Episodes

  • Episode 124 - It's Christmas
    Dec 19 2024

    Merry Christmas Everyone!
    It's the last episode of the show this year and it's packed.

    First up we have a Worst Present Ever. It's another one sent in by listener Rob Taylor and it's not a gift anyone would want.

    Then Bob Baker, out podcast barman, is here with Do You Hear What I Hear and he's talking about Santa's Grotto.

    Nest up it's The Quiz and Scott Newman from Tinsel Tunes joins us and he gets a personal best.
    Check out Scott's podcasts here:
    Tinsel Tunes:
    https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/tinseltunes

    Christmas Morninng:
    https://christmasmorningpodcast.com/

    This episodes version of A Christmas Carol is the Netflix original from 2022 called Scrooge: A Christmas Carol. It's a sort of remake of the Albert Finney version from 1970 and it's alright I suppose.

    Then Bob Baker is back with Spread A Smile of Joy and he suggests some ways to get the little ones to spread some happiness.
    Check out Bob's podcast here:
    https://4fpodcast.buzzsprout.com/

    Last episode Jeannie Mulligan had a go at The Quiz and embarrassed herself, but this episode she redeems herself with her Christmas Sarnie Competition where she compares some of the festive sandwiches on offer.

    Get in touch:
    Email: totalchristmas@gmail.com
    Website: totalchristmaspodcast.com

    Merry Christmas!

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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Episode 123 - Return to the Christmas Village
    Dec 13 2024

    Merry Christmas you beautiful people.

    It's a packed show so let's not mess about.
    First up it's Santa Claus is NOT Coming to Town, and listener Timothy Dumont has shared the story of how he spoiled the myth of Santa to a bunch of teenagers.

    Do you know the difference between a Sidewalk and Pavement? Well there isn't one and, in Do You Hear What I Hear, Bob Baker explains it all.

    Then it's our yearly visit to Shelli and Frank Arnold's Christmas village. It's a true work of art and if you want to check it out I've put a bunch of pictures on Facebook.

    Next up we chat to Steven A McKay. He's a historical fiction writer and each year he writes a novella or short story featuring the characters from his Robin Hood series. This year's book has two stories, The Heretic of Haltemprice Priory and The Winter Hunt.
    If you want to check it out, here's a link:
    https://amzn.eu/d/b54tTF4

    We also play Wassail The Night Away. A song written by Steven and his podcast co-host.

    This episode's version of A Christmas Carol is Blackadder's Christmas Carol, but if you want to hear it you'll have to go to The Advent Calendar House Podcast, where I chat about it with host Mike Westfall.
    Here's a link:
    https://adventcalendar.house/episodes/blackadders-christmas-carol

    Then Bob Baker is back with Spread a Smile of Joy. The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear, so why not go carol singing this year and spread some joy around your neighbourhood.
    Check out Bob's podcast here:
    https://4fpodcast.buzzsprout.com/

    Then Jeanie Mulligan is back to have another go at The Quiz.
    See if you can beat her score (you shouldn't find it too hard).

    This episode's recommendation is I'm Not Complaining with Robin and Juno. My two daughters are possibly the world's youngest podcast hosts, and I think you'll enjoy their show so have a listen:
    anchor.fm/notcomplaining

    I'm also plugging my stuff so if you want any merch here's a link:
    https://www.teepublic.com/user/the-total-christmas-podstore

    And if you want to read my book (WARNING: it contains lots of rude words) here's a link:
    https://amzn.eu/d/5zZ6YE9

    Get in touch:
    Email: totalchristmas@gmail.com
    Website: totalchristmaspodcast.com

    Merry Christmas!

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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Episode 122 - The King of Christmas
    Dec 5 2024

    Merry Christmas!
    It's a packed show, and we start off with a not particularly good version of A Christmas Carol from 2001. It's animated and has the voices of Kate Winslet, Simon Callow and Nic Cage as Jacon Marley.
    You can watch here, or not, it's your life:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptEiotEFUdk&t=4116s

    Next up is A Story of Shame from our listener Nettie Tebeau.

