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…

People in this episode

Host: Sarah Dowd

Guest: Clarissa Levi

Topics covered

• collecting
• inheritance
• consumerism
• grief
• identity
• family history

Keywords

• inheritance
• collecting
• consumerism
• grief
• Marie Kondo
• family history
• identity

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Sotheby's

Books & works: Marie Kondo

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