A Cozy Christmas Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Elves 2.0: Cast Interview with the Birmingham Children's Theater Dec 06, 2021

Show notes

The Birmingham Children's Theater is back with a new Zoom play called Elves 2.0! This year the Elves at the North Pole are ready for anything - and they want to invite your kids along on a virtual tour of the NP! They've learned from all the mistakes and malfunctions that happened last year are ready for anything. What could possibly go wrong?

We have a full crew in the interview booth today: friend of the show Sina Skates, writer of Elves 2.0. We're also joined by actors Davey Morrison, who plays Stevie the Green Elf, and LaShondra Hood, she plays Morgan the Red Elf.

We have an absolute blast talking about the play and how it came together this year, and what's different about it from last year's play. Then we talk about our favorite Christmas music, movies, traditions, and then I blatantly steal a question from the Christmas Time in the City Podcast and we talk about what we would want Santa to say to us if we ever got to visit the North Pole. We also attempt to answer questions like - what is Santa's favorite Christmas movie? There is a ton of fun in store!

Below are the links to the BCT website, as well as some promotional videos you can watch to get an idea of the show.

Ticket's are on sale now! https://www.bct123.org/north-pole

Meet Morgan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skcny9kKjK8&ab_channel=BirminghamChildren%27sTheatre

Meet Stevie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QEEiWOMZDk&ab_channel=BirminghamChildren%27sTheatre

Ways to support the show:

Rate and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-cozy-christmas-podcast/id1523423375

Buy me a coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas

Ornaments, Mugs, and Notebooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast

Logo shirt designs: http://tee.pub/lic/edygC_h4D1c

Contact Me:

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristmaspodcast

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristmaspodcast/

twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod

youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCikiozEbu0h9pKeI1Ei5TQ

email: cozychristmaspodcast@gmail.com

#theater #christmaspods #christmas

A Christmas Carol, Stave 2 Dec 02, 2021

Show notes

Today's story I read is Stave 2 of A Christmas Carol, in which we meet The Ghost of Christmas Past! Find out what happens when Scrooge is faced with painful events from his past.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

02:00 A Christmas Carol, part 2

40:45 Final Thoughts

For more stories and author interviews check out The Bookshelf Odyssey Podcast:

https://bookshelfodyssey.buzzsprout.com/

https://www.youtube.com/c/ArtBookshelfOdyssey

Ways to support the show:

Rate and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-cozy-christmas-podcast/id1523423375

Buy me a coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas

Ornaments, Mugs, and Notebooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast

Logo shirt designs: http://tee.pub/lic/edygC_h4D1c

Contact Me:

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristmaspodcast

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristmaspodcast/

twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod

youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCikiozEbu0h9pKeI1Ei5TQ

email: cozychristmaspodcast@gmail.com

#christmaspods #christmas #audiobooks #booktube

Memories, Clues, and a Little Elf Too with guest Natalie Bickel Nov 29, 2021

Show notes

In today's show, I'm interviewing author Natalie Bickel about her new children's Christmas book, The Christmas Clue. We talk about the best Children stories to read at Christmas time, as well as our Christmas memories, favorite movies and so much more.

I also share a listener memory about how he fell in love with his wife during Christmas time, and that leads me down memory lane to talk about how me and my wife started dating, sort of, at Christmas time.

(Note: During the interview, my audio is not the best - I'm not sure what was going on with my microphone, so hopefully it's not too distracting.)

Find Natalie Online: https://www.natmosfear.com/

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

02:38 Listener Memory

10:18 Interview with Author Natalie Bickel

50:00 What's Next

Ways to support the show:

Rate and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-cozy-christmas-podcast/id1523423375

Buy me a coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas

Ornaments, Mugs, and Notebooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast

Logo shirt designs: http://tee.pub/lic/edygC_h4D1c

Contact Me:

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristmaspodcast

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristmaspodcast/

twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod

youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCikiozEbu0h9pKeI1Ei5TQ

email: cozychristmaspodcast@gmail.com

My other podcast:

https://bookshelfodyssey.buzzsprout.com/

https://www.youtube.com/c/ArtBookshelfOdyssey

#christmaspods, #books, #christmas

A Christmas Carol: Stave 1 Nov 26, 2021

Show notes

A Cozy Christmas Podcast Presents: A Christmas Carol, Stave 1, by Charles Dickens.

We are into the Christmas season now, and for this month's story I'll be bringing you weekly installments of A Christmas Carol! As you all know, this is by far my favorite story of all time. I am so excited to bring you this story that I love so dearly.

I know some of you have seen multiple versions of the story on TV, but maybe you haven't actually read the original story yet. Maybe you read it every year and it's words are familiar to you. I invite you to join me in celebrating the season through these beautiful words of Charles Dickens.

