When Christmas is Hard: Reclaiming the Joy of Christmas with Alexandra Walker

Happy October everyone! In today's episode I share how I am getting ready for the fall weather - it mostly involves apple crisp! I'd love to hear from you and some of your favorite recipes to make during the fall and Christmas season! I hope your plans for fall come together better than the main character in today's story by O. Henry. In "The Cop and the Anthem", we follow Soapy, a homeless man living in New York City, who has an interesting plan on how to hunker down for the winter...  There's also a special opportunity from the Christmas Podcast Network to purchase a Christmas ornament, with 100% of the proceeds going to charity!  Apple Crisp Recipe: https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/apple-crisp/ Christmas Podcast Network Ornament Order Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc9KJ9CHmOml_-iXZbv9ACz7BXqHZ82jPkaxiM_vPm6F1m5Wg/viewform Timestamps: 00:00 Fall Plans, Recipes, and More 05:27 A Special Announcement 09:07 Story Introduction 11:51 The Cop and the Anthem 27:11 Concluding Thoughts   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: [email protected]     #podcast #Christmas #christmaspodcast

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: [email protected]     #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: [email protected]      #podcast #Christmas #christmaspodcast #sherlockholmes

Happy Leon Day! (A day late - sorry about that...)  Today I share a couple of Christmas book recommendations, and read you a cozy Christmas story called Christmas in the Alley by Olive Thorne Miller. Ann is a poor old washer woman with a heart of gold. Her husband is curmudgeon who just wants his tea and pipe. Like many people during the early 1900s they are living in extreme poverty. In spite of that, Ann often helps those in need. On Christmas Eve, she realizes that she has no money to help her and her family celebrate the day. Will there be a Christmas miracle? Probably... but what Ann does with the Christmas miracle really makes this story shine.  Books Mentioned: The Christmas Train by David Balducci Death of a Christmas Caterer by Lee Hollis Find out more about the author: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_Mann_Miller    Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:35 Cozy Book Corner: The Christmas Train by David Balducci 06:35 Death of Christmas Caterer by Lee Hollis,  09:16 Introducing the story - author bio 12:41 Christmas in the Alley - A Christmas Story by Olive Thorne Miller 29:18 Thoughts on the Story and Conclusion   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: [email protected]       #podcast #christmas #christmaspodcast #leonday #christmasstory

Happy June everyone! In today's episode I share a few quick life updates on why I've been gone so long, and then we get right into the Christmas goodness. In today's episode I explore a little bit of my Norwegian heritage by talking about some of my favorite Christmas coffee, some treats and cookies you might get at a Norwegian Christmas Party, and then we settle down by the Christmas fire and I read a Christmas Story called "Round the Yule-Log: Christmas in Norway" by Peter Christen Asbjornsen. So make sure to grab some Julekaker and coffee, and settle in for a fun episode of A Cozy Christmas Podcast!    Time Stamps 00:00 Quick update 01:32 All about coffee 05:55 Christmas in Norway  08:00 Round the Yule Log - Christmas in Norway by Peter Christen Asbjornsen 38:05 Concluding Thoughts   Articles Quoted and recipes: lifeinnorway.net https://www.lifeinnorway.net/coffee-culture-in-norway/  https://www.lifeinnorway.net/?s=christmas Some Christmas Coffee ideas: https://freshaprilflours.com/gingerbread-coffee-creamer/  Coffee cookies  http://www.bakersbrigade.com/recipe/chewy-chocolate-espresso-cookies/   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: [email protected]       #Christmas #christmaspodcast #podcast

In today's episode I read a shorter short story by humorist Robert Benchley entitled "Christmas Afternoon (Done in the Manner, if not the Spirit, of Dickens)". It's a funny little vignette describing a chaotic Christmas Afternoon in the style of Charles Dickens. I hope you enjoy the story today! Cozy Christmas Bookclub: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1035399187415872  What kind of traditions do you have for Christmas Afternoons? Let me know!    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: [email protected]       #podcast #christmaspodcast #christmas

