title: Say No to Santa World Tour: An Audio Drama
author: Imaginary Worlds
contenttype: podcast
publication: Imaginary Worlds
published: 2025-12-17T20:01:00
sourceurl: https://pdst.fm/e/pscrb.fm/rss/p/mgln.ai/e/433/claritaspod.com/measure/traffic.megaphone.fm/QCD9068980157.mp3?updated=1765987851
word_count: 5842
This show is supported by Odoo. When you buy business software from lots of vendors, the costs add up and it gets complicated and confusing. Odoo solves this. It's a single company that sells a suite of enterprise apps that handles everything from accounting to inventory to sales. Odoo is all connected on a single platform in a simple and affordable way. You can save money without missing out on features you need. Check out Odoo at O-D-O-O.com. That's O-D-O-O.com. When you want your spring break to feel like... ...and your kids pool day to feel like... ...and your hotel bed to feel like... ...ooh, and room service to feel like... ...because at Hilton, hospitality feels like... ...your cabana's ready? Would you like fresh towels? It matters where you stay. Book now at Hilton.com. Hilton, for this day. You're listening to Imaginary Worlds. I'm Eric Malinsky. When I began this podcast years ago, I always knew that I wanted to do episodes where I don't just cover imaginary worlds. I wanted to create them as well. In previous episodes, I've interviewed vampires, Captain Hook, HP Lovecraft's Brain in a Jar, the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future, and three different versions of James Bond. I decided that I wanted to make audio dramas and annual tradition and keep one foot in an Imaginary World. So sit back, relax, and for the rest of the episode, suspend your disbelief. Christmas is almost here, but you knew that already because Santa Claus has been everywhere. The funny thing is Santa, as we know him, hasn't been around that long. He used to be one of many benevolent beings that appeared around the holidays. Today, those other entities are in danger of being completely overshadowed by the cultural juggernaut of Santa Claus. So a group of them are banding together to do a PR campaign They're calling it the Say No to Santa World Tour. I was invited to a press junket to meet some of these mythical beings. I was not going to turn down an invitation like that, even though press junkets can be a bit of a grind. The event took place at a swanky hotel in Soho. I went up to the seventh floor, and I saw this tall, thin man with a clipboard and a headset. He had a long white beard and a red cloak with a hood. That was Pierre Noël, the French equivalent to Santa Claus. He was also the organizer of the tour. He looked like if Santa had a younger brother, who was much more cosmopolitan. Ah, hello. Good morning. I am Pernuel. You're from Imaginary Worlds? Yes. Good morning. I'm from France. I'll take that as a yes. You are Erick Molinsky. Yes. Well, they are ready for you. Oh, are ready. Of course. We are not a bunch of pagans worshipping trees. Oh, no, no, no. I just usually have to wait a while for these press junkets. So that's all of us. Ah, well, we are very organized. All of your guests have been wired with microphones already. Wow. Cool. Okay, so your first interview is with Yolopuki. I, sorry, I forget my ignorance. I don't know who is Yolopuki. Well, he is known as the Yule Goat. He originates in Finland. We've paired him with the Yule Lads who are from Iceland. He just made sense thematically and they gave us limited rooms at the hotel. But Yolopuki is not happy. He would like you to focus on him and only him. Yeah, I can imagine. I mean, if a lot of those kids are running around. No, no, no, no. They are not children. No, no, no. The Yule Lads are more like, oh, I don't know. Like your seven dwarves from Snow White. Oh, interesting. Do they actually have names that describe their personalities too? Oh, yeah. But they are not cute names like, I don't know, sleepy or bashful or grumpy or things like that. No, no. They have names like putt scraper, bowl liquor, sausage swiper. Wow. But they mainly steal, they steal food, kitchenware, other household items. They also bought other livestock, which is not a problem here, of course. There is also one called window peeper. Window peeper? In English, you would call him a peeping tom. Oh. He is harmless. But the others, they will be a little curious about all your equipment. So you better keep an eye on it. Okay. Sarthana, get back here. That was my