S2 Ep 04: Clutter and Collecting: The Hidden History of Stuff
About this episode
The episode explores the emotional complexities of collecting and inheritance through a conversation between host Sarah Dowd and guest Clarissa Levi.
Ours to Keep? In this emotionally raw episode of It's History for F***'s Sake , host Sarah Dowd sits down with Clarissa Levi, inheritance tax lawyer, former Sotheby's specialist, and someone with rare double vision into objects, families, and loss. Together, they unpack why we collect, why inherited things mean so much (sometimes too much), and how the late 18th century turned possessions into identity. They trace the rise of consumerism, the baby boomer stuff-boom, and why a teacup can become a sibling battleground alongside the cultural moment that made Marie Kondo a global phenomenon. Expect grief, nostalgia, the messy reality of inheritance law, and hard-won advice for planning ahead without leaving traps for your heirs. If you've ever had to grieve with a cardboard box, this one's for you. Here are the highlights: 00:00 Marie Kondo’s “tidying” revolution and what decluttering means when it isn’t your stuff 02:12 Meet Clarissa Levi, an inheritance tax lawyer and former Sotheby’s specialist 05:13 How grief and loss shape our attachments 09:46 The rise of collecting as status, identity, and a postwar Western obsession 13:08 Why letting go is hard and finding better ways to pass…
More episodes of HistoryFFS
- S2 Ep 02: Rebels in Red: The Pre-Raphaelites and the Art That Changed Britain
- S2 Ep 01: Digging for Truth: Vikings, Blockbusters and the Reinvention of Archaeology with Dominic Tweddle
- What’s Coming Up in Season 2 of HFFS!
- Meet the Host of the HFFS Podcast!
- Why Does The History For F**k’s Sake Podcast Exist?
- Season 2 of History for F**k’s Sake is coming!
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the HistoryFFS podcast page.