The Glenn Beck Program

Episode: A Powerful Reminder for Dads This Christmas
Date: December 19, 2025
Guests: Cheyenne Grace & Derek Hinckley

Episode Overview

Glenn Beck’s final broadcast of 2025 is a deeply personal, reflective, and celebratory show centered around Christmas, fatherhood, and the enduring importance of faith and family values. With the support of co-host Stu and guests Cheyenne Grace (Glenn’s daughter) and Derek Hinckley (songwriter and creator of the new holiday film "The Best Thing About Christmas"), Glenn threads together stories about politics, cultural trends, tragic news events, and, above all, the role of dads in shaping Christmas memories and their children’s futures. The episode is rich with storytelling, candid advice, and heartwarming moments, culminating in a moving call for listeners—especially fathers—to embrace their irreplaceable role in their families.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

State of American Politics (Democrats, Republicans, and 2026)

• Glenn and Stu discuss declining approval ratings for Congressional Democrats—even among Democrats themselves ([06:46–10:53]), including how intraparty frustration reflects deeper disillusionment in politics.
  • Quote (Glenn, 08:08):
    “They’ve never rated Democrats negatively. Democrats on Democrats now, negative six points. Mighty unpopular, boys and girls. … Maybe, no matter how badly we screw things up, they’re doing a worse job.”
• Short remarks on predictions for the 2026 and 2028 elections, with reference to Turning Point USA’s activism and their ambitious goals to elect J.D. Vance ([13:38–15:49]).

Culture, Tragedy, and Civil Disconnection

• Discussion on the Brown University shooting and the difficulties in understanding the motive; Glenn and Stu reflect on increasing tragedy, societal breakdown, and the prevalence of evil acts—motivated not just by politics but possibly deeper societal and spiritual fractures ([25:52–38:38]).
  • Quote (Glenn, 35:20):
    “I’m so fascinated by how evil is playing itself, playing all of its cards right now. … Unlike any time before in my lifetime, you can see this is evil.”
  • Both hosts speculate on the pattern of mass shooters taking their own lives, tying it to movies and cultural references that depict human frailty and evil's manipulation.

Christmas as a Time for Reflection (Especially for Dads)

• Glenn shares emotionally charged reflections about fatherhood: the emptiness of a Christmas overloaded with “stuff” versus the enduring value of love, presence, and stability for children ([44:41–59:57]).
  • Quote (Glenn, 48:17):
    “You pine for the days when we’re all together and you were thinking, when you were in bed, you were thinking, oh God, don’t come in. No one’s allowed to come into the room until 8 o’clock … but you pine for those.”
  • He recalls his worst Christmases—one marked by poverty and feeling like a “loser” because he couldn’t afford even a small ornament, and another marked by financial success but emotional emptiness.
  • Offers restorative advice: Children don’t remember the gifts or count boxes; they remember feeling safe, loved, and seen by their fathers.
  • Quote (Glenn, 55:27):
    “The man that we are, whether you know it or not, is far more valuable than anything that can be wrapped in paper.”

Cheyenne Grace on Family Memories (with Live Interaction)

• Cheyenne joins Glenn to share her most memorable Christmases; she points out the warm, cozy parties and family rituals (“Your hot chocolate”) as her favorites—not gifts ([61:00–63:56]).
  • Quote (Cheyenne, 61:49):
    “That was probably my favorite Christmas—just so special, filled with Christmas stuff … it was just so warm and cozy.”
• Humorous recounting of wrapping her own presents without realizing it.

Music, Creative Projects, and Faith

• Glenn shares music throughout the episode, including selections from Cheyenne’s Christmas album and a new demo for an upcoming project ([60:19], [120:05]).
• Announcement: Glenn and Cheyenne will tour together in 2026 with a new, story-filled Christmas show.
• Introduction of a new behind-the-scenes digital experience for 2026 (“The Torch Insider”) that gives listeners more depth and context on show topics ([18:00, 126:22–128:32]).

“The Best Thing About Christmas” Movie (with Derek Hinckley)

• Derek Hinckley describes the journey from moving to Nashville with nothing, to writing his musical “The Best Thing About Christmas,” to teaming up with Cheyenne Grace for the film adaptation ([68:16–75:17]).
  • Quote (Derek, 68:47):
    “I knew I had a gift. I just needed to figure out what the right way was to share that gift.”
  • The film’s message is about hope, faith, and healing through hardship, intentionally focused on universal values—not denominational divides.

