It was November of 2016. North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre was visited by a merry cast of talented voice actors, musicians, and audience members. There was chocolate (graciously provided by the delicious El Buen Cacao) and a wintry faerie who, with an audience volunteer, would announce each date to start off the story. We recorded twenty-five short, holiday-themed stories that night and the 2016 Audio Advent Calendar was born. It was too good to hear just once, so we reissued it the following year. And now it's back again, with its cheerful silliness and heartfelt hope! We hope you enjoy it again or anew, as much as we did making it!

Today marks the anniversary of the grand opening of the fictional cross-holiday shop, "Judai-Wicca," which gives today's episode its name. A delightful sketch written and performed by Robyn Roth and Denny Siegel. (Extra points for tuning in to the 2017 13 Days of Halloween podcast (Oct 25 episode) and hearing the Wiccan Sisters walk us through some classic horror films in "The Wiccan Review.")

Please visit LifeLabNotes.com for information about each date's story, its writer and performers, and the musicians who added their magic.

It was November of 2016. North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre was visited by a merry cast of talented voice actors, musicians, and audience members. There was chocolate (graciously provided by the delicious El Buen Cacao) and a wintry faerie who, with an audience volunteer, would announce each date to start off the story. We recorded twenty-five short, holiday-themed stories that night and the 2016 Audio Advent Calendar was born. It was too good to hear just once, so we reissued it the following year. And now it's back again, with its cheerful silliness and heartfelt hope! We hope you enjoy it again or anew, as much as we did making it!

They work hard all year - they deserve a month off! "Taking An Elfie" was written by Robyn Roth, and performed by Keith Ferguson (with Robyn Roth featured as the child).

Please visit LifeLabNotes.com for information about each date's story, its writer and performers, and the musicians who added their magic.

It was November of 2016. North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre was visited by a merry cast of talented voice actors, musicians, and audience members. There was chocolate (graciously provided by the delicious El Buen Cacao) and a wintry faerie who, with an audience volunteer, would announce each date to start off the story. We recorded twenty-five short, holiday-themed stories that night and the 2016 Audio Advent Calendar was born. It was too good to hear just once, so we reissued it the following year. And now it's back again, with its cheerful silliness and heartfelt hope! We hope you enjoy it again or anew, as much as we did making it!

"O, Christmas Tree" - a simple phrase that packs an emotional punch. Today's episode is by Gale Brennan Jackson, and although it's technically about her childhood Christmas tree, you may see some of your own family and traditions in this very tender story. Performed by Jenny Flack.

Please visit LifeLabNotes.com for information about each date's story, its writer and performers, and the musicians who added their magic.

It was November of 2016. North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre was visited by a merry cast of talented voice actors, musicians, and audience members. There was chocolate (graciously provided by the delicious El Buen Cacao) and a wintry faerie who, with an audience volunteer, would announce each date to start off the story. We recorded twenty-five short, holiday-themed stories that night and the 2016 Audio Advent Calendar was born. It was too good to hear just once, so we reissued it the following year. And now it's back again, with its cheerful silliness and heartfelt hope! We hope you enjoy it again or anew, as much as we did making it!

It has never been more clear that looking at each other without prejudice would be a very useful thing to a society struggling to hang on to its society-ness. Dictionary dot com defines it thus: A highly structured system of human organization for large-scale community living that normally furnishes protection, continuity, security, and a national identity for its members.

Please visit LifeLabNotes.com for information about each date's story, its writer and performers, and the musicians who added their magic.

It was November of 2016. North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre was visited by a merry cast of talented voice actors, musicians, and audience members. There was chocolate (graciously provided by the delicious El Buen Cacao) and a wintry faerie who, with an audience volunteer, would announce each date to start off the story. We recorded twenty-five short, holiday-themed stories that night and the 2016 Audio Advent Calendar was born. It was too good to hear just once, so we reissued it the following year. And now it's back again, with its cheerful silliness and heartfelt hope! We hope you enjoy it again or anew, as much as we did making it!

Today's episode is a beautiful personal story written by Rikki Schwartz, and performed by Jenny Flack. It's about crossing the lines that make us different, and making a difference in someone's life.

Please visit LifeLabNotes.com for information about each date's story, its writer and performers, and the musicians who added their magic.

