December 24, 2024 • 41 mins
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Santa Claus himself joins us for a magical episode, where we explore the timeless essence of kindness, generosity, and hope that he embodies. Listeners will learn about the origins of Santa's legend, tracing back to St. Nicholas of Myra, and the enduring impact of his spirit across cultures. As we journey through the tales of those who portray Santa today, discover how their dedication brings light and warmth to the holiday season, emphasizing the unifying power of Christmas traditions worldwide.
Our conversation also highlights the profound influence of generosity during challenging times, spotlighting initiatives like Operation Toy Soldier and Toys for Tots. By giving back to communities, these efforts uplift spirits and demonstrate how small acts of kindness can create waves of positivity. We draw insightful parallels between the contagious nature of kindness and the simple act of yawning, illustrating its potential to inspire others to do good. The transformative effects of helping others, enhancing self-worth, and fostering a sense of purpose are key takeaways from this heartfelt discussion.
This episode pays tribute to Vietnam veterans and individuals in uniformed services, acknowledging their sacrifices and the emotional challenges they face. By exploring the parallels between their experiences and the role of Santa Claus, we underscore the importance of small gestures in fostering goodwill and hope. Through stories of anonymous acts of kindness and generous tips, we inspire listeners to maintain the spirit of connection and kindness throughout the year, promoting social tranquility and securing liberty for all. Join us every Monday for new episodes, as we strive to enrich lives and inspire purposeful action.
https://www.passiton.com/ (11:56)
https://www.vietnamwar50th.com/ (27:50)
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Josh Porthouse (00:00):
The views expressed in this podcast are
solely those of the podcast hostand guest and do not
necessarily represent those ofour distribution partners,
supporting businessrelationships or supported
audience.
Welcome to Transacting Value,where we talk about practical
applications for instigatingself-worth when dealing with
(00:23):
each other and even withinourselves, when we foster a
podcast listening experiencethat lets you hear the power of
a value system for managingburnout, establishing boundaries
, fostering community andfinding identity.
My name is Josh Porthouse, I'myour host and we are redefining
sovereignty of character.
This is why values still holdvalue.
This is Transacting Value.
Santa Claus (00:47):
I found out that helping other people helped me
more than it was actuallyhelping them, because I felt
better about myself, and if youdon't do things that make
yourself feel good aboutyourself, it's hard to help
anybody else.
Josh Porthouse (01:06):
Today on Transacting Value.
What impact can identity haveduring the Christmas season?
And, maybe more importantly,how do you know you've even been
a good boy or a good girl theentire season, or maybe the
entire year, for our annualChristmas special?
Please welcome our honoredguest, who made time in his busy
schedule to enhance and inspirehumanity around the world.
(01:27):
You may know him as KrisKringle, papa Noel.
I call him Santa Claus.
My name is Josh Portals, I'myour host and from SDYT Media.
This is Transacting Value,santa.
Welcome to the show.
Santa Claus (01:43):
Ho, ho ho.
How are you, josh?
Nice to be here.
Josh Porthouse (01:46):
I appreciate you taking time, especially right
now.
We're so close to the holidays.
I can only imagine your elvesand the shift work, and
everything you're trying tomanage is just chaos.
Santa Claus (01:57):
We have a well-oiled machine in process.
I have a few minutes I can takeout for a good cause.
Josh Porthouse (02:06):
Yeah, I appreciate that, and I guess
you've had a couple hundred or acouple thousand runs at this by
now.
So you guys are essentiallyprofessionals.
Santa Claus (02:13):
Exactly.
Yeah, we bring on the new folksnow and then, but they're
well-trained and, like I said,it's a well-oiled machine.
Josh Porthouse (02:22):
Sure, so let's do this for a little bit of
resonance here, if you want totake the next couple minutes.
What is life like as SantaClaus?
The whole world knows you andnobody gets to know you?
Santa Claus (02:35):
That's kind of a hard question to answer.
To be honest, it's a calling.
There's no other way todescribe it.
In my case, that could be atotally different case for
another gentleman donning thered suit.
In my case, it's something thatI was called to do.
(02:56):
You could actually do it withthat nice beard you have.
You've obviously got the beard.
You've got the heart for it.
It's an idea.
The character representskindness, generosity and hope
and family and values andtradition.
(03:18):
As one of the people that'shonored enough to be able to
wear this suit and actually bebelievable in character and I'm
in character pretty much allyear, even though I live in
Florida when I'm not working atthe North pole Nice, it is
(03:41):
snowbird season that it is.
We've got a lot of traffic.
Thankfully I have a sleigh.
Josh Porthouse (03:48):
There you go.
Yeah, I imagine there's a fairamount of coordination now with
the Aviation Administration andthe Strait Goose every now and
again, but traffic can't be nearas bad up there as it is down
here.
No, no, no, it's not.
No, no, no, it's not.
So that's good.
Now you've become sort of alegend in your own right.
I mean, you grew up as a littleboy in a village, living life,
(04:13):
and now you have inspired theworld over as sort of lore and
legend and, like you said, thespirit of Christmas, that's a
lofty weight on your shoulders.
How's that feel?
Santa Claus (04:27):
It's not really a weight, it's a pleasure, it's an
honor, it's a privilege.
St Nicholas of Myra was born toa wealthy family and he
(04:51):
actually dropped gold intostockings of young ladies in a
village that he lived in becausethe parents didn't have a dowry
.
He was being generous to themwithout letting anybody know it,
and that's what the spirit ofSt Nicholas, santa Claus, papa
Noel, that's what the spirit ofSanta Claus is.
People like me portray thatspirit.
(05:11):
Santa Claus is a 1400 and someodd year old man and his spirit
lives through me in that suit.
He lives through every kid ofall ages that smiles at me when
I look at them, that he getsexcited Christmas morning.
Everybody that's not afraid tolook into the sky and I believe
(05:37):
that's gonna come in to bringthem death.
Because he is in my mind.
He is Santa's a real thing.
I'm a real thing.
I think a lot of things happenbecause I'm santa, not because
I'm tony sure, or, yeah, whoeverelse.
Josh Porthouse (05:56):
now that I think interesting thing is, and the
powerful thing is, you've got alot of humanity to reconcile
with.
You know, it's not all goodness, it's not all necessarily
kindness.
I think everybody needs hope.
It seems to me that that's whatthe spirit of Christmas stands
(06:16):
for and gives people, despitewars, conflicts and all the sort
of negative aspects of humanitytoo.
How do you weigh against all ofthat?
Santa Claus (06:27):
It can be an ugly world, man, it doesn't matter
where you are.
But I mean, all I can say isthat there's no other time of
year that we're closer as humanbeings to each other than we are
during the Christmas holidaysand the season For whoever.
(06:50):
They're all pretty close to thesame dates, so we're
celebrating a lot of differentreligious and cultural holidays,
not just Christmas.
So I just think it's abeautiful thing.
I wish Christmas was everymonth, so we were nice to each
(07:12):
other all the time.
Josh Porthouse (07:13):
Yeah, that would be good.
And then with each differentcultural interpretation of the
legend and the lore and thespirit and the embodiment of the
season, what does that feellike to be, that kind of global
inspiration for change andpositivity and unity?
Santa Claus (07:32):
It fills my heart with joy.
There's no other way to say it.
It's the most wonderful thingthere is Other than the birth of
my children.
There's no better thing.
I wouldn't do anything else.
I'm Santa.
Josh Porthouse (07:48):
Yeah, let's talk , then, about that for a minute.
As Santa, as the inspiration,whether you're working with
people, helping to embody thespirit and get people involved,
or get people inspired, oryou're in your off time and
you're with palm trees, oryou're with family, or you're
doing whatever you do the restof the year.
(08:09):
How did it start for you?
Was it like?
You know, you got bullied as akid by other people and you're
like I'm going to stand up forgood, and it's this classic
underdog story, or what causedyou to take on this mantle and
maintain it as a calling.
Santa Claus (08:27):
I went through an injury that caused me to have to
file for disability and duringthat process I stopped shaving
for the first time ever.
And this happened my beard wasall big and giant and it came in
pretty white.
