59: Christmas Special: St Nicholas, Christmas traditions around the world and the power of Christmas adverts

<p>For our Christmas special, we talk about the life of Saint Nicholas and miracles associated with him, that 160 countries around the world celebrate Christmas, and the history of John Lewis Christmas adverts.</p><p>We hope you enjoy this special episode - Merry Christmas and see you next year!</p><p>As always, feel free to suggest a figure for a future episode or say hello by sending us a message on Instagram @FigurePodcast. The views expressed in this podcast are our own.</p><p><br></p><p>Succession</p><p>https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7660850/</p><p><br></p><p>And Just Like That...</p><p>https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13819960/</p><p><br></p><p>The Guilty Feminist watches And Just Like That...</p><p>https://open.spotify.com/show/7BTRthTSCB7eYyraF4W7qu</p><p><br></p><p>My Therapist Ghosted Me</p><p>https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/my-therapist-ghosted-me/id1560176558</p><p><br></p><p>The Gardener by Salley Vickers</p><p>https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-gardener/salley-vickers/9780241482797</p><p><br></p><p>Figure 1: Saint Nicholas</p><p><br></p><p>St. Nicholas biography</p><p>https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Nicholas</p><p><br></p><p>St. Nicholas, Santa Claus &amp; Father Christmas</p><p>https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/fatherchristmas.shtml</p><p><br></p><p>The changing face of Old St Nick revealed through the last 700 years (but he&#39;s always had a big white beard)</p><p>https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2253024/The-changing-face-Old-St-Nick-700-years-hes-big-white-beard.html</p><p><br></p><p>From St. Nicholas to Santa Claus: the surprising origins of Kris Kringle</p><p>https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/131219-santa-claus-origin-history-christmas-facts-st-nicholas</p><p><br></p><p>The Legend of Saint Nicholas</p><p>https://everything-everywhere.com/the-legend-of-saint-nicholas/</p><p><br></p><p>Figure 2: 160 countries around the world celebrate Christmas </p><p><br></p><p>20 Christmas Traditions Around the World That May Surprise You</p><p>https://www.countrylivin