Saint Nick Sets The Record Straight

Hey.

Hey, nosy friends.

Welcome, and welcome back to Nosy af.

It's your friend and host, Stephanie, here with a extra special episode for you today.

And it's not just any episode.

This is an episode that is for the entire family.

So get your kiddos because I've got a holiday treat for you.

Today is Christmas Eve, and if you're like me, you're all about the holiday vibes, soaking it all up.

Maybe you have some hot coke and you're getting ready for Santa's big night.

Speaking of Santa, today we are rolling out the red carpet here at Nosy AF because my friends admin, Mark at Modern Dadhood has landed a one on one interview with the man in red himself, Santa Claus.

Like that guy, Santa Claus has got to be super duper busy with getting toys ready for every single kid around the world, and yet he still makes time for an interview.

Come on.

This is the perfect episode to share with kids, so please gather them around.

Adam asked Santa all the big questions kids have been wondering about, and trust me, the answers are pure magic.

So sit back, relax, and let's get ready to dive into this festive, family fun episode of Modern Dadhood featuring Santa Claus.

And I'll see you on the other side.

So don't go anywhere.

Modern.

Modern Dadhood.

Dad.

Modern Dadhood Podcast.

Damn, Daniel.

Did you call me Daniel?

Back at it again with the white vans.

Remember that?

No, I have no idea what that is.

It was really bizarre.

Let's turn the podcast up the right.

Way and kick us off.

Well, you're listening to Modern Dadhood and it is an ongoing conversation about the joys, challenges, and general insanity of being a dad in this moment.

My name's Adam Flaherty and I'm a dad.

My daughters are nine and six years old.

And you, my friend, the name that.

You go by, oh, that's Mark.

Check it.

And I too am a dad.

And I have twins.

Both boys, both dangerously close to six years old.

It's the holidays.

It is the holidays.

This is our holiday episode and our guest is.

I can't even bring myself to reveal it until we get into it, but we've got a few formalities to get through, and that includes letting our listeners know that every episode of Modern Dadhood can be found at our website, moderndadhood.com.

you can find the podcast on any of the major platforms.

Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, Overcast Pocket Casts, all of them.

Podfate, White vans cast.

Yep.

We would just love if you gave us a rating and a review Wherever you listen, it would go a long way.

And maybe at one of your holiday gatherings coming up, tell a friend or a family member about Modern Dad.

That's how we grow.

Have a couple of too many eggnogs and corner somebody at the next party.

And just start gushing about your favorite episode.

Start ramming our show down their throat.

Say, my favorite podcast.

Just interviewed Pete Souza.

Oh, and you have to hear that.

You gotta hear that one.

This episode in particular.

Yes, most of our episodes are for dads and moms.

Parents.

This episode is intended to be for parents and their kids because of the special guest who we'll introduce momentarily.

That's incredible.

And I think that they're going to really enjoy it because our guest is someone very special.

And I spoke with him the other day and asked him some questions that I thought kids might particularly be curious to ask him and may not have the opportunity to or the courage to.

So that's all I'm going to say.

Well, I'll do my best not to use any potty words in this episode then.

Now that we have all that stuff out of the way, I feel like we should just get into the.

The guest.

Let's get into it.

I know that I conducted this conversation, but do you want to.

I mean, the reveal.

I know that the conditions around the interview were.

Were intense and I couldn't.

I couldn't join, but I'm aware that you.

You interviewed one.

Chris, I believe he goes by.

Are you on kind of like a first name basis with him now?

I don't know if that's too much.

To assume, but he does go by Chris.

Most people know him as Santa Claus.

Santa Claus is our guest.

St.

Nicholas.

He goes by Chris.

Father Christmas.

He goes by Nick.

He goes by Kris Kringle.

All of the above.

And I asked him about that.

You'll hear shortly.

I can't wait.

I'm gonna get to hear this interview.

I guess I should tell the listeners right along with them.

Correct.

I'm excited.

I'm just as excited as all the other children.

Let's just get into it then.

Let's get into our conversation with Santa Claus.

Oh, man.

Well, I'm here with Santa Claus, the actual real deal live Santa Claus.

Hello.

Mark and I have interviewed a lot of very well known, famous people.

I don't think anybody has even come close to your level of notoriety, Santa.

