Who is Santa Claus? Yuliia Novosad

In this podcast episode, we explore the evolution of Santa Claus, from his origins as Saint Nicholas, a generous Turkish bishop, to the modern commercial icon. We discuss how Coca-Cola's 1930s campaign shaped Santa's image and how corporations turned him into a marketing tool, fueling a Christmas economy worth billions. We also look at cultural variations of Santa worldwide, such as Sinterklaas in the Netherlands and Ded Moroz in Russia, and examine the psychological impact of the ‘Nice List.' Finally, we consider how to reclaim Santa's original spirit of generosity and kindness, moving away from consumerism.