(08:48):
My only real source of joy atthe time was talking to my kids
and singing karaoke of allthings, and the lady at my local
vfw told me that I would make agood Santa if I got my beard
trimmed because I looked like amountain man at the time.
I had gone two years, I thinkat the time, without shaving.
(09:10):
So she said that her husbandput on the suit yearly and he
did a nursing home that took himabout three hours every year
and he was getting older.
He said that if I would helphim do that nursing home one
night, that he would let me havehis spare Santa suit, and I
thought what a great story totell the kids someday, the
(09:33):
grandkids someday, right.
So I went and got my beardtrimmed up and had a little
coloring done to it.
It wasn't completely white,naturally, but I put on the suit
and I looked like santa clausand a few really miraculous
things happened that convincedme that I could do this, and
(09:58):
I've been 110 percent ever sincethis is my eighth season in
Asco County.
I do a toy drive every year,but it started out as a
one-night trip to a nursing homeand my friend, he went into the
(10:18):
cafeteria where the ambulatorypatients were the patients that
are healthy enough to movearound and go in and have dinner
and joke around and stuff.
And I went room to room and I'mtelling you it was a very
natural thing for me for somereason.
I mean, it was naturally easy,but it was one of the most
(10:43):
emotionally difficult thingsI've ever done.
Josh Porthouse (10:46):
What do you mean ?
Santa Claus (10:48):
Well, because these people were in.
They're interned, they're in abed, they're not taking showers
every day, they're not gettingtheir hair done, they're not
getting their makeup, theirnails, Some of them are sick,
some of them are sleeping, someof them don't wanna be bothered,
but all the ones that did everysingle one of them, wanted
(11:12):
their picture with me, no matterwhat they looked like that
night.
It really made me understandthat there is a circle of life.
You start out as a child, youlearn, you grow and you
eventually become that childagain.
(11:34):
It's a beautiful thing because,from my point of view, I get to
see that child in that93-year-old lady.
That's a powerful moment.
Yeah, it's heartwarming andheartbreaking at the same time.
Speaker 4 (11:53):
All right, folks, sit tight and we'll be right back
on Transacting Value.
Announcement (11:56):
She didn't just visit the sick and poor, she
moved in with them.
It wasn't convenient and itwasn't pretty, but they needed
help.
Twelve more then joined thissaint of the gutters.
They were soon followed by over4,000 other nuns who gave
healing care in orphanages, aidshospices and charity centers.
(12:17):
Mother Teresa couldn't do itall, but she gave her all.
Compassion is in you.
Now pass it on from passitoncom.
Santa Claus (12:27):
Yeah, it's heartwarming and heartbreaking
at the same time.
Josh Porthouse (12:32):
Yeah, well, there's a lot of things.
Obviously we can't do this aswe get older, but those types of
memories, those types ofexperiences, the core sort of
moments, stick.
I mean, that kind of an impact,to have that kind of an
influence on somebody's life,doesn't happen every day,
especially for a lot of peopleit's all unwitting.
I mean that's a lot of powerand capability to have to
(12:56):
inspire people to that kind of alevel.
Santa Claus (12:58):
Yes, I try to be traditional in the sense that I
respect the character very much,but I'm also a fairly nice guy
even when I'm not in the suit,and that's a big change from
what I was when I was younger.
(13:21):
One of the reasons that I dowhat I do the way I do it is
because when I was young we hada fairly big family and at
Christmas time I was the oldestof eight kids and so there was
four kids in my family, fourkids in my mom's sister's family
(13:41):
.
So we had uncles, aunts, cousins, grandparents and great
grandparents, and I mean therewere five generations of my
family alive back then.
And at some point back then andat some point my four foot nine
(14:03):
redheaded great grandmother,joe, would go put on a Santa
suit and come in and thinkingback and being able to remember
that, knowing how ridiculous shelooked in that suit.
But we all felt special.
We all felt like, oh my gosh,our grandma knows Santa and
(14:24):
actually got him to come to herhouse to visit us and it made us
feel special.
And I remember, of course,being the oldest.
I remember one year thinking,wait a minute, santa's not four
foot nine.
I mean a lot of people have anidea of Santa from the movies
(14:49):
and my idea of Santa is morefrom the actual story.
Josh Porthouse (14:55):
So then, what is it about the story that
inspires you?
Santa Claus (15:00):
The fact that St Nicholas of Myra didn't search
out recognition, adulation,compensation.
He did it because he had a kindheart and it turned into a
fable, if you will, and atradition that I don't even know
(15:25):
how the first actual man put ona red suit with a white beard
and went in saying ho, ho, ho tokids.
But St Nicholas of Myra is theinspiration for Chris Kringle.
I mean, I've gotten to a pointnow where I'm kind of and I
don't want to sound atheisticalor crazy, because 2,000
(15:49):
followers on Facebook isn'tanything nowadays, but I don't
want to be viral Santa Claus onTikTok, and you know what I mean
I don't I'm not looking formonetary gain.
We'll say most of the money thatI collect for anything I do
(16:09):
goes into being able to do somegood, good things for people.
Like right now, I'm giving awaytwo PlayStation 5s to a couple
kids.
It started out as one, but Igot so many stories from so many
people that with the hurricanesand so many people have lost
(16:30):
everything, I broke down andbought another one.
So I'm going to give away two,yeah, cool.
Josh Porthouse (16:37):
You know there's operations like Operation Toy
Soldier, for example.
You mentioned the hurricaneshere in Florida.
Hurricane Helene and HurricaneMilton had a huge impact all
around the Gulf Coast andobviously up into the
southeastern region of thecountry.
Operation Toy Soldier is apretty sweet program.
People can donate toys and thengo to kids that lost everything
(16:58):
in the storm, for example.
What role do you see thosetypes of operations or those
types of opportunities having tocomplement the spirit of
Christmas at various other timesthroughout the year when
Christmas season is non-existent?
Santa Claus (17:15):
I support anybody that helps kids through any kind
of traumatic event.
The hurricane's impacted me too, and I'm doing everything I'm
doing this year out of one roomand totes.
So I get it.
I understand what people aregoing through and a lot of these
(17:36):
things that I'm doing now arereally taking kids' and parents'
minds off of all the traumathat's been going on for the
past couple months.
The toys for tots, the toys forwhat?
Did you mention?
Toys for toy soldiers?
Operation Toy Soldier yeah,places like that, those are
501c3s.
(17:57):
They're big, they're organized,they get toys to a lot of kids.
I support them 100%.
My father was a Marine, so Toysfor Tots great.
I do my own toy drive in town,but I do it at places that don't
have a Toys for Tots box.
Josh Porthouse (18:16):
You've basically got your own toy drive
worldwide.
Santa Claus (18:19):
Well, yeah, as Santa, yes, I do, yes, I do,
yeah, and I'll be seeingeverybody soon.
Josh Porthouse (18:27):
Yeah, well, and that's something else too, right
, because we talked about kidsand we talked about toys, but
when it comes to hope, I meanthat brings people purpose and
clarity and awareness andidentity and worth all around
the world.
So what recommendations do youhave or can you think of to help
spread that reach a little bitfurther, because you can't wrap
(18:50):
it in a box?
Santa Claus (18:51):
A little goes a long way.
Giving a little gives you a lot.
Speaker 4 (18:59):
Alrighty, folks sit tight, We'll be right back on
Transacting Value.
Josh Porthouse (19:04):
Alrighty folks, if you're looking for more
perspective and more podcasts,you can check out Transacting
Value on Reads Across AmericaRadio.
Listen in on iHeartRadio,odyssey and TuneIn.
Santa Claus (19:16):
A little goes a long way.
Giving a little gives you a lot.
I found out when I was goingthrough my depressing mood that
I was in for a few years thatstarted all this.
I found out that helping otherpeople helped me more than it
(19:37):
was actually helping them,because I felt better about
myself, and if you don't dothings that make yourself feel
good about yourself, it's hardto help anybody else get that
same feeling for themselves.
I struggle with self-confidence, but when I'm in that suit, I'm
(20:00):
the man, I'm the number oneperson in the room.
It's hard to explain.
It really is.
It's hard to explain.
There's a lot of people thatput on that suit that do it for
the wrong reasons.
