No Agenda Show — Episode 1828: "No Agenda Christmas 2025"

Hosts: Adam Curry & John C. Dvorak
Date: December 25, 2025

Episode Overview

This special Christmas episode of No Agenda, co-hosted by Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak, serves as a festive, irreverent, and at times heartfelt look back at No Agenda Christmases past, current cultural issues, and the evolving "war on Christmas." Although it's technically a "Best Of" episode compiled by Sir Donald Winkler, Adam and John weave in fresh commentary, classic show moments, discussions about Christmas traditions, and the ever-present deconstruction of media narratives — all in their signature comedic, skeptical style.

Key Themes & Discussions

1. Changing Christmas Greetings and "War on Christmas"

• Early banter covers the increasing use of "Happy Christmas," "Merry Holidays," and "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas."
  • Adam: "What happened to Merry Christmas? ... Now they've combined the two." (00:27)
  • John: "All the liberals around here are saying Merry Holidays." (00:53)
• Cultural and political connotations behind greeting choices (“Merry Christmas” = “religious” = “Republican”).
• Comparison of presidential holiday messages and media coverage about “the war on Christmas.”
  • [51:08] — Clip discussion on the politicization of holiday greetings.

Memorable moment:
Adam: “Merry Christmas equals religion equals Republican.” (50:52)

2. Podcasting During the Holidays

• Discussion of hosting a show on Christmas and balancing family obligations.

  • John: "Family friendly. Wiser not to have [the show]..." (01:38)
  • Adam jokes about being called a “douchebag” for working through Christmas as a parent. (01:42)

• Reflections on the production of a special "best of" show by Sir Donald Winkler and commentary on listener response timelines.

  • Adam: “You expect... it's like, hey, I said this on Thursday, you should be telling me on Thursday. It just doesn't work that way.” (01:52)

3. Dynamic/Surveillance Pricing & Last-Minute Shopping

• Discussion about shifting Christmas celebrations to avoid crowds and take advantage of sales, and a critique on "surveillance pricing."
  • John: “...the algos are going to be looking at me ... they're going to overcharge me for everything that I buy now based on dynamic pricing.” (03:37)
  • Adam: “Wait a minute. It's not dynamic pricing. What was it called again?... surveillance pricing.” (03:52)
• Male bonding and camaraderie of last-minute Christmas Eve shoppers.
  • John: "It's mostly men...you're pals with these people without even knowing them..." (09:22)

4. Media & Political Satire

• Vintage No Agenda Christmas show montages with sharp commentary on media coverage and political issues, such as royalty, TSA, and European holiday policies.
• Satirical takes on Queen’s Speech and a “Build A Bear” animated special’s environmental messaging:
  • Adam (on climate change Christmas special): "Oh, Mommy, Daddy, quick. You have to stop putting carbon in the air." (13:42)
• TSA Carolers and the performative humanization of authority:
  • John: "Reminds me of the Brown shirt chorus of 1938." (22:18)

5. Personal & Family Anecdotes

• Traditions like Christmas Eve shopping, reading “The Night Before Christmas,” and unique stories from the hosts’ families.
  • Adam shares gifts he received (16:08) and traditions like Dutch Sinterklaas (36:09).

6. Christmas in the Pandemic/COVID Era

• “Covid Christmas” and the politics/media of holiday restrictions and messaging:
  • Discussion of the abrupt "cancellation" of UK Christmas due to a COVID variant (63:06)
  • Satirical COVID-Christmas song (“It’s beginning to look like Covid Christmas…” 65:17)
  • Critiques of government announcements and leaders breaking their own rules.
  • Joking about Santa’s vaccination status (72:03)

7. Holiday Cultural Shifts & Identity Politics

• Deconstruction of Christmas stories, “Santa’s Husband” children’s book (43:18), claims about the origins of "Jingle Bells," and “Festivus”/“Boxing Day” as emergent or alternative traditions.
• Satirical “Santa” ESG message (108:50):
  • Adam (as ESG Santa): "If you are naughty... we will just take your stocking und your other gifts. You will get nothing und be happy..."

8. Classic No Agenda Clips & Show Humor

• Parody songs, coronavirus ditties, and alternative “12 Days of Christmas.”
• Jokes about Christmas gifts, cussing on air, and “men’s club” of late shoppers.

Notable Quote: John: "I'm going to stop cussing except once a show. And it's going to be so on point...everyone's gonna go, wow, that was a big moment." (57:25)

Notable Segments & Timestamps

Opening Christmas Banter & Changing Greetings

• [00:27] – Discussion about “Happy Christmas,” “Merry Holidays.”
• [01:09] – Reflection on not recording live on Christmas for the first time.

Packaging & Listener Contributions

• [01:52] – Listener response times and invitations for “Best Of” clips.

