Podcast Summary

Podcast: Real America’s Voice
Episode: American Sunrise - Christmas Special
Date: December 25, 2025
Hosts: Emily Finn, David Brody, Terrence Bates
Special Guests: Steve Gruber, Armin Kurdian, Julian Becerra, Bill Federer, Donna Feduccia & Don Noonan

Episode Overview

This Christmas Day edition of American Sunrise delivers a blend of holiday warmth, faith-based reflections, family traditions, political commentary, and updates from Washington, D.C. The hosts and guests share personal Christmas customs, discuss the impact and spirit of Christmas in America and abroad, and touch on current political and cultural headlines—all framed by their unapologetically patriotic and faith-oriented worldview.

Key Segments & Discussions

1. Christmas Traditions & Family Memories

Timestamps: 03:05–08:05, 12:56–15:30, 127:22–129:46

• Hosts recount personal traditions:

  • Terrence Bates: Sweet rolls by his wife, exchange of presents, lounging with family.
    "When I get home, I expect Sweet Rose to be done. That's a tradition for us." (05:11)
  • David Brody: Chinese food tradition due to his Jewish roots, later evolving into a more conventional Christmas.
    "We Jews... that's what we ate on Christmas, because it was the only thing open." (05:34)
  • Steve Gruber (guest): Fondly recalls his childhood electric football game and highlights the importance of giving to local charities during the holidays.
    "If you got a little bit left in the Christmas stocking to help people out, help out those local, smaller charities. They connect with their community. They know who needs the help." (09:36)

• Memorable banter:

  • Joking references to A Christmas Story and how everyone seems to have some Christmas morning chaos, whether from assembling toys or missing pieces.
  • Playful debate about holiday food—fruitcake, empanadas, and Christmas Eve meals.

2. Politics, Patriotism & the Naughty or Nice List

Timestamps: 10:43–12:31, 86:07–88:37

• Swamp Naughty and Nice List (Emily Finn):

  • Nice list: President Trump, Tom Homan (for border enforcement), Rep. Jim Jordan.
  • Naughty list: Chuck Schumer, Adam Schiff, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
  • "The nice list, guaranteed to trigger a citywide TBS meltdown. President Trump back at the sleigh, putting America first..." (86:10)

• Steve Gruber’s take:

  • Criticizes Obamacare supporters and politicians leaving office for personal gain.
  • "Anybody who's selling Obamacare as a solution is on the naughty list... taking from the rich and giving to the richer." (11:01)

• Frustrations with Congress (Donna Feduccia & Don Noonan):

  • Disappointment with Republican leadership on January 6th investigations and general inaction.
  • "I think Congress needs to realize in the Senate that 78 million people elected Donald Trump and the populist movement. We didn’t elect a Republican Party..." (113:29)

3. National and International Headlines

Timestamps: 19:23–24:09, 27:27–36:58

• Holiday travel weather alert:

  • Snow in the North complicating travel, but smooth conditions in the South.

• Retail records expected:

  • U.S. holiday spending on track to top $1 trillion for the first time.

• Global Update—War and Christian Persecuation:

  • Armin Kurdian discusses the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, religious diversity in Bethlehem, and underreported persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
  • "It is a tragedy of epic proportions... this is not a new story. This has been going on for decades, even centuries..." (31:47)

• Trump’s Foreign and Domestic Policies:

  • Kurdian praises Trump’s peace efforts and deregulation as top domestic achievements.
  • "He has made a full court effort to try to bulwark the American economy with his tariffs..." (35:27)

4. Faith, Christmas Origins, and Meaning

Timestamps: 40:43–48:38, 60:03–65:30

• Faith Focus:

  • Julian Becerra emphasizes that gift giving reflects God’s gift of Christ.
    "We give gifts on Christmas day because God gave us Christ first... The Magis brought gifts to a child who had nothing to give back." (43:31)
  • Discussion on men's role as spiritual leaders during Christmas.
  • Die Hard Christmas movie debate settled (“not a Christmas movie!”).

• St. Nicholas & Santa Claus Origins (Bill Federer):

  • Chronicles the transformation from historical St. Nicholas to modern Santa Claus.
  • "Nicholas decides he wants to give the money away, but he doesn’t want to get the credit for it... That’s the origin of secret gift-giving..." (61:00)
  • Highlights the faith-centric reason behind Christmas traditions.