I hope that people understandthat I'm not one of those guys.
Josh Porthouse (20:16):
Well, that's sort of the extent of humanity,
I think.
You know people do things fordifferent reasons but despite
good, bad or different, I thinkat least maybe a minimum at the
end of the day, if it'sinspiring people to be better or
have some degree of identity ordepth in their relationships
you know, unity in theirfamilies, I mean, that's an
(20:39):
incomparable ability to inspireand help somebody's, will grow.
I mean, like we talked aboutwar zones earlier, most of my
career has been in the MarineCorps infantry and places where
I've gone are not places wherepeople would want to be on a
regular basis, but people stilllive there, kids still grow up
there, families still try toraise and educate and empower
(21:02):
and encourage the nextgeneration of whatever potential
they have, with whatevercapability they have.
And in some cases, in somecountries, like over the last 20
years or over the last 50 years, they've been at war the entire
time.
Yeah, so I think even in thosedarker moments of people trying
to not necessarily causeproblems but inadvertently
(21:25):
stirring up conflict or causingwars in whatever sense, there's
still a way to shine a lightthere.
Santa Claus (21:32):
I believe that and I believe that war is caused by
money, not by angry people.
I think that being kind is alot like yawning.
When you see somebody dosomething kind, it makes you
want to do it.
You can see when somebody doessomething nice for somebody, you
(21:56):
can see it in that person'sface that did the nice thing.
You can see it what theirpayoff is.
And it's infective and it'saffective Giving is way better
(22:20):
than receiving a monetary or aphysical thing.
Josh Porthouse (22:21):
Well, so let me ask you this then the giving is
sort of the offense, it's sortof the pre-impact of the present
moment, right, the action, Isuppose, of the present moment.
Gratitude, I think, is thepost-action of the present
moment.
You know, you appreciate whatyou got, or the sentiment or
(22:41):
whatever, but I think gratitudeand appreciation are very
closely related, but not thesame.
I think gratitude is what youdo about it Right, and they're
both immediate reactions.
Santa Claus (22:54):
Yeah, when you do something for somebody that
appreciates it, they don'trealize that they appreciate it
12 hours later.
You see, they appreciate itright then.
And giving doesn't have to be atangible object.
I can smile at a kid andthey're.
A lot of times their parentsdon't even realize that their
(23:16):
kid's noticing me as santa,because when I'm not in that
suit I look like just someregular guy with a white beard
running around town.
And there's a lot of us whitebearded guys running around town
.
Josh Porthouse (23:33):
You're right, but I wouldn't know it until the
season.
It's like you guys just migrateand come out of thin air.
Santa Claus (23:39):
Well, a lot of us are on disability, a lot of us
have a Mrs Claus that keeps usat home because we like staying
married and we like thosechocolate chip cookies yeah, I
bet, I bet.
Josh Porthouse (23:57):
Well, let me ask you this then, when we're
talking about cookies, what elsedo you like?
You can't be a one trick, kindof reindeer, right?
So chocolate chips, cool, butwhat are your other preferences?
What do you like?
Santa Claus (24:09):
I don't like anything with soft icing that
can get in my white fur.
Yeah, that makes sense.
I'm not a huge fan of coconutor raisins in my cookies,
although I do like coconut andraisins in other things my
(24:30):
cookies.
Although I do like coconut andraisins and other things, I like
chocolate chip and chocolatechip.
That's pretty much my favorite.
No, how can you release achocolate chip cookie and a nice
glass?
Josh Porthouse (24:39):
of cold milk absolutely so.
Other cultures, other placesaround the world have all sorts
of festivals and markets and itbecomes a big physical thing
occupying a physical space.
Other places don't.
I mean, there's the treelighting in New York and
(25:00):
Manhattan and there's all sortsof events on the water to light
a tree.
Where did that come from?
Santa Claus (25:08):
all sorts of like events.
On the water light a tree.
Where did that come from?
I think it was.
It's just one of those thingsthat that's how tradition
becomes tradition.
You know it started off with,probably and this is another
thing I need to start looking upin you know more, doing a
little more research about theactual origins of Christmas,
because I know the origins ofSanta Claus, but I don't.
(25:31):
I haven't really studied a lotof the origins of Christmas and
how.
Why the tree is is the tree?
Why is the Christmas tree thatkind of tree?
Why do we decorate it the waywe decorate it?
Why you don't?
I don't have all thatinformation because, honestly,
even after seven years, I stillcan't believe this is happening
(25:55):
to me.
So I'm learning.
Josh Porthouse (26:00):
I'm learning every day but okay, so let's
pivot a little bit.
Then we talked about differenttraditions, we talked about
things around the world and,obviously, the impact you've had
or could have on people and thespirit of Christmas as a result
.
But plenty of people get intodark places during the holidays
too.
They can't go home becausethey're deployed or estranged
(26:20):
from their children, or theyjust happen to be alone, or
they're in prison or all sortsof circumstances where the
holidays and seeing peopleexperience that kind of joy has
a negative effect and pushesthem further.
Right, what are your opinionson trying to help recognize or
support, empower those people?
(26:42):
What role does identityactually have during this season
?
Santa Claus (26:46):
Well, I wish I had those kind of answers.
I'd be in a different line ofwork.
It's an ebb and a flow.
It's a yin and a yang.
If you don't have evil, thengood isn't as good.
It doesn't make sense, but itis what it is.
And when people are out there,a lot of times the holiday
(27:10):
season brings people down lowerthan they normally are, because
they know they're supposed to behappy.
They just don't know how to be.
Or they're in a position wherethey can't be like in prison, or
they're in a position wherethey can't be like in prison, or
, you know, there's a lot ofpeople around the world that
don't celebrate any kind ofChristmas-style holiday.
(27:33):
Yeah, like I said, if I hadthose kind of answers, I'd be a
professor somewhere.
All right, folks, stay tightand we'll be right back on
Transacting Value.
Announcement (27:50):
This message is from the US Department of
Veterans Affairs.
The US-Vietnam WarCommemoration honors the service
, valor and sacrifice of thosewho served during the Vietnam
War.
It also thanks the 7 millionliving Vietnam veterans and the
(28:12):
families of all 10 million whoserved from 1955 to 1975.
More than 3 million of the 7million veterans have been
thanked by friends and neighborsin thousands of ceremonies, but
more must be recognized.
Help reach Vietnam veterans inyour families and neighborhoods,
especially those living aloneor in care facilities.
They deserve to know thatthey've earned the nation's
deepest gratitude and humblethanks.
(28:33):
Visit VietnamWar50th.
com for more information.
Santa Claus (28:51):
Like I said, if I had those kind of answers I'd be
a professor somewhere.
Josh Porthouse (28:53):
I think you may be shortchanging your role To be
somebody that everybody looksat or gains inspiration from.
You may not have a collegiatecertification, but I think
you're creeping pretty close onan honorary degree.
That's nice to hear, Nothingelse you know after 1,400 years,
you're creeping pretty close onan honorary degree.
That's nice to hear.
Nothing else After 1,400 yearsyou've got tenure.
(29:17):
I do have background.
Something else that'sinteresting you just brought up
as well that I think can serveto sort of empower, maybe even
better decisions, let alone justdialogue and inquiry, and some
degree of dignity or humanity inrelationships.
I don't know that this is aswidely published or publicized,
but when you get into theDepartment of Defense and you're
(29:40):
an active duty service memberor you're a first responder in
the private sector, when you'rein uniform, you voluntarily give
up your freedom of speech.
You voluntarily give up yourfreedom or your right to
peaceable assembly.
You cannot fill the samesocietal role or space that you
(30:01):
could otherwise outside ofuniform or off of active duty or
whatever applies right RightGoing to prison, for example.
You also essentially waive yourright to joy.
You can't go out and inspireyourself to feel better.
You're stuck in the bottom ofwhatever that mental emotional
(30:23):
state is, and then your life,unless you find a way to make
peace with it, runs on fear andhate and prejudice and bias, and
so, at least initially gettinginto those positions maybe
regret, depression, loneliness,futility.
You start to have this poornegativity that's difficult to
(30:44):
come back from.
I mean, it's an uphillchallenge and there's plenty of
veterans.
