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 c ..read more

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 Christma ..read more

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 ..read more

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://cozych ..read more

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 ..read more

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-sh ..read more

Today my guest is singer-songwriter Rehya Stevens. And in case you haven't noticed, Christmas is Near! So please Don't Be Late to listen to this episode, because Santa will be taking over the town in just a week.  In today's episode, Rehya and I have a great time getting philosophical about Christmas, talking music, and our favorite Christmas treats! So get ready to get your jingle jangle on - because Rehya and I Welcome One & All!  Find out more about her new album at www.rehyastevens.com Find my youtube book channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/artbookshelfodyssey  Ways ..read more

Can you believe Christmas will be here in only two weeks!!?? To help you celebrate the season, this month I will be reading the story "Christmas at Thompson Hall" by Anthony Trollope. It was first published in the magazine 'The Graphic' in their Christmas issue in 1876.  In the first part of the story, Mrs. Brown and a reluctant Mr. Brown are traveling to see Mrs. Brown's family at Thompson Hall for Christmas. On their journey, Mr. Brown decides to break up their trip and stay in a hotel because he's not feeling well... (definitely was the man flu!). The well-meaning (and slightly peeved ..read more

My guest today is Kyle Poehls. He is a Marine Corps veteran whose life took a dramatic turn after surviving two comas during his military service. Born in 1985, he found his passion for writing in the final years of his service, and despite facing numerous seizures and another coma just before his planned exit, he persevered. In March of 2017, he began crafting "From Nicholas to Christmas", a tale about the early life of Santa Claus. Today, with a reinvigorated outlook on life, he embodies the belief that every day should be lived as if it were the last.  In today's episode Kyle walk ..read more

Can a scraggly, forgotten tree named Needles ever realize his dream of becoming a beautiful Christmas tree? Find out in Richard Wagner's new children's story - "Needles, the Forgotten Christmas Tree"!  Today I interview author Richard Wagner about his new children's book, the timeless message of Christmas, and how this story helps kids learn about the power of their "dreams, desires, hope, determination, and never giving up". The story is beautifully illustrated by Sydni Kruger, and the story has won the 2022 Mom's Choice Awards, 2022 Readers' Favorite Review, and the 2022 Literary Titan ..read more