Speaker 1 00:00:13 Hi, so excited. So long story short, I'm a pharmacist in one, but more importantly today I am living out my dream. This is the interview of my life. No offense to everyone I had on the last two seasons. I am interviewing the one, the only Santa Claus. So without further delay, because I'm just so excited. This interview was so hard to get. It has been many, many, many months in the making. And finally I got it over the line. The North Pole press office gave me a slot and here he is, the man himself, Santa Claus. Speaker 2 00:01:14 So, hi Santa. I cannot believe you're here. Thank you so, so much for taking my call today. I know just how busy you must be at this time of year. Oh, Speaker 3 00:01:23 Oh, oh. No problem. Sheena. Mrs. Claus is a big fan of your podcast and listen to it all the time when one of the ELs gets sick. So she insisted I take the chance to speak with you. Oh, oh, oh, Speaker 2 00:01:37 Oh. I'm so glad to hear it. I'm so glad to hear she likes it. That's, you know, brings me all level of delight. So if you don't mind, cuz I know you're under pressure, I have a few questions that I just wanted to ask about as this Christmas feels a little different to other ones for lots and lots of reasons, there's been a lot going on in the world and I just wanted to check in I suppose, and see that everything is okay in the North Pole. There is a cost of living crisis and electricity and oil prices are through the roof. So myself and the kids were just wondering if that impacted toy production this year. Speaker 3 00:02:10 Well Sheena, there been no problem with the toy production. I'm boys and girls will be happy with any little changes we have had to make, have been very proud of their creativity and have been experimenting and making all sorts of things. They're so excited for all the girls and boys play with. However, electricity able to us, for me as normal, I'm she'll say arms my belly a bit and lose a bit of weight. But I'm worried that Myers won't fit me so all could leave me. Eve might be so happy. I need the energy to make it all the way around the world. I don't mind if it's a biscuit, a little sweet or a packet of crisp. Honestly, I might have people make out Speaker 2 00:03:13 <laugh>. Okay Santa, we'll all try and leave something small out for you. We certainly would want you running out of energy. That's a big, big relief about toy production Santa and I hope you and the elves are keeping nice and cozy this year. So maybe after Christmas you can all relax and sit in front of a big fire and watch Christmas movies. Speaker 3 00:03:33 Yes, I look forward to that. My favorite movie is the Santa Claus. Mrs. Claus's favorite is Bad Santa, but I try not to encourage her to watch that. We're very busy at the moment in the pole, but this is our time of year and there's great excitement now we can spirit very this year. Speaker 2 00:03:56 Oh, that's brilliant Santa, even though everyone is so busy. It's great to hear that Christmas spirit is still coming through to you. I also just wanted to ask you if things like the war in Ukraine or homelessness affect you in any way. Is it hard to find children if they're moving about all the time? Some children have to move very suddenly. Some are staying with other families, some in hotels, some in hospitals, and some in direct provision centers. There's lots of different places children could be. Are you always able to find them? Speaker 3 00:04:28 Yes. Well she wonderful. I can find a child anywhere in the world by following their Christmas spirit if they're sad, if they're happy, if you're or lonely. None of that affect Christmas spirit. It's a no problem finding anyone this year. I think that I've been doing this job a very long time. I've delivered through many, many wars and crisis and sorts of global disasters. But finding children is always the easiest part of my job. Any child that in me has a, that is what guides me to that. Speaker 2 00:05:21 Oh great Santa, I always wondered about that. It's really good to know how that works. That's really fantastic news. And Santa, what about kids who might find it really hard to be good all year round? When I was little, I found it so hard not to fight with my brothers all of the time. They were so annoying. It was very hard not to Speaker 3 00:05:44 <laugh>. Well, Sheena Christmas spirit rose from kindness, tolerance and trying your best. Sometimes there will be times when you make a mistake or you make someone sad when you are angry or naughty, but Christmas spirit grows when you learn from that and try your best the next time. <laugh>. Now I remember your three older brothers and I do remember that they were right little scams in their day. So much so you think that I wouldn't give them anything A Christmas. What is amazing how they always suddenly got very good around Christmas time and I had the heart not to give them what they wanted. It's a challenge really to be kind. But it's the Christmas spirit. It has every time you try. And that is what guides me to all the little girls and boys. Oh, anybody can do. Speaker 2 00:06:35 Oh that's great Santa. It's good to know that there's hope for everyone. <laugh>. Is there anything else a child can do to grow more Christmas spirit? Speaker 3 00:06:43 Christmas spirit grows when to, to on help. That's what I look out for. Child who tries to be kind and who does their best to help. The most important thing to remember is that it's nice to be nice. It can be hard to be nice if you disagree with someone or something, but that is the best time to try and practice. Speaker 2 00:07:09 That's brilliant advice Santa. Thank you so much for all of that. And I've never obviously gotten the chance to thank you before. But I remember when I was little, I got a dozy bear, teddy bear one Christmas and it was the best present that I ever got. Speaker 3 00:07:26 <laugh>. That was no problem. And you at the were very good that year. I remember. No problem. You were most welcome. Merry Christmas to everybody and all the little boys and girls. And remember, go to bed early on Christmas Eve. You don't wanna be awake when I come down Chiney. So have lovely Christmas everybody. And here's next lovely year for everybody. God bless you all. Merry Christmas.