So I apologize in advance if I sound a little bit nervous, but this is a pretty big deal for me.

Oh, thank you, Adam.

Now, you don't have Anything to be nervous about, do you?

I don't think so.

I feel like I've been pretty well behaved this year.

Just a moment.

Wait a minute.

Oh, you gotta be kidding me.

You're actually looking at the list, Adam.

I am.

I'm always looking at the list.

Oh, not bad, Adam.

Very.

Well, I'm glad to hear that.

I know that you're very, very busy, especially this time of year in December, and I'm not sure how you have decided to make time for modern dadhood when you have so many other things that you need to tend to.

But I want to say thank you for making time to be with us.

This is really special.

Oh, thank you.

I appreciate it.

And it's a nice break to get out from the workshop on an afternoon such as this.

I appreciate your taking the time to talk to me.

Now, what can I tell you about.

What I want to do do with our limited time here?

Santa is just sort of get to the bottom of some issues.

Because I know that for my whole life, since I was a little boy, I've had some questions for you that I've really never had the courage to put in a letter or to ask, you know, any.

Anytime that I've met you or any of your helpers.

And so I'm hoping that I can ask you some questions that maybe other people have on their minds, too, and get some real answers from you.

Fair enough, Adam.

Fire wing first.

Before we get into the heavy stuff, what I want to know is, how has the season been going?

What's a typical day look like in December in your workshop?

Oh, well, as you can imagine, sawdust flying everywhere, elves running all around the place, up and down.

There's plenty to do.

Of course.

Supply chain issues seem to have worked themselves out, but, you know, a little bit of help from our friends, we've been able to get things back on track.

The reindeer are excited.

They're out in the yard now practicing playing games and whatnot.

So Mrs.

Claus is busy.

She's been baking and, well, she's really like the ultimate project manager, so she keeps everybody in line.

Been a very busy time.

We're getting excited.

See if the weather holds.

That's the big question.

Will the weather hold?

Now, if the weather doesn't hold, let's say it's a particularly foggy year or you travel through a lot of rain or thunderstorms, how does that affect your sleigh ride in the reindeer?

Well, I believe you've heard about a solution for that.

Someone by the name of Randy Wait, Rick.

Ricky.

Reindeer.

No, Rudolph.

He leads the team still and does a fabulous job in any season, any weather, really.

So we'll be ready to go no matter what.

I'll tell you, if it's foggy, if it's snowing, we love it.

We'll go all around the world, quick as lightning.

I'm glad to hear it.

That's very reassuring.

And.

And Santa, honestly, I'm very delighted that you have such a sense of humor about you.

I don't know that I would have guessed that.

Oh, well, at my age and my size, a sense of humor is critical.

Well, speaking of critical, and I don't mean to ask this question to put you on the spot, but it's something that I've wondered about for a lot of years myself, and I've had to try to explain to my own children in the way that I know best.

Yes, the question is, there are lots of Santas around this time of year.

Right.

I go into a mall and I see a Santa, or into a department store, I see a Santa or a parade, and Santa's at the end of the parade.

And I always wonder, is that really you or is that one of your helpers?

How does that work?

You can't be in all places at once.

Oh, well, can't I?

Adam, everyone has the ability to be Santa Claus.

Of course, it's just part of our nature.

But Santa has a lot of helpers out in the world, and they're always around.

How do you think I get all the information I get?

But what you see out in the world, as far as Santa's are concerned, they would be the very best, top cream of the crop of my helpers.

The reason you just can't see Santa all the time is because it would make it less special.

What I need is for people to believe.

Hmm.

That is a wonderful answer.

And now I feel like I have the language to really explain that to my daughters.

So thank you for that.

Yes, believing in Santa Claus is everything.

Now, if you choose not to believe in me, that's all right.

Doesn't automatically put you on the naughty list.

Doesn't get you any closer to the nice list either.

But it's a lot more helpful, especially these days when people have the Christmas spirit and can carry it on throughout the season and into the year later, that's what's more important.

You continue to be kind, you continue to be mindful, and you continue to have that little spark of magic, that belief in something, and that's what makes it all work.

Now, a minute ago, you mentioned getting information back to you.

And I know that one of the ways that we get information to you is one is by writing letters.

And so I wonder, does every kid who writes a letter to Santa and sends it to the North Pole, do those letters make it to you?