lunch. Oh, hi. Sorry. I'm Eric. I assume those are the Yule Lads. There. Yes, you are correct. They are awful. They're also, like, crazy fast, too. I told Peer, I have nothing to do with them. They are clearly from Iceland. I am Finnish. Well, this is not a proper introduction. I am Yule Puke. Nice to meet you. So Peer Noel told me that your name means Yule Goat. Did I get that right? Roughly. Yes. Okay. So what's the connection? I mean, like, I mean, listeners can't see this. But the person I'm talking to looks basically like Santa Claus. Well, I'm not the man that I used to be. I wasn't even a man in the early days. Would you like some tea? No. No, thank you. Well, if you don't mind, I'd like to have some. Yeah. Go ahead. Please. Oh, God. Go away for five minutes. Let's just try to ignore them. So what makes you stand out? Why should people know about you and be interested in your story instead of, you know, Santa? The other guy with the beard and the red coat that they already know and love. Well, I am similar to your Santa Claus. But I'm not so rude as to come down a chimney uninvited. I ring the doorbell and politely ask Ungotelle Guiltyalopsia, which roughly translates to, are there any well-behaved children in here? Wow. That is actually very different from Santa Claus who comes down the chimney totally uninvited. Although I guess there is something kind of mischievous about that with Santa that maybe kids like do, I mean, do you worry that you may come across as like a, like a nice school teacher in a way? As I said, I wasn't always this way. I used to demand gifts instead of giving them like I do nowadays. You demanded gifts, really? This was ages ago. I was called Nutipuki back then. And there was a, quite a big pack of us. We were quite unruly, much like these little imps who keep trying to ruin my day. I can't imagine that. I used to seem like the most opposite to those little, to the U-leds as possible. I'm assured. Well, what did you do when you were young and you had your, your pack of, I can't pronounce the Nutipuki is it? Yeah, Nutipuki. Yeah, so what did you do, what did you do when you were with your, your pack? We'd go from house to house, eating people's food, drinking their beer, and they couldn't refuse us. Why were you, were you threatening them? I don't know what you've seen, but we did not boil children alive or eat animals raw. I can't speak for all the Nutipukes, but it's not something I ever did or anyone I troubled with. I, I did not know that that's like a thing that people had thought or accused you of doing so. Yeah. There are drawings of us on the internet that are not true. However, we would scare the animals and the children and the servants. We would sometimes destroy their gardens. But if we got the food and beer, we wanted, we'd write on the walls that this family has paid its debts. They would not be bothered again. Until next year, of course. God, it's worse than, um, do you know Santa Kong? Who is Santa Kong? It's not a person. It's a, it's a Savannah, New York where people get dressed like Santa Claus and they go on pub crawls and get really drunk and annoying. Oh, I wasn't dressed like this. I had huge horns. I did drink a lot from home to home, so in that sense it was similar. Tell him about the ghost. Oh my god. There's a U-lad out the window. That's window, paper. How is he standing outside the window? We're like on the seventh floor. Magic. Just try to ignore him. Okay. Wait, did he say, um, something about a ghost? Oh, yes. Around the new year, the veil between the living and the dead is very thin. You don't want to see what an evil spirit can do to the living. But the dead were scared of us. We kept them at bay. So we were a necessary evil must you say. Wow. So you were such an unruly gang that the evil spirits of the dead were as afraid of you as the living. That's kind of, that's, that's kind of impressive in a way. It's also like the opposite of everything I associate with Christmas. I mean, when did you become you? Well, it was about a hundred years ago. Not everyone liked having their family scared. Their homes defaced. Their alcohol depleted. And the dead weren't coming around as much in the modern world. So I decided to clean up my act. Some of the newtipukes never grew up. They're still up there. They're not as disruptive. They are the margins. As your book game, the person you see in front of you today. I am welcomed into people's homes. That's amazing that