Becoming the Light
Holiday Stories 2026–2027
As the days grow shorter in Vermont, we begin looking for light in familiar places: a story, a tradition, a gathering, a small act of kindness. This five-part series explores how people across cultures and generations have met the darker season and found ways to bring warmth, meaning, and connection into it.
From Halloween through the return of the light in January, Heather follows the histories, celebrations, and human questions behind the season. Waylon and Dalton join selected stories with their own observations along the way.
New stories begin Halloween 2026. Episodes will be added here as they are released.
Halloween and the Traditions Around It · The Light We Carry Home · The Solstice and the Shortest Day · And Then We Put Lights on Everything · The Sun Comes Back
Story One
Halloween and the Traditions Around It
A journey into Halloween and neighboring seasonal traditions, exploring their histories, the ways they have changed, and why darkness, costumes, remembrance, and a little spookiness continue to draw us in.
Coming soon
Story Two
The Light We Carry Home
Diwali
An exploration of Diwali, its varied traditions, and the ways people celebrate light, renewal, and connection around the world.
Coming soon
Story Three
The Solstice and the Shortest Day
At the longest night, the light begins its return. This story explores winter solstice traditions and what that quiet turning point can mean in our own lives.
Coming soon
Story Four
And Then We Put Lights on Everything
Candles, windows, streets, trees, and gathering places. This story asks why people bring light into the darker months and explores the histories and meanings behind those traditions.
Coming soon
Story Five
The Sun Comes Back
The series closes with the returning light and a reflection on what we carry forward. As the days begin to stretch, we consider renewal, connection, and the small ways we can become a little more light for one another.
Coming soon
Looking for Last Year’s Stories?
Revisit the eight winter stories from our 2025–2026 collection, exploring light, culture, hope, and connection.
Follow the Light
Follow Change Happened, Then What? on your preferred podcast app so the holiday stories arrive alongside the documentary episodes and Smile Drops.