And do you get to read all of those?

I do.

Now, there's.

This is a little something extra I need in mother's cocoa to get me through it all, but of course, I read them all.

It's a pleasure.

Now, the other thing is, is where do I get all of this information if they're not coming in letter form?

Right.

The Patriot act didn't invent itself, Adam.

Well, what I was going to ask you about was elf on the Shelf, which has become this really beautiful tradition for so many families.

And not everybody has an elf, but for those of us that do, the belief is that our elf goes back to the North Pole every night of December and shares with you what our family's been up to.

And just make sure that the.

My daughters are on good behavior.

So are all those elves coming back to you every night, too, and updating you every night.

It's like a herd of kittens all scampering about and coming back and updating.

Now, we've got to have some processes.

I will tell you that.

Oh, gosh, 40, 50, 60 years ago, the process was, well, there was no process.

It was just cacophony.

But now things are a lot smoother.

They all do come back.

They all show up with a full head of information.

Now, even if you don't have an elf, we've got eyes and ears everywhere.

There's always a way for us to know that you are doing right, doing well in school or listening to your parents, or in some cases, like our friend Mark, perhaps not listening to his parents on occasion.

He seems to have come a long way, though.

Poor guy's not even here to defend himself.

That inspires a question that actually came from my younger daughter, who's almost seven years old.

She was wondering, in some of the stories about Santa Claus, there is this notion that you have a crystal ball and so you can see people, just like in the song, right?

He sees you when you're sleeping.

He knows when you're awake.

And my younger daughter is wondering, is Santa watching us all the time?

And she was thinking about kind of privacy, you know, are you watching all of us all the time?

It's a great question, and I can't give away all of my secrets.

Of course, it Wouldn't be secret anymore, would they?

What's really important, what really matters, is the way a child feels about themselves.

And those are the kind of things that we keep our elf ears up for.

So when a child feels happy or proud or kind or they're sharing or doing well in school, those kind of messages come straight through the crystal ball.

In fact, they come right through the aurora borealis, frankly.

Example, your daughter just got glasses and she's proud of them.

She wears them like a champion.

And that can be difficult for some kids to transition to.

Things like that are what we keep an eye out for.

It's not necessarily watching all the time.

Well, I wanted to ask you this because I know not every home has a chimney and everybody knows Santa comes down the chimney.

So when you land on a roof and there's no chimney, how do you come into the house?

Magic.

Magic, magic.

No matter what.

I don't have the key and I don't have the code.

And oftentimes I'll run across a dog or a cat or a parrot or a furry, feathery, leathery friend.

On some occasions in some countries down south, the south of the equator.

But we always carry with us just a little bit of that extra magic.

So that will allow us, whether you have a chimney or not, to slip in, under and around to get into where we need to get the cookies and the milk and of course, leave a few presents around.

But there's always a way when you're Santa Claus.

Now, if everybody's leaving you cookies and milk and treats, you must get full pretty early on in your evening.

How do you manage eating all of those cookies and drinking all that milk without your stomach starting to feel sick?

Well, Mrs.

Claus tends to me quite well.

Make sure I have a full diet of fiber.

And I tried to pace myself.

Adam cannot eat every cookie, every carrot, every stop.

I'll usually have a nibble or two here and there because as this trip goes around the world in your time and my time, quite two different things.

The trip takes a little bit shorter in my world than it does in yours.

Sort of a quantum physics, that's what.

I was going to ask because it's always been confusing to me how you can cover so much territory in such relatively little time on that same topic of conversation.

For years, people have been using this technology.

I don't know if you even know that it exists.

Santa called the NORAD Santa Tracker and other sort of tracking websites that supposedly show where you are at any given time on Christmas Eve.

Can you tell Me.

Can you give me any indication, is that accurate as to where you actually are?

How does that really work?

Well, relatively accurate.

I'll say the one thing that I had to have a bit of an issue with norad.

And if you're listening, please take note.

The representation of me on NORAD's system, the tracking system, is just ridiculous.

It's clip art.

It looks like someone made it in Canva.

But it's interesting because sometimes I have to check my own gps, make sure I don't double back.

But yes, NORAD does a pretty gosh darn good job for myself.

Well, you mentioned representations of you, which makes me think of.

