Christmas Past
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 Clement Clarke Moore!
Christmas Past is one of the longest running Christmas podcasts, soon entering its ninth season. Vanity Fair says: "With excellent production, engaging narration, and short, digestible running times, Christmas Past is perfect to put on while decorating your tree or preparing Christmas dinner."
Brian's new book is out now from Lyons Press and Recorded books! Get your copy today, wherever books are sold. And remember...it makes a great gift!
Christmas Past
Backstory: Pfeffernusse
They're the spiced cookie with the funny sounding (to American ears) name. Pfeffernusse — or, "pepper nuts" in English — contain neither pepper nor nuts. And for centuries, the original recipe has been a closely guarded secret. Baker and podcaster Glen Warren joins me in this episode.
Mentioned in This Episode
Music in This Episode
- "The Poplar Grove" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
- "Midvinter" — Scott Buckley, via scottbuckley.com.au
- "Felix Mendelssohn: Songs Without Words" Vassily Primakov, via Free Music Archive
- "The First Noel - Silent Night" — Ralph Rousseau Meulenbroeks, via Magnatune Compilation
- "Piano Moment" — Zakhar Valaha Music, via Pixabay
- "Jingle Bells" — Scott Holmes Music, via Free Music Archive
Buy the Christmas Past Book!
Order your copy today. And remember...it makes a great gift!
Share a Christmas memory
Be on the podcast! Just record a voice memo into your phone and send it to christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com. Keep it reasonably short, clean and family friendly, and be sure to say your name and where you're from.
Keep in touch
christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com
Brian is getting ready to return for the 2024 Christmas season with an all new series of episodes. Join Christmas Past on Halloween for our traditional ghost story to kick off the preseason.