As the holiday season sparkles to life and the clock inches closer to a new year, this episode is a warm toast to traditions, laughter, and the magic of festive customs. I’m joined by Lucas Ciscato, who brings stories of Italian Christmas dinners, the whimsical La Befana, and the symbolic ritual of burning away the old to welcome the new.
We wander through snowy German Christmas markets, savor Dutch “oliebollen,” and marvel at Russian New Year’s traditions involving champagne glasses and ashes of wishes—a quirky nod to hope and good fortune. Along the way, we laugh about group Halloween costumes and ponder how traditions shape not only our holidays but also our identities.
Through these tales, I reflect on the joy of connecting with loved ones, the meaning of home during the holidays, and the fun of quirky customs—like sitting in red underwear for good luck or scribbling your dreams on paper before midnight.
As 2025 approaches, let this episode be your cozy companion, filled with good vibes, gratitude, and a sprinkle of holiday cheer. Thank you for an incredible semester and for being part of "The Identity Library"! Here’s to your New Year’s resolutions, a festive break, and all the champagne glasses brimming with possibilities. May we see each other next semester again.
★ Support this podcast ★Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!