you've gone from people being terrified of you showing up at their homes to being polite and welcomed. It's like, it's a redemption story. It's funny. Go to thinking about a crampus. Do you know about crampus? What about crampus? Well, I mean, he was also like this scary goat-like figure who was associated with Christmas. And he didn't have much of a presence in the U.S. But he's huge now. There was a Hollywood movie about him. I don't know, maybe like 10 years ago. And there were parades in honor of crampus all over the U.S. It's almost like when the European ban has been around for a while. And then almost something like a number one hit in the U.S. He's almost like that. And I mean, I don't think crampus had to change at all on a way. Crampus is a total badass. You know what? Fuck crampus. What? I was much more of a badass than crampus ever was. People feared me. But they told me I had to change. I did everything they asked me to. No, you're right. I mean, you seem happy with the story like you seem like you're proud of how much you've changed. I kept telling crampus he was going to become irrelevant. He didn't change a goddamn thing. And no, he's more popular than ever. Here I am. Wearing this stupid red suit. Looking like a copy of your Santa Claus. I am the ULGO. Oh god, you're growing horns. Hey, give me that. The heat in my bedroom is dependent on an old radiator. And I feel like it has two attitudes either. I don't care if it's freezing outside. I don't feel like working or I'm up for it now. Let's blast this thing. It is hard to sleep in either situation. But luckily, my bed sheets can make all the difference. Miracle made sheets are inspired by NASA technology. They use silver-infused temperature regulating fabric. So they help me sleep, whether the room is too cold or too hot. They're also incredibly silky and comfortable. Plus, they stay clean longer because they have antibacterial silver technology. In fact, they stay clean up to three times longer than regular sheets. That means fewer wash cycles and less laundry. Upgrade your sleep or give the gift of better rest. Go to trymiracle.com slash imaginary to try miracle made sheets today. You'll save over 40%. And when you use the promo code imaginary, you'll get an extra 20% off plus a free three-piece towel set. They make an amazing gift. And with a 30-day money-back guarantee, there's no risk. That's trymiracle.com slash imaginary. Code imaginary at checkout. Thanks to Miracle made for sponsoring this episode. Let's get back to the Seino de Santa press junket at a hotel in Soho. Something tells me that that did not go well. Well, it was good at first. And then... So I mentioned Krampus's name. Why did you mention Krampus in front of Yolopoki? If you had warned me not to, I wouldn't have done it. I thought you would know. I thought you would not be so ignorant. But this is why we are doing this. So that people are not so ignorant. Your next interview is with Bethana. She is known as the Italian Christmas Witch. The Italian Christmas Witch. She is a deer. In fact, many people in Italy want to move away from Santa Claus and embrace their cultural heritage with Bethana. Oh, okay. Great. So enjoy. Come for you when your next interview is ready. Okay. Thanks. Hi. Hello. Hi. I'm Eric. Oh, hello, Eric. I am Bethana. Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you. So, Pierre told me that you're the Christmas witch. Well, that is what they call me. But I am a good witch. Okay. It's funny. I'm used to a witch being part of Halloween or, you know, a good witch being like the Wizard of Oz or something like that. I never thought of a witch being associated with the holiday season. Oh, well, that's what they call me. They call me a witch. But that is just how I appear today. I've gone through quite a journey. May I tell you about it? Yes, please. That's why I'm here. Very good. You know of the three wives, man. Yeah. Well, they were on their way to Bethlehem. They had brought gifts for the young babe in the manger. But, you know, they're men. They don't ask directions. So, they were lost. I mean, no, it's not easy to use the stars to navigate. So, I gave them directions. Without me, they wouldn't have made it there. Wow. So, did you even, were you curious where they're going? Well, no, not at first. I mean, they were just men. They asked me to join them, but I did not want to leave my home. I had so much to do. But, once they left, you know, I thought, then