Throughout the month of December, I'll be releasing other episodes and interviews and Christmasy discussions too, so be sure to subscribe so you don't miss a single episode!

Ways to support the show:

Rate and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-cozy-christmas-podcast/id1523423375

Buy me a coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas

Ornaments, Mugs, and Notebooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast

Logo shirt designs: http://tee.pub/lic/edygC_h4D1c

Contact Me:

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristmaspodcast

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristmaspodcast/

twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod

youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCikiozEbu0h9pKeI1Ei5TQ

email: cozychristmaspodcast@gmail.com

A Cozy and Kind Christmas with guest Robert Peterpaul Nov 25, 2021

Show notes

Happy Thanksgiving! As a special thanksgiving episode, I invited Robert Peterpaul, actor and host of the new podcast The Art of Kindness, on to the show to talk about some kindness tips for the holiday season. We also have a lovely discussion about Christmas, the theater, our favorite Christmas songs and movies, we share our proposal stories, and much more.

The world has been a difficult place for many people in recent days. It is both mine and Robert's hope that you find ways to be intentionally kind this year - and let us know! We are learning along with you.

I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!

The A-OK Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-kindness-with-robert-peterpaul/id1572201034

Robert's website: https://www.robertpeterpaul.com/

To find me online, the Cozy Christmas merch stores, and other ways to support the podcast, check out all the links here:

https://linktr.ee/cozychristmas

Have Yourself a Christmas Mystery with special guest Mark Shanahan Nov 22, 2021

Show notes

We're going back to the theater today! And there's a mystery afoot...

What happens when the worlds of Sherlock Holmes and Ebenezer Scrooge are thrown together? Find out in the new play that debuts today in NYC, A Sherlock Carol. My guest today is Mark Shanahan, he's the writer and director of the play. He comes from an extensive background in acting, writing and directing many plays both for the stage and radio. He stops by and we chat about his new play, the challenges of performing theater safely during a pandemic, and the power of stories - especially those by Arthur Conan Doyle and Charles Dickens.

Then, I read a Christmas mystery story by Thomas Hardy called "The Thieves Who Couldn't Stop Sneezing." It is a funny short story about a young man named Hubert who stumbles across some thieves planning to rob a nearby mansion. Find out what happens in this charming holiday tale.

Timestamps

00:00 My review of Gerald Dickens' A Christmas Carol performance

07:17 Interview with Mark Shanahan

33:08 Story: The Thieves Who Couldn't Stop Sneezing by Thomas Hardy

52:08 December Plans and a Special Thank You!

Ways to support the show:

Rate and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-cozy-christmas-podcast/id1523423375

Buy me a coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas

Ornaments, Mugs, and Notebooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast

Logo shirt designs: http://tee.pub/lic/edygC_h4D1c

Contact Me:

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristmaspodcast

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristmaspodcast/

twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod

youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCikiozEbu0h9pKeI1Ei5TQ

email: cozychristmaspodcast@gmail.com

Deck the Halls by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100307

The Most Precious Gift is the Time We Have with Each Other Nov 15, 2021

Show notes

Hello everyone! In today's episode I share a listener memory that's an emotional one. Fan of the show Katie shares her memory of spending Christmas 2010 with her niece who had leukemia.

After I share that, I give a few tips on how to celebrate the holidays after a loved one has passed away. This can be a difficult conversation, but it's something that many of us have experienced.

Then, author Ed Daly stops by to talk about his new work, The Christmas Book: The Ultimate Guide to Your Favorite Holiday. We talk his book, the origin and development of Christmas traditions, and of course our favorite Christmas books and stories. Check out the Cozy Christmas YouTube channel to see the November video in my Cozy Christmas Book Corner series to get my review of his book and a couple of others that I read last month.

For more tips on how to create new holiday traditions after the death of a loved one, check out this article: https://whatsyourgrief.com/creating-new-tradition-after-a-death/

The Christmas Book: https://amzn.to/3HaiS9r (Amazon) https://bookshop.org/a/56283/9798454125066 (Bookshop)

(The above are affiliate links. Affiliate links mean I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. This helps support my channel at no additional cost to you.)

Timestamps

00:00 Intro discussion

03:35 Listener Memory and tips for dealing with grief

14:15 What's New

16:05 Interview with Ed Daly

56:43 Wrap Up

Ways to support the show:

Rate and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-cozy-christmas-podcast/id1523423375

Buy me a coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas

Ornaments, Mugs, and Notebooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast

Logo shirt designs: http://tee.pub/lic/edygC_h4D1c

Contact Me:

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristmaspodcast

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristmaspodcast/

twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod

youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCikiozEbu0h9pKeI1Ei5TQ

email: cozychristmaspodcast@gmail.com

Is that you, Santa Claus? Nov 01, 2021

Show notes

Happy November everyone! And happy Christmas Podcast Day!

