Fireside Chat with Santa and Phineus

About Fireside Chat with Santa and Phineus

Fireside Chat with Santa and Phineus is a podcast about the quiet magic that keeps people going throughout the year. Through humor conversation and stories from the north pole and real life, Santa Tracy and Phineas, Explorer, belonging tradition, joy, and what it means to be truly seen one heartfelt story at a time. With humor as the doorway and heart at the center, Santa Tracy and Phineas discussed wonder grief and the power of chosen family and the beautiful mess of being human proving that laughter love, and meaning belong together. If you have a question or want to share a story, please email at Santaandphineas@gmail.com (mailto:phineas@gmail.com).

Publisher

Tracy Mckenzie and Myke Hutchings

Category

arts · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

15 Mar 2026

Latest episode

12 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

38 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   12 Oct 2026

   We Went to Santa School!

   #38 🎅🎄 The Magic of Christmas Is Never a Solo Act! 🧝♂️✨ What happens when hundreds of Santas, Mrs. Clauses, and elves come together with one shared purpose? Something truly magical. ❤️ This week on Fireside Chat with Santa and Phineus, we’re sharing the laughter, lessons, friendships, and unforgettable moments from the legendary Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland, Michigan! 🎤 Phineus T. Elf took the stage for the very first time, delivering a heartfelt message about the importance of elves, Mrs. Clauses, mentorship, and the teamwork that makes Christmas magic possible. 🎅 Santa Tracy shares the joy of singing with the Claus choir, stepping outside his comfort zone, and discovering just how powerful this extraordinary community can be. And along the way, we celebrate the people who remind us that being Santa isn’t just about wearing the red suit. It’s about serving others, lifting each other up, and making a difference in someone’s life. ✨ Because the greatest Christmas magic doesn’t happen when we’re standing in the spotlight. It happens when we shine that light on someone else. ❤️ This episode is about more than Santa School. It’s about belonging, friendship, and the heart behind the holiday. 🎧 WATCH OR LISTEN NOW! 📺 YouTube: Fireside Chat with Santa and Phineus 🎙️ Also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. 💬 We’d love to hear from you: Who has helped you become a better Santa, elf, Mrs. Claus, or performer? Give them a shout-out in the comments! 🎄 Share this episode with someone who keeps the Christmas spirit alive all year long. #FiresideChatWithSantaAndPhineus #SantaTracy #PhineusTheElf #SantaClausSchool #CharlesWHowardSantaClausSchool #SantaCommunity #ChristmasMagic #MrsClaus #SantaLife #ChristmasSpirit #SantaFamily #MakingMemories #SpreadKindness

2. 

   5 Oct 2026

   Fireside Chat with Santa and Phineus "Lee Andrews from ProKnows"

   Episode #37 What if one of the secrets to becoming a better Santa is learning from a clown? 🎅🤡 Lee Andrews of ProKNOWS joins Santa Tracy and Phineus T. Elf to share the unexpected journey that shaped his Santa performance, his products, and a philosophy built around turning every visit into a lasting memory. In this episode of Fireside Chat with Santa and Phineus, Lee takes us behind the scenes of a remarkable career—from the childhood experiences that sparked his love of clowning and Christmas to the mentors who changed the way he approaches entertaining children and families. Lee shares the story of a rainy hotel-lobby encounter with Leon McBride and Coco the Clown, the lessons he learned through years of observation and performance, and how those experiences eventually helped ProKNOWS grow into a trusted resource for holiday performers. 🎄 In this episode, you’ll discover: • Why clowning gave Lee valuable tools for becoming a stronger Santa performer • How he developed the Photo Friendly Kit, eyebrow whitener, and beard airbrush solutions • Why the best Santa experiences should be child-focused—not photo-package focused • Simple techniques for getting dads involved and creating more natural family photos • Ways to reduce camera glare and improve photos in just a few minutes • Why learning from performers outside the “Santa bubble” can make your character even stronger • How mentorship, observation, and listening can completely change the way you connect with children Lee also talks about the Santa who influenced his own approach to children and why every family should feel, even for just a few minutes, like they are the only family in the room. At the heart of this conversation is a simple idea: the costume may get their attention, but connection is what creates the memory. ❤️ If you’re a Santa, Mrs. Claus, elf, photographer, clown, character performer, or anyone who works with children and families, this episode is filled with practical ideas you can use in your own performances. 🎧 Watch the full conversation and tell us in the comments: What have you learned from another type of performer that made you better at what you do? 👍 Like the episode 💬 Join the conversation in the comments 🔔 Subscribe to Fireside Chat with Santa and Phineus so you don’t miss our next conversation. Fireside Chat with Santa and Phineus Real stories. Practical ideas. And a little North Pole magic. 🎅🧝♂️✨ #SantaClaus #SantaPerformer #ProKNOWS #ChristmasEntertainment #Clowning #HolidayPerformers #SantaTips #ChristmasMagic #FiresideChat #PhineusTheElf

3. 

   28 Sept 2026

   Fireside Chat with Santa and Phineus " Were going to Santa School" Charles W Howard History

   Episode #36 Why does the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School still shape Santas nearly 90 years after it began—and what did Santa Tracy and Phineus T. Elf learn inside its doors? Santa school is real—and the lessons go far beyond learning how to wear the suit. Santa Tracy and Phineus T. Elf take you inside the legendary Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland, Michigan, exploring its history, traditions, community, and the philosophy that has helped generations of performers understand that being Santa is about much more than a red suit and a beard. Founded in 1937 by Charles W. Howard, the school was created to elevate the portrayal of Santa Claus and teach performers how to bring authenticity, responsibility, and heart to the role. In this episode, Tracy and Phineus share their own experiences at the school—from the famous singing sessions and hands-on training to toy-making, meeting reindeer, and those unforgettable talks that feel a little like “Santa TED Talks”: moments that leave you inspired, energized, and thinking differently about why you do this work. You’ll hear about: 🎅 The history and legacy of Charles W. Howard and his Santa Claus School 🎄 What actually happens when you attend Santa school ❤️ Why character, kindness, and service matter as much as appearance 🧼 The practical lessons—including hygiene, preparation, and caring for your audience 🤟 Learning sign language to better connect with deaf and hard-of-hearing children and adults 📸 Why your behavior while wearing the suit reflects on every Santa who wears one 🦌 The unforgettable experience of getting up close with reindeer 🤝 How the school creates a community for performers who may have spent years doing this work on their own Tracy and Phineus also talk about the school’s living legacy through Tom and Holly Valent, the families who have made Santa a multigenerational tradition, and the wonderfully different Santas and holiday performers who travel from around the world to learn, connect, and grow. But perhaps the biggest lesson has nothing to do with suits, beards, toys, or photographs. It’s about gratitude, generosity, service, and remembering that the magic is never supposed to be about you—it’s about the people you have the privilege of meeting. Whether you’re a seasoned Santa, Mrs. Claus, elf, holiday entertainer, or simply someone fascinated by the people behind Christmas magic, this episode offers a rare look inside a place that has helped shape the Santa tradition for generations. 🎧 Pull up a chair by the fire and join Santa Tracy and Phineus T. Elf as they share what they learned, what surprised them, and why the lessons of Santa school stay with you long after you leave. Listen now—and discover why becoming a better Santa often starts with becoming a better listener, storyteller, and human being.

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.