A Cozy Christmas Podcast

Hello, and Merry Christmas everyone! So it's been awhile... but I'm so glad to be back, bringing you all the cozy Christmas vibes and classic stories of our favorite holiday season. In today's episode, I take a few minutes to share some family updates and tell you how our last Christmas went. Then, I offer a couple of book recommendations in the Cozy Christmas Book Corner before we settle in by th...

Merry Christmas! We made it. It's the most wonderful day of the year: Christmas Eve. Today, I wanted to share a few thoughts about the year behind us, what this Christmas journey has meant to me, and of course, read a story with you. I'll be reading from Charles Dickens's script of his one-man performance of  A Christmas Carol , sharing one of my favorite scenes of all, the Cratchit family Christm...

Happy Christmas week, everyone! Is your shopping finished yet? Have you baked any good cookies? Today, I'm inviting you to pause for a moment and reflect on creativity, especially the beauty of bringing a handmade, home-crafted touch to Christmas. My guest is Elizabeth Duke, whose passion is teaching people how to stitch and craft in a mindful, intentional way. We talk about her career, how delibe...

Merry Christmas! Today I'm back to spend a little more time with Mrs. Claus, and yes, the Christmas vibes are cranked all the way up! I share some traditions and memories sent in by listeners, then review a delightful new book,  What Would Mrs. Claus Do? by Pamela McColl and Lindsay Stewart. I read a few favorite quotes and offer my thoughts on both the book and Mrs. Claus herself. After that, we...

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is the lights! My guest today is new author Makennah Johnston, who has just published a wonderful children's story called "The McBrights":  "Every Christmas Eve, the McBrights dazzle from the branches of the Evergreen Tree in Henbrook's town square, warming hearts with their old-fashioned glow. This year, however, something isn't quite right. The McBrights are...

Hello and Merry Christmas! My guest today is podcast host and the only man who dares enter the Grinch's lair, Tim Babb from the "Can't Wait for Christmas" podcast! Tim and I get together to talk about one of our favorite Christmas movies, 2000's "Dr. Suess' How the Grinch Stole Christmas" starring the brilliantly funny Jim Carrey. We talk about our favorite parts, favorite quotes, memories around...

Today my guest is Roseanna M. White, and she has a new Christmas novella out called "The Christmas Book Flood". It's a story about family, romance, and books. Specifically, the Icelandic tradition of jolabokaflod! In our conversation we talk about her book and Christmas traditions found in Iceland, we reflect on things we are thankful for this year, and of course discuss all of oru favorite Christ...

In today's episode, the Theology Bros. (aka Art, Gerry, and Thom!) gather to talk about Advent—what it is, why it matters, and how we can celebrate it in meaningful ways. The Advent season is just a few days away, and people observe it in all sorts of traditions and styles. We'd love to hear how you celebrate! I hope our conversation encourages you and helps make this Advent season a rich and mean...

Happy Thanksgiving Week, everyone! Today I'll be reading a Thanksgiving story titled "Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen" by the legendary short story master O. Henry. It's a funny and thoughtful tale about two men bound by tradition… but I won't spoil anything! After the story, I chat a bit about our own traditions and ask an important question: Is it okay for some traditions to come to an end? I als...

What in the world is a "scurryfunge"? Have you ever used a Yule-hole? What is the history and story behind names like "Grinch" and "Ebenezer Scrooge"? If you've ever wondered about such things, then you're in luck! Because today my guest is author, word expert, and Christmas enthusiast Grace Tierney. She hails from beautiful Ireland, and is the author of a brand new book called "Words Christmas Ga...

Have you ever wondered how does Santa make all the toys? How does he keep track of the naughty and nice list? Where is his village located? In today's episode, I'm reading the cozy children's story "Lill's Travels In Santa Claus Land" by Ellis Towne, Sophie May, and Ella Farman. In this charming story from 1878, a young girl named Lill discovers the magical Santa Claus Land and finds the answer to...

Merry November everyone! I've got another jam-packed episode today! First of all, we circle back to last week's episode topic and I share some more information about the 1990's tv special, Merry Christmas George Bailey! Christmas Podcast Network roving reporter Tim Babb shares an exclusive interview with Jimmy Hawkins, the actor who played Tommy Bailey in the original It's a Wonderful Life film! H...