• Refocusing on the spiritual meaning:

  • "Our God... He had the plan before He created the first electron. And the plan was His own son would come to Earth, be a man, and take the judgment of the sin in our place." (64:53)

5. Political & Cultural Commentary—White House Christmas, D.C. Culture War

Timestamps: 76:08–82:34, 52:30–55:36

• White House Christmas Coverage (Brian Glenn):

  • Describes the Trump family’s Christmas at the White House and emphasis on faith, decorations, and the 'Merry Christmas' ethos.
  • "It's been such a joy to be here at the White House this Christmas season as President Trump has brought back Merry Christmas once again, got rid of the politically correct stuff..." (76:08)

• Christmas Tree Controversy in Portland:

  • Criticism of city for omitting "Christmas" in public celebrations.
  • Praises Trump’s administration for restoring traditional holiday symbolism in government spaces.
  • "A gathering for cheer is sparking a firestorm... Officials never even said Christmas tree, referring to it only as the tree..." (52:30)

6. January 6th, Pardons, and the “Anthem of the Free”

Timestamps: 93:13–94:34, 107:29–114:16

• Spotlight on January 6th Defendants:

  • Highlighting the new song by the January 6th Prison Choir, promoting it as a symbol of perseverance and freedom.
  • Personal testimonies and gratitude expressed to Donald Trump for pardons.
  • "I want to thank Donald Trump for pardoning us and is the only reason that we're here today all together free..." (99:44)

• Donna & Don’s Christmas Wish:

  • Call for RAV correspondents to push President Trump for full pardons for Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, noting that not all have been pardoned.
  • "We need RAV reporters that are in the Oval Office with President Trump asking this question, when will the rest of the J6ers be pardoned?" (107:29)
  • Harsh critique of Congressional Republicans for failing to deliver on transparency and justice post-January 6th.

7. Personal Reflections & Lighter Moments

Timestamps: 118:33–122:30, 126:15–130:00

• Christmas gift assembly woes:
  • Humor about missing toy parts, instruction sheet errors, and buying assembled gifts instead.
  • "I'm willing to pay the extra 15 bucks to have somebody assemble it for me. I am all about paying the extra money to have somebody do it for me..." (120:02)
• Cherished moments:
  • Hosts agree that time together as family is the most valuable gift.
  • "Seeing my babies and when they leave for school and come back home, that will be the best gift ever..." (122:02)

8. Special Features & Ambassadors Program

Timestamps: 114:28–115:24, 55:36–56:35

• RAV Ambassadors Program:
  • New initiative to connect viewers more deeply with the network’s hosts and offer exclusive community perks.
  • Emphasis on activism, patriotism, and direct engagement.
  • "This isn't just about watching, it's about doing—joining campaigns, volunteering locally, standing for truth. This isn't just a fan platform, it's a movement..." (114:41)

Notable Quotes

• The Heart of Christmas:
  • "Gift giving was never the point. It's just the response... They traveled to honor a king who they truly believed in and who they truly wanted to worship." — Julian Becerra (44:02)
• On Washington’s Naughty List:
  • "Adam Schiffy Schiff... the man who could read a holiday card and open a Russian investigation. He sees disinformation in everything except his own reflection..." — Emily Finn (86:22)
• Faith Focus:
  • "Lawmakers in particular, need to root policy in Jesus teachings and in biblical theory." — Terrence Bates (105:11)
• Trump’s Legacy and Critique:
  • "President Trump is scoring all A's... But this man has got himself surrounded by people that are preventing him from doing exactly what all of us elected him to do." — Don Noonan (112:49)
• Reviving Christmas in the White House:
  • "Christmas trees, joy for this holiday season, even just down to where the tree was purchased, it's all about Christmas... President Trump... brought back Merry Christmas once again, got rid of the politically correct stuff..." — Brian Glenn (76:08)

Conclusion & Overall Tone

This special holiday episode wraps the news of the day in warmth, nostalgia, and spirited debate—mixing deep faith, conservative politics, cultural critique, and heartfelt personal stories. There’s a recurring theme that the restoration of faith, family, and "real" American values is both possible and urgently needed, and the show positions itself and its network as central to that renewal. The tone, while occasionally combative on politics, is mostly jovial, humorous, and inviting—anchored by a shared sense of purpose around Christmas and patriotism.

Useful For:
Listeners who want a window into the blending of American conservative commentary, Christian reflections, political updates, and warm holiday camaraderie, all through the Real America’s Voice lens.