Kennedy Saves the World

Episode: Live From the North Pole, It's Santa Claus!
Host: Kennedy
Date: December 24, 2025

Episode Overview

In this festive special, Kennedy scores her “most difficult booking of the year”: a live interview with Santa Claus himself, just hours before his Christmas Eve journey begins. With trademark humor, warmth, and curiosity, Kennedy delves into the logistics of holiday magic, the annual nice/naughty calculus, and Santa’s evolving approach in a modern world. The episode blends lighthearted banter, playful “this or that” Christmas debates, and heartfelt reflections on generosity and the true spirit of giving.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Santa’s Last-Minute Preps & 2025 Nice/Naughty Stats

• Santa joins Kennedy from the North Pole as Christmas Eve preparations hit their peak.
• Kennedy asks if 2025’s turbulence changed the Nice List: “Are you telling me there are more people on the nice list this year than there has been in years past?” ([00:52])
  • Santa confirms: “While there are more good boys and girls.” (Santa, [01:09])
  • He teases that “the older ones... come see, come talk,” suggesting adults are split 50/50. ([01:12])

2. Technology & Santa’s Gift-Delivery Operation

• Kennedy wonders how online shopping and delivery tech help Santa.
  • Santa appreciates that online shopping “relieves” the reindeer, but “technically, that doesn’t really help me deliver the presents... there’s no naughty and nice calculation involved in it.” ([01:40])
• More e-commerce = a lighter workload for the sleigh team, but less magic in Santa’s personal deliveries.

3. Reindeer Food Etiquette & Santa’s Cookie Preferences

• Kennedy reminisces about leaving carrots for the reindeer and asks if overeating is an issue.
  • Santa’s advice: “Baby carrots are the answer. Or maybe small slices of celery.” ([02:37])
• On cookies: Santa tries to “take a bite at every house.” He shares his personal favorite recipe: “Coconut double chocolate chip oatmeal cookie. No raisins. We do white chocolate, milk chocolate, toasted coconut, oatmeal.” (Santa, [02:59-03:27])
  • Kennedy agrees: “Sometimes when you throw raisins in with coconut, it makes the cookies like melt and get all flat.” ([03:27])

4. Christmas “This or That” Game with Santa ([03:56]–[09:04])

A rapid-fire holiday preference session uncovers Santa’s and Kennedy’s shared quirks:

• Gift Bags or Wrapping Paper:
  • “I prefer wrapping paper because things fall out of gift bags... the tag comes off and I have no idea what it is.” (Santa, [04:06])
• Sugar Cookies or Chocolate Chip:
  • “They’re both delicious.” (Santa, [04:24])
• Stockings Before/After Presents:
  • “I like about stockings is... just a little reminder as opposed to a big presentation.” (Santa, [04:36])
• Colored or White Lights:
  • "I actually prefer colored lights, but... like the twinkling lights.” (Santa, [05:05])
• Christmas Ham or Pot Roast:
  • “Oh, I’m a pot roast kind of guy.” (Santa, [05:35])
• Elf or Home Alone?
  • “Elf. Will Ferrell was phenomenal... How could you not love Joe Pesci?” (Santa, [05:48])
  • Fun fact about “Elf:” The last shot was filmed unscripted in NYC, just Will Ferrell and Jon Favreau. ([06:08])
• Hot Cocoa or Eggnog?
  • “Oh, hot cocoa.” (Santa, [06:52])
• Mittens or Gloves:
  • “Santa generally wears green gloves... I always want to make sure that people know where Santa’s hands are.” (Santa, [07:01])
• Ice Skating or Sledding:
  • “Both are fun. I’m not that good with ice skates... you get a good sled, you’re great.” (Santa, [07:24])
• Secret Santa or White Elephant:
  • “I kind of like Secret Santa, but I personally make sure never to disclose where it comes from.” (Santa, [07:39])
• Reindeer or Snowman:
  • “Oh, reindeer, hands down.” (Santa, [07:48])
• Christmas Classics or Pop Remakes (Music):
  • “I prefer parodies.” References “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” and shares it was sung by “Elmo Shapershire... a wonderful gentleman... actually a veterinarian.” (Santa, [08:13-08:22])

5. Christmas Spirit & Redemption for the Naughty List

• Kennedy asks: “If people are on the naughty list, is there anything they can do tonight... to move themselves into the nice category?”

  • Santa’s answer: “Absolutely. There is always time... All they have to do is stop, take a breath, and think about what they can do for somebody else.” (Santa, [09:18])

• His closing wisdom:

  • “Instead of saying what I want for Christmas, say if I could give one thing to somebody else, a total stranger... what would you give to somebody else? And that’s the way Christmas should be.” (Santa, [09:51])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On online shopping & the sleigh:

  • “The reindeer are actually a little happy about it because it’s not as much to pull.” (Santa, [01:40])

• On adults vs. kids and the Nice List:

  • “Of the younger generation, [more are nice]. The older ones... come see, come talk.” (Santa, [01:12])

• On Christmas “Elf” trivia:

  • “The last thing filmed was Buddy the Elf roaming the streets of Manhattan unannounced... I do the same thing. I appear in all different places where you least expect Santa to be.” (Santa, [06:08])

• On generosity:

  • “All they have to do is stop, take a breath, and think about what they can do for somebody else.” (Santa, [09:18])

• Final thought:

  • “If I could give one thing to somebody else, a total stranger... what would you give to somebody else? And that’s the way Christmas should be.” (Santa, [09:51])

Segment Timestamps

• Santa’s arrival & Nice List stats: [00:33 – 01:21]
• Tech & deliveries: [01:21 – 02:14]
• Reindeer treats & Santa’s cookie recipe: [02:14 – 03:27]
• Christmas “This or That” game: [03:56 – 09:04]
• Naughty list redemption & closing wisdom: [09:18 – 10:12]
• Santa’s final blessing: [10:12 – 10:22]

Tone & Style

The conversation sparkles with Kennedy’s signature wit (“That sleigh is pretty magical”), Santa’s avuncular humor, and a blend of childlike wonder and adult nostalgia. The episode keeps things lighthearted and merry, yet delivers a sincere message about kindness, giving, and the transformative power of small, thoughtful acts.

This delightful Yuletide episode is a heartwarming, laugh-filled reminder that the holiday spirit is alive—and that it’s never too late to do good for others.