas of 2025 what it was. 

Plus, a... more

This episode arrives on Christmas Eve Eve. It's our final family gathering of the season, where members of the Christmas Past family share some of their favorite Christmas memories. 

Music in This Episode

• "Cozy Podcast Music with Christmas Bells"... more

YouTube

A mysterious philanthropist spent more than 25 years handing out cash anonymously around Kansas City at Christmastime. 

Music in this Episode

• "I Knew A Guy" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech

• "Elegy for Manush" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music... more

YouTube

We're at the end of the last full week of the Christmas season. Christmas 2025 is right around the corner. And today, we're back with another family gathering to reminisce about Christmases past. It's another visit dedicated to you and your Christmas... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Heather Finn
Granddaughter of Annie Ide, who inherited the unique birthday gift from Robert Louis Stevenson.
Episode: The Birthday Gift
Vaughn Joy
Author and historian focusing on popular culture
Author of Selling Out Santa
Episode: Interview: Vaughn Joy, Author of Selling Out Santa
Thomas Ruys Smith
Professor of American Literature and Culture at the University of East Anglia
University of East Anglia
Episode: Interview: Thomas Ruys Smith, author of Searching for Santa Claus
Alonso Duralde
Film critic and author
Episode: Interview: Alonso Duralde, author of Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas
Terry Gunnell
Professor emeritus of folkloristics at the University of Iceland
University of Iceland
Episode: Backstory: The Yule Lads
Baldur Gylfa
Icelandic resident who shares personal Christmas experiences
Episode: Backstory: The Yule Lads
Karen Petrone
Professor of Russian and Soviet history at the University of Kentucky, and author of Life Has Become More Joyous, Comrades, Celebrations in the Time of Stalin.
University of Kentucky
Episode: Backstory: Ded Moroz
Sue Hunter
Nursery owner, educator, and spokesperson for the American Ivy Society
American Ivy Society
Episode: Backstory: Ivy
Michael Foley
Professor in the Great Texts program at Baylor University, author of 'Why We Kiss Under the Mistletoe, Christmas Traditions Explained'
Baylor University
Episode: Backstory: Why is Christmas on December 25?

Host

Brian Earl
Host who explores the fascinating stories behind Christmas traditions, intertwining history and personal anecdotes to create a rich listening experience.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • So warm and interesting

    Christmas history and interesting facts about the best time of the year!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    marlainreallife
    United States16 days ago
  • BEST PODCAST

    I was lucky enough to find this podcast after listening to the Tinsel town story.

    I am a super history nerd and love learning the back story of anything.

    And Christmas is my favorite season so this podcast checks all the boxes. I have even got my grown daughters listening to it now.

    Listing to your podcast has truly given me the Christmas spirit all year. In fact, I am going to start some traditions because of your amazing podcast.

    Thank you Brian for sharing your time with us!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The Real Harlow
    United States17 days ago
  • Warm, Fuzzy and Curious

    Christmas Past has become a go to holiday tradition for me year after year. The bite size episodes keep the holiday feels flowing while teaching you everything you’ve ever wanted (and didn’t know you wanted) to know about Christmas traditions. If you were ever the kid that asked “why” constantly AND love Christmas, this is the podcast for you. I for one will continue to look forward to learning new facts and info about Christmas for years to come through Christmas Past.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Klover User Guy.
    United States19 days ago
  • Thank you!

    A big thank you to Brian for adding an extra layer of nostalgia and warmth to my holiday seasons. His podcast has meant even more during the tougher years like the season when I couldn’t afford a tree or the gifts I wanted to give, and last year, when I spent the first two weeks of December home sick and the rest still coughing with a dry hack. Christmas Past helped me hold onto the spirit of the season, reminding me that there’s always something to appreciate about Christmastime.

    I look forward... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LenafromSeattle
    United States19 days ago
  • So glad I found you!

    I first heard of this podcast when the hosts of Preheated, a baking podcast, mentioned they’d been interviewed for the Christmas Past podcast’s Fruitcake Episode many years back. I’m so glad I remembered to come check out your podcast during this holiday season! I have some catching up to do, so I am working through the back catalog of episodes from the beginning this year. This is the best Christmas podcast to get you in the holiday spirit!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nspalin77
    United States20 days ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The blend of listener anecdotes and expert interviews is highlighted as a strong point, fostering a sense of community among fans.
Listeners appreciate the engaging storytelling and history provided in each episode, creating a warm atmosphere for the Christmas season.
The podcast is praised for its well-researched content that delves into often overlooked traditions and customs related to the holiday.
Many enjoy the host's voice and presentation style, noting it adds to the comforting experience during the holidays.
Some listeners express a desire for longer episodes to explore topics in greater depth.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Birthday Gift
Q: How do you celebrate it?
We always have a bottle of champagne and my mom likes to celebrate it with me.
The Birthday Gift
Q: Do you celebrate the November 13th now?
Yes, we do. Every year we have to celebrate it or it goes back to the president of the United States.
The Birthday Gift
Q: Can we call it an inheritance of yours?
Yes, because it was in my granny's will and then it was willed to her by her aunt.
Season 10 Announcement, Dickens Fair, etc.
Q: Who are you?
The ghost of Christmas Past explains his role in helping Mr. Scrooge remember his past Christmases.
Season 10 Announcement, Dickens Fair, etc.
Q: Do you want to be interviewed?
Dashil expresses his eagerness to be interviewed.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Past

What is Christmas Past about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast provides an engaging exploration of the stories behind Christmas traditions, many of which are often overlooked in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. It features a blend of history, folklore, and personal anecdotes, making it both informative and relatable for listeners. By delving into various aspects such as cultural significance, evolving customs, and listener memories, the focus is on fostering a deeper connection to the meaning of Christmas. Unique to this podcast is its commitment to narrative storytelling, creating an enriching experience for anyone passionate about holiday customs. The host's warm approach and expert interviews add layers of depth to the discussions, making it a charming addition to the festiv... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Christmas Past?

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How many listeners does Christmas Past get?

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What are the audience demographics for Christmas Past?

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How many subscribers and views does Christmas Past have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Christmas Past has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Christmas Past?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Christmas Past:

1. Classic Christmas Stories
2. Christmas Countdown
3. Christmas Old Time Radio
4. The Calm Christmas Podcast with Beth Kempton
5. Hoax!

How many episodes of Christmas Past are there?

Christmas Past launched 9 years ago and published 246 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Christmas Past?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Christmas Past?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Christmas Past from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Christmas Past?

Recent guests on Christmas Past include:

1. Heather Finn
2. Vaughn Joy
3. Thomas Ruys Smith
4. Alonso Duralde
5. Terry Gunnell
6. Baldur Gylfa
7. Karen Petrone
8. Sue Hunter

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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