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
Scandinavian Mythology
Literature
Feast Of the Epiphany
Twelfth Night
Christmas Seals
American Lung Association
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes230Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Kids & FamilySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Christmas Past

Latest Episodes

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! It's the kickoff to the main season of Christmas Past. What better way to get things going than with a cozy gathering around the fire for some old fashioned storytelling? Today, I'm back with a ghost story for Christmas.... more

In today's episode, Vaughn Joy, Ph.D. joins Christmas Past to discuss how the social and political climate of the mid-20th century shaped the Christmas movies of that era. She's the author of the new book, Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films... more

YouTube

Today, we welcome back a frequent guest on Christmas Past. Thomas Ruys Smith is a professor of American literature and culture at the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom. He’s also a frequent guest on Christmas Past and the author of seve... more

YouTube

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

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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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
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
Alonso Duralde
Film critic, podcaster and author
Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas
Episode: Backstory: Gremlins
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?
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?

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 States2 months 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 States7 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.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

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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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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. Can't Wait for Christmas
4. Lore
5. Sleepy History

How many episodes of Christmas Past are there?

Christmas Past launched 9 years ago and published 230 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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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. Terry Gunnell
4. Baldur Gylfa
5. Karen Petrone
6. Sue Hunter
7. Alonso Duralde
8. Michael Foley

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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