Cousins Chad and Cousin Seth grew up in tight knit Jewish families and have remained close friends well into adulthood. But in recent years, Cousin Chad’s burgeoning love of all things Christmas has been the one thing that was celebrated by one and ignored by the other. But that all changed when Cousin Chad invited his Cousin Seth on a podcast Christmas journey that is nearly two years in the making. Their popular podcast for Christmas enthusiasts, Christmas Cousins, explores the world of Christmas through the eyes of a holiday newbie in Cousin Seth. Along the way, his holiday mentor and Christmas cheerleader, Cousin Chad, has been the consummate podcast host, guiding Cousin Seth through the festive world of Christmas, and other holidays, throughout they year.
If you haven’t been listening, you’ve missed Cousin Seth’s traumatic first experience tasting egg nog and his endless string of other holiday firsts, including viewing It’s a Wonderful Life, visiting his local Christmas markets, and even participating in a Hallmark Christmas movie, as an extra.
We recently sat down with the Christmas Cousins to find out how it all began and get their unique take on the holiday we all love so much in part one of this exclusive two-part interview. For the second part of our interview, you’ll have to tune into an upcoming episode of the Christmas Cousins podcast itself :), which we’ll be promoting right here on Christmas Every Minute!
And don’t worry if you’ve missed any of their holiday hijinks, every episode of the Christmas Cousins podcast, and new ones as well, are available where all great podcasts can be found.
What sparked your interest in creating a Christmas podcast?
Cousin Chad: It all started after a summertime visit from Seth. I also realized that he had almost no knowledge of, or interest, in Christmas, fall or any of the other holidays and seasons, really. It was as if he was stuck behind a waterfall and never peaked out to see what was waiting for him. Plus, we’ve always had such a great time and such funny, natural banter that I just thought it’d be really fun to take this journey together and broadcast it out there to whomever was interested. We didn’t know if one person or one million people would be interested. We’ve been blown away by the interest and fun interactions with the listeners (aka our Christmas Cousins) … rumor has it we are now up to approximately 40 million plus daily listeners. A rumor, of course, that was started by me and “verified” by Cousin Seth.
What is the main focus or theme of your Christmas podcast?
Cousin Seth: A big focus is capturing my journey throughout all the wonderful and exciting things surrounding Christmas under the tutelage of my beloved Cousin Chad. And maybe some of the less wonderful things, like me repeatedly trying egg nog and seasonably appropriate overnight oats despite my adverse reactions on previous attempts to both.
How do you approach creating festive content throughout the year for the podcast?
Cousin Chad: Since I naturally was finding ways to add some festive fun throughout the year, I just did what I would naturally do … and now, instead of having to try to drag my wife and kids to do something festive in April or May, or September for that matter, I’m able to drag Seth along with a whole host of willing participants with our Christmas Cousins worldwide on the podcast.
What is one unique Christmas story or tradition you’ve shared on your podcast that stands out?
Cousin Seth: That’s where it gets a little fuzzy for me. I’ve shared a few more things than I ever thought I would, with anyone. My therapist of six+years included. And to say if they are “Christmas”-related is also questionable. But at one point, and I know for certain because the grown man’s lap I was sitting on confirmed it, I found myself at 48 years old, for the first time ever, sitting atop Santa Claus’ lap and chatting with him. Yes people, the real one! He was at the Northbrook Court mall right across from the Louis Vuitton store in Chicago. And there was not an elf in sight. At this age, my ability to suspend disbelief has gotten much more difficult. To add to the awkwardness, I was there by myself standing 6’2″, excuse me towering 6’2″, over the kids in the two-week to seven year old age range of who were standing in line with me waiting to meet the big guy. Some were more stressed than others and very vocal about it.
How do you maintain your holiday spirit throughout the year?
Cousin Seth: Thankfully I receive multiple texts daily, 365-days-a year from Cousin Chad reminding me that nothing else exists anymore outside of Christmas, and a few other select holidays, seasons and new traditions as determined by him.