I had a change of heart. I had a bit of what you would call, how you say, as I said, the FOMO today. Oh, yeah, yeah, FOMO. Yeah, fear of missing out. Yes. Well, anyway. So, I ran after them with the present for the baby. I could not catch up even on my flying broom. You know, I am, which, after all. Right, right, yeah. So, I spent then many years looking for that special baby. In the meantime, I leave presents every year for the well-behaved children. And for the naughty children, I leave a call. One onion. And I try not to come down. It's chimney. Oh, no, that would fill the room with salt. I am an excellent host and an excellent guest. After I leave someone's home every time, I always sweep with the floor. It's a way to also sweep out the old year, because, you know, I arrive on the 6th of January. It's so funny. I am embarrassed to admit that I actually haven't heard of you before. Well, you know, I wouldn't fit the marketing of an American corporation. Did you know Santa Claus wasn't as popular as he is today, until Coca-Cola put him in their advertising. He had been around for a while, long time, trying on different low-skini fat, but it was Coca-Cola that made him a star. Yeah, I mean, I've heard that before. I mean, it wasn't like he was kicking around the Vodville circuit and then Coke discovered him, because at least in the US, he, at that point, was already popular. He looked almost like Santa, as we know him, but yeah, Coke definitely had a big part in kind of solidifying his look, locking into place, and then, you know, yeah, those ads were seen all over the world. So Coke definitely made him a global star. But would Coca-Cola put an older woman on their products? Of course not. An older man is fine, right? He's distinguished, jolly, but an older woman is called a witch. So I am the Christmas witch. You know, though, there's a cake called Torta di Bafana. It's delicious. Not something you can be packaged with artificial flavors, the colors, the chemicals, and sit on your supermarket shelf for years. Would you like a piece? Sure, that's like the cake right there. That's it. Yes, yes, try it. Go ahead, mind. It's good. Of course. Thank you. So, do you have, like I just talked to Yola Puke, who's got like this long pass going back to pagan roots? Is that similar for you, too? Well, of course. The three wise men were in the times of ancient Rome. Oh, very, very good. Of course, yeah. Back then, though, I was a goddess for renewal and abundance. I was young, beautiful, and powerful. People offered me, came to me all kinds of gifts. I asked for my blessings and give them their hearts desire. But over time, my essence was fading away. All the ancient gods were disappearing. When was this? Oh, maybe a thousand years ago. Ah, that makes sense. So this would be like their early Middle Ages. Yes, yes, yes, that's the time. But I was not going to go quietly, like the others. I needed to give people what they wanted. So, I gave myself a makeover. But you know, this was an ugly makeover, not a normal makeover. I went from young to old, from a goddess to a housekeeper. And I summoned the power I had left to go back in time and insert myself right into the story of those three wise men. Wait, wait, so then I'm confused. So then that didn't happen originally? Yes, it did happen, but not originally. Oh, wow, you retconned yourself. I've got, I'm sorry. So, retcon is shorthand for retroactive continuity. It means you gave yourself a backstory that you didn't have, but now it's cannon. They do it all the time in franchises like Star Wars, I don't know what Star Wars is, but they made like Princess Leia and Deluxe Skywalker sister. And that was clearly not the original plan, but then now it's cannon. Yeah, if you say so. So it sounds like you didn't mind the fact that you went from young to old, from a goddess to a housekeeper. Well, yeah, well, of course I minded. But as you said, it was the Middle Ages, and you have to change with the times. But then once I made it finally into the modern world, I could feel my essence. Again, it started to fade. Then I got another boost. Oh, what happened? I was put forth as the centerpiece, the main person of the holiday season as a rejection of Santa Claus. What was this? The point is, a generation of children fell in love with me all over again. Today I'm so celebrated. Today, in the north of Italy, people create scarecrows and puppets of me to welcome the new year. In Venice, famous