Culture Study Podcast What It's Like to Grow Up With Hoarders
Oct 29, 2025
Amanda Uhle, memoirist and author of "Destroy This House," shares her experiences growing up in a hoarding household. She discusses the emotional complexities behind hoarding, from personal identity to familial chaos. Amanda contrasts collectors with hoarders, highlighting how the former find joy while the latter can feel disrupted by possessions. They also explore the societal perceptions of hoarding beyond poverty narratives, the impacts of shame, and practical strategies for setting boundaries with loved ones. Amanda's insights shed light on the thin line between collecting and hoarding.
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Childhood With Hoarders Sparked A Memoir
- Amanda Uhle grew up with a hoarding mother and a scheming father, which shaped her childhood and later compelled her to document them.
- She decided to research and write Destroy This House after their deaths to preserve who they were and understand their behaviors.
Hoarding Creates Persistent Background Discomfort
- Living with hoarding creates a persistent background discomfort rather than overt conflict in many households.
- Young family members often try to 'fix' the environment but face resistance and little gratitude.
Hoarded Food And Fabric Were Identity Anchors
- Amanda's mother hoarded food, clothing, and fabric tied to identity and potential projects she never completed.
- The food hoard was less about use and more about the comfort of possessing it and imagined potential.
