Rephonic
Artwork for Christmas Past

Christmas Past

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

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes227Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Kids & FamilySociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Christmas Past

Latest Episodes

Today, I'm talking to Alonso Duralde, film critic, podcaster, and author of Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas (2nd Edition).

Music in this episode

"Our Minds Following" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive

Order your copy today! Of Chr... more

YouTube

Happy Halloween, everyone! 👻🎃 And welcome to the 2025 pre-season for Christmas Past.

For the past several years now, we've kicked off the pre-season with a ghost story from my friends at Biblioasis Publishing. They publish a series of three ghost ... more

YouTube

The big day is here, and so is our final episode of 2024. As we so do every year, we'll take a look back at all the news, trends, sights, and sounds that made this Christmas what it was. We'll also hear some Christmas memories from the Christmas Past... more

YouTube

The small, unassuming wren may be nothing much to look at, but wait till it starts singing. Its loud, complex songs, and its tendency to sing them throughout winter, has earned it the title of “King of Birds.” But on December 26, the king is dead. Wr... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

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
Clayton Snow
Born on Christmas Eve, shares his experiences growing up with a birthday close to Christmas
Episode: Backstory: Why is Christmas on December 25?
Clayton Charters
President and CEO of the Original Santa Claus Parade
Original Santa Claus Parade
Episode: Backstory: The Original Santa Claus Parade
Ted Sylvester
Vice President of Marketing and Development for the Marines Toys for Tots Foundation
Marines Toys for Tots Foundation
Episode: Backstory: Toys for Tots
Darrin Duber-Smith
Professor of marketing at Metropolitan State University of Denver's College of Business
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Episode: Backstory: Christmas Creep

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 1.1k ratings
  • My eldest daughter one Christmas Eve began sharing details of how Christmas crackers came to be as I was admiring her beautifully set dinner table. When she went into detail about another Christmas tidbit during dinner, I asked her, "how do you know all these fun facts?"That's how I learned about the Christmas Past Podcast, it's author, how the series begins in late October and runs up until Christmas. Before I left she sent me a link to the Christmas Past podcast and I listened to it on my driv... more

    Audible
    5
    Melinda Lowry
    United Statesa month ago
  • Best Christmas Podcast

    The best by far. Excellent background music and narration. Interesting and contemplative.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wishbook
    United States2 months ago
  • Great podcast for holiday history

    Brian Earl’s podcast is well produced, well researched and isn’t full of filler or banter. I first learned of pfeffuernusse on this podcast last, and now I make some every year.

    My only complaint is I sometimes wish they were longer! I know some people like the shorter format; I personally wouldn’t mind even deeper divers into some topics.

    Brian Earl’s companion book is also a very fun read.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jay23nyc
    United States6 months ago
  • SLAY

    SLAY

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sweaty Fortnite boy
    United States10 months ago
  • Feel Good podcast

    I love that the podcast isn’t too long and doesn’t have a lot of banter like many other podcasts. I wouldn’t change a thing!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Fionabelle1
    United Statesa year 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.

Apple Podcasts
#108
Colombia/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Interview: Alonso Duralde, author of Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas
Q: How does the Hallmark effect influence Christmas movies?
Duralde explains that Hallmark's influence has created a hunger for Christmas movies, presenting a large number of them during the season, and this shift has altered expectations for other theatrical releases.
Interview: Actor John Rhys-Davies on Scrooge: A Christmas Carol
Q: What does redemption have to do with Christmas?
Rhys-Davies states that redemption is central to the Christian message, emphasizing the possibility of personal change and the impact of love.
Interview: Actor John Rhys-Davies on Scrooge: A Christmas Carol
Q: What is it about this story that continues to captivate us almost 200 years later?
Rhys-Davies explains that it's a well-constructed story with interesting characters that speaks to universal themes of love and redemption.
Interview: Christopher Knight on The Brady Bunch: The Voice of Christmas
Q: Was The Voice of Christmas a pivotal episode for The Brady Bunch?
Yes, it provided a ratings boost that helped secure the show's renewal.

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?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Christmas Past. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Christmas Past and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Christmas Past get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Christmas Past, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Christmas Past?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Christmas Past, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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. Christmas Countdown
2. Can't Wait for Christmas
3. American History Tellers
4. American Scandal
5. Buried Bones - a historical true crime podcast with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes

How many episodes of Christmas Past are there?

Christmas Past launched 9 years ago and published 227 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.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Christmas Past?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Christmas Past. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Christmas Past?

Recent guests on Christmas Past include:

1. Alonso Duralde
2. Terry Gunnell
3. Baldur Gylfa
4. Karen Petrone
5. Sue Hunter
6. Clayton Snow
7. Clayton Charters
8. Ted Sylvester

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days