Christmas Past!

Welcome to a SPECIAL EDITION of the Piece of Advice Newsletter!

Good morning! Today, we’re looking into an amazing and beloved podcast; Christmas Past! I was even lucky enough to ask its host and founder; Brian Earl, a few questions!

Since 2016, Brian Earl has been inviting listeners to step into the cozy world of “Christmas Past”, a podcast that unwraps the surprising stories behind our favorite holiday traditions. With his warm narration and carefully researched storytelling, Earl takes listeners on a journey through the origins of everything from eggnog to Christmas lights, blending history, folklore, and nostalgia into short episodes that feel like a fireside chat. Part of the magic lies in how the show weaves in expert guests; from historians to botanists to professional Santas; alongside listeners who share their own treasured holiday memories.

The podcast quickly found its audience and has since been downloaded more than two million times, earning praise from major outlets including Vanity Fair, USA Today, Time, People, The Financial Times, and HuffPost. Critics have called it the perfect companion for trimming the tree, wrapping presents, or sipping cocoa on a winter’s night. Each episode is concise; often under fifteen minutes; but packed with enough insight and charm to leave you seeing familiar traditions in a whole new light.

In 2022, Earl expanded the spirit of Christmas Past with a book of the same name, published by Lyons Press. Structured like an Advent calendar, it features 26 chapters that unwrap the curious, sometimes quirky backstories behind everything from mistletoe to holiday window displays. Available in both hardcover and audiobook, the book carries the same balance of warmth and scholarship that has made the podcast such a seasonal favorite. Earl’s New England roots and his own tradition of putting up a tree on Halloween lend a personal touch, grounding the history in lived experience.

Together, the podcast and the book have established a modern tradition in their own right; one that celebrates curiosity, community, and the enduring magic of Christmas. Whether you’re tuning into an episode about Iceland’s mischievous Yule Lads or flipping through a chapter on the evolution of greeting cards, Christmas Past offers something rare: a way to connect the holidays we know and love with the rich stories that shaped them. It’s holiday nostalgia with a scholarly twist, made accessible, delightful, and endlessly binge-worthy.

Bonus Questions:

Giancarlo: Is there a moment in particular that made you fall in love with Christmas and its history so much? 

Brian: My love of Christmas comes from my mom. Most children love Christmas, of course. But I think I got an extra dose of appreciation for Christmas because of how wholeheartedly my mom celebrated it with our family. The fascination with its history came much later in life, and there was no "aha" moment. I just found myself reading books on Christmas history and wanting to learn more and more.  

Giancarlo: What motivated you to start “Christmas Past” and what you keeps you going?

Brian: I listen to a lot of NPR-style podcasts. Back in 2015, I searched iTunes to see if NPR had any podcasts having to do with Christmas. They didn't, and that's when I decided to start Christmas Past. I never set out to become a podcaster. I was just trying to create a thing that I wished existed. This year is my tenth season. My energy and enthusiasm for working on the show has had its ups and downs over the years. Whenever I'm "not feeling it," what keeps me going is the community we've built around Christmas Past. I hear from listeners all throughout the year. We're like a family.

Giancarlo: Do you have a favorite episode or interview of the show?

Brian: I've been lucky enough to interview some high profile people, whether it's the CEO of The American Lung Association or the owner of the original company to make snow globes. Recently, I've been interviewing more people from the world of show business. Last year, I was able to speak to the actors John Rhys Davies and Christopher Knight. Those were standout experiences.  

Giancarlo: Do you have a favorite Christmas movie, special or book?

Brian: My favorite Christmas special is a serial radio drama from the 1930s called The Cinnamon Bear. It's a 25-part series that originally aired in nightly installments in Portland, Oregon during the Christmas season. It's the story of a pair of siblings who lose their favorite Christmas ornament, and go on an epic quest through a magical world to get it back, with the help of a talking bear. You can find recordings of it around the Web. I highly recommend it! 

Piece Of Advice:

Giancarlo: What is this best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Brian: It's not so much a piece of advice, but it's something my grandfather used to say: "Most people live their lives like they've got another one in the bank." I guess the advice in there is something like "seize the day." The older I get, the more important that idea becomes. 

Check out his work: https://christmaspastpodcast.com/

Thank you for reading! Have an amazing day and we will catch you again soon!

-Giancarlo