A Cozy Christmas Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Let's face it - sometimes, Christmas can be hard. But does that mean we have to lose the joy of Christmas forever?

My guest today is Alexandra Walker - and she has just written a fantastic book called "Reclaiming Christmas" in which she explores her story of how Christmas was a difficult time for her, and the steps she took to reclaim the joy of Christmas. Healing is possible, and I think that her book can be a help to many who might find the season of Christmas difficult. I admit that abuse recovery is not a "cozy" topic, but we do focus more on the recovery aspect and steps you can take towards recovery, especially in connection with the Christmas season. It's not all serious conversations though - we do also take time to talk about some of our favorite things about the Christmas season, including whether or not Brussel Sprouts should be a part of Christmas dinner... 

Alexandra and I invite you to sit back and relax, and enjoy this cozy conversation that brought tears of joy to my eyes! 

I'm excited to introduce you to my new friend Alexandra. Just so you know, I am not being paid to say these things - I think Alexandra has a genuine good product here, and I am personally benefiting from what I read in her book and from the discussion we had. Here are some links to her website and book, and you will find a full list of what she offers, including free gifts, 1:1 packages, group programmes and on-demand courses. The list is grouped into different categories - Sing After The Storm, Wellbeing Toolbox, Christmas, and Entrepreneurship. Enjoy browsing!

Website: https://www.damselnotindistress.co.uk/offerings 

Buy her book Reclaiming Christmas: https://www.damselnotindistress.co.uk/books 

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

03:25 Introducing Alexandra and her work, background

08:36 Three Reasons Why Christmas Can Be Challenging

13:25 How to Reclaim Christmas

30:00ish Cozy Christmas conversation: favorite songs, movies, traditions etc.

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  

#Christmas #podcast #christmaspodcast #mentalhealth #christmasjoy #christmasmemories

Happy September! Now that the Ber months are upon, the holiday games are afoot... 

Join me today as I read Sherlock Holmes' one and only Christmas story, The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle. I'll also share some thoughts about Holmes and the story, give some podcast updates, and more! 

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 

#podcast #Christmas #christmaspodcast #sherlockholmes

I have so much content coming out this week, try to keep up... 

Welcome back! Today I have returning guest Mark Shanahan - he's the playwright and director of "A Sherlock Carol".Today Mark returns to talk about the play, where you can see it performed, the importance of live theater - and more! 

"A Sherlock Carol follows a grown-up Tiny Tim asking Sherlock Holmes to investigate the peculiar death of Ebenezer Scrooge and now the great detective must use his tools of deduction to get to the bottom of the crime." 

Tickets available now at https://www.westportplayhouse.org/show/a-sherlock-carol/ 

The show runs December 19th-23rd. 

Ways to support the podcast:

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 

#podcast #christmas #asherlockcarol #christmaspodcast

Happy May! In today's episode, I share a new segment called "This (Christmas) Day in History"... we go back to Christmas 1990 and learn about the creation of the World Wide Web - is that the best Christmas present ever?

Then Gracie and I chat about her birthday, and then we play a Christmas Trivia Game - who do you think will win?

Finally, I read a Christmas story entitled, "The Canned Plum Pudding" by Ellis Parker Butler. Have you ever had a regifting experience that went horribly wrong? Let this story serve as a lesson for you, and think twice before you send that gift off to someone else.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:30 This (Christmas) Day in History

08:30 Gracie’s Birthday and Christmas Trivia

29:00 Introduction to the life of Ellis Parker Butler

32:40 Story: The Canned Plum Pudding by Ellis Parker Butler

45:20 Closing Comments and some very interesting comments about the Nishnabotna River. And a blooper. 

Music:

Deck the Halls B 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=USUAN1100368

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies 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=USUAN1100270

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Works Cited:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Berners-Lee

Weaving the Web: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/006251587X/timbernersleeshome/102-2010687-8580159 

http://web.archive.org/web/20090614155722/http://ellisparkerbutler.info/epb/bio.asp 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellis_Parker_Butler 

The Long-Awaited, Over Due Easter Episode is here... and since the Eastern Orthodox Church apparently doesn't recognize Easter until May 2nd... I guess it's still early?

Anyway, in today's episode I have author and blogger Gina Dalfonzo on to talk about Dickens' The Life of Our Lord, and we end up chatting about A Tale of Two Cities... though I don't mention it in the podcast, I think Tale of Two Cities might qualify as an "Easter Carol" - a great story to read every year at Easter time!

I also finish reading The Life of Our Lord and offer up a new book recommendation: "Christmas: A Biography" by Judith Flanders.

Links: Dickensblog: https://dickensblog.typepad.com/

Christmas: A Biography https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XWGZC1F/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

Help Support the Show:

Buy Me a Coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas

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

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:48 Cozy Christmas Book Corner Recommendation: Christmas: A Biography

05:27 Interview with author Gina Dalfonzo about “The Life of Our Lord”

48:35 Story Time: The Life of Our Lord, part 3 

01:01:28 Some concluding thoughts on Easter

Music:

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=USUAN1100263

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

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/

"God rest ye murdered gentlemen let nothing you dismay..."

Can a murder mystery be cozy? It can when in the capable hands of author Vicki Delany and her cozy mystery series, The Year-Round Christmas Mystery series. We head to Canada for a wonderful chat about her books. Unfortunately Rudolph, NY, where the series is set and Christmas is celebrated year round, is NOT a real place... but a Christmas podcast host can dream, right? And besides, who wouldn't want to catch a sight of Santa in his swimsuit, am I right?.... Hello? Anyone? Just me?