Venice, there are gondola races dedicated to me. A New Year's Day in Rome. People do what they call the Bethana dive. They jump into the cold river. Wow. Yeah, they do something similar to that here in New York, too, on New Year's Day. They jump into the Coney Island, the water there. So I actually want to go back to you. You said that you were, there was like this time when you were like put forth in the modern times or whatever. Like your put forth is the centerpiece of the holiday season, like a rejection of Santa Claus. Was there like a person, like a specific person who really like put you back in the spotlight? Yes. Okay. I mean, do have I heard of this? Is there a person there? A person I would have heard of? Yes, I'm sure you have, but it was, well, it was Mussolini. Mussolini? I had no say in the matter. I was just doing my usual thing, and then suddenly I am everywhere, but I'm everywhere with him. He is the one handing out the presents instead of me to the children. And you know he called me La Bethana Fashista. Do you think that was my choice? Oh, no, no, never. But, but he is gone. Thank goodness. He is history. Speaking of history, did you know in the 1970s the Italian government tried to take my holiday off the calendar? But the parents wouldn't hear of it. They took their children out of school and protested. After many years, they finally got my holiday put back on the calendar. Wow. So, I actually have a follow-up question about Mussolini. I have said all that I can say about that. Well, I mean, I don't think it's like I said we should just brush past really quickly. You know the American movie star Angelica Houston. Yeah, I mean Angelica Houston, yeah. She is planning to make a live action animated movie where she is going to play me. I did not know that. Ah, yes, it's true. The film is called The Christmas Witch Trial of La Bethana. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And this interview is starting to feel like the trial of Bethana. No, I mean, it's been a lot. This conversation has been very good, lovely so far. I don't want it to get awkward. I really don't. Any one of my ages is going to have a complicated past. There is only so much of that I can recon, you said. Recon, yeah, yeah. No, I get that. I get that you can't recon. Do you know who is not here today? Who you forgot? Do you know who was not invited to this press tour? Cinter class. Is he like, isn't he like the Dutch Santa Claus? Yes, but also. Oh, he is the one who comes with a group of men called Black Pete. Yes, that's the one. Have you seen what a Black Pete looks like? Yes, he's usually like a white guy wearing black face makeup and like a bushy wig. Some of the Black Pete's refuse to change. They say, this is a misunderstanding. The Black makeup is supposed to be suit from the chimney. They are problematic. They are stuck in the past. I am not. I totally get it. Let's move forward. Yes, let's. Okay, yeah. Peter said he was going to come get me when he was ready. I feel like we're kind of tight on time. Take your time. You should have more of your talk before you go. What are you waiting? No, I'm fine. I'm good. You liked it before. I know, but you know, I haven't had lunch yet. So it's like, you know, it's good. It's very rich. So I'm good. Thank you so much. It is not the fastest cake, you know. I know, you know. Yeah, let me. One more bite for the road. Really good. Pierre, I think we're all set. President's Day savings are happening now at the Home Depot with up to 40% off select appliances. Looking to upgrade your fridge, check out LG's newest model, serving up ice and all kinds of styles. Cue, crushed, craft ice, and now new, many craft ice, straight from the dispenser. From cold brew to fizzy favorites, these refrigerators will have you entertaining like a pro. Shopped President's Day savings and get up to 40% off, plus free delivery on select appliances like LG at the Home Depot. Free delivery on appliance purchases of $1,498 or more off of Valid February 5th through the 25th US Only See Store Online for Details. Your talk with Bifana went well? Yeah, yeah, sure. You don't sound convinced. No, no, no, no, fine, I'm fine. Who's next? Okay. Next, we have you scheduled with El Tío de Nadal. Are they Spanish? They are Catalan. Ah, okay, I've been to Barcelona. Got it. And don't focus on the smell. So what? You're a log. There's just a log here. I am a log. What are you? I'm a human. I mean, okay, so my