Podcast Summary: DGTL Voices with Ed Marx
Episode: Holiday Traditions: A Personal Touch
Date: December 24, 2025
Host: Ed Marx
Guest/Co-host: Erin (Podcast Producer & COO)
Overview
This special holiday episode takes a warm, personal turn, as Ed Marx welcomes Erin—longtime colleague and podcast producer—to reflect on holiday traditions, family rituals, and the community that has grown around the DGTL Voices podcast. The conversation introduces behind-the-scenes changes for the coming year, shares anecdotes about music, movies, and seasonal memories, and invites listeners into the show's evolving family.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Podcast Growth & Upcoming Changes
- Achievements: Ed and Erin celebrate reaching 1.6 million downloads, with 200,000 unique listeners engaging across platforms.
- (00:36) Ed: “It’s amazing. Out of that 1.6, I think it's about 200,000 discrete different people have listened, which is pretty amazing when you think about it …”
- Format Evolution:
- Transition to video episodes on YouTube, in addition to traditional audio.
- New introduction and outro for a refreshed listener experience.
- Continued weekly releases, with special drops for notable occasions.
- (01:21) Erin: “We are going to start publishing the podcast like this, so you'll be able to see faces, the video... now we will also publish the video on YouTube.”
2. The Role of Community and Team
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Acknowledgements: Ed expresses gratitude for Erin’s contributions and the broader podcast support team.
- (01:46) Ed: “I’m so thankful for everyone like Erin. There’s been a few other individuals along the way that helped.”
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Personal Enrichment: Ed values the podcast as a way to connect and learn from thought leaders in healthcare.
- (01:58) Ed: "It’s like my best way of learning. I get to hang out with all these amazing people every week. I just literally, like, pinch myself..."
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Spotify Playlist: DGTL Voices maintains an eclectic Spotify playlist based on guest recommendations, embodying the variety and diversity at the show’s heart.
- (02:18) Ed: “I use it when I’m not sure what I want to listen to. I listen to digital voices because, again, it’s very eclectic.”
3. Holiday Traditions Rapid Fire
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Real vs. Artificial Trees:
- Erin favors real trees and even cuts them herself, while Ed admits to an artificial tree for convenience.
- (03:19) Ed: “Unfortunately, it’s artificial. I wish we would take the time and do a real tree, but it’s artificial.”
- (03:26) Erin: “...this year went to a place where we cut one down. Um, I love the smell. I love watering it. Yes. Real tree all the way.”
- Erin favors real trees and even cuts them herself, while Ed admits to an artificial tree for convenience.
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Christmas Music:
- Agreement on starting the music only after Thanksgiving and stopping after New Year's.
- (04:07) Ed: “No, I love Christmas music. Usually the day after Thanksgiving. That’s our rule...”
- (04:22) Erin: “Love Christmas music. We play it all the time... big country music fan, so I’ve been introduced to a lot of, like, cowboy, country Christmas.”
- Agreement on starting the music only after Thanksgiving and stopping after New Year's.
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Favorite Holiday Films:
- Ed: “Elf,” “Die Hard,” “It’s a Wonderful Life”
- Erin: “Family Man” with Nicolas Cage, “Christmas Vacation”
- (04:43) Ed: “We’ve probably seen Elf a few times... Die Hard. Is that a Christmas music movie?”
- (04:57) Erin: “Probably my favorite one I’ll recommend that not a lot of people include is Family Man with Nicolas Cage. Highly recommend.”
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Eggnog:
- Both agree: Yes, if there’s alcohol!
- (05:22) Ed: “If it has alcohol in it.”
- (05:23) Erin: “Yeah, There you go. I'll just go Bailey's.”
- Both agree: Yes, if there’s alcohol!
4. New Year Reflections and Mantras
- Resolutions:
- Ed shares an aspiration to hike to Everest Base Camp.
- (05:40) Ed: “...I really want to do base camp for Everest and so that's, that's one of the big things that's on there and I'm hoping it'll happen in, in 26.”
- Erin: Advocates gratitude, adopting a 'No Bad Days' mantra.
- (06:23) Erin: “Even on the worst days, it’d be someone else's best day... just really trying to practice gratitude and thankfulness for all of our many blessings.”
