Who is Father Christmas, and how is he different from St. Nicholas? In this episode, we unwrap the fascinating history of Father Christmas, from his roots in British folklore to his evolution into a symbol of holiday cheer. Learn how ancient pagan traditions, like the mysterious "Green Man" and "Wild Men of Winter," influenced the stories and imagery of this festive figure.
We’ll also explore how Father Christmas differs from the saintly St. Nicholas and how their tales became intertwined in holiday lore. Discover the rich mixture of myths, traditions, and cultural shifts that shaped Father Christmas into a beloved holiday icon.
At the end of the episode, I’ll read an excerpt from The Lost Years of Santa Claus, the book that delves into the hidden history of Santa’s adventures and the stories behind his legendary role in Christmas. Don’t miss this journey into the magical past of the holidays—perfect for history buffs, holiday enthusiasts, and anyone who loves a good story! 🎅✨
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The Christmas Song/Heaven/Slow 3/4 Song by Peter Evans, Tom Blancarte, and Brandon Seabrook - CC by 3.0
Santa Claws is Coming by Ergo Phizmiz - CC by 3.0
holiday by Dee Yan-Key - CC by 3.0
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
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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.