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The Lights of Christmas - an interivew with Author Makennah Johnston

Release Date: 12/14/2025

The Cratchit Family Christmas: A Cozy Christmas Eve 2025

A Cozy Christmas Podcast

Merry Christmas! We made it. It’s the most wonderful day of the year: Christmas Eve. Today, I wanted to share a few thoughts about the year behind us, what this Christmas journey has meant to me, and of course, read a story with you. I’ll be reading from Charles Dickens’s script of his one-man performance of A Christmas Carol, sharing one of my favorite scenes of all, the Cratchit family Christmas. It’s full of warmth, joy, and the kind of cheer that makes you want to pull your chair a little closer to the fire. So settle in, pour yourself something festive, and let’s enjoy...

Stitching Christmas: with special guest Elizabeth Duke

A Cozy Christmas Podcast

Happy Christmas week, everyone! Is your shopping finished yet? Have you baked any good cookies? Today, I’m inviting you to pause for a moment and reflect on creativity, especially the beauty of bringing a handmade, home-crafted touch to Christmas. My guest is Elizabeth Duke, whose passion is teaching people how to stitch and craft in a mindful, intentional way. We talk about her career, how deliberate creativity can enrich our lives, and of course, all things Christmas. Along the way, I learn how a crafter’s emotions can influence their stitching, discover the art of ice dyeing, and we...

Mrs. Claus Takes a Turn!

A Cozy Christmas Podcast

Merry Christmas! Today I’m back to spend a little more time with Mrs. Claus, and yes, the Christmas vibes are cranked all the way up! I share some traditions and memories sent in by listeners, then review a delightful new book, What Would Mrs. Claus Do? by Pamela McColl and Lindsay Stewart. I read a few favorite quotes and offer my thoughts on both the book and Mrs. Claus herself. After that, we gather by the Christmas fire for a reading of the narrative poem “Goody Santa Claus”—with “Goody” being an old-fashioned way of saying “Mrs.” I also dive into the life of the...

The Lights of Christmas - an interivew with Author Makennah Johnston

A Cozy Christmas Podcast

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is the lights! My guest today is new author Makennah Johnston, who has just published a wonderful children's story called "The McBrights": "Every Christmas Eve, the McBrights dazzle from the branches of the Evergreen Tree in Henbrook's town square, warming hearts with their old-fashioned glow. This year, however, something isn't quite right. The McBrights are left in their storage box for longer than usual, and when they are finally unpacked, they find themselves for sale at an antique store! They may be vintage, but their bulbs aren't burnt out yet....

Celebrating 25 Years of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"

A Cozy Christmas Podcast

Hello and Merry Christmas! My guest today is podcast host and the only man who dares enter the Grinch's lair, Tim Babb from the "Can't Wait for Christmas" podcast! Tim and I get together to talk about one of our favorite Christmas movies, 2000's "Dr. Suess' How the Grinch Stole Christmas" starring the brilliantly funny Jim Carrey. We talk about our favorite parts, favorite quotes, memories around the film, and more. We also talk about Taylor Momsen (Cindy Lou Who!), her career post-Grinch, and her delightful new Christmas album, "A Pretty Reckless Christmas." After my chat with Tim, I talk a...

Christmas is a Holiday of Stories: an interview with author Roseanna M. White

A Cozy Christmas Podcast

Today my guest is Roseanna M. White, and she has a new Christmas novella out called "The Christmas Book Flood". It's a story about family, romance, and books. Specifically, the Icelandic tradition of jolabokaflod! In our conversation we talk about her book and Christmas traditions found in Iceland, we reflect on things we are thankful for this year, and of course discuss all of oru favorite Christmas traditions involving music, movies, and of, books! Find Roseanna online: Books by Roseanna that we discussed: (Novella) Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor (Novella) Giver of Wonders (Novel) ...

Advent with The Theology Bros, (with Thom Crowe and Gerry Davilla)

A Cozy Christmas Podcast

In today’s episode, the Theology Bros. (aka Art, Gerry, and Thom!) gather to talk about Advent—what it is, why it matters, and how we can celebrate it in meaningful ways. The Advent season is just a few days away, and people observe it in all sorts of traditions and styles. We'd love to hear how you celebrate! I hope our conversation encourages you and helps make this Advent season a rich and meaningful one. Gerry Davilla is the host of the Thom Crowe is one of the hosts of Books Mentioned: Storybooks for Advent by Arnold Ytreeide (bookshop.org affiliate links) Jesse Tree Bible...

"Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen" A Thanksgiving story by O. Henry

A Cozy Christmas Podcast

Happy Thanksgiving Week, everyone! Today I’ll be reading a Thanksgiving story titled “Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen” by the legendary short story master O. Henry. It’s a funny and thoughtful tale about two men bound by tradition… but I won’t spoil anything! After the story, I chat a bit about our own traditions and ask an important question: Is it okay for some traditions to come to an end? I also share a Christmas book recommendation and talk about Words Christmas Gave Us by Grace Tierney. You can listen to my interview with her in last week’s episode! Timestamps: 00:00...

Scurryfunge, Yule-Hole, and Grinch: Christmas Words with Grace Tierney

A Cozy Christmas Podcast

What in the world is a "scurryfunge"? Have you ever used a Yule-hole? What is the history and story behind names like "Grinch" and "Ebenezer Scrooge"? If you've ever wondered about such things, then you're in luck! Because today my guest is author, word expert, and Christmas enthusiast Grace Tierney. She hails from beautiful Ireland, and is the author of a brand new book called "Words Christmas Gave Us" and it's a fun look at many of the yuletide words, names, foods and phrases we use that have their inspiration because of Christmas! We also talk a bit about A Christmas Carol and which version...

Lill's Travels In Santa Claus Land: A Christmas Story

A Cozy Christmas Podcast

Have you ever wondered how does Santa make all the toys? How does he keep track of the naughty and nice list? Where is his village located? In today's episode, I'm reading the cozy children's story "Lill's Travels In Santa Claus Land" by Ellis Towne, Sophie May, and Ella Farman. In this charming story from 1878, a young girl named Lill discovers the magical Santa Claus Land and finds the answer to these questions and more! This is the perfect story to put you in the mood for Christmas. If you would like to read more stories by these authors, you can find the collection online for free at:...

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One of my favorite parts of Christmas is the lights! My guest today is new author Makennah Johnston, who has just published a wonderful children's story called "The McBrights":

"Every Christmas Eve, the McBrights dazzle from the branches of the Evergreen Tree in Henbrook's town square, warming hearts with their old-fashioned glow. This year, however, something isn't quite right. The McBrights are left in their storage box for longer than usual, and when they are finally unpacked, they find themselves for sale at an antique store!

They may be vintage, but their bulbs aren't burnt out yet. Bernie McBright is determined to get his family shining where they belong. Could the store's newest visitor be the spark the McBrights need to light up Christmas once more?"

I also recommend another children's Christmas book called The Candy Cane Forest by Lindsay Ann Fink. It's a charming and colorful story of how Santa's elves plant and grow one of my favorite Christmas treats - Candy canes! After that I wrap up with a few thoughts on the lights of Christmas, and what they mean to me.

Learn more about Makennah here: https://www.blueballoonbooks.com/authors/makennah-johnston

Recommended Books:

The McBrights by Makennah Johnston

The Candy Cane Forest by Lindsay Ann Fink

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