    Then it's our yearly chat with Scott Newman of Tinsel Tunes. This time we look at the King of Christmas (at least in the UK), Cliff Richard. He's been part of the Christmas number 1 four times and he's also released a whole bunch of other Christmas songs (and 2 albums). We talk about 4 of his songs and you can check them out here:
    Cliff Richard & The Shadows - I Love You
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNRDiVcTrPI

    Saviours Day
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTI8CWSiZ40

    Whenever God Shines His Light
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--XE4CYGRSY

    21st Century Christmas
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2ZpCKiA7W8

    Check out Scott's Podcasts.
    Tinsel Tunes:
    https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/tinseltunes

    Christmas Morninng:
    https://christmasmorningpodcast.com/

    Last episode we talked about The Unofficial Elf Cookbook by Bryton Taylor, and this episode we doing the draw to see who the lucky winner is. The name is picked out by Robin, one of the hosts of I'm Not Complaining with Robin & Juno.
    Check out their podcast here:
    https://open.spotify.com/show/0TVqhdoyML6wR38BtaWmpo

    Then it's the Quiz and you can test yourself against our guest Mike Westfall from The Advent Calendar House Podcast.
    Check out his show here:
    https://adventcalendar.house/

    Get in touch:
    Email: totalchristmas@gmail.com
    Website: totalchristmaspodcast.com

    Merry Christmas!

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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • Episode 121 - A Quiz, A Carol, A Gift, A Book... the lot.
    Nov 24 2024

    This show has it all.
    Well, it has some stuff.

    First up it's The Quiz, see if you can beat my score of 8.

    Then Bob Baker explains the difference between University and College in Do You Hear What I Hear.

    We've been sent another Worst Present Ever from Rob Taylor, and this one is a Festive Bounty.

    After that, listener Benjamin Hall has sent us a definitive top 5 of the all time greatest US Christmas adverts. If you disagree you're welcome to send me your top 5.

    This episode we have another giveaway. If you'd like to win a copy of The Unofficial Elf Cookbook by Bryton Taylor, all you have to do is email me 'Let's 'ave it', and it could be yours.
    Check out the book here:
    https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/The-Unofficial-Elf-Cookbook


    Then, thanks to a question in The Quiz, we look at who Kerstman is. It's an interesting one.

    It seems that in The Quiz last episode, Martin Goodman was the only listener who knew Showaddywaddy sung Hey Mr Christmas, well this episode we have a listen to it.
    Check out the song here:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWRbdrTWISk

    Then Bob Baker is back with Spread a Smile of Joy, and he looks at giving thanks as a way to spread the love.
    Check out Bob's pod, Festive Foreign Film Fans, it's great:
    https://4fpodcast.buzzsprout.com/

    This episode's version of A Christmas Carol is a Rude Retelling by Brian Harvey of East 17 fame. It's not for the sensitive, but it's a bit of fun if you don't mind swearing.
    Here's a link:
    https://shows.acast.com/a-christmas-carol-the-rude-retelling

    This episode's recommendation is a British sitcom called Miranda. Me and the wife have just rewatched all 20 episodes and I think you'll enjoy it.
    Not sure if it's streaming where you live, but here's a link:
    https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1533435/

    Get in touch:
    Email: totalchristmas@gmail.com
    Website: totalchristmaspodcast.com

    Merry Christmas!


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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Episode 120 - A Christmas Karen
    Nov 10 2024

    Welcome to the show!

    We start off with another tradition from Cornwall here in the UK. It's called the Cornish Kissing Bunch and it's a Christmas wreath but with a twist.

    Then Bob Baker, our resident bar tender, looks at the British word 'Git' in Do You Hear What I Hear.

    This episode's version of A Christmas Carol is A Christmas Karen from 2022. It's a modern twist on the classic tale and it ain't that good.
    You can watch it for free if you have Amazon Prime, and here's a bit more info:
    https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14219486/

    Remember last episode we talked about Seth's Christmas Ghost Stories and I gave you the opportunity to win 3 of them. Well we draw out the winner with our special guest star Juno from I'm Not Complaining Podcast.
    Check out the lovely books here:
    https://www.biblioasis.com/product-category/fiction/seths-christmas-ghost-stories/

    and listen to Juno's podcast here:
    anchor.fm/notcomplaining

    Next up Bob is back and he has another idea for how you can spread a bit of joy.
    Check out Bob's podcast here:
    https://4fpodcast.buzzsprout.com/

    Then it's The Quiz, I scored 8. Make sure to send in your score so I can read it out in the next episode.

