This American Life 871: The Thing About Things
19 snips
Oct 26, 2025 
Jonathan Goldstein, host of the podcast Heavyweight, joins to explore the emotional weight of inanimate objects. He delves into a family's battle with hoarding, revealing how mementos can turn into burdens. A mother grapples with her obsessive collections, causing friction with her son, who fears for their safety. As they search for solutions, her art gains validation and prompts a move towards letting go. Goldstein reflects on the bittersweet relationship we have with our possessions, emphasizing their role as vessels for memories.
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Decades-Long Scooter Restoration
- Nunzio bought a 1966 Honda scooter at 13 and kept its parts for decades while dreaming of restoring it.
- He finally rebuilt the original bike three decades later after tracking down a missing engine from a jailed mechanic.
Objects As Explanations For Misfortune
- People often attribute ordinary misfortune to a single, tangible cause to make sense of suffering.
- The Petrified Forest receives weekly returned rocks and hundreds of explanatory apology letters.
Return What You Took To Ease Guilt
- If you feel guilty about taking something, return it and apologize to ease the burden on yourself.
- Small restorative acts can provide psychological relief even if they don't change external facts.
