logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2023
45m 40s

Christmas Has A Dark Side: The Krampus E...

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

As the western world gears up for its biggest holiday, the guys dive into the strange story of Krampus: a pre-Christian, pagan entity that somehow not only survived the arrival of Christianity -- but thrived, first as a side character in Central European holiday celebrations, then went global as more and more people enjoyed exploring 'the dark side' of Christmas. Spoiler: capitalism loves a franchise.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Aug 23
CLASSIC: The Strange and Spectacularly Disgusting Story of the Great Kentucky Meat Shower
On March 3rd, 1876, residents of Bath County, Kentucky were startled to see what appeared to be chunks and flakes of meat falling from the clear, cloudless sky. The rain, which only lasted a few minutes, captured national attention. People across the country proposed various theo ... Show More
35m 55s
Aug 22
The Ridiculously Energetic History of Energy Drinks!
This episode is brought to you by our favorite cohost: coffee. These days, if you stroll into any convenience store across the planet, you're going to run into a selection of energy drinks -- whether we're talking Red Bull, NOS, Monster, or our favorite pal, the humble cup of joe ... Show More
47m 1s
Aug 19
Japan is Overrun By Raccoons Entirely Due to a Single Cartoon
While the legendary Japanese raccoon dog -- or tanuki -- may look like a raccoon, it's a very different beast. However, these days Japan is home to actual raccoons: they're considered an invasive species, wreaking havoc across the country as they destroy temples, consume crops, a ... Show More
40m 57s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2023
402. Christmas: Pagan or Christian?
“The Church was anxious to draw the attention of its members away from the old pagan feast days, and the December date did this very well, for it coincided with the birthday of the invincible son of Mithraism…”Is Christmas as we know it merely an invention, created by plagiarisin ... Show More
1 h
Dec 2022
67: A Very Krampus Christmas: The Dark Spirits of Christmas Past
Welcome to the Dark History podcast. Is there anything as cozy as a Christmas tree? When you look at it, what do you think of? Family, holidays, presents, hot coco, singing carols, good times etc etc. But have you ever looked at a Christmas tree and thought about chopped off d**k ... Show More
39m 19s
Dec 2019
Pour one out for my homeboy, Jesus - History of Christmas
YUUUULE! The true history of Christmas has been a mystery for us and on this episode we reveal the source of some of the Christmas traditions we know and love today. Don’t shoot the messenger, but documented history states that Christmas may not have had such a wholesome beginnin ... Show More
1h 6m
Dec 2020
Christmas Traditions
The roots of this festive holiday reach way back through history, with links to Nordic myths and the Roman Saturnalia. For colonists in 17th century America, celebrating Christmas was controversial… and in this telling, a despairing Puritan preacher goes so far as to try and canc ... Show More
30m 45s
Dec 2018
CLASSIC: The Mysterious Origins of Christmas
Chances are that you've heard of the alleged war on Christmas, which some believe is an effort to distance the celebration from its origins. But what are those origins, exactly -- and where do modern Christmas traditions come from? Tune in to learn more. Join Ben and Matt as they ... Show More
21m 21s
Dec 2019
Krampus Pt. 2
Krampus is only one of a wide variety of Germanic Holiday Demons. In the 12 days surrounding Christmas, or Rauhnächte, demons, witches, werewolves, and spirits are believed to haunt the Alps, making the Christmas season a time of horror. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit po ... Show More
49m 2s
Dec 2021
Fri. 12/04 - Krampus, the Unabomber, & Tickle Me Elmo
Why the FBI thought the inventor of Tickle Me Elmo might have been the Unabomber. A new potential method for freeze-drying vaccines. And it’s Krampusnacht this weekend. Here’s everything you need to know about the sinister anti-Santa. Sponsors: Lendtable, Use code KOTTKE at Lendt ... Show More
20m 56s
Dec 2023
Toute la vérité sur les mythes de Noël 🎅 [REDIFF]
Pendant les fêtes, "L'Heure du Monde" vous propose de redécouvrir ses meilleurs épisodes. Rendez-vous en 2024 et prenez soin de vous 🎅🎄🎁 --- Plus que quelques jours avant de célébrer Noël et, pour beaucoup de Français, de suivre les traditions qui vont avec les fêtes de fin d’ ... Show More
19m 49s
Dec 2023
Medieval Origins of Santa Claus: St. Nicholas
In many parts of Europe, before Christmas comes, you have first to celebrate one of the medieval period's favourite saints - Saint Nicholas of Myra. It's his legend and celebration that eventually transformed into our own Santa Claus. St Nicolas’s commemoration was a great excuse ... Show More
42m 13s
Jul 2008
What was the Christmas Truce?
Amid the bloodshed of World War I, the Pope pled for a truce on Christmas Day. The commanding powers refused the truce, but soldiers across Europe crossed battle lines to spend Christmas the enemy. Check out our HowStuffWorks article to learn more. Learn more about your ad-choice ... Show More
3m 59s