    Then it's the return of Santa Claus is NOT Coming To Town and we have the return of Jeannie Mulligan who tells us how she found the truth about Santa.

    This episode's recommendation is Christmas Clatter with Todd Killian.
    It talks about Christmas, have a listen here:
    https://www.christmasclatter.com/

    Get in touch:
    Email: totalchristmas@gmailc.om
    Website: totalchristmaspodcast.com

    Merry Christmas!





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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Episode 119 - Starry Pie Through Your Eyes
    Oct 26 2024

    It's a packed episode filled with all sorts.

    We begin with a look at the Cornish custom of Star Gazy Pie. It's not the most appetising pie you'll ever see, but it has a great history.

    Then our Podcast Barman Bob Baker takes a look at Caskets and Coffins.

    Next it's our yearly tradition of looking at Seth's Christmas Ghost Stories produced by Biblioasis.
    If you want to win the latest 3 books in the series email me with the following...
    "Yeah, I'll ave em".
    Check out the lovely little books here:
    https://www.biblioasis.com/product-category/fiction/seths-christmas-ghost-stories/

    In last episode's quiz I had never heard of the song Christmas Through Your Eyes by Gloria Estefan, so we take a look at the song, which was a B-side to the Miami Mega Mix.

    Want to watch a badly acted operatic version of A Christmas Carol? Then check out Mr Scrooge from South Carolina ETV.
    Here's a link:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d49ucMOKh5s

    Next up Bob is back with Spread A Smile of Joy and he talks about giving blood. It's a great way to save a life.

    Then it's The Christmas Quiz and you get to test yourself against the lovely Jeanie Mulligan from Ireland .

    Get in touch:
    Email: totalchristmas@gmail.com
    Website: totalchristmaspodcast.com

    Merry Christmas!

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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Episode 118 - Christmas in Ireland Part 2
    Oct 12 2024

    Merry Christmas you beautiful people!

    We start the latest episode with a version of A Christmas Carol from the The Guild of Thespian Puppets. It doesn't have the greatest production values, but it's very funny.
    Give it a watch:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd0dJa93eeY&t=1550s

    Then it's Do You Hear What I Hear, and our self-appointed podcast barman, Bob Baker, talks about the word Mom or Mum depending on where you live.

    After that it's the quiz, I scored 8. Send me your score, go on, you know you want to.

    Then Bob is back with Spread a Smile of Joy and another nice idea for spreading joy and happiness to those around you.
    Bob's podcast is Festive Foreign Film Fans, check it out here:
    https://4fpodcast.buzzsprout.com/

    Then we have the second half of our interview with the delightful Jeanie Mulligan, and we continue our conversation about Christmas in Ireland.

    Get it touch:
    Email: totalchristmas@gmail.com
    Website: totalchristmaspodcast.com

    Merry Christmas!

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    1 hr
  • Episode 117 - Christmas on the Emerald Isle
    Sep 28 2024

    Hello you beautiful people!

    It's a packed episode and we start off with a great story from listener Rob Taylor, he shares the story of his worst present ever.

    Then Bob is here with Do You Hear What I Hear and we're looking at the correct way to pronouce the letter 'Z' (spoiler, it's ZED).

    Then it's the quiz, we've had a few people send in their scores from last week. I managed 7 this week, see how you can do.

    After that Bob is back with another way you can spread a little happiness.
    Check out Bob's podcast, Festive Foreign Film Fans, here:
    https://4fpodcast.buzzsprout.com/

    Then it's the first part of our interview with the delightful Jeanie Mulligan from Ireland. We had a great chat, and you'll learn a thing or two about an Irish Christmas.

    This episodes recommendation is the audiobook of Stephen King's Under the Dome. It's on YouTube and it's around 30 hours long. That'll keep you occupied.

    Get in touch...
    Email: totalchristmas@gmail.com
    Website: totalchristmaspodcast.com

    Merry Christmas!

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    55 mins