Ep50 Bk- Christmas Past - Brian Earl

Tony H
Dec 28, 2025
1 min read

Exploring Christmas Wonders with Brian Earl: From Traditions to True Crime

In this episode of High Strangeness, host Tony interviews Brian Earl, a designer, writer, and podcaster renowned for his popular Christmas-themed podcast and book, 'Christmas Past.' They delve into various aspects of Christmas culture, discussing Brian's background and his passion for exploring the origins and histories of Christmas traditions. The conversation covers Brian’s journey into podcasting, his experiences with publishing his book, and the fascinating traditions associated with Christmas, including fruitcake and Japanese KFC. Additionally, they touch on his unique projects like the My Dear Santa true crime series and listener-submitted Christmas memories. This episode offers listeners insights into the lesser-known histories and enduring curiosities of Christmas, emphasizing the universal appeal and evolution of Christmas traditions across different cultures and eras.

00:00 Welcome to High Strangeness

01:30 Introducing Brian Earl: Christmas Enthusiast

02:48 Christmas in California: Traditions and Experiences

05:54 The Journey of a Christmas Podcaster

08:01 The Christmas Past Book: A Deep Dive

18:10 Uncovering Christmas Traditions and Their Origins

26:09 Reflecting on the Meaning of Christmas

27:00 Influential Books on Christmas History

27:47 Exploring the Fascination with Christmas

29:22 Upcoming Books and Projects

31:19 True Crime Christmas Series

35:38 Listener-Submitted Christmas Memories