Ninjas Are Butterflies 174 - The Sodder Fire, Christmas UFO Tracking & Santa’s Pagan Past
Dec 26, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Anthony, a regular contributor and storyteller, dives into the mysterious Sodder fire, questioning whether the missing Sodder children survived. The discussion also explores Christmas UFO tracking by the government and how Coca-Cola may have shaped Santa into a figure rooted in pagan mythology. With a mix of humor and intrigue, the hosts connect modern holiday traditions with ancient practices, revealing the bizarre intersections of folklore and consumer culture.
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How NORAD Began Tracking Santa
- NORAD's Santa-tracking tradition began after a misprinted Sears number and Cold War-era anomaly tracking.
- The accidental connection turned into a PR tradition that persists as a playful public service.
Santa’s Look Drew From Yule And Odin
- Modern Santa imagery was shaped by Coca-Cola’s 1930s advertising, which borrowed elements from Norse Yule traditions and Odin.
- Many contemporary Christmas customs trace back to earlier pagan Yule practices rather than original Christian rites.
Redeem Traditions Rather Than Abandon Them
- You can reclaim and repurpose traditions rather than abandon them when origins feel problematic.
- Reframe symbols to hold new, positive meaning for your community.