It's an uphill challenge andthere's plenty of veterans,
there's plenty of servicemembers, first responders,
convicts that find ways to copethat are not productive, they're
not good, they're not positive,but I think that's a lot to
reason.
That nucleus just festers and Ithink, unfortunately, with a
long enough time and exposure toit, you get physically ill.
(31:05):
It actually manifests to yourdetriment.
Unfortunately, with a longenough time and exposure to it,
you get physically ill.
Oh yeah, it actually manifeststo your detriment.
So how do we manage?
it.
Santa Claus (31:14):
I know a few EMTs and first responders and such.
I know quite a lot.
Most of my family are veterans,most of my family are veterans
and I know a few veterans thathave come home with issues that
they would rather not have and alot of times would rather not
(31:36):
talk about.
It's so hard because I didn'tget to experience what they
experienced.
But I can tell you that I canidentify with a little bit of it
because for seven or eightweeks, six or seven weeks a year
, I'm the most iconic characterperson on the planet.
(32:02):
I mean, I'm Santa Claus and onDecember 26th, on Tony again and
that's a long, hard fallemotionally and psychologically
and we actually have somethingthat we call post-season
(32:24):
depression and I'm sure thatsome of that is part of PTSD.
And I'm not trying to say thatI have PTSD, but what I'm saying
is like being in a uniform andbeing that hero character,
saving lives and seeing peopleat their worst and helping and
(32:45):
all that, all the things thatpeople in uniform experience.
Some of that has to be thatfall to just being Jim again.
Josh Porthouse (32:57):
Yeah, yeah.
When identities and rolesmisalign, the floor falls out.
Yeah, at least temporarily,right.
So what kinds of things do youdo to build back.
Santa Claus (33:10):
I try to do something at least twice a month
Santa-ish, even during the offseason.
So I still feel that in myheart.
I like being recognized in mycommunity as Santa, even though
as Tony, I think I wouldprobably be standing across the
(33:32):
street thinking, wow, that's thecrazy guy that thinks he's
Santa Claus, you know.
Josh Porthouse (33:39):
Yeah, out there in your reindeer board shorts
and flip-flops, right yeah, sobuilding some of these things
back.
You said twice a month, tryingto do something santa ish, and I
assume over the millions ofpeople around the world who are
also trying to embody thecharacter and the legend and the
inspiration everybody's gottheir own flavor.
But are you talking about youand the missus making chocolate
(34:01):
chip cookies together, and it'san intimate kind of thing, or
are you talking about out inpublic, you know, you and the
reindeer at a petting zoo, likewhat's the extent of the Santa
ish?
Santa Claus (34:12):
I'm in a lot of local Facebook groups and I I
like to watch for a single momor something struggling and I'll
anonymously help them out.
I see, I'll go to a restaurantand throw a 50% tip down.
I try to do little things thatmake a difference to people.
(34:38):
I'm not changing their lives,but it's little things to make
them smile.
I like for people to know thatthere are good people out there
still, because there's a lot ofreally bad things going on in
the world today.
Josh Porthouse (34:54):
Well, you know you may be shortchanging your
efforts there too, because itsounds to me like you are
changing people's lives.
You know it may not be monetary, it may not be physical, but at
least, like what Sun Tzu saidin the Art of War, if you win
the will, you win the war.
And it directly impacts the waysomebody views the world, at
least in that moment, and 10years later, maybe the rest of
(35:17):
their life moving forwardbecause of it.
Santa Claus (35:19):
Well, I have had quite a few people tell me that
you know, oh, what you did lastnight.
You know I'll remember for therest of my life, or my child
won't ever forget this.
Or you know you're my hero.
I've heard that kind of stuff.
But you know 90% of what I do.
I never hear what happenedBecause I don't look for credit
(35:44):
in it as much, so a lot of it.
You know they'll sharesomething to their own Facebook
page about me Because I don'tlook for credit in it as much,
so a lot of it.
They'll share something totheir own Facebook page about me
.
I won't even hear from themuntil the next year and they'll
tell me oh my God, greatestpictures, greatest experience
last year, and then the same.
I'll hear it next year.
I've got eight-year-old kidsnow that have never known
(36:05):
anybody but me as Santa and Ithink it's awesome, but I also I
don't really know him because Idon't see that.
You know people don't like sendme the pictures they take, you
know, and I don't see what theysee when I come into the room
and interact with their families, you know, even if they're
(36:28):
taking a video or just theirmemory.
I don't have that.
I see what I saw and I have mymemory and it's awesome, but I
always leave a house or an eventthinking I hope they believe me
.
Josh Porthouse (36:44):
Well, even if they didn't, in the moment, the
amount of inspiration that youput in, they at least believe in
you, and that's probably one ofthe best things anybody could
hope for.
Santa Claus (36:59):
A lot of people say if I can change one person's
life, I'll be a happy man.
I've accomplished that, andthen some.
Josh Porthouse (37:08):
Well, I guess then, for the sake of time, the
only other thing I can say iscongratulations.
Santa Claus (37:13):
Thanks, it was a pleasure talking to you, josh.
Josh Porthouse (37:16):
You as well.
You as well.
I know you've got a lot to getback to and you're extremely
busy right now, but thank youfor coming on and talking a
little bit and hanging out andjust being present instead of
giving presence.
The only other question I havefor you, then, is for anybody
even here locally or that wantsto find you digitally online
(37:37):
where do people go?
Santa Claus (37:39):
I'm almost worried that I'll outgrow my ability,
but i'm'm Santa in Pasco onFacebook.
I don't really use any othersocial media.
Josh Porthouse (37:52):
Okay, Well, for anybody else who's new to this
show, you can click see more.
You can click show more,depending on the player.
You're streaming thisconversation on and in the
drop-down description you'll seea link and you can follow along
and maybe one day send Santasome feedback about how he's
doing.
Santa Claus (38:10):
That'd be awesome.
Josh Porthouse (38:11):
This was good, this was fun and hopefully we
can talk again next year.
Santa Claus (38:15):
I hope it turned into the interview you were
expecting, because I don't thinkit did.
Josh Porthouse (38:22):
That's okay.
Well, it's like you said younever really know until you put
it out, and then we see where itgoes.
Santa Claus (38:27):
That's how the the entire story got moving it's
hard for me to be like incharacter.
Even when I'm in the suit.
I don't use the the santa voiceand all that.
I use my own voice most of thetime, unless you know.
If somebody needs a ho ho ho, Igot one.
You know.
If somebody needs a ho-ho-ho, Igot one.
You know what I mean.
But I'm a traditional-lookingSanta Claus, but I am far from a
(38:53):
traditional-acting Santa Claus.
Josh Porthouse (38:56):
Like you said, it's all about embodying the
spirit and empowering people todo the same, and that's what
makes the difference.
Santa Claus (39:04):
If it's not fun for me, it won't be fun for them.
Josh Porthouse (39:08):
Absolutely Well.
The last thing I'll say, then,to everybody else who's been
listening to this conversationwhen you go to our homepage and
you want to listen to any of ourother conversations, you can do
it thereTransactingValuePodcastcom.
On the homepage there's abutton on the top right that
says leave a voicemail Twominutes Talk.
There's a button on the topright that says leave a
voicemail Two minutes Talk.
Time's all yours.
Let us know what you think ofthe show.
(39:29):
Let us know what you thinkabout the topics, the guests, my
style, my questions, whateveryou prefer.
But you can also leave an audiofile for Santa.
Let him know what you think.
Give him some feedback.
Let him know how he's doing,let him know places where he's
been.
Maybe you're one of theeight-year-olds that you saw
when you were four.
Let him know how you're doing.
You know, that sort ofreciprocated feedback helps
(39:53):
create a degree of positivity inthe world, and that's what
changes everything.
So please go there, check itout, let us know what you think,
and otherwise we'll continue tokeep putting out content that
you guys enjoy, hopefully withenough context that you guys get
something out of.
But until next time, that wasTransacting Value.
Thank you to our show partnersand folks.
(40:15):
Thank you for tuning in andappreciating our value as we all
grow through life together.