Welcome to the start of Season 5! Today I kick off the new season by reading Christmas traditions and memories from one of my listeners who lives in Australia. I really enjoyed what Shelly sent me, so I thought this would be a great thing to share with all of you. She talks about her families traditions, Christmas foods, how they maintain the spirit of Christmas even though the sun is scorching the themometer, and more.  There's also a few updates I share, including the news that our Cozy Christmas Book Club is currently voting on our first read of the year. Head over to The Cozy Christmas Book Club on facebook and vote now!  #podcast #christmaspodcast #christmas  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

Merry Christmas! This is my Christmas episode, out a few days late I know - but Christmas is a season, not just a day, right?  Today I wrap up season 4 and Christmas 2023 with the kindness guru himself - Robert Peterpaul, host of the Art of Kindness Podcast, returns to talk about Christmas, the importance of showing kindness (love over fear for the win!) - and we digress into one of the most interesting conversations I've ever had about A Christmas Carol. And if that wasn't enough for you, it's a good thing this episode is supersized! We also gush about our amazing spouses, our fur babies, and more. Then I end the episode by reading a selection from A Christmas Carol. This has been a great year for the podcast, but it's also been a long one. So I'll be taking a few extra weeks off from the podcast to rest, travel, and spend time with family. I'll see you again in late January as we'll begin Season 5!  Until then, let's remember to honor Christmas in our hearts, and try to keep it all the year.  Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and My Christmas Reflections 07:19 Interview with Robert Peterpaul 18:15 A Definition of Kindness 20:53 Discussion on A Christmas Carol, Kindness, and more 33:27 We Reflect on 2023, Fur Babies, and More 46:25 Kindness Tips 55:57 Christmas Plans: Food, Family, and ... Jolabokaflod? 01:02:32 Conversation Wrap Up 01:06:13 Finale: Excerpt from A Christmas Carol   Art of Kindness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofkindnesspod/?hl=en  Art of Kindness Podcast: https://broadwaypodcastnetwork.com/podcasts/the-art-of-kindness-with-robert-peterpaul (I'd recommend his recent interview from Nov. 20th with James Monroe Iglehart - fantastic conversation!)    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: [email protected]     #podcast #christmas #christmaspodcast #aok

It's Christmas Eve! The best day of the year. To help you celebrate, here is the final parts to our story this month, "Christmas at Thompson Hall" by Anthony Trollope. I rearranged my publication schedule a little bit and decided to combine the last two parts into one episode. I've had a lot of episodes come out this week, and didn't want to clog up your podcast feed TOO much. If you're interested in listening to the whole story, here are the links: Part 1: https://cozychristmas.libsyn.com/christmas-at-thompson-hall-a-christmas-story-by-anthony-trollope-part-1-of-4  Part 2: https://cozychristmas.libsyn.com/christmas-at-thompson-hall-a-christmas-story-by-anthony-trollope-part-2-of-4  Part 3:  I know it says there will be 4 parts, but it's just 3. Sorry for any confusion!  Alright, I will have one more Christmas episode out on December 27th. Yes it will be two days after Christmas, but that's ok. Christmas is a season, not just a day! I hope you enjoy our story today! 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: [email protected]     #podcast #christmas #christmaspodcast #anthonytrollope #christmasstory

In today's episode I interview Katie Wilbert. She is the screenwriter of the new Christmas movie "A Vineyard Christmas". According to imdb: "Heather, host of 'Read Between the Vines', is determined to create the perfect Christmas episode by featuring a unique winery from her hometown. The only thing standing in her way? Rudy, the attractive, stubborn owner of the winery." In our interview, we talk about her journey to becoming a screenwriter, how her movie was made, and then Katie shares some of her picks of movies if you'd like to snuggle down with your significant other and watch some great Romantic Comedies Christmas movies. After that we talk about some of her favorite Christmas foods, music, memories and more! Katie Wilbert's Website: https://www.katiewilbert.com/  Her film, A Vineyard Christmas is available on multiple streaming platforms including Amazon! 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: [email protected]       #christmas #podcast #christmaspodcast #christmasmovies