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A shaving-cream beard in Vietnam. A department store gig that turned into a calling. A lifetime spent turning belief into service. Meet National Santa, Timothy Conahan, the storyteller and mentor who has trained thousands of Santas and Mrs. Clauses to keep the magic alive long after the tree comes down. We go behind the red suit to unpack the craft: how to read a room in seconds, create photo moments that feel authentic, and handle the questions that break your heart without breaking a child’s hope.

We talk about the real work families rarely see—background checks, insurance, wardrobe care, and the performance skills that make wonder feel effortless. Tim shares why authenticity matters more than ever as visits run longer and kids notice details, and how small moves turn nervous smiles into keepsakes. He also opens the door to a bigger world of Santa: libraries, tree farms, corporate gatherings, hospitals, convalescent homes, and disaster zones where a simple hello can carry a family through a hard season.

As the official Santa for the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots, Tim brings candid stories from parades, TV stages, and relief efforts, including how his team pivoted during COVID to deliver books and games to kids without internet access. We also dig into his holiday planning system that starts in July, designed to protect joy, avoid burnout, and give families back their December. The throughline is clear: compassion is a skill, and wonder is a responsibility.

Listen for practical tips, moving stories, and a fresh sense of what the holidays can be when we lead with heart. If this conversation sparked something for you, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review—then visit ToysForTots.org to help a child feel seen this season.

Guest Links

Tim Connaghan is National Santa

Toys for Tots

School for Santa

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Credits

Music Credit: True Living by Patrick Moore

Royalty free music license purchased at soundotcom.com