Episodes

“Welcome to this episode of Things That Matter BL,” Martie began. “Today’s conversation is truly special. You reached out after attending a workshop I facilitated for Alexa Bigwarfe’s Women In Publishing community — well, technically, after watching the replay — and I was struck by your open embrace of the show and tell method I taught to help authors truly connect with their audience.” BL’s laughter was soft. “I felt the same, Martie. Your advice about storytelling, especially through the obje...

Martie McNabb straightened the stack of index cards on her lap, eyes sparkling with anticipation. “Welcome back to Things That Matter,” she greeted the invisible audience, her voice warm with genuine curiosity. “Today, we’re joined by Denny Daniel, the founder of the Museum of Interesting Things, a place where stories quite literally fill every corner.” Denny sat across from her, the afternoon sunlight glancing off one of the peculiar objects he’d brought—a tiny, exquisitely crafted shoe, a sou...

Jen Allen sat down with Martie McNabb on this episode of Things That Matter to share a deeply personal story about loss and resilience. After unexpectedly losing her son Daniel to suicide, Jen found comfort in the objects he left behind—especially his skateboard(s), a tangible reminder of his passion and spirit. When Hurricane Helene hit Florida just over a year after his death, it destroyed almost all of Jen’s belongings, but miraculously, Daniel’s skateboard and a few treasured items survived....

Tabitha sat across from Martie McNabb, the host of “Things That Matter,” prepared to open up about the small but meaningful keepsake in her hand. On the surface, the keychain looked ordinary—just a collection of trinkets bound together with a zip tie. But to Tabitha, every piece carried the weight of her journey: the travel bug that bit her when she chose French in middle school, leading to study abroad adventures in Paris and eventually to a career as a flight attendant where she discovered the...

Martie McNabb welcomed listeners to another episode of Things That Matter, a series dedicated to extracting the personal histories embedded in the special objects that fill our lives. This time, her guest was Alyson Wagner, a multi-passionate creative she’d met at the Everything Conference in Minneapolis (Aug 2024) —a gathering that celebrates people who refuse to be boxed into just “one thing.” Martie had been invited there to lead her signature show-and-tell experience, helping attendees spark...

Zhu Shen grew up in China, where food has always been at the heart of family and tradition. Years later, living in the U.S., she found herself caring for her beloved husband, a Stanford-trained biotech founder and the family’s home chef, as he battled a tragic and ironic fight with cancer. One day, as Zhu prepared roasted red bell peppers—a dish he adored—she noticed a dark spot spreading on one of the peppers. The slow decay mirrored the painful changes she saw in her husband. As she cut away t...

As the clock ticked into a quiet afternoon, I, Martie McNabb, welcomed my guest, Risa Zenno, to “Things That Matter.” From the moment we connected—prompted by a chance encounter at the Everything Conference in Minneapolis—I sensed our conversation would reveal something special. When I invited Risa, pronounced Lisa, to share her story, she smiled and held up a handful of colorful pens. “It’s hard to pick just one thing,” she laughed, echoing the multi-potentialite ethos of the conference where ...

Jamie Brickhouse didn’t realize he was walking into a 9/11-themed storytelling event—he’d been preoccupied, already scheduled to perform elsewhere that day with a completely different story. But as the realization dawned, Jamie remembered he did, in fact, have a story connected to that date, rooted in both personal memory and collective tragedy. He began by sharing an object from his childhood: a unique “one way puzzle.” The puzzle, often thought of as resembling a skyscraper, had always been h...

Join us in this captivating episode where I, Martie McNabb, had the pleasure of welcoming the incredibly talented artist, Karin Edgett, to explore the intersection of art, energy, and the symbols that truly matter. Karin takes us on a journey through her fascinating transition from the world of advertising to embracing her true passion—art. Watch here:  Or Listen here: Karin opens up about her lifelong interest in communication graphics and how it eventually led her to explore the deeper...

Once upon a time in the picturesque lakeside town of Grand Haven, Michigan, Jodi Bandy spent her childhood surrounded by the serene beauty of the water. As I sat down with Jodi on my podcast, I was captivated by her tales of those early years. She painted a picture of days filled with her father’s exhilarating adventures on the water, recounting how he was always at the helm of a boat, skimming across the waves. One of the standout stories she shared was about her father’s daring feat of towing...

In this episode of Things That Matter, I had the pleasure of sharing my story of solo travel and exploration. I’m Annie Sisson, a traveler and explorer, and I embarked on a journey that truly changed my life. Back in 2015, I decided to leave my teaching job and travel to Europe alone, something I had dreamed of since flipping through National Geographic as a kid. With just a few nights of hostel bookings at either end of the trip, a rental car, and a backpack full of camping gear, I let inspira...

In this poignant video, Philip Griffith takes us on a journey that spans across continents and decades, revealing a personal story that intertwines fate, love, and cherished memorabilia. Philip begins by showcasing a unique water buffalo bookend he acquired during his trip to South Africa. He shares how this sculpture, though seemingly simple, holds profound meaning in his life. The journey to acquiring it started with his participation in two conferences in South Africa, a trip that also inclu...