There's just hundreds and hundreds of Christmas movies.

Is there a Christmas movie that you think most accurately represents you, both in how you look, but also just in your.

Your personality and the essence of you and your spirit?

I could tell you one.

There's an old classic, Santa vs.

The Martians.

And that was not a licensed representation of me, I can assure you.

But that was a long time ago and a lot of snow under the bridge, Adam.

But the fact is, you cannot have an accurate representation of Santa because you cannot see me.

Leaves a lot to the imagination.

Santa, if your elves are making all the toys at your workshop in the North Pole, how come I could buy some of them in a store or buy some of them online.

How does that work?

If I told you a, I'd have to bury you in a snow mound.

That doesn't sound pleasant.

Santa, my last question for you is this, and it might be an easy one for you.

There are lots of names that you go by.

St Nicholas, Kris Kringle, Santa Claus, of course.

Which one do you prefer and why?

And why so many names?

It's a very good question.

The origins of Santa Claus are very interesting.

Have you ever heard of the myth of Santa Claus and Coca Cola?

I've heard of this, sure.

Many people have.

In 1930s, Coca Cola commissioned an artist to create a series of illustrations featuring me with a Coke, of course.

Sorry, Pepsi.

You just were a little slow at the go.

But, well, there was that, and then there's other stories from around the world.

What's interesting about Santa is he fits into each and every cultural narrative.

The origins can be traced back to various figures and traditions all over the globe, from St.

Nicholas to, oh, Santa Claus.

Or my favorite is, well, Father Christmas.

I've always been preferential to that one.

That's a good one.

That's a good one.

Santa, is there anything else that you would like to Share with our listeners.

We've invited parents and kids to listen to this episode together.

So, speaking to the kids who are listening, is there anything that you'd like to say before we let you on with your afternoon?

Oh, yes, of course.

There's a couple of things that I think all children should remember because I do understand that in some families they need to travel for the holiday season or they go somewhere else for Christmas.

The truth is, Santa goes everywhere.

He knows if you've been naughty, he knows if you've been nice, and he knows if you're going to spend Christmas at a Helene's in Pittsburgh, it'll all work out.

Santa's stealth mode, Santa's fashion, and Santa's well, GPS free navigation are all designed to get me in, out, and wherever I need to be around the world at any given time.

And that's it.

Just be good, be kind, do great listening, and be proud of yourself.

No matter what you hear or what you may think, you are worth it.

And never stop believing.

Santa Claus.

Thank you so much for being such a symbol of hope and inspiration and bringing so much joy to so many people over the years.

It's such an honor to speak with you.

Merry Christmas from my family and from Modern Dadhood.

And thank you for doing what you do.

Of course, Adam.

Merry Christmas to you and your family and Mark and his and all of your wonderful Modern Dadhood listeners out there.

You have yourself a warm, safe Merry Christmas.

Let's keep our fingers crossed for snow, the light, fluffy kind.

Adam.

I'll be seeing all of you.

Well, the clock is ticking.

I'll be seeing all of you quite soon.

And to all a good night.

Look, there's a.

There's an elephant in the room.

And the elephant is that we.

We've not put out an episode for some time.

Yeah, I blame myself.

You got some splaining to do.

Which would you.

It's totally up to you whether you would actually like to share what's going on in your life or not.

And I will.

It will not hurt my feelings either way.

Yes, I'm.

I've been very ill.

I've been ill.

And therefore, this episode is brought to you by Albuterol, ibuprofen, Montelukast, fluticasone, benzonotate and methylprednisolone.

Yeah, I got sick.

I've been sick.

Here's how it started.

I'm gonna do.

Long story short.

Okay.

I'm gonna do lss.

Okay.

Some time ago, before Thanksgiving, the flu went through this household.

Okay.

One kid Went down, and then the other kid got strep throat.

And then the first kid got strep throat.

And then Jamie got the flu.

And then I was feeling just awful, right?

And then went to the doctor.

The doctor tested for everything, and they were like, well, nothing's coming back.

Like, you're negative for everything, but, like, you definitely have the flu.

Like, that was what the doctor said.

Your tests are negative, but you definitely have the flu.

So they said, treat yourself like you have the flu.

So I did.

And then at that time, I got a nasty cough.

Yada, yada, yada.