To check out our otherconversations or even to
contribute through feedbackfollows time, money or talent
and to let us know what youthink of the show, please leave
a review on our website,transactingvaluepodcastcom.
We also stream new episodesevery Monday at 9 am Eastern
(40:35):
Standard Time through all ofyour favorite podcasting
platforms like Spotify, iheartand TuneIn.
You can now hear TransactingValue on Reads Across America
Radio Eastern Standard Time,wednesdays at 5 pm, sundays at
noon and Thursdays at 1 am.
Head to wreathsacrossamericaorg.
(41:02):
Slash transactingvalue tosponsor a w clarity and purpose,
ensure social tranquility andsecure the blessings of liberty
or individual sovereignty ofcharacter for yourselves and
your posterity.
We will continue instigatingself-worth and we'll meet you
there.
Until next time, that wasTransacting Value.
The views expressed in this podcast are
solely those of the podcast hostand guest and do not
necessarily represent those ofour distribution partners,
supporting businessrelationships or supported
audience.
Welcome to Transacting Value,where we talk about practical
applications for instigatingself-worth when dealing with
(00:23):
each other and even withinourselves, when we foster a
podcast listening experiencethat lets you hear the power of
a value system for managingburnout, establishing boundaries
, fostering community andfinding identity.
My name is Josh Porthouse, I'myour host and we are redefining
sovereignty of character.
This is why values still holdvalue.
This is Transacting Value.
Santa Claus (00:47):
I found out that helping other people helped me
more than it was actuallyhelping them, because I felt
better about myself, and if youdon't do things that make
yourself feel good aboutyourself, it's hard to help
anybody else.
Josh Porthouse (01:06):
Today on Transacting Value.
What impact can identity haveduring the Christmas season?
And, maybe more importantly,how do you know you've even been
a good boy or a good girl theentire season, or maybe the
entire year, for our annualChristmas special?
Please welcome our honoredguest, who made time in his busy
schedule to enhance and inspirehumanity around the world.
(01:27):
You may know him as KrisKringle, papa Noel.
I call him Santa Claus.
My name is Josh Portals, I'myour host and from SDYT Media.
This is Transacting Value,santa.
Welcome to the show.
Santa Claus (01:43):
Ho, ho ho.
How are you, josh?
Nice to be here.
Josh Porthouse (01:46):
I appreciate you taking time, especially right
now.
We're so close to the holidays.
I can only imagine your elvesand the shift work, and
everything you're trying tomanage is just chaos.
Santa Claus (01:57):
We have a well-oiled machine in process.
I have a few minutes I can takeout for a good cause.
Josh Porthouse (02:06):
Yeah, I appreciate that, and I guess
you've had a couple hundred or acouple thousand runs at this by
now.
So you guys are essentiallyprofessionals.
Santa Claus (02:13):
Exactly.
Yeah, we bring on the new folksnow and then, but they're
well-trained and, like I said,it's a well-oiled machine.
Josh Porthouse (02:22):
Sure, so let's do this for a little bit of
resonance here, if you want totake the next couple minutes.
What is life like as SantaClaus?
The whole world knows you andnobody gets to know you?
Santa Claus (02:35):
That's kind of a hard question to answer.
To be honest, it's a calling.
There's no other way todescribe it.
In my case, that could be atotally different case for
another gentleman donning thered suit.
In my case, it's something thatI was called to do.
(02:56):
You could actually do it withthat nice beard you have.
You've obviously got the beard.
You've got the heart for it.
It's an idea.
The character representskindness, generosity and hope
and family and values andtradition.
(03:18):
As one of the people that'shonored enough to be able to
wear this suit and actually bebelievable in character and I'm
in character pretty much allyear, even though I live in
Florida when I'm not working atthe North pole Nice, it is
(03:41):
snowbird season that it is.
We've got a lot of traffic.
Thankfully I have a sleigh.
Josh Porthouse (03:48):
There you go.
Yeah, I imagine there's a fairamount of coordination now with
the Aviation Administration andthe Strait Goose every now and
again, but traffic can't be nearas bad up there as it is down
here.
No, no, no, it's not.
No, no, no, it's not.
So that's good.
Now you've become sort of alegend in your own right.
I mean, you grew up as a littleboy in a village, living life,
(04:13):
and now you have inspired theworld over as sort of lore and
legend and, like you said, thespirit of Christmas, that's a
lofty weight on your shoulders.
How's that feel?
Santa Claus (04:27):
It's not really a weight, it's a pleasure, it's an
honor, it's a privilege.
St Nicholas of Myra was born toa wealthy family and he
(04:51):
actually dropped gold intostockings of young ladies in a
village that he lived in becausethe parents didn't have a dowry
.
He was being generous to themwithout letting anybody know it,
and that's what the spirit ofSt Nicholas, santa Claus, papa
Noel, that's what the spirit ofSanta Claus is.
People like me portray thatspirit.
(05:11):
Santa Claus is a 1400 and someodd year old man and his spirit
lives through me in that suit.
He lives through every kid ofall ages that smiles at me when
I look at them, that he getsexcited Christmas morning.
Everybody that's not afraid tolook into the sky and I believe
(05:37):
that's gonna come in to bringthem death.
Because he is in my mind.
He is Santa's a real thing.
I'm a real thing.
I think a lot of things happenbecause I'm santa, not because
I'm tony sure, or, yeah, whoeverelse.
Josh Porthouse (05:56):
now that I think interesting thing is, and the
powerful thing is, you've got alot of humanity to reconcile
with.
You know, it's not all goodness, it's not all necessarily
kindness.
I think everybody needs hope.
It seems to me that that's whatthe spirit of Christmas stands
(06:16):
for and gives people, despitewars, conflicts and all the sort
of negative aspects of humanitytoo.
How do you weigh against all ofthat?
Santa Claus (06:27):
It can be an ugly world, man, it doesn't matter
where you are.
But I mean, all I can say isthat there's no other time of
year that we're closer as humanbeings to each other than we are
during the Christmas holidaysand the season For whoever.
(06:50):
They're all pretty close to thesame dates, so we're
celebrating a lot of differentreligious and cultural holidays,
not just Christmas.
So I just think it's abeautiful thing.
I wish Christmas was everymonth, so we were nice to each
(07:12):
other all the time.
Josh Porthouse (07:13):
Yeah, that would be good.
And then with each differentcultural interpretation of the
legend and the lore and thespirit and the embodiment of the
season, what does that feellike to be, that kind of global
inspiration for change andpositivity and unity?
Santa Claus (07:32):
It fills my heart with joy.
There's no other way to say it.
It's the most wonderful thingthere is Other than the birth of
my children.
There's no better thing.
I wouldn't do anything else.
I'm Santa.
Josh Porthouse (07:48):
Yeah, let's talk , then, about that for a minute.
As Santa, as the inspiration,whether you're working with
people, helping to embody thespirit and get people involved,
or get people inspired, oryou're in your off time and
you're with palm trees, oryou're with family, or you're
doing whatever you do the restof the year.
(08:09):
How did it start for you?
Was it like?
You know, you got bullied as akid by other people and you're
like I'm going to stand up forgood, and it's this classic
underdog story, or what causedyou to take on this mantle and
maintain it as a calling.
Santa Claus (08:27):
I went through an injury that caused me to have to
file for disability and duringthat process I stopped shaving
for the first time ever.
And this happened my beard wasall big and giant and it came in
pretty white.
(08:48):
My only real source of joy atthe time was talking to my kids
and singing karaoke of allthings, and the lady at my local
vfw told me that I would make agood Santa if I got my beard
trimmed because I looked like amountain man at the time.
I had gone two years, I thinkat the time, without shaving.
(09:10):
So she said that her husbandput on the suit yearly and he
did a nursing home that took himabout three hours every year
and he was getting older.
He said that if I would helphim do that nursing home one
night, that he would let me havehis spare Santa suit, and I
thought what a great story totell the kids someday, the
(09:33):
grandkids someday, right.
So I went and got my beardtrimmed up and had a little
coloring done to it.
It wasn't completely white,naturally, but I put on the suit
and I looked like santa clausand a few really miraculous
things happened that convincedme that I could do this, and
(09:58):
I've been 110 percent ever sincethis is my eighth season in
Asco County.