Have you ever wondered if a relative or friend might just be Santa Claus? Today I share a listener's memory of how his family member dressed up as Santa Claus one Christmas. His story reminds me of a Christmas tale that I read in the episode - "Old Father Christmas" by Juliana Horatia Ewing. It tells the story of two small children who think a local elderly man they meet near their house might just be Santa Claus.

There's a few other odds and ends packed away in the episode, and be sure to check out the Cozy Christmas YouTube channel to see Gracie and I give some Christmas gift ideas as we look through some Christmas catalogues.

Be sure to follow the hashtags #ChristmasPodcastDay and #ChristmasPods today as we kick off the holiday season in style.

Art and Gracie's Christmas Gift Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncIS0fMhmxQ&ab_channel=ACozyChristmasPodcast

Support the show

www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas

https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro and updates, YouTube channel

05:00 Listener Memory - and one from me, too!

10:20 What's in my Etsy Store

11:05 Story Introduction

12:18 Christmas Story: Old Father Christmas, by Juliana Horatia Ewing

31:48 Final thoughts on the story

Contact Me:

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristmaspodcast

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristmaspodcast/

twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod

youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCikiozEbu0h9pKeI1Ei5TQ

email: cozychristmaspodcast@gmail.com

Music:

Bethlehem - Christmas by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100307

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Deck the Halls by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100307

Angels We Have Heard by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?collection=004&page=1

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Away In A Manger by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Mrs. Claus, P.I. with guest Liz Ireland Oct 19, 2021

Show notes

The name's Claus... MRS. Claus...

Have you ever wondered what Mrs. Claus does all year while Santa prepares for Christmas? Well, according to a new books series by author Liz Ireland, she solves mysteries. In today's episode I interview Liz Ireland, and we talk about her excellent new Mrs. Claus cozy mystery series and of course there's lots of talk about our favorite books, Christmas, movies and memories.

After my chat with Liz, I read you another classic Christmas story, "Mr. Bluff's Experiences of the Holiday" written by Oliver Bell Bunce. It tells the story of Mr Bluff who dislikes holidays like Christmas. Will he, like many a Christmas protagonist before him, have a change of heart? Find out in today's story!

Also be sure to check out the new Cozy Christmas shirts - link below!

Timestamps:

00:00 Musings on the Amazon Holiday Gift Book

03:15 Introduction to Mrs. Claus and the Santaland Slayings

04:10 Interview with Liz Ireland

50:27 Introduction to Mr. Bluff's Experiences of the Holiday

52:20 Story

01:08:45 Thoughts on the Story

01:12:48 Concluding Comments

Affiliate Links:

Mrs. Claus and the Santaland Slayings (Amazon/Bookshop)

Mrs. Claus and the Halloween Homicide (Amazon/Bookshop)

Affiliate links mean I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. This helps support my channel at no additional cost to you.

Contact Me:

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristmaspodcast

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristmaspodcast/

twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCikiozEbu0h9pKeI1Ei5TQ

email: cozychristmaspodcast@gmail.com

Support the show

www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas

Ornaments, Mugs, and Notebooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast

Cozy Christmas shirts and merch!: https://www.teepublic.com/user/a-cozy-christmas

Check out the Bookshelf Odyssey Podcast: Podcast: https://bookshelfodyssey.buzzsprout.com/ Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/ArtBookshelfOdyssey

Muscatel and Bananas: Christmas in Portugal Oct 04, 2021

Show notes

Happy October everyone! In today's episode I share a listener's memory from a cozy farm in Canada and he tells us about how his town welcomes Christmas. Then I head over to Portugal and share a couple of fun Christmas traditions the town of Braga has on Christmas eve. Finally, I read the essay Old Thoughts for Christmas by Christopher Morley. Published during the Christmas season after the Treaty of Versailles was signed, Morley ponders the gift of peace and the need for kindness after such a horrific world war - and finds that Christmas can bring these things to us.

And be sure to keep an eye out on the youtube channel this week as I'll be posting a video review of the book Mrs. Claus and the Santaland Slayings by Liz Ireland.

An excellent website for information about Christmas in Portugal: https://www.portugalist.com/portugal-christmas/

Affiliate Links:

Mrs. Claus and the Santaland Slayings (Amazon/Bookshop)

Mrs. Claus and the Halloween Homicide (Amazon/Bookshop)

Affiliate links mean I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. This helps support my channel at no additional cost to you.

Check out the Bookshelf Odyssey Podcast!

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

00:40 What's making me cozy: Mrs. Claus, Private Eye...

01:56 Mail Bag: Listener Memory

07:06 Christmas in Portugal

09:48 Old Thoughts for Christmas, by Christopher Morley