Episodes

Sometimes we don’t know exactly why we keep something. We just know we can’t let it go. In this episode of Things That Matter, Colleen Clifford shares a small glass frog she bought when she was about six years old during a family trip to Mexico. Her grandfather gave her pesos at a market and tried to teach her how to barter. Colleen doesn’t remember exactly why she chose the frog, but somehow, through decades of moving, traveling, and working as a commercial fisherwoman in Alaska, that little fr...

Sometimes the things that matter aren’t valuable at all—at least not in dollars. In this episode of Things That Matter, Diane Amelia Read shares a simple piece of paper she brought with her when she moved from Massachusetts to Mexico: a poem written by her mother, Evelyn, when she was just 14 years old. Diane discovered the poem while cleaning out her mother’s apartment after she moved into skilled nursing. Written in Auburn, Nebraska, in 1935, the poem imagines seagulls, oceans, pirates, and ad...

What if growing older isn’t about becoming less of who we were, but becoming more of who we are? In this episode of Things That Matter, I sit down with Wendi Knox, whose relationship with dragonflies began during a major turning point in her life. At 50, Wendi lost her job as an advertising creative director and wondered if she was too old to reinvent herself. Then something extraordinary happened: hundreds of red dragonflies appeared in her backyard. When Wendi learned more about the dragonfly’...

Sometimes the smallest things carry the biggest stories. In this episode of Things That Matter, I sit down with Xanthe to hear the story behind a small black ashtray she acquired in 1986 after moving from Australia to France at just 18 years old to dance at the Lido de Paris. The ashtray stayed with her through that chapter of her life before eventually being packed away for decades. When Xanthe and her husband moved back to France years later, they brought it out for a housewarming party. The...

Some collections are built with expensive treasures. Others are built one envelope at a time. In this episode of Things That Matter, I had the joy of sitting down with my longtime friend, author and professional organizer Felice Cohen, whose collection of more than 1,000 handwritten letters tells the story of an entire lifetime. What fascinated me most wasn’t simply that she kept every letter; it was what happened when she reread them years later. During the pandemic, Felice began organizing dec...

The Sobriety Chip That Represents an Entirely New Life. One of my favorite questions to ask every guest is: “What did you bring to show and tell?” Sometimes the answer is a family heirloom. Sometimes it’s a photograph. Sometimes it’s something incredibly unexpected. In this episode, Maria Leonard Olsen shared something small enough to fit in the palm of her hand, but powerful enough to represent an entirely different life. Her AA sobriety chip. Maria has been sober for nearly fourteen years, an...

The Story Hidden Inside Two Wedding Pendants Sometimes the smallest objects carry the biggest stories. In this episode of Things That Matter, I had the privilege of sitting down with author Leslie Powell Ahmadi to hear the remarkable story behind two wedding pendants gifted to her by her Iranian in-laws nearly four decades ago. What first appeared to be simple pieces of jewelry became lasting symbols of unconditional acceptance, intercultural understanding, and love. Leslie shares her journe...

One of the questions I am most frequently asked is, “How did you begin doing this work?” How did I go from being a New York City public school teacher to helping people preserve family stories and creating show-and-tell experiences around the world? The answer begins with a missing photograph. Many years ago, after leaving my position as a high school biology teacher in New York City, I found myself at a crossroads. I loved teaching and loved my students, but I had promised myself that if I ever...

Some objects become far more than possessions. They become bridges connecting us to people we’ve loved, places we’ve never seen, and stories that continue shaping our lives long after they’re told. In this episode of Things That Matter, I sat down with my longtime friend Mary Reilly, someone I’ve known since the earliest days of Show & Tales. More than a decade ago, when I was searching for a Manhattan venue to host my storytelling events, Mary generously opened the doors of Picnic Market & Café...

What happens to our memories, our family history, and the stories behind our belongings when we downsize, move, or pass things down, and those stories are never shared? In this episode of Things That Matter, I sit down with senior real estate specialist Bryan Devore for a meaningful conversation about downsizing, senior transitions, and the emotional weight of the things we keep. Bryan shares a powerful personal story about two baseballs he inherited from his grandfather, signed by Los Angeles D...

Join Martie McNabb as she welcomes gerontologist Jacob Kendall to discuss the stories behind meaningful objects. This episode explores how college football, family, and changing times shape our memories and values. * Jacob Kendall’s connection to Alabama football and his late father through a championship game ticket * The evolution of college football and its impact on lifelong fans * Navigating feelings about memorabilia, memory, and what we leave behind * The importance of traditions, st...

As I, Martie McNabb, settle in for another episode of “Things That Matter,” I’m joined by John Davey—a man whose family keepsake is as unique as his story. John sits across from me, a small, handmade rug on his computer screen. He smiles, recalling the Christmas morning surprise when his sister gifted him this hooked rug, unaware that she’d become somewhat of an artist. John describes its “beachy vacation scene” complete with a sailboat, hydrangeas, and a little green house—a nod to childhood v...