- Ed shares an aspiration to hike to Everest Base Camp.
5. Personal Connection & Working Together
- Ed and Erin’s history: over 10 years working together, evolving from Tech Mahindra to Mark’s Advisory, with family ties deepening professional bond.
- (07:04) Ed: “Erin and I have known each other for at least 10 years... And so it was just natural as Mark's advisory grew to have Erin come over and help as our chief operating officer.”
6. Unique Family Holiday Traditions
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Erin's Family:
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Emphasis on Santa for her two young children.
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Collecting and gifting toys for less fortunate children—a new family tradition.
- (07:54) Erin: “We gather a lot of toys that they no longer play with ... and Santa takes those toys to those less fortunate who may not get as many toys. So that's one of the new traditions that we're starting with the kids.”
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Avoiding 'Elf on the Shelf' for simplicity and humor.
- (07:54) Erin: "I have so far been able to avoid the elf on the shelf. I like to say I’m not interested in having a narc in my house..."
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Ed's Family:
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Blending Jewish and Christian traditions—lighting the menorah, Christmas trees, and personalized stockings for all family members (including dogs).
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Present opening on Christmas Eve, communal giving instead of adult gifts, and supporting families in need.
- (08:48) Ed: “We do hang stockings... We open presents on Christmas Eve and then we do the stocking stuffers. But as, cause our children are older now, we no longer do gifts... we find a family, we just pour all that money into that family.”
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Gingerbread House Contest:
- Annual family event, expanded to friends and podcast listeners via social media voting, with separate kids’ and adults' categories.
- (09:16) Ed: “At our house, we have a gingerbread house contest every year and we actually put it on Facebook and Twitter and we asked for people to vote... So we have literally 10 of these going at one time.”
- (10:43) Ed: “I think it’s just glory, like bragging rights for sure, for the next year. But they’re all into it... that's the thing that they talk about now.”
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7. Looking Ahead for DGTL Voices
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Highlights include impressive upcoming guests—CEOs from major health systems and musical names outside of healthcare.
- (11:23) Ed: “We’re recording just in the last couple days with Intermountain CEO, Mayo CEO, ECU CEO... and just great leaders. So. And then every once in a while, we go outside the box a little bit. We bring in musicians...”
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The show will continue to bring varied perspectives, nurture community—listeners are encouraged to share guest ideas and connect.
- (12:23) Ed: “...We're always open to ideas and new guests... you know how to reach Aaron and I. So thank you again for listening, being one of those 1.6 million downloads.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On the Podcast's Role:
- Ed: "It's like my best way of learning. I get to hang out with all these amazing people every week. I just literally, like, pinch myself..." (01:58)
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On Family Giving:
- Ed: “We all pitch in... and we find a family, we just pour all that money into that family. And because we're all, you know, older. But for our grandkids though, we still do traditional gifts.” (08:56)
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On New Year's Mindset:
- Erin: “No bad days. Even on the worst days, it would be someone else's best day... just really trying to practice gratitude and thankfulness for all our many blessings.” (06:23)
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Holiday Humor:
- Erin: "I have so far been able to avoid the elf on the shelf. I like to say I’m not interested in having a narc in my house." (07:54)
Timestamps for Major Segments
- 00:36 — Celebrating podcast milestones and stats
- 01:21 — Announcing video format & new show structure
- 03:08 — Holiday rapid-fire: trees, music, movies, eggnog
- 05:40 — New Year reflections, resolutions, and personal ambitions
- 07:04 — Ed & Erin's work history and team spirit
- 07:54 — Sharing unique holiday traditions, parenting, and giving
- 09:16 — Gingerbread house contest: a family and social event
- 11:23 — Upcoming guests and show direction in 2026
- 12:23 — Inviting listener feedback and guest suggestions
- 12:37 — Holiday closing and well wishes
Final Thoughts
This episode offers listeners a heartfelt glimpse into the personal and family sides of DGTL Voices’ core team while maintaining the theme of connection and gratitude. Ed and Erin blend laughter, nostalgia, and a spirit of giving—reminding the audience that innovation is as much about people and traditions as it is about technology.
“No bad days. Even on the worst days, it would be someone else's best day.” — Erin (06:23)
Merry Christmas from all at DGTL Voices!