There is something totally unique about Christmas movies. They sparkle. They twinkle. They warm our hearts like a cup of hot cocoa. Why is that, and how does it feel to be a part of creating something like that? This week on Talking A Christmas Story With the Cast, host Yano Anaya (Grover Dill from A Christmas Story) interviews Hallmark movie star and real-life Prince Charming Jonathan Stoddard (A Royal Christmas On Ice, Prince and Pauper Christmas) , on the joy that comes from holiday traditions, and how it feels to be a part of that for families all over the world. 
Summary

The conversation revolves around the Christmas movie A Christmas Story and its impact on the cast and fans. The host interviews Jonathan Stoddard, an actor known for his roles in Christmas movies, about his experience with the film and his career. They discuss the nostalgia and traditions associated with watching A Christmas Story, the energy and vibe of Christmas movies, and the challenges and joys of being an actor. They also touch on the sequel to A Christmas Story and the emotional connection fans have with the original film. The conversation with Jonathan Stoddard, an actor from the movie A Christmas Story, explores his experience as a child actor and his journey in the industry. He shares the challenges of auditions and the excitement of landing the role of Grover Dill. He also discusses his other acting experiences and the importance of storytelling. The conversation then transitions into a game where Stoddard imagines how his character, Prince John, from another movie would react in various situations from A Christmas Story. The episode concludes with a discussion about the enduring popularity of A Christmas Story and the importance of traditions.

Takeaways

• A Christmas Story holds a special place in the hearts of many families and has become a beloved holiday tradition.
• Christmas movies have a unique energy and vibe that brings joy and comfort to viewers.
• Being an actor in Christmas movies comes with its own set of challenges and rewards.
• The sequel to A Christmas Story was highly anticipated and brought back nostalgic memories for fans.
• The emotional connection fans have with the original film is a testament to its enduring impact. Being a child actor in the past was challenging without digital auditions and GPS navigation.
• The journey of landing a role involves multiple auditions and callbacks.
• Acting is a rewarding and emotionally driven career that requires relationship building.
• A Christmas Story holds a special place in people's traditions and continues to resonate with audiences.

Sound Bites

• "You were the first OG."
• "It's Disney people. It's Disney problems."
• "You were some of the first quotes that I remember saying as a kid."
• "You're always in the room. Like you never do a digital audition."
• "This is a waste of time. Look at how many kids are here. This is crazy."
• "We're acting whether we're on the camera or not."

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Discussion of A Christmas Story

10:10
The Energy and Vibe of Christmas Movies

18:30
The Challenges and Rewards of Being an Actor in Christmas Movies

25:10
The Anticipation and Emotional Connection of the A Christmas Story Sequel

29:23
The Challenges and Excitement of Being a Child Actor32:19
The Journey of Landing a Role

33:36
The Rewards and Emotional Drive of Acting

48:19
The Enduring Popularity of A Christmas Story