Treasures saved from past jobs spark memories of a scientist, a porn star, The Pet Shop Boys, The Partridge Family, and long-lost websites ------------------------------- Man, do we ever spend a lot of time at work. That's one reason why I felt compelled to save things from the places I worked, to remind me how I spent so much of my time. I always suspected that I wasn't the only one who did this. And now, I have proof. Four friends -- who worked at various offices with me -- agreed to join in a...
Jul 12, 2025•51 min•Season 3Ep. 34
Nic Cage delivers another explosive performance in the new movie "The Surfer." But the actor I interviewed was somebody else. ---------- When I talked with Nicolas Cage on the phone for an hour in 1994, he already had a bit of a reputation for going ballistic in movies. Just the crazed cockroach-eating scene in Vampire's Kiss was enough to give a guy a reputation. But lo and behold, he told me a lot of things I didn't expect. For starters, he's very shy off-screen and he felt like a reject in hi...
May 02, 2025•58 min•Season 3Ep. 33
Hear my never-shared 1995 talk with Jimmy Page and Robert Plant about their music, books, diets, girlfriends, hair loss, Led Zeppelin myths, and their Unledded reunion ----- If you find it hard to visualize Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page and Robert Plant in a People Magazine article, I’m with you. The People article I reported and wrote about them in 1995 was never published. So the cassette tapes of my interview went into a box, like a heavy metal time capsule. Until now. When I saw the rave reviews...
Mar 19, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Season 3Ep. 32
Learn a lesson from the Valentine’s Day cards I’ve saved since the ‘70s: 10 important rules for sending cards to the ones you love, and tips for deciding which love notes to save ----- If you’re sending Valentine’s Day cards this year, there are some key rules to follow -- and mistakes to avoid. I know this because I’ve been saving Valentines since the 1970s. So I can see which ones got right to the heart of it and which sent Cupid’s arrows slightly off target. Looking through my card collection...
Feb 09, 2025•30 min•Season 3Ep. 31
His graffiti in NYC subways made him a world-wide art star before his death at 31. Hear my 1983 interview as Haring answers his critics, plus: a chat about Keith with Andy Warhol Even if you don’t know one artist since Michelangelo, the chances are good that you’ll recognize the creations of Keith Haring. More than 40 years after he started drawing with chalk – for free – in New York City subway stations, it’s still easy to spot his cartoon-like symbols: radiant babies, barking wolves. Now, 35 y...
Jan 24, 2025•59 min•Season 2Ep. 30
Get out the holiday treasures you’ve saved for years, and join us as we decide why we kept them and what to do with them. --------- Attention holiday revelers! Are you someone who just can’t let go of Christmas and Hanukkah gifts from the past? Even if they don’t fit? Or they’re ugly? Or they’re useless? What about holiday cards? Do you stash them somewhere year after year and never look at them again? Well, you’re not alone. On this episode of I Couldn’t Throw It Out, we’ve gathered friends to ...
Dec 23, 2024•45 min•Season 2Ep. 29
Inheriting a violin is wonderful. But what if it comes with instructions that it must be played? And you resorted to violence as a kid to get out of playing? Then what? -------------- If you’re lucky enough to inherit something from someone you really love, that’s usually a good thing. But everyone once in a while, it’s not so simple. What happens when you inherit something that was loved by the person who gave it – but maybe you don’t feel quite the same way about it? That’s the puzzle we try t...
Nov 27, 2024•57 min•Season 2Ep. 28
Does a 1967 elementary school magazine -- or a fifth grade school play -- still have value? Only if you’re looking for lost memories, new insights, and hilarity - - - - - - - - - Somewhere in your home, you might have saved at least one treasure from elementary school. The question is: Why did you save it? The only way to find out: Hunt for your ancient objects and see what revelations they bring to your adult life. At least that’s what Sally and I decided to do. After I found a play and three c...
Oct 11, 2024•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 27
Hear the rapper and actor talk about crime, Hollywood, racism, and more -- before he was a Law & Order SVU detective and just after he created the metal band Body Count --------- In 1991, Ice-T had just appeared in the movie New Jack City -- and his rap albums were defining what was then an unusual style of west coast gangsta rap. That’s why I chose him as one of the top five rappers to lead off my book about hip-hop, Break It Down: The Inside Story from the New Leaders of Rap. Since then, I...
