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
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

PublishesDailyEpisodes236Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Kids & FamilySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Christmas Past

Latest Episodes

In 1882, inventor Edward Johnson set up a one-of-a-kind Christmas display in his New York City home...and it changed the face of Christmas as we know it.

Music in This Episode

• "Vessel Five" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive

• "In the Sa... more

The Christmas season is in full swing. The tree is up. The carols are playing. The shopping and baking merrymaking of all sorts is here once again. We're all doing a lot of the stuff that Christmas memories are made of. 

And Christmas memories are w... more

YouTube

On a cold winter's night, a man working in a field saw an out-of-place object in the night sky. This is a Christmas story, but it's not the one you think it is. 

Music in This Episode

• "Below the River" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive more

YouTube

Inventor Reginald Aubrey Fessenden received hundreds of patents in his career. And one invention that debuted in 1906 changed Christmas as we know it.

Music in This Episode

• "Agony and Ivory" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive

• "The Cres... 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.

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Recent Guests

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
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

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
  • 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 States2 months ago
  • Best Christmas Podcast

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wishbook
    United States3 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 States7 months ago
  • SLAY

    SLAY

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sweaty Fortnite boy
    United Statesa year 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.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Interview: Thomas Ruys Smith, author of Searching for Santa Claus
Q: Are there any details that were added to the Santa myth during this period that have since fallen off?
Yes, Santa was originally depicted in various ways, such as being pulled by a single horse or smoking a pipe, which are not common today.
Interview: Thomas Ruys Smith, author of Searching for Santa Claus
Q: Where does this body of literature start?
It starts with a children's book from 1821 called 'The Children's Friend', which depicts a visit from Old Santa Claus.
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.

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

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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. A Cozy Christmas Podcast
2. Christmas Countdown
3. Classic Christmas Stories
4. Can't Wait for Christmas
5. The Lost Christmas Podcast

How many episodes of Christmas Past are there?

Christmas Past launched 9 years ago and published 236 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.

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What guests have appeared on Christmas Past?

Recent guests on Christmas Past include:

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

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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