Santa Claus is one of the most oft-depicted figures in history. He appears so often, and in so many contexts, that it can be easy to skip over a pretty important question: how did Santa become Santa? In this episode, we tackle this question, and many others, with the aid of a very capable guide, author Tim Slover. Tim has spent the better part of his life thinking, speaking, and writing about our favorite yuletide gift-giver. In fact, Tim created a novella, entitled The Christmas Chronicles: The Legend of Santa Claus, that clears up the stickiest misconceptions that surround Santa Claus. And what's more, the story also exists as an 8-episode dramatic audio reading. Tim walks Rob through the evolution of the project, which is sure to make you think twice about your relationship with The Man With the Bag! Do you believe?   Grab your own copy of The Christmas Chronicles: The Legend of Santa Claus here: https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Chronicles-Legend-Santa-Claus/dp/1400118654   And binge-listen to the full Christmas Chronicles series here: http://www.classical89.org/programs/christmaschronicles/episodes/

Gratitude is a straightforward enough concept when you’re surrounded by bounty, you’re getting lots of invites to parties from your friends, and when everything is generally going according to plan. But when life goes off the rails, when the cash runs out, or when health fails, feeling grateful can seem like an impossible feat. Today, you’ll hear from an amazing woman named Lisa Allred, whose own struggle against darkness had a lot to do with finding a path toward gratitude.

Mark Metry didn't feel like he really fit in at school. A child of recently-immigrated parents, he felt disconnected from his peers, shy, and awkward. But there was one other happy trait that set him apart: his hustle. Mark's thirst for learning, and the desire to create, led him from one success to the next. Now, he's the founder of a company and the host of Humans 2.0, a podcast all about the intersection between self-development and technology. And he's just getting started.  Learn more about Mark's work and subscribe to his podcast at  https://www.markmetry.com/  

This hope-filled episode of GoodRally focuses on mental health. It may surprise you to learn that 35% (perhaps more) of people will experience mental illness at some point in their lives. Maybe that figure even includes you. In one way or another, issues like anxiety and depression touch all of us. Today's guest, a licensed therapist name Emma McAdam, noticed that educational resources on mental health were in short supply for many people. In response, she launched a channel featuring small, bite-sized video lessons that help viewers build better habits and learn about how the mind works. It's Therapy in a Nutshell!  To learn more about Emma's important work, check out her YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpuqYFKLkcEryEieomiAv3Q/videos And visit her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therapyinanutshell/  

It's the Season 2 opener! This episode introduces us to Greg and Lori Bunce, an amazing husband and wife duo. Back in 2007, their family decided to put on a little play in their backyard for their neighbors--and little did they know what they were getting themselves into! Now, more than 10 years later, their ever-growing productions continue to bring entertainment--and no small measure of hope--to their community.  Learn more about Bunce Backyard Productions at http://www.buncebackyard.com/ Support their efforts at https://www.givemn.org/organization/Bunce-Backyard-Productions  

When someone we love passes away, how can we find the embers of wisdom within the ashes of loss? What are the lessons to be learned? And why can’t the process be more straightforward or defined?    This very personal story on loss, grief, and hope comes to us from Rachel Woodbury. She and her husband went through something most parents fear--the passing away of a child. And though every story like this is painfully unique, there are a few patterns that tie them together. So if you’re navigating your own difficult journey, or know someone who is, our hope is that what Rachel learned can help you too. 

When you watch a romantic movie, you pretty much know what to expect: when the guy first meets the girl, things don't go so well. But with time, they warm up to each other, and things seem to be headed in a great direction. Then something happens that threatens to break them apart. But at the last second, our couple realizes that they can't live without each other, there's a big reconciliation, and everyone ends up happy. But love in real life isn't always like that. Often, unconditional love shows up as quiet dependability--the assurance that no matter what, your true love has your back. Today's guest, a down-to-earth guy named Rohan Shearer, tells the story of how the concept of unconditional love has influenced his marriage to his sweetheart Jeni. It's not always flashy, but it's always true. 

Mike Murphy is a pretty normal guy. He hails from Texas, enjoys cycling, and appreciates a good Western movie. Early on in his life though, he discovered that he had a particular knack for music. And far from limiting his pursuit of music to the professional sphere, he's used his gifts to join the fight against a particularly insidious disease--Multiple Sclerosis. He's an average guy with an above-average cause.  Find out how you can help find a cure for MS by visiting https://www.nationalmssociety.org/    

Welcome to the sweetest episode yet! Honey is a beloved and mysterious substance--crystalline and gooey, it's been enjoyed by humans and animals alike for thousands of years. Join Rob for a tour of local beekeeper Ken Tschannen's farm, where we'll learn more about the amazing honeybee, and just how much we all depend on its efforts.  Join the effort to save the bees: https://thehoneybeeconservancy.org/ Learn more about keeping your own bees: http://www.abfnet.org/  

Some decisions can take a long time to make. Whether to marry someone. Which car to buy. Where to go on vacation. But in some cases, we make decisions incredibly--even frighteningly--quickly. This can be especially problematic when we're talking about choices that impact other people. The truth is that we may not be as rational (or fair) as we think we are. But today's guest, Howard Ross, has dedicated his life and career to helping individuals and organizations take an honest look at the unconscious biases that shape the decisions they make. So come with an open mind--this is something we can all work to improve.  Learn more about Howard's work by visiting http://cookross.com/