It's weeks and weeks later, and after lots of coughing and.

And like, literally, like, doubling over.

Hacking, coughing, hacking.

I damaged some of my insides, is the best way to put it.

Like, when you cough, your lungs expand, and that hits the chest wall.

And if done enough, with enough force over a long enough period of time, you can develop something called pleurisy.

And that's the latest diagnosis anyway for me.

I'm not complaining, okay?

I'm really not.

Well, you have every right to complain.

That sounds miserable.

It's been absolutely miserable.

And as you well know, know, it's the holiday season, and there's a lot to be done.

And I just have to say, I have not lifted a finger around here.

And yet there is a tree with lights.

The lights are on the outside of the house.

It's decorations everywhere.

It looks wonderful in this house.

And it's all thanks to.

Now.

You don't have to thank me, man.

You don't have.

You don't have to do this on the pod.

I.

I'm gonna save Mark some.

His voice a little bit.

I came to Mark's house.

I'm gonna drink some tea and set.

Up Christmas for his whole family, because I knew they were all in a tough position serving him while he rested on the futon.

You don't have to thank me.

I didn't do it for the thanks.

I did it because I love you and I care about you and your family.

That's a really nice story, but I have to say out loud, I've said it to her, so I'm not only saying it to a microphone, but none of that would be happening if it wasn't for my wife going into absolute overdrive and doing, first of all, everything else to begin with, including taking care of the kids.

And she found time to decorate the house inside and out.

It's kind of mind blowing, and I'm very thankful, but I think.

I think I'm on.

What do you call it the upswing.

I hope so, because you deserve it.

Thanks.

It's been a long haul for you and Jamie is an absolute superhero.

It can't be said.

Enough.

With all of that out of the way, I just want to express my gratitude to the listeners, to you, Mark, for making this show what it is.

Well, thanks, man.

You know what?

Right back at you.

You're the man with the plan.

You're the man with the vision making it happen.

Back at it again with the white vans.

I still don't know the reference, I guess.

Well, listen, man, why don't we.

We'll save your voice.

There is one thing that I want to sort of take us into the closing segment with, and that is a quick Update on my 10 year old who a couple episodes back I was sharing about her recorder playing.

Yeah, we were talking about how squeaky that instrument is.

It is still very squeaky, but she's been practicing like crazy and teaching herself songs.

And I'm actually blown away by her commitment to learning this instrument.

And I want to share just a little taste of a holiday song that she just taught herself and has been playing all the time.

That's awesome.

And then we'll close out the sode.

Man.

I want to hear it.

Let's hear it.

It.

Wasn'T that amazing.

Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.

I don't know about you, but I feel like a little kid.

Again, a huge thank you to Adam and Mark from Modern Dad Hood for sharing this magical interview with us.

And of course, the biggest thanks to Santa Claus for taking time out of his very busy schedule to spread some holiday cheer, which this year has been definitely, definitely needed.

I also want to take a moment to highlight something really special in this episode.

Mark thanking Adam for helping him to get his house ready for Christmas.

That moment I found so touching and it really hit home for me because it reminded me of the conversation we had in the previous episode about reciprocity and mutual aid with Eric.

And it's moments like that when we show up for each other that truly embody the holiday spirit.

I felt that extra chat with Mark and Adam was such a beautiful example of what it means to support one another.

And it's one of the reasons why I wanted to include it in today's episode.

So before we wrap, can we also give a huge shout out to Adam's 10 year old for absolutely bringing down the house with that holiday recorded performance?

Like, come on.

Way to God.

To all of you listening, thank you so much for making nosy af.

What it is.

Whether you're new here or you've been with me from the start, I'm so grateful for each and every one of you, from my family to yours and all of us here at Nosy af.

I want to say Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and here to a Joyful and Magical 2024.

Make sure you be safe, you spread love, and don't forget to leave out those cookies and milk for Santa tonight.

Take care, y'all, and see you next time.

Happy holidays.

This has been another episode of Nosy af.

I'm your host, Stephanie Graham.

What did you think about today's conversation?

I would love to hear your thoughts.

Head over to the Nosy AF website for all the show notes related to this episode.

You can also find me on Instagram at Stephanie Graham, what would you know?

Or online@missgraham.com until next time, y'all stay curious and take care.

Bye.