Christmas Podcast Will Bring ‘Families Separated by Prison Walls’ Together

Published: December 16, 2024

Christmas Podcast Will Bring ‘Families Separated by Prison Walls’ Together

By Movieguide® Contributor

A Christmas podcast will bring separated families together this holiday season.

“SCROOGE: A CHRISTMAS CAROL PODCAST, the four-part audio drama presented by Hope Media Group and Compassion International, has returned for the 2024 holiday season, bringing hope and connection to families in a unique way,” a press release reads.

This year, SCROOGE will bridge “the gap between families separated by prison walls.”

“Inside two Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) facilities, inmate DJs will air SCROOGE: A CHRISTMAS CAROL on prison radio stations on Christmas Eve. Additionally, the podcast will be uploaded to all TDCJ inmate tablets across the state. This will allow inmates to listen to the podcast while their family simultaneously listens to it on radio stations in their communities. Many will share the experience by talking with their spouses and children on the phone during the podcast.”

SCROOGE: A CHRISTMAS CAROL “is the retelling of the timeless Charles Dickens’ classic, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, destined to become a holiday tradition for individuals and families alike,” the show’s website reads. “This award-winning, star-studded audio drama will inspire and entertain while illustrating God’s profound ability to transform even the hardest of hearts through forgiveness and redemption.”

Burdett’s daughter added, “It’s so impactful. It makes me feel like my mom is not far from home, not just for the holidays, but all year.”

“At its heart, SCROOGE: A CHRISTMAS CAROL PODCAST is more than just an audio drama — it’s a movement for redemption and reconciliation,” Joe Paulo, the President and CEO of Hope Media Group, explained. “By highlighting themes of forgiveness, transformation, and hope, the podcast connects families and fosters an environment of growth and purpose regardless of our circumstances. We are extremely pleased to see how the inmates are engaging with the SCROOGE podcast and how it is bringing families together both inside and out of the correctional facilities.”

LORD OF THE RINGS star John Rhys-Davies narrates the story. He told Movieguide®, “I think all of us want that reassurance that it’s possible for us to become better people,” explaining that Scrooge’s story illustrates that beautifully.

SCROOGE: A CHRISTMAS CAROL PODCAST previously aired in 2023, earning high listener numbers and excellent reviews.

“The overwhelming success and recognition SCROOGE: A CHRISTMAS CAROL received last year and the top-rated audio drama on the Apple podcast chart showed us how this reimagined classic tale connected with listeners all over the world. We are thrilled this story of redemption will be around for years to come,” Mark Ramsey, the creator, director and showrunner of the podcast, shared.