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As we arrive, the snow falls softly over the Alps, blanketing the jagged peaks and pine-covered slopes. This is a place of such breathtaking winter scenery, it is like a living snow globe. There is a chill in the air but, even more so, there is the hardy aroma of … melted cheese. Yes, this episode the Festive Fans are visiting Switzerland, with its small mountain villages and wooden chalets glowing with light, it is a special place that always feels like Christmas.

Switzerland is so picturesque, the whole country looks like the set of a Hallmark movie. You can find twinkling lights, cozy cabins, and mountains that look like they are frosted in powdered sugar. Outside, church bells ring throughout the valleys, and even the cows seem like they’re part of the holiday decor.

However, as we learn from tonight's movie, The Very Last Christmas, there can be something unsettling about the breathtaking beauty of Switzerland. The Alps look serene, but the snow, mountains, and winter can also bring danger. This same landscape that inspires awe can also be destructive. We are cautioned not to be fooled by the peaceful winter scene—it’s a reminder that even the most beautiful places have threats, hidden beneath the surface. The joy of the season may feel richer when set against the vast, humbling presence of the Alps.

So, join us as we celebrate the Christmas customs and traditions of Switzerland, but also where we explore the incredible landscape. The mountains are not only symbols of splendor, but also of respect. Avalanches, sudden and unstoppable, remind us that nature is never fully tamed. This episode is a series of contrasts — of party and peril and mirth and menace. The Festive Fans are on a festive journey, but nothing says “holiday cheer” like admiring a beautiful alpine slope… from a safe distance, preferably indoors, and while enjoying some Guetzli.

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Said the night wind to the Festive Fan

"Want to go where I go?"

An island in the sea, Festive Fan

"Want to go where I go?"

Witness Christmas, where it’s communist

They just keep it hidden from sight

They just keep it hidden from sight

Wow. Spring has sprung. The weather is warmer, the grass is greener, and two hairy bears have emerged from hibernation. Yes, Mark and Bob are back and awake. They are ready to travel on an empty stomach, but this podcast better serve up a location with some decent cuisine. Well, the Gods have delivered, as we are off to a place with bold flavors from its Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences, and known for a famous sandwich filled with savory ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard … yes, we are off to Cuba!

Did you know that this little island was the inspiration for the song Do You Hear What I Hear? It may sound like an old classic carol, but it was inspired by the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. At the time, the United States and the Soviet Union were locked in a dangerous confrontation over nuclear missiles discovered in Cuba. The world feared that the conflict could lead to a nuclear war, and the song was a written as a plea for peace. In the song, the night wind tells a lamb about a star, the lamb tells a shepherd, and eventually a king learns about a child who will bring “goodness and light.” It reflects on the Nativity, but this is a real example of how Cuba has played a central role in shaping world history.

So, the Festive Fans are off this tiny communist nation to understand how it celebrates the holiday. Cuba has strong Catholic roots, but after the revolution in 1959, public celebrations of Christmas were prohibited. Only after Pope John Paul II’s visit in 1998, Christmas was officially reinstated and Cubans were finally able to embrace the holiday again. We also view the documentary Revolution Rent to explore modern-day Cuba through the journey of Cuban-American theater director Andy Señor Jr. He returns to the country where his parents were exiled to stage the Broadway musical Rent on Christmas Eve. The film follows putting on the stage production from auditions to opening night and offers a nuanced portrait of contemporary Cuban society.

Cuba. So close and yet so far away. We have experienced so much together -- the Revolution, the Bay of Pigs, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Mariel Boatlift, and Elián González – and yet we still behave like two lovers in a spat, slamming our collective doors shut. Our breakup was loud and public, full of accusations and hurt feelings, and both sides walking away angry. Now, with our long, shared history, we have to settle with anguished glances and pining away for a nostalgic past. In fact, as we write this, we are contemplating another ill-timed attempt to get back together, convinced that if we just push hard enough, everything will somehow go back to the way it was. We still have a lingering sense that somehow our story as a couple isn’t finished. The passion may have cooled, but that jealousy, it still simmers.

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As we kick off the second half today, you might be thinking that it is nearly the end of February and we are still not done with the Christmas celebration. We know it’s been a little bit of time, but we really wanted to share the recording with those who weren’t able to attend. There was something electric about this year’s live show — the space, the stage, the lights, the crowd, the music — but what really transformed the night into something unforgettable was our special guests. We invited them to appear because of their celebrity status. We thought it would add excitement and prestige to our event. We hoped that their presence would attract fans, but the moment they stepped on stage, everything changed.

What we didn’t expect was that their celebrity glow would fade into genuine warmth. The night became no longer about hosting celebrities. When you listen to the interviews, you realize we that were connecting with some remarkable human beings. We think you should know more about them:

• Jackie Kostek is an anchor and reporter at CBS Chicago, covering a variety of topics for the CBS News Chicago morning show. She has had a lot of fun on the live Jump Start with Jackie segments – log rolling, roller-coaster riding, eating, drinking, dancing, skating, and getting to know many of the city’s new businesses and festivals. She also worked as the in-arena and digital host for the Chicago Blackhawks and was the weekend anchor and reporter at KTNV in Las Vegas. Jackie also produced episodes of PBS' national travel show, Family Travel with Colleen Kelly, and served as the Director of Photography for an independent documentary about online harassment. She received a Master’s Degree in Journalism from Columbia University in New York and a Bachelor’s in Journalism and American Studies from the University of Kansas.

• Darryl Postelnick is better known for his TikTok segments — “Cooking with Darryl” — where he is a social media influencer with more than 3 million followers. Darryl always enjoyed cooking, so his young daughter thought it would be fun to film him after he retired. Even though he is not a chef or never went to culinary school, his second video reached viral status. He became very popular with Gen Z and some attribute it to his dad energy and his approachable cooking style and vibrant online presence. Whatever the attraction, it has provided a second career for him. He's got a cookbook called R U Kidding Me and even collaborated with Saugatuck Brewing Company on a beer called “Saugatuck R. U. Kidding Me IPA”, which just might be the reason the Festive Fans follow him.

• The Maeberries are a Chicago-based music group that specializes in 50s, 60s, and 70s music. The group loves soul and folk music and enjoys playing well-known songs with a funky jazzy twist. They play at local bars and other events. Kaylee Mae Hofman is the lead singer for the band.

In the end, we had our own Linus moment. It wasn’t about the star power. What matters is the heart behind it. We experienced some real holiday magic at this year’s show. Because of our guests, this December night wa

Email Address:
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