Dynamic Pricing & Family Shopping

• [03:37] – Economic discussion of dynamic/surveillance pricing, last-minute deals.
• [09:22] – Christmas Eve shopping camaraderie.

Queen’s Speech & Royal Family Satire

• [10:05] – Commentary on the Queen’s Christmas speech tradition in the UK.

Climate Change in Kids’ Programming

• [12:31] – Satire of Build-A-Bear’s climate change Christmas special.

Media Satire - TSA Carolers & European Leaders

• [20:11] – TSA carolers and media “humanizing” efforts.
• [22:41] – EU president Van Rompuy's Haiku, mocking political platitudes.

COVID & Christmas

• [63:06] – “Cancelling” Christmas in the UK and COVID variant panic.
• [65:17] – “Covid Christmas” parody song and vaccine-related humor.
• [72:03] – Santa’s immunity and vaccination status.

Culture Warring & “Santa’s Husband”

• [43:18] – Satirical look at intersectional reimagining of Christmas stories.

Holiday Traditions: Dutch, Sinterklaas, & Jewish Customs

• [36:09] – Dutch Sinterklaas and family Christmas customs.
• [53:33] – “Hanukkah Harry” and alternative holiday characters.

Classic Jokes, Off-Color Humor, & Segment Parodies

• [94:13] – “Jab me, baby”: COVID vaccine parody song.
• [120:54] – “12 Days of No Agenda Christmas” parody.

Heartfelt & Absurd Christmas Stories

• [115:06] – “Christmas Miracle” segment: family recovers stolen car.

Notable Quotes

• “Merry Christmas equals religion equals Republican.” (Adam Curry, 50:52)
• “Reminds me of the Brown shirt chorus of 1938.” (John C. Dvorak, 22:18)
• “Oh, Mommy, Daddy, quick. You have to stop putting carbon in the air.” (Adam Curry, 13:42)
• “I'm going to stop cussing except once a show. And it's going to be so on point... everyone’s going to go, wow, that was a big moment.” (John C. Dvorak, 57:25)
• “If you are naughty... we will not put a lump of coal in your stocking. ... You will get nothing und be happy.” (Adam as "ESG Santa", 108:50)

Episode Highs & Lows

Highlights

• Christmas Tradition Parodies: From Dutch Sinterklaas to “Santa’s Husband” and “Hanukkah Harry.”
• COVID Satire: Skewering holiday restrictions, vaccine policies, and virtue signaling politicians.
• "Best Of" Moments: Sir Donald Winkler’s compilation showcases classic No Agenda irreverence and running gags.
• Riffs on Political Correctness: Conflicted holiday greetings and cultural appropriation debates.
• Camaraderie and Heartfelt Moments: Hosts share family stories, traditions, and reflect on personal growth.

Memorable Offbeat or Satirical Moments

• Santa’s ESG compliance warning (108:50).
• “Covid Christmas” and vaccine holiday jingles (65:17, 94:13).
• "12 Days of No Agenda Christmas" send-up (120:54).
• Bizarre holiday news stories — e.g., lost then recovered Acura (115:06).

Tone & Style

The show keeps its classic No Agenda blend of skepticism, sarcasm, and affectionate ribbing between hosts — often veering into satire and lighthearted nostalgia. Political incorrectness and media criticism are plentiful, but personal warmth and a sense of community shine through, especially during holiday anecdotes and gratitude for listeners.

For New Listeners

This episode is both an accessible entry point (thanks to the “Best Of” format and classic No Agenda inside jokes) and a useful snapshot of the show’s enduring themes:

• Media and politics deconstruction
• Cultural skepticism
• Blending of personal, political, and societal observation
• Emphasis on listener involvement and value-for-value model

Conclusion

Episode 1828 is a joyful, biting, provocative, and laughter-filled No Agenda take on holiday cheer and chaos. Whether mocking media tropes, tradition-bending, or simply reminiscing about Christmases past, Adam and John keep it No Agenda: present, imperfect, and unfiltered.

“Merry Christmas... Happy Holidays... Merry Schwanza, Happy Hanukkah... Whatever it is you celebrate, be safe.” (106:19)

### Quick Access — Key Segments

• Changing Christmas Greetings: 00:27, 50:13, 119:05
• Dynamic/Surveillance Pricing: 03:37
• Queen’s Christmas Speech Satire: 10:05
• COVID Christmas & Satire: 63:06, 65:17, 72:03, 94:13
• Dutch Sinterklaas Tradition: 36:09
• Santa’s ESG Message: 108:50
• Classic Parody Songs: 65:17, 120:54
• Christmas Miracle (Recovered Car): 115:06

No Agenda wishes you a Merry No Agenda Christmas!