It was November of 2016. North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre was visited by a merry cast of talented voice actors, musicians, and audience members. There was chocolate (graciously provided by the delicious El Buen Cacao) and a wintry faerie who, with an audience volunteer, would announce each date to start off the story. We recorded twenty-five short, holiday-themed stories that night and the 2016 Audio Advent Calendar was born. It was too good to hear just once, so we reissued it the following year. And now it's back again, with its cheerful silliness and heartfelt hope! We hope you enjoy it again or anew, as much as we did making it!

There is, perhaps, no time of year more laden with traditions, legends, and folklore than this. So Christmastime is perfect to retell the tale of Saint Pubbins. Performed by Keith Ferguson. Written by our fun-loving, talented friend, Chris Warren Gilbert, gone much too soon.

Please visit LifeLabNotes.com for information about each date's story, its writer and performers, and the musicians who added their magic.

It was November of 2016. North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre was visited by a merry cast of talented voice actors, musicians, and audience members. There was chocolate (graciously provided by the delicious El Buen Cacao) and a wintry faerie who, with an audience volunteer, would announce each date to start off the story. We recorded twenty-five short, holiday-themed stories that night and the 2016 Audio Advent Calendar was born. It was too good to hear just once, so we reissued it the following year. And now it's back again, with its cheerful silliness and heartfelt hope! We hope you enjoy it again or anew, as much as we did making it!

If you've ever tried to settle contentedly into a seasonal job, this episode is for you. "Macy's" was written by Gale Brennan Jackson, and read by Silvie Zamora. Theme music by Scott Passarella and Gary Grantham.

Please visit LifeLabNotes.com for information about each date's story, its writer and performers, and the musicians who added their magic.

It was November of 2016. North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre was visited by a merry cast of talented voice actors, musicians, and audience members. There was chocolate (graciously provided by the delicious El Buen Cacao) and a wintry faerie who, with an audience volunteer, would announce each date to start off the story. We recorded twenty-five short, holiday-themed stories that night and the 2016 Audio Advent Calendar was born. It was too good to hear just once, so we reissued it the following year. And now it's back again, with its cheerful silliness and heartfelt hope! We hope you enjoy it again or anew, as much as we did making it!

"O Triple Conjunction of Bethlehem" was written by Silvie Zamora, and featured the voice talents of Abel Arias and Brett Bayone. Original music by Gary Grantham and Scott Passarella.

Please visit LifeLabNotes.com for information about each date's story, its writer and performers, and the musicians who added their magic.

It was November of 2016. North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre was visited by a merry cast of talented voice actors, musicians, and audience members. There was chocolate (graciously provided by the delicious El Buen Cacao) and a wintry faerie who, with an audience volunteer, would announce each date to start off the story. We recorded twenty-five short, holiday-themed stories that night and the 2016 Audio Advent Calendar was born. It was too good to hear just once, so we reissued it the following year. And now it's back again, with its cheerful silliness and heartfelt hope! We hope you enjoy it again or anew, as much as we did making it!

For some, the only time family gets together is during the holidays. But which holidays? Andy Crocker and Jen Bascom wrote the delightful parody lyrics to this tune about siblings and how easy it can be to get along.

Please visit LifeLabNotes.com for information about each date's story, its writer and performers, and the musicians who added their magic.

It was November of 2016. North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre was visited by a merry cast of talented voice actors, musicians, and audience members. There was chocolate (graciously provided by the delicious El Buen Cacao) and a wintry faerie who, with an audience volunteer, would announce each date to start off the story. We recorded twenty-five short, holiday-themed stories that night and the 2016 Audio Advent Calendar was born. It was too good to hear just once, so we reissued it the following year. And now it's back again, with its cheerful silliness and heartfelt hope! We hope you enjoy it again or anew, as much as we did making it!

It can be tricky to find that healthy balance between gifts for well-deserving family and friends, and the consumerism that can stifle the real meaning of the holidays. One family figured it out. "Brought To You By," written by Silvie Zamora, performed by Abel Arias, Brett Bayonne, Robyn Roth, and Denny Siegel. Gary Grantham and Scott Passarella provide the intro and outro music.

Please visit LifeLabNotes.com for more about this project and the talented folks involved.