Happy November, everyone! As we kick off the Christmas Podcast Network's annual Christmas Podcast Day , I'm starting things off with a look at a fun version of It's a Wonderful Life — a televised stage play from the 1990s starring Bill Pullman as George Bailey. Then, for the main part of the episode, I sit down with Troy from the Christmas Every Day Podcast ! We chat about everything Christmas — f...

Happy Halloween! Tonight or tomorrow little trick or treaters will be out getting candy... what a perfect time to listen another spooky Christmas story for Halloween! Tonight's tale is called "The Judge's House", by the master of horror Bram Stoker. The story seems simple enough - a college student in need of a quiet place to study, rents an old house that that belonged to a judge whose cruelty wa...

It's Halloween Week on  A Cozy Christmas Podcast , and I'm celebrating by reading another spooky but cozy Victorian Christmas tale. This week, I'm reading "A Strange Christmas Game" by Charlotte Riddell — A brother and sister inherit an old, possibly haunted house whose previous owner met a mysterious end. After several nights of strange noises echoing through the halls, they decide to stay up on...

Happy Spooky Month everyone! As the autumn weather finally arrives here in Iowa, I am in the mood to read some excellent Christmas ghost stories that are perfect for the Halloween season. Today's story is called Sir Hugo's Prayer by G. B. Burgin . It's a humorous tale of the ghostly Sir Hugo and his wife who have been forced to haunt the family grounds. Then one Christmas Eve, a young lady arrives...

In today's episode, I interview author John Holley about his new Christmas book "This Christmas". It tells the story of Marie Downs, who is not only grieving the loss of her husband, but has also had to step in and take care of her grandkids. It's a book that might not seem as cozy as our usual tales, but it's a beautiful story full of Christmas hope. I talk with John about his book and some serio...

Today I talk to Pamela McColl about her two new books on Mrs. Claus! In our discussion we talk about the history and development of the character of Mrs. Claus, and how she is often portrayed. We also speak about lessons we can learn from her, and how celebrating Christmas with Santa and Mrs. Claus helps enrich the imagination of children... and a few of us adults! I hope you enjoy our cozy Christ...

Welcome to the ber months! Today I'll be reading a short story called Angela's Christmas by Julia Schayer. It tells the story of a young lady who wants to help those in need. Will her small act of kindness be enough to help a poor, desperate, and lonely woman on Christmas Eve? I also give a quick update on the book club. We'd love to have you join us as we read Twelve Slays of Christmas by Jaqueli...

🚀 In today's out-of-this-world Christmas episode, I take you back to 1968 and the historic Apollo 8 mission—the very first journey around the moon, celebrated on Christmas Eve. 🌙✨ Then I'm joined by my daughter Grace for a cozy chat about decorating for Christmas in our new home, sharing holiday hopes, life updates, and plenty of laughs along the way. 🎄 Finally, I wrap things up with a special...

Welcome back to A Cozy Christmas Podcast ! Summer's heat can make it hard to feel the Christmas spirit, but it's still there—waiting to be found and shared! In this episode, I talk about how creativity can spread joy—especially Christmas joy—and I take a moment to reflect on Currier & Ives and their timeless winter scenes. For our story today, I read the first two Christmas chapters of Louisa May...

I'm finally behind the microphone again, bringing you all the cozy Christmas vibes as we countdown to Christmas 2025. Today, I read an Irish Christmas Story called "Frank Forrest's Mince-Pie" by Fr. Patrick Augustine Sheehan. It tells the story of a young man named Frank who has some strange Christmas dreams about Mince pies, an act of kindness - and of course, what Victorian Christmas story would...

Happy Valentine's Day... (checks calendar)... belatedly! In today's episode I share some thrilling updates about the weather in Iowa, give some great ideas on how to make your Valentine's Day Christmas themed, and then read the Australian set Christmas story titled: Christmas Day in the Bush, by Samuel Sydney.  Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Declaring Open Season on Groundhogs (aka a weather re...

Happy New Year, everyone! Welcome to a brand-new season of  A Cozy Christmas Podcast ! In today's episode, I'll be sharing some Christmas and winter-themed selections from Kilvert's Diary . Francis Kilvert was an English clergyman in the Victorian era who kept beautifully detailed journals of rural life and ministry from 1870 to 1879. His descriptions of nature and the people around him are an abs...

Merry Christmas! In today's special Christmas Eve episode, I have several little readings and stories to share with you, along with another fun discussion about Christmas with my daughter Gracie. Today we talk about her favorite Christmas cookies, movies, and she shares some tips on how to show kindness to the people you love during Christmas time. You won't want to miss this one! And get ready, b...