In this episode of Things That Matter, I welcomed the ever-curious traveler John McKenzie to reminisce about the meaning behind the things we keep. We dove into the stories tucked inside John’s five well-worn passports, each bursting with stamps and memories from across the globe. As John said, “What better symbol to represent places and travel experience than a passport?” He shared how a “spur of the moment” college road trip to Canada kicked off his adventures, and how a special Peace Corps p...

On a crisp Vermont afternoon, I sat down with my friend Rev Yolanda for a special episode of “Things That Matter.” I kicked things off by recalling our unforgettable first meeting in Prospect Heights—a tall, vibrant woman in high heels and a big wig who dashed across Flatbush Avenue and into my life for good. Rev Yolanda brought her “show and tell”: a custom children’s storybook called “Glen’s Adventures,” honoring her late husband Glen. As she shared the story, Yolanda described how she had be...

Martie McNabb welcomed viewers with her signature warmth, beaming into the camera as she introduced her guest, Thomas Beutel. “Today on Things That Matter, Thomas is sharing a story about a very special boxcar—and the powerful memories attached to it.” Thomas held up a small HO scale boxcar, explaining, “My father gave me this when I was eight or nine. It wasn’t just a toy—it was my introduction to hours of tinkering on model railroads with him, and it sparked my lifelong passion for engineerin...

In this episode of Things That Matter, Jonah Casale & Martie explore the objects and stories that shape our lives and legacies. Jonah shares personal memories tied to gaming, storytelling, and his journey as a multipotentialite, offering insights into how our belongings become vessels for meaning and connection. Jonah reveals the impact of gaming on his life, showing & sharing stories about his original Kingdom Hearts PlayStation 2 game and Dungeons & Dragons dice. FYI: He brought these object...

It was a sunny afternoon when Martie McNabb welcomed Dr. Karen Kramer onto her popular show, Things That Matter. The virtual studio was set up, mug in hand, and the air was tinged with curiosity and connection. Martie, ever passionate about the ways our cherished objects reveal the truths of our lives, caught up with Karen after their brief encounter at the 2nd Annual Grief Awareness and Education Conference in Hartford CT. As the conversation began, Martie reflected on the heart of her work: “...

Martie McNabb settled into her seat, the sunlight spilling across her cozy workspace in Albuquerque where she first met today’s guest. She glanced over the Zoom screen at Jolynn Baca Jaekel, whose energy and warmth always seemed to fill any room she entered. Today’s conversation was set to be a meaningful one; as the host of “Things That Matter,” Martie loves exploring the personal stories behind the objects people chose to keep close. “Jolynn,” Martie began, smiling, “I’ve been looking forward...

For over three years, I’ve been hosting the Things That Matter podcast and YouTube channel—listening to countless people share stories about the objects that hold meaning in their lives. But until now, I realized I’d never really opened up about the things I keep, the things that matter to me personally. That’s why I started “Martifacts”—a special new segment where I finally share my own treasures and their stories with all of you. One of my favorite rituals over the last decade has been inviti...

In this episode of Things That Matter, host Martie McNabb sits down with nurse, grief facilitator, and author Wy Woods Harris for a deeply meaningful conversation about love, loss, and legacy. The two first connected during the early days of the pandemic through Let’s Reimagine, a space dedicated to open conversations around grief, death, and healing—making this reunion especially powerful. Wy shares the story of one of the most meaningful objects in her life: her late husband’s urn, adorned wi...

As the afternoon sunlight streamed softly into my mom’s basement—a place filled with stories tucked into objects on every shelf—I sat ready for another episode of “Things That Matter.” Surrounding myself with the things we collect, inherit, and adore, I welcomed my guest, Jeanette Leardi, whose inspiring work in aging and intergenerational connections had first caught my eye on LinkedIn. I kicked off the conversation with my favorite question: “Jeanette, what’s a thing that truly matters to you...

Martie McNabb settled into her favorite chair, the one that cradled her through countless conversations, and smiled as the camera started rolling. Across the video feed, Ted Cragg seemed right at home, surrounded by art and little mementos—a fitting backdrop for an episode of “Things That Matter.” “Welcome, Ted!” Martie greeted him. “I always love to begin with how I met my guests. Your journey to this chair started through our mutual ties to Location Indie, Camp Indie & the Everything Conferen...

In these dark times, where some people are trying to erase history, telling our stories is an act of resistance. “Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of Things That Matter,” she began with her trademark warmth. “Today, I have the privilege of speaking with Judi Varnai Aronson—artist, entrepreneur, and keeper of a truly remarkable family jewels story.” Judi smiled, her hands resting gently on her lap. “Thank you, Martie. I’m honored to be here and grateful to share this part of my fa...

Martie McNabb glanced at her screen, a familiar spark of anticipation in her eyes. She loves hosting Things That Matter, a series devoted to the stories held by the objects in our homes aka our personal museums. Today’s guest is someone she’s admired for years: filmmaker Melissa Davey, a woman whose story embodies the very spirit of the show: connection, community & legacy. After a brief greeting, Martie smiled and put her trademark question to Melissa: “So, Melissa, what’s one thing that truly...