In the latest episode of “Things That Matter,” I invite you into a conversation with Ellerie Fuller, where the significance of everyday objects takes the spotlight. During their chat, Ellerie reveals the heartfelt narrative behind a simple, painted rock she received from her niece during the trying times of the pandemic. This rock, inscribed with the word ‘happy’, wasn’t just a token gift; it became a beacon of gratitude and connection, serving as a daily reminder of positivity and the bonds th...

In the heart of New York City, as the world grappled with the onset of the pandemic, Jessica Lavoie, a seasoned model, found herself with an early understanding of the unfolding crisis. Her connection to overseas factories through her fit modeling work gave her an insider’s view as news slowly trickled in. Amidst the uncertainty, a new nightly tradition began that many New Yorkers embraced—clapping at 7 PM to honor essential workers. For Jessica, her husband, and their five-year-old son, this ri...

Hi everyone, Martie McNabb here, and I’m thrilled to share my conversation with the incredibly talented Noemi Beres on “Things That Matter.” Our paths crossed thanks to Keith McNally, the question guy on LinkedIn, who always connects with fascinating people through his deep, interesting questions. From our initial interaction, I knew Noemi had stories and insights worth sharing, and I couldn’t wait to dive into her world. Noemi joined me from Cyprus, though her journey started in Hungary and to...

When I look back on my life, one of the most pivotal moments was when I decided to embark on a journey across the United States on my bicycle. At the time, I was working a full-time engineering job in Connecticut, feeling stifled and yearning for something more. In the summer of 2017, I made a bold decision—I quit my job, packed my belongings, and set off on a bicycle trip that would span from Connecticut to Los Angeles, covering some 7,000 miles. The bike I rode, which I fondly think of as my ...

On today’s minisode my story-sharer, Wendy Green, shares her story of reinvention through the THING that matters to her, a microphone she asked her children to gift her for Mother’s Day. This is Wendy’s story: During the pandemic, my life took an unexpected turn. I was working as a center director at a Sylvan learning center, but as the world started to shut down, I knew my job was in jeopardy. By March 20th, my boss called to say we were closing, and just like that, I found myself unemployed ...

I’m Martie McNabb, and today I had the immense pleasure of sitting down with Deb Krier for an episode of Things That Matter. As many of you know, I am fascinated by the stories attached to the Things that matter in our lives and the legacy they create. Deb’s story is a remarkable mixture of resilience, humor, and inspiration. Deb brought something incredibly unique to our show-and-tell: a lavender-colored knitted pillow. At first glance, it might seem like a cute little cushion, but it represen...

Join me as I sit down with Martie, the host of Things That Matter, to share my journey as a photographer and adventurer. My name is Jesse Morgan, and here’s a glimpse into the story of an old photo: I’m originally from Texas, but now I call Mexico City my home—a place full of vibrant culture and endless photographic opportunities. My journey to this bustling city was anything but ordinary, starting with my college years back in West Texas at Abilene Christian University. During one summer brea...

I recently had the pleasure of hosting MariBeth Decker, an extraordinary animal communicator, on my YouTube channel, “Things That Matter.” From the moment we met through a mutual friend, I knew she had something truly unique to share with our audience. Her ability to connect with animals and communicate with them is nothing short of remarkable. Maribeth started the conversation with a touching show-and-tell. She brought out felt creations of her late pets—two dogs named Tibor and Stella, and a ...

Look &/or listen as my guest Martie Mackay shares her pandemic story through her unique “nine things” photo design project. To cope with the isolation and emotional toll, Martie turned to something familiar yet unexpected — personal stories of the ordinary Things around her home during “lockdown”. First inspired by a striking image of the coronavirus, she began a unique art project that revolved around finding and photographing nine household items that resembled the virus. It started with simp...

In this episode of Things That Matter, I, Jill Yesko, shared a heartfelt story about a cherished childhood photo and its unexpected journey back to me. I talked about my early life and my godfather, Uncle Jack. He captured a special photograph of me in 1972, a picture that went missing for 35 years. I described how the photo was significant to me, not just because it was a glimpse into my past, but also because it represented my contemplative, pensive childhood. My personality, quiet and serio...

Hello, everyone. My name is Elizabeth Barbour. I live in Asheville, North Carolina, and I’m thrilled to be here today to share a story that is very close to my heart. I grew up adopted, raised in Connecticut by my wonderful adoptive mom and dad as an only child. When I was 29 years old, I found my biological parents. It was an incredible experience; not only did I find my birth mom and dad, but also eleven half-brothers and sisters. This past April, we celebrated 25 years of reunion together, a...

Hi everyone, it’s Melissa here. I’m sharing my heartfelt story about navigating the challenges brought by the pandemic while caring for my ailing mother. Despite the hardships, I found unexpected blessings during this difficult time. At the start of 2020, I was working as a marketing independent contractor for a senior living community. Coincidentally, it was the same community where my mom was in the memory care unit, and her health was declining. By February, I had to ask if it might be time ...