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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
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

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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

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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

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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

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Key Facts

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Podcast Host
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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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
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
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 of Christmas Past, Brian Earl engages listeners with stories that explore the origins and significance of Christmas traditions. His warm narration combines historical insights with personal reflections, fostering a nostalgic and informative atmosphere.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • Catching up

    I’m a bit late, but listening to season 10 right now. I love the birthday gift episode. That’s my 5 year old’s birthday! Happy holidays to everyone. 🥳

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jackie Mo8
    United Statesa month ago
  • Perfect for Christmasaholics like myself!

    Every episode is interesting and well done. Brian’s voice is also very soothing as I am kinda particular about voices when listening to podcasts! Highly recommend.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jordypocket
    United Statesa month ago
  • My new fave

    I’m so glad I found this! My new soundtrack to making Christmas cookies 😊

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ladeebugmak
    United States2 months ago
  • So warm and interesting

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    marlainreallife
    United States2 months 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 States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many find the bites of content perfect for holiday preparations, making it enjoyable and relatable.
The production quality is noted to be excellent, enhancing the overall listening experience.
Listeners appreciate the warm, nostalgic storytelling that captures the essence of Christmas traditions.
Feedback points to a desire for even deeper dives into specific topics within episodes, reflecting their keen interest in holiday history.

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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
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Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Past

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

Focusing on the rich history and heartwarming stories surrounding Christmas traditions, this podcast explores the often-overlooked narratives behind the holiday season. The host engages listeners with a mix of personal anecdotes, listener-submitted memories, and well-researched tales, which bring to life both nostalgic and contemporary experiences tied to Christmas. Unique elements include reflections on historical events related to Christmas, discussions of the emotional ties that families maintain through traditions, and enlightening insights into how these traditions evolve over time. It's a combination of insightful history and holiday cheer, appealing to those who find joy and meaning in the Christmas season.

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?

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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. Season's Readings – Christmas Stories and Holiday Tales
2. The Gilded Gentleman
3. Stuff You Missed in History Class
4. The Calm Christmas Podcast with Beth Kempton
5. Can't Wait for Christmas

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

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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