Real Life Real Crime | ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas (December 24, 2025)

Main Theme & Purpose

This special Christmas Eve episode of Real Life Real Crime is Woody Overton’s annual tradition—now in its seventh (possibly eighth) year—of reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas" for his audience of loyal “Lifers.” With warmth, nostalgia, and gratitude, Woody shares personal Christmas memories and reflects on the meaning of the season, while also connecting his true crime mission and community advocacy efforts. The episode offers comfort, holiday cheer, and a sense of togetherness to listeners as Woody upholds a family and podcast tradition.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Honoring the Annual Tradition

• Woody Overton opens with heartfelt thanks to his audience, expressing how meaningful it is for listeners to play his annual reading for their families.
  • “Every year people tell me, ‘Hey, I played it for my kids—awesome, we got to read along with the book’… it means more to me than you'll ever know. Just a real blessing.” (07:36)
• He reminisces about his own childhood, when his mother would read both the original and Cajun versions of the story—traditions he continues with his audience.
  • “My mother always read two books to me on Christmas Eve. ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ and then the Cajun version…” (08:19)

2. Shout Outs to Community and Advocacy

• Woody spotlights the ongoing JusticeForHailey case, reminding listeners of its proximity to the holiday and the pain the season brings to grieving families.
  • “JusticeForHailey—so important. Her murder versary is the day after Christmas… We're covering her story start to finish.” (11:08)
  • He encourages sharing Hailey’s story to push for justice and expresses empathy for her family during the holidays.
• He plugs his Patreon community, emphasizing the perks (“convicts” get bonus and commercial-free content) and thanks supporters while including everyone.
  • “If you can’t be a patron or convict, I love you anyway. I truly do.” (13:05)

3. Personal Holiday Memories

• Woody paints a vivid picture of childhood anticipation—scouring Sears & Roebuck catalogs, sneaking glances at hidden gifts, and the joy of family gatherings, complete with red beans and rice and Christmas traditions.
  • “We ordered all our toys from Sears and Roebuck. Man, I would just OCD on it… and circle the ones that I wanted.” (14:03)
  • Describes how everyone takes turns opening one present and how the house would stay decorated year-round at his “Aunt Sidney’s.”
  • “Ms. Francine, who was like my grandmother that I never knew… you get to open one present at a time, right? And everybody got to watch you…” (23:11)
• Shares details of sneaking peeks at gifts, planning out when to check the stairs, and the chaos of Christmas morning.
  • “I'd get a notebook and write… at 10:05 I'm gonna peek down the stairs, 10:30, I'm gonna peek down the stairs and until the lights went out.” (24:31)
  • Reminisces about holiday meals, the adults’ rituals, and welcomes new members to his family, including his granddaughter.

4. Reflection on the Spirit of the Season

• Woody expresses gratitude for listeners of all backgrounds and beliefs, emphasizing the inclusive spirit of the holiday.
  • “I don't know. You know, it's Jesus's birthday in my world. And that's the most important thing. But whatever you believe in, Hanukkah or whatever, it doesn't matter to me. It's the spirit. Spirit of the season. And I'm so thankful for each and every one of you.” (25:47)
• Concludes by reinforcing the importance of family, tradition, and sharing warmth through his reading.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the tradition’s impact:
  “People in every year in the past when I do it, they say, ‘Oh, we played it for our kids and that's wonderful.’” (07:43)

• On the meaning of community:
  “If you see me out and about, don’t hesitate to come up and introduce yourself… That makes my day.” (13:56)

• About the JusticeForHailey campaign:
  “It's important that you get mad… every episode I drop, you’re gonna get more pissed off because it’s so, so stupid.” (12:13)
  “In the end, we want to get a murder indictment and we can’t do it without your help.” (12:54)

• On family gatherings & childhood nostalgia:
  “Back then we had the Sears and Roebuck… I would circle the ones I wanted. Of course, I didn’t get everything.” (14:03) “We’d go there on Christmas Eve… have red beans and rice which I’m still famous for cooking to this day.” (22:16)

• Holiday warmth and inclusion:
  “Whatever you believe in, Hanukkah or whatever, it doesn’t matter to me. It’s the spirit of the season.” (25:47)

Key Timestamps

• 07:28–09:23 – Woody welcomes listeners and introduces the annual tradition, shares gratitude, and sets the scene for the reading.
• 10:01–11:08 – Holiday well-wishes, traditions, and anticipation for “The Night Before Christmas” reading.
• 11:08–13:05 – JusticeForHailey case update, importance of advocacy, and Patreon details.
• 14:03–25:47 – Deep dive into Woody’s family Christmas memories: shopping, routines, gatherings, family members new and old, and lessons learned.
• 26:37–30:09 – Woody reads “Twas the Night Before Christmas” by Clement Clark Moore, continuing his family tradition for listeners.
• 30:09–30:48 – Farewell: Woody and Cindy offer closing Christmas wishes and thanks to the audience.

The Reading: “‘Twas The Night Before Christmas”

(26:37–30:09)

• Woody delivers the classic poem in his signature voice, inviting listeners to relive the magic alongside their families, as he once did as a child.
• Quote:
  “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night. The end.” (29:57)

Tone & Style

• Warm, conversational, and distinctly “Woody”—a storyteller’s cadence peppered with Southern charm, personal anecdotes, advocacy, and encouragement.
• Community-centric: consistently refers to listeners as family and “Lifers,” radiating gratitude and inclusiveness.

Closing Thoughts

Woody Overton’s 2025 Christmas Eve episode is a heartfelt gift to his audience—merging true crime commitment, personal stories, and holiday spirit. His reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" is both a comfort and a continuation of an intimate tradition, reminding listeners to cherish loved ones, support each other, and keep justice and hope alive—even as the year turns.

“Merry, merry Christmas to all of y’all. We love and appreciate each and every one of you and I hope you have the best, best, best Christmas of all time.”
—Woody Overton (30:21)