Stories of Heroism and Courage

• Glenn highlights recent news from Australia—two stories of courage in the midst of tragedy at Bondi Beach, especially a 14-year-old girl who risked her life to save children during a shooting ([78:44–84:22]).
  • Quote (14yo Survivor, 79:58):
    “I was like, no, God is next to me. God is telling me, God is with me … If I die saving kids’ lives, then that’s the best way I’d want to die because that’s what God wanted from me.”

Christmas Wisdom for Dads: The Checklist & Emotional Survival

• Entertainingly self-deprecating segment where Glenn, with Stu’s support, runs through a "Christmas Checklist" for fathers ([91:31–104:12]):
  • Don’t stress over wrapping or cards—except, actually, they do matter.
  • Don’t buy clothes for daughters; always remember relatives’ names.
  • Above all, “Just don’t ruin Christmas. That’s all you need to know. Oh, and cards—and writing crap in them—is really, really, really important.” ([97:31])
• Candidly shares the emotional weight of holidays as children grow up and leave home.

The Role of Faith and Transformation

• Glenn closes with a personal reflection on his own past struggles with alcoholism, the journey of radical honesty and self-forgiveness, and the central gifts in his life stemming from faith and family ([111:20–120:05]).
  • Quote (Glenn, 115:53):
    “Every mistake comes from me. But what comes from Him is forgiveness.”
• Shares a new song (demo) with Cheyenne reflecting on the miracle and meaning of Christ’s birth ([120:05–123:59]):
  • Lyric:
    "This is love that came down low / this is hope the world didn’t know / this is God in fragile skin / here to break our hearts and mend them..."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On political disillusionment ([08:08]):
  “They’ve never rated Democrats negatively. Democrats on Democrats now, negative six points. Mighty unpopular, boys and girls.” – Glenn Beck

• Fatherhood during hard times ([48:17]):
  “You pine for the days when we’re all together... The most empty... I can't... I can't tell you the best Christmas. The worst Christmas I can tell you right now is … I can't even afford that [ornament]. I'm such a loser as a dad.” – Glenn Beck

• A daughter’s favorite memories ([61:49]):
  “Those were so special – filled with Christmas stuff … it was just so warm and cozy.” – Cheyenne Grace

• Unwrapping the meaning of gifts ([55:27]):
  “The man that we are, whether you know it or not, is far more valuable than anything that can be wrapped in paper.” – Glenn Beck

• A courageous teen’s testimony ([79:58]):
  “All that was going through my head was my mission is to save these children. This is God testing me.” – 14-year-old Bondi Beach shooting survivor

• Practical Christmas advice ([97:31]):
  “You buy something expensive enough that it looks intentional. You tell yourself this communicates love. It doesn’t. It communicates urgency.” – Glenn Beck

• Faith in transformation ([115:53]):
  “Every mistake comes from me. But what comes from Him is forgiveness.” – Glenn Beck

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening & Sponsor Notes – [00:00–04:42]
• Political Outlook, Disillusionment, & Media Critique – [06:41–13:38]
• TPUSA, 2026 Election, Youth Engagement – [13:38–15:49]
• Brown University Shooting/Tragedy Analysis – [25:52–38:38]
• Fatherhood & Personal Christmas Wisdom – [44:41–59:57]
• Cheyenne Grace Joins: Christmas Memories – [60:19–63:56]
• "The Best Thing About Christmas" Movie with Derek Hinckley – [68:16–75:17]
• Courage at Bondi Beach: Teen Interview – [78:44–84:22]
• Christmas Checklist for Dads (Humor & Advice) – [91:31–104:12]
• Reflections, Faith, New Music, and Closing – [111:20–123:59]

Final Thoughts

This episode is a tapestry of holiday cheer, challenging realities, and direct, compassionate encouragement—especially for dads feeling the weight of expectation and change. Glenn Beck’s message, underscored by memorable family anecdotes, real-world news, and new creative projects, is that in times of uncertainty or self-doubt, presence, faith, and love are the greatest gifts fathers can give.

Closing Quote ([123:59]):

“Thank you. Thank you for the greatest gift. Thank you to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” – Glenn Beck