I do a toy drive every year,but it started out as a
one-night trip to a nursing homeand my friend, he went into the
(10:18):
cafeteria where the ambulatorypatients were the patients that
are healthy enough to movearound and go in and have dinner
and joke around and stuff.
And I went room to room and I'mtelling you it was a very
natural thing for me for somereason.
I mean, it was naturally easy,but it was one of the most
(10:43):
emotionally difficult thingsI've ever done.
Josh Porthouse (10:46):
What do you mean ?
Santa Claus (10:48):
Well, because these people were in.
They're interned, they're in abed, they're not taking showers
every day, they're not gettingtheir hair done, they're not
getting their makeup, theirnails, Some of them are sick,
some of them are sleeping, someof them don't wanna be bothered,
but all the ones that did everysingle one of them, wanted
(11:12):
their picture with me, no matterwhat they looked like that
night.
It really made me understandthat there is a circle of life.
You start out as a child, youlearn, you grow and you
eventually become that childagain.
(11:34):
It's a beautiful thing because,from my point of view, I get to
see that child in that93-year-old lady.
That's a powerful moment.
Yeah, it's heartwarming andheartbreaking at the same time.
Speaker 4 (11:53):
All right, folks, sit tight and we'll be right back
on Transacting Value.
Announcement (11:56):
She didn't just visit the sick and poor, she
moved in with them.
It wasn't convenient and itwasn't pretty, but they needed
help.
Twelve more then joined thissaint of the gutters.
They were soon followed by over4,000 other nuns who gave
healing care in orphanages, aidshospices and charity centers.
(12:17):
Mother Teresa couldn't do itall, but she gave her all.
Compassion is in you.
Now pass it on from passitoncom.
Santa Claus (12:27):
Yeah, it's heartwarming and heartbreaking
at the same time.
Josh Porthouse (12:32):
Yeah, well, there's a lot of things.
Obviously we can't do this aswe get older, but those types of
memories, those types ofexperiences, the core sort of
moments, stick.
I mean, that kind of an impact,to have that kind of an
influence on somebody's life,doesn't happen every day,
especially for a lot of peopleit's all unwitting.
I mean that's a lot of powerand capability to have to
(12:56):
inspire people to that kind of alevel.
Santa Claus (12:58):
Yes, I try to be traditional in the sense that I
respect the character very much,but I'm also a fairly nice guy
even when I'm not in the suit,and that's a big change from
what I was when I was younger.
(13:21):
One of the reasons that I dowhat I do the way I do it is
because when I was young we hada fairly big family and at
Christmas time I was the oldestof eight kids and so there was
four kids in my family, fourkids in my mom's sister's family
(13:41):
.
So we had uncles, aunts, cousins, grandparents and great
grandparents, and I mean therewere five generations of my
family alive back then.
And at some point back then andat some point my four foot nine
(14:03):
redheaded great grandmother,joe, would go put on a Santa
suit and come in and thinkingback and being able to remember
that, knowing how ridiculous shelooked in that suit.
But we all felt special.
We all felt like, oh my gosh,our grandma knows Santa and
(14:24):
actually got him to come to herhouse to visit us and it made us
feel special.
And I remember, of course,being the oldest.
I remember one year thinking,wait a minute, santa's not four
foot nine.
I mean a lot of people have anidea of Santa from the movies
(14:49):
and my idea of Santa is morefrom the actual story.
Josh Porthouse (14:55):
So then, what is it about the story that
inspires you?
Santa Claus (15:00):
The fact that St Nicholas of Myra didn't search
out recognition, adulation,compensation.
He did it because he had a kindheart and it turned into a
fable, if you will, and atradition that I don't even know
(15:25):
how the first actual man put ona red suit with a white beard
and went in saying ho, ho, ho tokids.
But St Nicholas of Myra is theinspiration for Chris Kringle.
I mean, I've gotten to a pointnow where I'm kind of and I
don't want to sound atheisticalor crazy, because 2,000
(15:49):
followers on Facebook isn'tanything nowadays, but I don't
want to be viral Santa Claus onTikTok, and you know what I mean
I don't I'm not looking formonetary gain.
We'll say most of the money thatI collect for anything I do
(16:09):
goes into being able to do somegood, good things for people.
Like right now, I'm giving awaytwo PlayStation 5s to a couple
kids.
It started out as one, but Igot so many stories from so many
people that with the hurricanesand so many people have lost
(16:30):
everything, I broke down andbought another one.
So I'm going to give away two,yeah, cool.
Josh Porthouse (16:37):
You know there's operations like Operation Toy
Soldier, for example.
You mentioned the hurricaneshere in Florida.
Hurricane Helene and HurricaneMilton had a huge impact all
around the Gulf Coast andobviously up into the
southeastern region of thecountry.
Operation Toy Soldier is apretty sweet program.
People can donate toys and thengo to kids that lost everything
(16:58):
in the storm, for example.
What role do you see thosetypes of operations or those
types of opportunities having tocomplement the spirit of
Christmas at various other timesthroughout the year when
Christmas season is non-existent?
Santa Claus (17:15):
I support anybody that helps kids through any kind
of traumatic event.
The hurricane's impacted me too, and I'm doing everything I'm
doing this year out of one roomand totes.
So I get it.
I understand what people aregoing through and a lot of these
(17:36):
things that I'm doing now arereally taking kids' and parents'
minds off of all the traumathat's been going on for the
past couple months.
The toys for tots, the toys forwhat?
Did you mention?
Toys for toy soldiers?
Operation Toy Soldier yeah,places like that, those are
501c3s.
(17:57):
They're big, they're organized,they get toys to a lot of kids.
I support them 100%.
My father was a Marine, so Toysfor Tots great.
I do my own toy drive in town,but I do it at places that don't
have a Toys for Tots box.
Josh Porthouse (18:16):
You've basically got your own toy drive
worldwide.
Santa Claus (18:19):
Well, yeah, as Santa, yes, I do, yes, I do,
yeah, and I'll be seeingeverybody soon.
Josh Porthouse (18:27):
Yeah, well, and that's something else too, right
, because we talked about kidsand we talked about toys, but
when it comes to hope, I meanthat brings people purpose and
clarity and awareness andidentity and worth all around
the world.
So what recommendations do youhave or can you think of to help
spread that reach a little bitfurther, because you can't wrap
(18:50):
it in a box?
Santa Claus (18:51):
A little goes a long way.
Giving a little gives you a lot.
Speaker 4 (18:59):
Alrighty, folks sit tight, We'll be right back on
Transacting Value.
Josh Porthouse (19:04):
Alrighty folks, if you're looking for more
perspective and more podcasts,you can check out Transacting
Value on Reads Across AmericaRadio.
Listen in on iHeartRadio,odyssey and TuneIn.
Santa Claus (19:16):
A little goes a long way.
Giving a little gives you a lot.
I found out when I was goingthrough my depressing mood that
I was in for a few years thatstarted all this.
I found out that helping otherpeople helped me more than it
(19:37):
was actually helping them,because I felt better about
myself, and if you don't dothings that make yourself feel
good about yourself, it's hardto help anybody else get that
same feeling for themselves.
I struggle with self-confidence, but when I'm in that suit, I'm
(20:00):
the man, I'm the number oneperson in the room.
It's hard to explain.
It really is.
It's hard to explain.
There's a lot of people thatput on that suit that do it for
the wrong reasons.
I hope that people understandthat I'm not one of those guys.
Josh Porthouse (20:16):
Well, that's sort of the extent of humanity,
I think.
You know people do things fordifferent reasons but despite
good, bad or different, I thinkat least maybe a minimum at the
end of the day, if it'sinspiring people to be better or
have some degree of identity ordepth in their relationships
you know, unity in theirfamilies, I mean, that's an
(20:39):
incomparable ability to inspireand help somebody's, will grow.
I mean, like we talked aboutwar zones earlier, most of my
career has been in the MarineCorps infantry and places where
I've gone are not places wherepeople would want to be on a
regular basis, but people stilllive there, kids still grow up
there, families still try toraise and educate and empower
(21:02):
and encourage the nextgeneration of whatever potential
they have, with whatevercapability they have.