Cousin Chad: As cliche as it sounds, I look for the fun and festive in every day. It’s out there. You just need to look. And gratitude helps.
What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
Cousin Seth: For me, I feel like I’m really just establishing those traditions as all of this is relatively new to me. But throughout this journey I’ve met someone very special that has impacted my life immensely, Mrs. X. And she and I have been doing some things that, over time, will hopefully become tradition … Provided I don’t mess it up.
Cousin Chad: It has quickly become our podcast episodes, the food, the beer tastings, the interviews, the friends we’ve made … that and the classic Christmases at my in-laws’ house, which are right out of a Norman Rockwell painting.
What was the aha moment when you realized how much fun this Christmas holiday really is?
Cousin Seth: The week or so leading up to Christmas is just such a happy upbeat time and you can really feel it in the air. That excitement is everywhere and its infectious. It really drew me in and before I realized it, I was right there along with everyone else. And in a good mood and enjoying it all.
Are there any new Christmas-related topics you’re planning to explore on your podcast in the coming year?
Cousin Chad: Yes, but they are top secret (i.e., I haven’t planned them yet).
How do you see your Christmas Cousins podcast evolving in the future?
Cousin Seth: Chad can field this question … Though I think because a big part of our show is the people we’ve met and gotten to talk to, I think we both would love to continue down that road with more live real-time audience engagement. But I understand that some prep work would be involved in that, which is why I defer to my co-host and producer, Cousin Chad.
Cousin Chad: One of the most rewarding aspects of the pod has been seeing its natural evolution, as in any journey. We can check out new things, meet new people and revisit prior activities and see them in a new light each year as the journey moves on. This is a journey that will be in constant flux, growth and evolution, so I’m excited to see where it organically goes as well. As the podcast grows in listenership, new opportunities will naturally open up as well, which will be fun to see where that might lead.
What is your ultimate goal with the Christmas Cousins podcast?
Cousin Seth: That’s a great question. Our collective goal? I mean for me, it’s to make egg nog tastings a thing of the past. Chad would probably vehemently disagree.
Cousin Chad: The ultimate goal would be to get to a point where we’re able to actually focus on it nearly full-time as our only current limitations are time and resources to implement everything we want to do (such as more original scripted pieces, more trips to Christmas-related places, meeting with our Christmas Cousins in person, etc). That’d be amazing,
What is your very favorite thing about Christmas?
Cousin Seth: Probably the day of. Everything is closed and hopefully you can put a lot of the other craziness and less favorable things going in your life to the side for the day. I don’t think a lot of people have that opportunity the other 364 days of the year. And I was also able to convince myself that a higher power watching over would never let the proverbial “other shoe drop” on a day like this. The day after? Totally different internal dialogue going on there.
Cousin Chad: That it makes the mundane magical. A trip to a big box store is now replete with decorations and lights. Everywhere you go there is music playing. What other time of the year does that happen? When else do you have such an uplifted collective consciousness? Only at Christmas time!
Is there one thing you’d like people to know about the Christmas Cousins podcast?
Cousin Chad: First of all, we are very organic and open on the show. There’s no (or virtually no) editing. We just go without a safety net, which makes us broadcast much more in the moment more freely. We also really are thrilled that people listen to us and want to respect their time (we know they have a ton of options). That they choose us means a lot and we want to deliver a good, realistic, sometimes edgy, modern podcast. We’d also like to get more ratings and reviews so more people will recommend the show and grow the audience. The more cousins the merrier!
Cousin Seth. I’d like people to know that Chad and I are real cousins. And we can prove it! Baba Booey!
If you enjoyed this big Christmas interview, check out our conversation with Doron Krinetz, who invented the Christmas-themed trivia game “Yule Never Guess.”
Great guys, great show!
Couldn’t agree more Lee! And as an honorary Cousin, I’m truly honored 🙂