Episode 16: Holiday Traditions and Memories

Episode 16: Holiday Traditions and Memories

Hosts: Greg, Rich, Jay, Derek

This episode explores holiday traditions around the world and the personal memories that give the season meaning. The conversation moves from ancient winter festivals and global rituals of light to deeply personal stories about family, food, grief, change, and chosen traditions. The core message is simple and grounding: traditions don’t have to be perfect or old to matter. Sometimes the smallest rituals carry the most light.

Greg and the co-hosts reflect on how holidays can hold joy and ache at the same time, and how it’s okay to simplify, grieve, protect your peace, or create something new that fits your life now.

Why humans have always created light-centered traditions during the darkest months of the year
How traditions connect us to the past while still evolving over time
Global holiday customs that focus on renewal, remembrance, and community
The emotional reality of changing family dynamics and holiday grief
Food as memory, culture, and comfort
The power of simple, intentional rituals
Chosen family and redefining what “home” can mean

Winter solstice celebrations in Northern Europe (fires, candles, Yule log)
Saturnalia (Ancient Rome): feasting, gift-giving, role reversals
Christmas: blended traditions, history of the Christmas tree
Las Posadas (Mexico): reenacting Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter
Lucia Day (Sweden): candle-lit processions and saffron buns
Hanukkah: eight nights of light and remembrance
Diwali: Festival of Lights celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs
Lunar New Year: red decorations, firecrackers, and the legend of Nian
Hogmanay (Scotland): first footing and symbolic gifts
Spain’s 12 grapes: luck for each month of the new year
Bonfire Night (UK): November 5th and the memory of Guy Fawkes
Día de los Muertos (Mexico): honoring loved ones who have died
Obon (Japan): remembrance of ancestors
Krampusnacht, Mari Lwyd, Kallikantzaroi: folklore and winter mischief
Night of the Radishes (Oaxaca, Mexico)
KFC on Christmas (Japan)
Roller skating to church (Venezuela)
Hiding brooms (Norway folklore)

Italian American Feast of Seven Fishes
Family recipes passed down and sometimes lost
Holiday foods as emotional anchors rather than perfection projects

Key Reflection:

Greg centers the episode on the idea that you don’t need a whole holiday to create meaning. One small act can be enough.

Quote:

“Sometimes it’s one text, one meal, one song, or one shared laugh.”

Takeaway:

Traditions are not about performance or perfection. They are intentional acts of connection that can be created at any point in life.

Noteworthy Observation:

Greg openly names that holidays can hold both warmth and pain, and reassures listeners that there is no “right way” to do the season.

Key Reflection:

Rich shares how consistent, low-stress family gatherings transformed his experience of holidays.

Quote:

“There is no tension. There is no stress. It’s the most loving Thanksgiving and Christmas environment I’ve ever been a part of.”

Memorable Story:

Rich remembers his grandmother’s famous “Ruth’s Rolls,” a simple food that holds his childhood joy.

Takeaway:

Stability, emotional safety, and kindness matter more than elaborate planning or traditions done “right.”

Key Reflection:

Jay reflects on smaller family gatherings that felt peaceful, loving, and deeply personal.

Quote:

“That’s one of the best memories of my childhood… just the happiest times I can remember.”

Memorable Foods:

Shrimp dip (cream cheese, shrimp, cocktail sauce)
Corn pudding passed down through the family

Takeaway:

Even when families change due to loss or divorce, memories can remain a source of comfort rooted in togetherness.

Noteworthy Observation:

Jay emphasizes gratitude for time with loved ones and recognizes chosen family as equally meaningful.

Key Reflection:

Derek speaks openly about grief, simplicity, and learning to live without expectations.

Quote:

“Being alive is a freaking blessing. It really is.”

Traditions Remembered:

Christmas Eve gatherings with music and relaxed conversation
British Christmas crackers with paper hats and small surprises
Leaving sherry for Santa and a carrot for the reindeer

Comfort & Growth Insight:

Derek finds meaning in the stillness of winter as a time for reflection, renewal, and emotional consolidation.

Takeaway:

Letting go of rigid traditions can open space for presence, honesty, and peace in each moment.

Fairytale of New York – The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl
Do They Know It’s Christmas? – Band Aid

Greg closes the episode by offering listeners permission to do what actually supports them:

Simplify
Grieve
Protect your peace
Start small and start again

Suggested small actions:

Take a short walk
Light a candle
Text one safe person
Cook a meaningful meal
Step outside for a moment of fresh air

The episode references a detailed list of national support resources available in the show notes provided by the podcast.

NAMI HelpLine — Information, referrals, and support (M–F): nami.org/support-education/nami-helpline (NAMI)
SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP) — 24/7 treatment referral + info for mental health/substance use: samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/national-helpline (SAMHSA)
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Crisis support by phone/text/chat: 988lifeline.org (NAMI)
The Trevor Project — 24/7 crisis support for LGBTQ+ young people: thetrevorproject.org/get-help (The Trevor Project)
Trans Lifeline — Peer support run by and for trans people: translifeline.org (translifeline.org)
Call 211 (United Way) — Connects you to local support (housing/food/bills/health resources): 211.org (211.org)

Mental Health America (MHA) — Tools, screenings, and mental health education: mhanational.org (Mental Health America)
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) — Research-based mental health information: nimh.nih.gov (National Institute of Mental Health)
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) — Support + prevention resources, including for loss survivors: afsp.org (AFSP)
NAMI — Education, advocacy, and local affiliates: nami.org (NAMI)

DBSA (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) — Peer support + education for depression/bipolar: dbsalliance.org (dbsalliance.org)

ADAA — Anxiety/depression/OCD/PTSD education and resources: adaa.org (ADAA)
International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) — OCD resources, support, treatment info: iocdf.org (International OCD Foundation)
VA National Center for PTSD — PTSD education and tools (for veterans and the public): ptsd.va.gov (VA PTSD)

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) — Peer support for alcohol recovery: aa.org (Alcoholics Anonymous)
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) — Peer support for drug recovery: usa-na.org (usa-na.org)
SMART Recovery — Evidence-informed recovery meetings + tools: smartrecovery.org (SMART Recovery)
Al-Anon Family Groups — Support for families/friends affected by someone’s drinking: al-anon.org (Al-Anon Family Groups)

The Dougy Center — Grief support for children, teens, young adults, and families: dougy.org (dougy.org)
AFSP “Get Help” — Support options including after a loss: afsp.org/get-help (AFSP)

National Domestic Violence Hotline — Confidential support, 24/7/365: thehotline.org (The Hotline)
love is respect — Support and info for healthy relationships and dating abuse: loveisrespect.org (love is respect)
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline — Support and hotline options: rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline (RAINN)

National Human Trafficking Hotline — Connects people to services and safety support: humantraffickinghotline.org (National Human Trafficking Hotline)

LGBT National Help Center — Hotlines and peer support options: lgbthotline.org/national-hotline (LGBT National Help Center)
PFLAG — Support, education, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ people and families: pflag.org (PFLAG)

Family Caregiver Alliance — Resources and support for caregivers: caregiver.org (Caregiver)
The Arc — Disability rights, advocacy, and resources for intellectual/developmental disabilities: thearc.org (The Arc)

Reminder: This episode is not medical advice and is based on lived experience. If you’re in immediate danger, call your local emergency number right away.