listeners can't see you, but like I'm talking to a log. Like an actual log. He has like a little face and a red hat and a plaid blanket and he's standing on wooden legs. You're really cute. Thank you. So it's fun. Pierre said he shouldn't worry about the smell, but you smell like wood. Like firewood. Like it's a nice smell. Yeah, but wait for Christmas because I haven't started pooping yet. My smell changes in Christmas. I'm sorry. I may not have totally understood you. Did you just say you haven't started pooping yet? Sure, but not yet. And today's before Christmas, the children feed me fruits, cookies, tangerines, everything. Every day, all day, giving me fruits and fruits and fruits. I'm full. And then on Christmas day, they beat me with a stick very hard until I poop out candies and little presents. They sing a song when they hit me. Do you want to hear the song? Sure. Do you understand Catalan? I don't. I took a little Spanish in high school. I mean, would you be able to sing it in English? Okay. I'll try to translate the lyrics in English. It's something like poop luck, poop. Christmas little luck. Don't poop out herrings. They are too salty. Give us some sweets. Some tasty treats. If you don't give gifts, we'll hit you with a stick. poop luck, poop. Do you want to hear the version in Catalan? No, I think that's okay. I bet you're wondering why I wear a blanket. That wasn't actually my first question I was going to ask, but why are you wearing a blanket? Because it's very cold. And always I'm in the floor, so it's very cold in here. I need a blanket. Right. Right, right, right. So, you know, I have a question. I'm just going to ask it. Were you by any chance like brought back by Franco? You mean the dictator Franco? Yeah, the dictator Franco. No. What would you ask me about Franco? Well, I know. Yeah, I'm sorry. It's just like the last person I talked to was connected to Mussolini, so I just thought maybe this is like a thing that these old cultures were brought back, maybe by 20 centric dictators? I'm not a fan. I'm the poop luck. No, I get that. I get that. But I guess I'm trying to ask like why? Like I'm sorry. Where do you come from? No one knows. It's a very old tradition. Nobody knows. In these days, there was no internet. So nobody could say, I'm creating this tradition for this reason. I write it in the internet. Right. No, no, I get that. It's just that everybody seems to have like a story, so that's what I was wondering, like what your story is to explain why you are a pooping log. Have you heard of the book, Everyone Poops? I have. Yes. And do you know that Everyone Poops? Yes. Yes. Do you poop Eric? Uh, yeah, of course. Of course. I'm sure you do. Does everyone write us late pulls by flyer render and deliver present to millions of children? Presents are made by elves under difficult working conditions. Who can relate to that? But yes, everyone poops. The children poops. The children have beds and they see their cats and dogs pooping every day. That's the nature. Right. No, it's true. Yes. I mean, they don't beat their cats and dogs with sticks until they poop out of presents, but yeah, I get your point. Eric, what do you do? What do you do? What do you like your favorite food? What do you make a podcast? It's just something that you do. You don't know that without Coca-Cola, Santa Claus could not be as popular as he is today? Yes. I do know that. Everyone keeps spring that up. You know, the funny thing is, um, I actually don't have a problem with that, because I mean, just maybe because like I actually, like everyone who knows me, like everyone who knows me knows that I love Coke, not that I don't like the Diet Coke, I don't like it into flavors. I just like really love classic Coca-Cola, so it doesn't, I guess it just doesn't bother me as much. Really? Listen to yourself. Giving free advertising to a drink that is full of nobody knows what. They won't even tell you what is in it. Not really. They say it's a secret formula. And you can hit a can of Coke with a stick, and it won't put out its secret formula. Even if it did, it would just be chemicals that you even cannot pronounce. You are the one who is culturally brainwashed. Huh. God, everyone of these interviews has kind of gone off the rails. I'm really sorry. I'm really sorry. I really, I did not mean to offend you. Hmm, thank you. But don't worry. You're not the first person to think I'm funny or strange or weird. I know. I'm sure you get this