And in some cases, in somecountries, like over the last 20
years or over the last 50 years, they've been at war the entire
time.
Yeah, so I think even in thosedarker moments of people trying
to not necessarily causeproblems but inadvertently
(21:25):
stirring up conflict or causingwars in whatever sense, there's
still a way to shine a lightthere.
Santa Claus (21:32):
I believe that and I believe that war is caused by
money, not by angry people.
I think that being kind is alot like yawning.
When you see somebody dosomething kind, it makes you
want to do it.
You can see when somebody doessomething nice for somebody, you
(21:56):
can see it in that person'sface that did the nice thing.
You can see it what theirpayoff is.
And it's infective and it'saffective Giving is way better
(22:20):
than receiving a monetary or aphysical thing.
Josh Porthouse (22:21):
Well, so let me ask you this then the giving is
sort of the offense, it's sortof the pre-impact of the present
moment, right, the action, Isuppose, of the present moment.
Gratitude, I think, is thepost-action of the present
moment.
You know, you appreciate whatyou got, or the sentiment or
(22:41):
whatever, but I think gratitudeand appreciation are very
closely related, but not thesame.
I think gratitude is what youdo about it Right, and they're
both immediate reactions.
Santa Claus (22:54):
Yeah, when you do something for somebody that
appreciates it, they don'trealize that they appreciate it
12 hours later.
You see, they appreciate itright then.
And giving doesn't have to be atangible object.
I can smile at a kid andthey're.
A lot of times their parentsdon't even realize that their
(23:16):
kid's noticing me as santa,because when I'm not in that
suit I look like just someregular guy with a white beard
running around town.
And there's a lot of us whitebearded guys running around town
.
Josh Porthouse (23:33):
You're right, but I wouldn't know it until the
season.
It's like you guys just migrateand come out of thin air.
Santa Claus (23:39):
Well, a lot of us are on disability, a lot of us
have a Mrs Claus that keeps usat home because we like staying
married and we like thosechocolate chip cookies yeah, I
bet, I bet.
Josh Porthouse (23:57):
Well, let me ask you this then, when we're
talking about cookies, what elsedo you like?
You can't be a one trick, kindof reindeer, right?
So chocolate chips, cool, butwhat are your other preferences?
What do you like?
Santa Claus (24:09):
I don't like anything with soft icing that
can get in my white fur.
Yeah, that makes sense.
I'm not a huge fan of coconutor raisins in my cookies,
although I do like coconut andraisins in other things my
(24:30):
cookies.
Although I do like coconut andraisins and other things, I like
chocolate chip and chocolatechip.
That's pretty much my favorite.
No, how can you release achocolate chip cookie and a nice
glass?
Josh Porthouse (24:39):
of cold milk absolutely so.
Other cultures, other placesaround the world have all sorts
of festivals and markets and itbecomes a big physical thing
occupying a physical space.
Other places don't.
I mean, there's the treelighting in New York and
(25:00):
Manhattan and there's all sortsof events on the water to light
a tree.
Where did that come from?
Santa Claus (25:08):
all sorts of like events.
On the water light a tree.
Where did that come from?
I think it was.
It's just one of those thingsthat that's how tradition
becomes tradition.
You know it started off with,probably and this is another
thing I need to start looking upin you know more, doing a
little more research about theactual origins of Christmas,
because I know the origins ofSanta Claus, but I don't.
(25:31):
I haven't really studied a lotof the origins of Christmas and
how.
Why the tree is is the tree?
Why is the Christmas tree thatkind of tree?
Why do we decorate it the waywe decorate it?
Why you don't?
I don't have all thatinformation because, honestly,
even after seven years, I stillcan't believe this is happening
(25:55):
to me.
So I'm learning.
Josh Porthouse (26:00):
I'm learning every day but okay, so let's
pivot a little bit.
Then we talked about differenttraditions, we talked about
things around the world and,obviously, the impact you've had
or could have on people and thespirit of Christmas as a result
.
But plenty of people get intodark places during the holidays
too.
They can't go home becausethey're deployed or estranged
(26:20):
from their children, or theyjust happen to be alone, or
they're in prison or all sortsof circumstances where the
holidays and seeing peopleexperience that kind of joy has
a negative effect and pushesthem further.
Right, what are your opinionson trying to help recognize or
support, empower those people?
(26:42):
What role does identityactually have during this season
?
Santa Claus (26:46):
Well, I wish I had those kind of answers.
I'd be in a different line ofwork.
It's an ebb and a flow.
It's a yin and a yang.
If you don't have evil, thengood isn't as good.
It doesn't make sense, but itis what it is.
And when people are out there,a lot of times the holiday
(27:10):
season brings people down lowerthan they normally are, because
they know they're supposed to behappy.
They just don't know how to be.
Or they're in a position wherethey can't be like in prison, or
they're in a position wherethey can't be like in prison, or
, you know, there's a lot ofpeople around the world that
don't celebrate any kind ofChristmas-style holiday.
(27:33):
Yeah, like I said, if I hadthose kind of answers, I'd be a
professor somewhere.
All right, folks, stay tightand we'll be right back on
Transacting Value.
Announcement (27:50):
This message is from the US Department of
Veterans Affairs.
The US-Vietnam WarCommemoration honors the service
, valor and sacrifice of thosewho served during the Vietnam
War.
It also thanks the 7 millionliving Vietnam veterans and the
(28:12):
families of all 10 million whoserved from 1955 to 1975.
More than 3 million of the 7million veterans have been
thanked by friends and neighborsin thousands of ceremonies, but
more must be recognized.
Help reach Vietnam veterans inyour families and neighborhoods,
especially those living aloneor in care facilities.
They deserve to know thatthey've earned the nation's
deepest gratitude and humblethanks.
(28:33):
Visit VietnamWar50th.
com for more information.
Santa Claus (28:51):
Like I said, if I had those kind of answers I'd be
a professor somewhere.
Josh Porthouse (28:53):
I think you may be shortchanging your role To be
somebody that everybody looksat or gains inspiration from.
You may not have a collegiatecertification, but I think
you're creeping pretty close onan honorary degree.
That's nice to hear, Nothingelse you know after 1,400 years,
you're creeping pretty close onan honorary degree.
That's nice to hear.
Nothing else After 1,400 yearsyou've got tenure.
(29:17):
I do have background.
Something else that'sinteresting you just brought up
as well that I think can serveto sort of empower, maybe even
better decisions, let alone justdialogue and inquiry, and some
degree of dignity or humanity inrelationships.
I don't know that this is aswidely published or publicized,
but when you get into theDepartment of Defense and you're
(29:40):
an active duty service memberor you're a first responder in
the private sector, when you'rein uniform, you voluntarily give
up your freedom of speech.
You voluntarily give up yourfreedom or your right to
peaceable assembly.
You cannot fill the samesocietal role or space that you
(30:01):
could otherwise outside ofuniform or off of active duty or
whatever applies right RightGoing to prison, for example.
You also essentially waive yourright to joy.
You can't go out and inspireyourself to feel better.
You're stuck in the bottom ofwhatever that mental emotional
(30:23):
state is, and then your life,unless you find a way to make
peace with it, runs on fear andhate and prejudice and bias, and
so, at least initially gettinginto those positions maybe
regret, depression, loneliness,futility.
You start to have this poornegativity that's difficult to
(30:44):
come back from.
I mean, it's an uphillchallenge and there's plenty of
veterans.
It's an uphill challenge andthere's plenty of veterans,
there's plenty of servicemembers, first responders,
convicts that find ways to copethat are not productive, they're
not good, they're not positive,but I think that's a lot to
reason.
That nucleus just festers and Ithink, unfortunately, with a
long enough time and exposure toit, you get physically ill.
(31:05):
It actually manifests to yourdetriment.
Unfortunately, with a longenough time and exposure to it,
you get physically ill.
Oh yeah, it actually manifeststo your detriment.
So how do we manage?
it.
Santa Claus (31:14):
I know a few EMTs and first responders and such.
I know quite a lot.
Most of my family are veterans,most of my family are veterans
and I know a few veterans thathave come home with issues that
they would rather not have and alot of times would rather not
(31:36):
talk about.
