🔔 Episode Highlights: 🎅 The History of Christmas: Tracing its origins from pagan festivals to modern-day celebrations. 🎁 Weird Traditions Around the Globe: From Japan's KFC feasts 🍗 to Austria's terrifying Krampus parades 👹. 🌟 The Oddities of Santa Lore: Who knew about Iceland's Yule Lads or Italy's Befana the Christmas witch? 🧙‍♀️ ❄️ Quirky Facts: Why do some countries hide brooms on Christmas Eve? 🧹 🍷 Christmas Drinks & Food: Mulled wine, figgy pudding, and yak milk (Donnie, we’re looking at you). 🔎 Fun Moments: Kate's hilarious attempt at singing carols 🎤 The Best Christmas Presents Donnie diving into Christmas in Asia 🎎 #ChristmasAroundTheWorld 🌍 #SantaStories 🎅 #HolidayTraditions 🎄 Mention: Iceland, Austria, Japan, Italy, and more!

On today's episode of Drop A Pin, Donnie and Chaps dive deep into the Hermit Kingdom with two-time defector Charles Ryu. Charles talks about: 🇰🇵 Life under North Korea's dictatorship 🏚️ Growing up in poverty with a father in China and a struggling mother 🚨 Prison camps and forced re-education systems 📜 North Korean history & its closed-off regime ❌ Lack of access to the outside world 🕵️‍♂️ Regime's deadly control: Assassination of Kim Jong Un's family members 🗣️ Guest: Charles Ryu 🌟 His harrowing escapes from North Korea—twice 🛑 The risks of defying the regime 💔 A personal account of survival and resilience ⏳ Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes 🎧 Deep dive into life inside the Hermit Kingdom—a gripping journey you won’t forget! Chapters: 00:00:00 - 1:16:45 (interview with Charles Ryu) 1:16:45 - 2:19:05 (North Korea discussion with Wonton and Chaps) 2:19:05 - 2:34:39 (Gettin' Cultured with Nicky Smokes) Escaping North Korea podcast Life in North Korean prison camps Kim Jong Un family assassinations Forced re-education in North Korea North Korean dictatorship stories Hermit Kingdom life #NorthKorea #EscapeStory #CharlesRyu #HumanRights #Dictatorship #PrisonCamps #KimJongUn #Freedom #PodcastDeepDive #NorthKoreaSecrets Special thanks to Charles Ryu (@CharlesRyuNK) for sharing his story Discussing life under Kim Jong Un’s regime Shoutout to advocates for human rights in North Korea Listen now and gain a deeper understanding of one of the most secretive regimes in the world!

Former NFL player & two-time Super Bowl champion Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) joins the show! 🚶‍♂️ Discusses climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro 🏔️—the highs, the struggles, and the ultimate triumphs. 💧 Shares his mission to bring clean water to underserved communities through Waterboys (@WaterboysORG). 🌍 Cultural Deep Dive ✈️ Donnie (@DonnieDoesWorld) & Chaps (@UncleChaps) Drop A Pin in Tanzania 🇹🇿: 🗿 The rich history of the region, from its tribal roots to colonial times. 🦁 The incredible wildlife and Serengeti vibes 🐘🦓. 🥘 Food, music, and the welcoming spirit of the Tanzanian people. #Podcast #ChrisLong #NFL #SuperBowlChampion #MtKilimanjaro #Waterboys #CleanWaterInitiative #TanzaniaTravel #AfricanCulture #AdventurePodcast #TravelHistory #GlobalTravel #WildlifeExploration #TanzaniaWildlife #KilimanjaroClimb #Philanthropy #CleanWaterAccess #DropAPinPodcast #TravelPodcast #InspiringStories #SportsAndTravel