a lot, and I, you know, yeah. And no, I don't. I think you're, I mean, I do think you're funny like in a fun way. Like, I think you're fun. I mean, you're very cute. You are really kind of adorable, so. Okay. Thank you. Maybe we can be friends one day. Yeah. I mean, not one day, maybe today. I'm totally like, yes. Like, let's be friends now. Like, I'm going to come home and I'm going to tell people I met a poop blog. And we could take a selfie if you want. I'm totally, I would love to be friends. Okay. I agree. So now we are friends. I know it's not Christmas yet, but do you want to beat me with a stick? Yeah. Yeah. I guess, um, sure. Okay. So let's go. Okay. I guess I'll just pick up this stick and whack you with it. Oh, no. Wait. Is that? Santa! It's the real thing. Isn't that a Coke slogan? I told him not to come, but he has to make a spectacle. You are not satisfied being everywhere for the past two months. You have to make an appearance here, too. Come on. This thing is a real downer. I want to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony. That's definitely a Coke slogan. Well, the beings that Eric spoke with today are original voices. Something that was ever different or interesting or original about you was completely erased by marketers and advertising people. And it was all replaced with something bland and palatable that you can slap onto every single product. That's why I'm worth over $8 billion a year. I'm sorry about that. That's okay. It's okay. Actually, it kind of puts things in perspective. Well, in that case, I hope you got everything that you needed today. Yeah, I think so. Although, actually, we didn't talk about you. Oh, yes. Of course. Well, I am the French equivalent of that man who rudely interrupted us. But in France, children don't leave stockings. They leave their shoes by the fireplace, filled with carrots and treats for my donkey. You have a donkey? No, yes. Is he like a magical donkey that flies over France like Santa's reindeer? No, he is just a donkey. I also have a companion. He used to be an evil butcher. He slaughtered three children and cut them into pieces. He salted and marinated their remains for seven years, which is a long time to cure meat. But luckily, that was enough time for me to discover his crime. I brought the children back to life and turned him into my son. Wow, you really kind of buried the lid on that one. Eric, people are weird, huh? Families are weird, you know. Culture is weird. Do you want to only stick with something that may have been satisfying to you as a child? But now it just feels like, I don't know, like empty calories. Do you want to only stick with something that may have been satisfying to you as a child? But now it just feels like, I don't know, like empty calories, like junk food. Or do you want something rich and unusual? Something earthy, where you can still taste the minerals of the soil of the culture. When you expect your life to be perfect, like an advertisement, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. That's very true. Yeah. Ah, speak of the devil. Oh, Eric Molinsky. Is that your butcher serial killer servant? Oh, he doesn't kill anymore. But I hope you're not afraid of whips. Oh, Eric Molinsky. I think I should probably get going. Hey, that's my microphone. That is it for this week. Thank you for listening. Special thanks to Andre Raffi, Vili Oscaragorca, Begonia Forear, Theresa Mastro Buono, and Bill Lobley. My assistant producer is Stephanie Billman. If you want to know more about Krampus, I did a whole episode about him in 2021. We have another show called Between Imaginary Worlds. It's a more casual chat show that is only available to listeners who pledge on Patreon. In the most recent episode, I talked with Dallas Taylor, the host of the podcast, 20,000 Herths. We discussed all the secrets he learned about the Disney theme parks at his recent trip to Disney-imagining headquarters. Between Imaginary Worlds comes included with the ad-free version of the show that you can get on Patreon. You can also buy an ad-free subscription on Apple Podcasts. If you donate to the show on Patreon at different levels, you also get either free Imaginary World stickers, a mug, or a t-shirt, and a link to a Dropbox account, which has a full length interviews of every guest in every episode. You can subscribe to the show's newsletter at ImaginaryWorldsPodcast.org. The show will be back on January 14th. Happy holidays, everybody!