It's so hard because I didn'tget to experience what they
experienced.
But I can tell you that I canidentify with a little bit of it
because for seven or eightweeks, six or seven weeks a year
, I'm the most iconic characterperson on the planet.
(32:02):
I mean, I'm Santa Claus and onDecember 26th, on Tony again and
that's a long, hard fallemotionally and psychologically
and we actually have somethingthat we call post-season
(32:24):
depression and I'm sure thatsome of that is part of PTSD.
And I'm not trying to say thatI have PTSD, but what I'm saying
is like being in a uniform andbeing that hero character,
saving lives and seeing peopleat their worst and helping and
(32:45):
all that, all the things thatpeople in uniform experience.
Some of that has to be thatfall to just being Jim again.
Josh Porthouse (32:57):
Yeah, yeah.
When identities and rolesmisalign, the floor falls out.
Yeah, at least temporarily,right.
So what kinds of things do youdo to build back.
Santa Claus (33:10):
I try to do something at least twice a month
Santa-ish, even during the offseason.
So I still feel that in myheart.
I like being recognized in mycommunity as Santa, even though
as Tony, I think I wouldprobably be standing across the
(33:32):
street thinking, wow, that's thecrazy guy that thinks he's
Santa Claus, you know.
Josh Porthouse (33:39):
Yeah, out there in your reindeer board shorts
and flip-flops, right yeah, sobuilding some of these things
back.
You said twice a month, tryingto do something santa ish, and I
assume over the millions ofpeople around the world who are
also trying to embody thecharacter and the legend and the
inspiration everybody's gottheir own flavor.
But are you talking about youand the missus making chocolate
(34:01):
chip cookies together, and it'san intimate kind of thing, or
are you talking about out inpublic, you know, you and the
reindeer at a petting zoo, likewhat's the extent of the Santa
ish?
Santa Claus (34:12):
I'm in a lot of local Facebook groups and I I
like to watch for a single momor something struggling and I'll
anonymously help them out.
I see, I'll go to a restaurantand throw a 50% tip down.
I try to do little things thatmake a difference to people.
(34:38):
I'm not changing their lives,but it's little things to make
them smile.
I like for people to know thatthere are good people out there
still, because there's a lot ofreally bad things going on in
the world today.
Josh Porthouse (34:54):
Well, you know you may be shortchanging your
efforts there too, because itsounds to me like you are
changing people's lives.
You know it may not be monetary, it may not be physical, but at
least, like what Sun Tzu saidin the Art of War, if you win
the will, you win the war.
And it directly impacts the waysomebody views the world, at
least in that moment, and 10years later, maybe the rest of
(35:17):
their life moving forwardbecause of it.
Santa Claus (35:19):
Well, I have had quite a few people tell me that
you know, oh, what you did lastnight.
You know I'll remember for therest of my life, or my child
won't ever forget this.
Or you know you're my hero.
I've heard that kind of stuff.
But you know 90% of what I do.
I never hear what happenedBecause I don't look for credit
(35:44):
in it as much, so a lot of it.
You know they'll sharesomething to their own Facebook
page about me Because I don'tlook for credit in it as much,
so a lot of it.
They'll share something totheir own Facebook page about me
.
I won't even hear from themuntil the next year and they'll
tell me oh my God, greatestpictures, greatest experience
last year, and then the same.
I'll hear it next year.
I've got eight-year-old kidsnow that have never known
(36:05):
anybody but me as Santa and Ithink it's awesome, but I also I
don't really know him because Idon't see that.
You know people don't like sendme the pictures they take, you
know, and I don't see what theysee when I come into the room
and interact with their families, you know, even if they're
(36:28):
taking a video or just theirmemory.
I don't have that.
I see what I saw and I have mymemory and it's awesome, but I
always leave a house or an eventthinking I hope they believe me
.
Josh Porthouse (36:44):
Well, even if they didn't, in the moment, the
amount of inspiration that youput in, they at least believe in
you, and that's probably one ofthe best things anybody could
hope for.
Santa Claus (36:59):
A lot of people say if I can change one person's
life, I'll be a happy man.
I've accomplished that, andthen some.
Josh Porthouse (37:08):
Well, I guess then, for the sake of time, the
only other thing I can say iscongratulations.
Santa Claus (37:13):
Thanks, it was a pleasure talking to you, josh.
Josh Porthouse (37:16):
You as well.
You as well.
I know you've got a lot to getback to and you're extremely
busy right now, but thank youfor coming on and talking a
little bit and hanging out andjust being present instead of
giving presence.
The only other question I havefor you, then, is for anybody
even here locally or that wantsto find you digitally online
(37:37):
where do people go?
Santa Claus (37:39):
I'm almost worried that I'll outgrow my ability,
but i'm'm Santa in Pasco onFacebook.
I don't really use any othersocial media.
Josh Porthouse (37:52):
Okay, Well, for anybody else who's new to this
show, you can click see more.
You can click show more,depending on the player.
You're streaming thisconversation on and in the
drop-down description you'll seea link and you can follow along
and maybe one day send Santasome feedback about how he's
doing.
Santa Claus (38:10):
That'd be awesome.
Josh Porthouse (38:11):
This was good, this was fun and hopefully we
can talk again next year.
Santa Claus (38:15):
I hope it turned into the interview you were
expecting, because I don't thinkit did.
Josh Porthouse (38:22):
That's okay.
Well, it's like you said younever really know until you put
it out, and then we see where itgoes.
Santa Claus (38:27):
That's how the the entire story got moving it's
hard for me to be like incharacter.
Even when I'm in the suit.
I don't use the the santa voiceand all that.
I use my own voice most of thetime, unless you know.
If somebody needs a ho ho ho, Igot one.
You know.
If somebody needs a ho-ho-ho, Igot one.
You know what I mean.
But I'm a traditional-lookingSanta Claus, but I am far from a
(38:53):
traditional-acting Santa Claus.
Josh Porthouse (38:56):
Like you said, it's all about embodying the
spirit and empowering people todo the same, and that's what
makes the difference.
Santa Claus (39:04):
If it's not fun for me, it won't be fun for them.
Josh Porthouse (39:08):
Absolutely Well.
The last thing I'll say, then,to everybody else who's been
listening to this conversationwhen you go to our homepage and
you want to listen to any of ourother conversations, you can do
it thereTransactingValuePodcastcom.
On the homepage there's abutton on the top right that
says leave a voicemail Twominutes Talk.
There's a button on the topright that says leave a
voicemail Two minutes Talk.
Time's all yours.
Let us know what you think ofthe show.
(39:29):
Let us know what you thinkabout the topics, the guests, my
style, my questions, whateveryou prefer.
But you can also leave an audiofile for Santa.
Let him know what you think.
Give him some feedback.
Let him know how he's doing,let him know places where he's
been.
Maybe you're one of theeight-year-olds that you saw
when you were four.
Let him know how you're doing.
You know, that sort ofreciprocated feedback helps
(39:53):
create a degree of positivity inthe world, and that's what
changes everything.
So please go there, check itout, let us know what you think,
and otherwise we'll continue tokeep putting out content that
you guys enjoy, hopefully withenough context that you guys get
something out of.
But until next time, that wasTransacting Value.
Thank you to our show partnersand folks.
(40:15):
Thank you for tuning in andappreciating our value as we all
grow through life together.
To check out our otherconversations or even to
contribute through feedbackfollows time, money or talent
and to let us know what youthink of the show, please leave
a review on our website,transactingvaluepodcastcom.
We also stream new episodesevery Monday at 9 am Eastern
(40:35):
Standard Time through all ofyour favorite podcasting
platforms like Spotify, iheartand TuneIn.
You can now hear TransactingValue on Reads Across America
Radio Eastern Standard Time,wednesdays at 5 pm, sundays at
noon and Thursdays at 1 am.
Head to wreathsacrossamericaorg.
(41:02):
Slash transactingvalue tosponsor a w clarity and purpose,
ensure social tranquility andsecure the blessings of liberty
or individual sovereignty ofcharacter for yourselves and
your posterity.
We will continue instigatingself-worth and we'll meet you
there.
Until next time, that wasTransacting Value.
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