After my talk with Vicki I read another selection from The Life of Our Lord by Charles Dickens and I have a serious moment and share some Easter meditations I've been thinking on lately. I also share another listener memory and talk about some Christmas snacks.

Grab your egg nog (yum!) and some marshmallow peeps (barf), it's a Christmas and Easter episode!

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

01:17 Listener Memory and Christmas snacks!

07:21 Author Interview: Vicki Delany

41:18 The Life of Our Lord, part 2

57:52 My Easter Meditations

01:01:37 Conclusion

Author Website: http://vickidelany.com/ 

Book: "Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen" https://www.amazon.com/Murdered-Gentlemen-Year-Round-Christmas-Mystery-ebook/dp/B00SI0B5R6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HCUFIRORTT6H&dchild=1&keywords=rest+ye+murdered+gentlemen&qid=1616361097&sprefix=Rest+ye+murder%2Caps%2C198&sr=8-1

Help Support the Show:

Buy Me a Coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas

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

Music

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=USUAN1100263

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Earnest 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=USUAN1100248

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Happy Easter month, to those who celebrate! In today's episode I talk a little bit about Charles Dickens' gospel, The Life of Our Lord, that he wrote for his children. Since this is primarily a Christmas podcast, I read from his chapters about the birth and early life of Christ.

I also share a listener's thoughts about a different perspective on A Christmas Carol, give a book recommendation for this month's Cozy Christmas Book Corner, and I share a memory of mine that explains why the carol "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" has haunted my nightmares.

Author Website: http://vickidelany.com/ 

Book: "Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen" https://www.amazon.com/Murdered-Gentlemen-Year-Round-Christmas-Mystery-ebook/dp/B00SI0B5R6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HCUFIRORTT6H&dchild=1&keywords=rest+ye+murdered+gentlemen&qid=1616361097&sprefix=Rest+ye+murder%2Caps%2C198&sr=8-1

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro 

01:13 Listener Memory: A different perspective on A Christmas Carol

7:15 Cozy Christmas Book Corner: Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen by Vicki Delany 

11:17 My Christmas Memory: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

15:33 Introduction to The Life of Our Lord

19:12 Christmas Story: The Life of Our Lord Chapters 1-2

26:37 Closing Comments

Help Support the Show:

Buy Me a Coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas

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

Music

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=USUAN1100263

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen John Vallis (johnvallis.co.uk)

Licensed under Creative

Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Silent Night Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Winter is in full swing, and Grace and I have the giggles today. I ask her some Holly Jolly Christmas questions and they quickly spiral into moments of laughter as we're interrupted by her Teddy Bears, we try to figure out the names of Santa's reindeer, and I'm reminded how nice a kid she is when I ask her the question: if you could have any gift on your wishlist what would it be? Her answer surprised me!

I also share another listener memory from Rick, and how the song "Downtown" puts him in a Christmas mood, I recommend a book, and read the story "The Set of Poe" by George Ade.

Though I don't mention it in the episode, we just hit 30,000 downloads! Thank you THANK YOU for all who have been listening this past year. I'm overwhelmed and grateful for you all!

00:00 Introduction

02:10 Holly Jolly Christmas with Gracie

19:37 Listener Memory

25:08 Cozy Christmas Book Corner: A Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year by Beth Kempton 

31:47 Story: The Set of Poe by George Ade

45:15 Concluding Thoughts

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=USUAN1100270

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

https://bethkempton.com/christmas/ 

Welcome to the start of season 2!

In today's episode, I share with you what has been keeping me in the Christmas mood (hint: snow, cookies, and music); Then I share an email from our listener Rick who writes to tell about his favorite Christmas movies - and he has some shocking and very strict guidelines on what counts as a Christmas movie. Then, I read the Christmas chapter from Charles Dickens' first novel, The Pickwick Papers.

Grab a cup of hot cocoa and come on in by the fire!

Timestamps

0:00 Introduction

0:58 Deck the Halls: Winter Weather and Cookies https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/chewy-pumpkin-oatmeal-chocolate-chip-cookies/ 

03:50 Listener Memory: Rick's Favorite Christmas movies

09:58 Introduction and background for The Pickwick Papers

12:12 The Pickwick Papers, Chapter 30

36:50 Thoughts on the story, plans for upcoming episodes, and closing comments.

PS: Gracie will be on next weeks episode, we didn't have time to record anything together this past week.

Music:

Deck the Halls and Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy 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=USUAN1100270

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

It's the final episode of the 2020 Christmas season, and we've got a full and fun episode ahead.

I read another great memory from our listener Rick... we learn that sometimes gift giving can be a fun, but complicated, process. Then I interview Manny, the host of the Feliz Christmas Merry Navidad podcast and we talk about his podcast, paying it forward, and the magic of Santa.

After that, Gracie and I talk about her Christmas and some of the Teddy Bears she got, a couple of snow storms we experienced, and a (Covid Safe) Christmas surprise trip we were able to take.

I wrap up the first season with some reflections and stats about the show. I am overwhelmed by how you the listeners responded to the show. The show ends with a reading of Susan Noyes Anderson's poem, "Christmas Past: The Afterglow" which is a fitting end to a wonderful Christmas season.

See you all in a couple of weeks for Season 2!

Timestamps

0:00 Intro

1:23 Listener Memory

5:00 Interview with Manny from the Feliz Christmas Merry Navidad podcast

38:13 Gracie’s Christmas 

54:35 Season One Recap

01:02:12 Poem: Christmas Past: The Afterglow by Susan Noyes Anderson https://susannoyesandersonpoems.com/ 

Music:

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=USUAN1100263

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Noel by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

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/