Aug 30, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 2Ep. 27
When I interviewed Stephen King and Peter Straub in 1984 about their fantasy novel The Talisman, their book was breaking records for hardcover sales. But the fame of their collaboration has faded over the years. Most people recognize King's famous titles -- Carrie, The Shining, The Dead Zone, It, Pet Sematary. And they may be familiar with Straub's 1979 bestseller Ghost Story. But far fewer know about The Talisman. That's why Sally and I asked renowned horror and fantasy expert Bev Vincent to he...
Jul 06, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Season 2Ep. 26
The best way to honor your mother -- on Mother's Day or any other day? We wanted to figure that out. So we got expert advice from family and friends, including 98-year-old Barbara Welsh, mother-to-be Emily Libby, the Von Klemperer family, and mom Debbie Baylin. As we realized, almost everyone -- including you -- has saved some items from mom. You may not even know what you've got. But when those treasures come out of the attic or the closet, something special happens. Hear what we learned from t...
May 10, 2024•43 min•Season 2Ep. 25
Some of us just can't toss our furry friends from childhood. And we're not talking about a cute new collection of plushies. We're talking about stuffed animals with some history, saved for decades till fur and eyes are missing. Why do we save them? And what do we do with them now? To get answers, we've asked adults to tell us about their much-loved cloth animals, including the tale of two German teddy bears who escaped the Nazis, and brought a precious secret cargo with them. Hear their stories,...
Apr 19, 2024•45 min•Season 2Ep. 24
When singer/songwriter Melanie Safka died in January, many people remembered her for the #1 pop song "Brand New Key" (also known as the roller skate song.) But those of us who loved her know that her biggest hit never conveyed the richness of her career and her talents. That's why I asked photographer Maddy Miller to join us on I Couldn't Throw It Out. Not only did Maddy take iconic photos of Melanie, including the cover photo on Melanie's gold album Gather Me, she also was Melanie's close frien...
Mar 21, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 23
Why should you watch Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson in 1967's long-lost-comic gem The Tiger Makes Out ? The surprise reason: After 50 years when you couldn't watch it anywhere, we just discovered that you can stream it for free. But wait! That's just a start. Before you dive into this satire from another era – which can be a challenge – let us give you a prep session, with help from our special guest: Katherine Wallach, daughter of Eli and Anne. Katherine shares the back story of The Tiger Makes O...
Feb 23, 2024•50 min•Season 2Ep. 22
Welcome to the invasion of the most entertaining people in Sweden -- who want all of us earthlings to start thinking about... death. Yup, it sounds kooky. But, in this episode, we have a blast absorbing the wit and wisdom of three experts on Swedish Death Cleaning. In case you wonder what that means, these Swedes are the hosts of the Peacock TV series The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning (produced and narrated by Amy Poehler). They're the ultimate experts on a philosophy of reducing your pos...
Jan 27, 2024•52 min•Season 2Ep. 21
Covering live Olympic figure skating on TV is no easy task. Just ask Meg Streeter Lauck, who worked for 23 years as a director for ABC Sports and other networks. Her behind-the-scenes tales -- which she shares in this episode -- reveal how her team nabbed the perfect shot of Canadian skating champions Sale and Pelletier at the 2002 Olympics. Plus, she recreates the thrill of first seeing 13-year-old Dorothy Hamill on the ice, and the sadness of a visit to an NYC fire station after 9/11. Will tel...
Jan 06, 2024•51 min•Season 2Ep. 20
How fun was VIP access to Diana's '80s concerts? Very -- if you liked chatting with Andy Warhol, stalking Richard Gere, and dancing with Diana on a party boat at 1:30 AM Have thoughts about this episode? Send us a text More info, photos, and transcript: throwitoutpodcast.com Don't miss a thing: Join our mailing list Do you save stuff you can't throw out? Tell us about it Want to show support? Please rate/follow us wherever you get your podcasts....
Dec 19, 2023•49 min•Season 2Ep. 19
With Danny DeVito and his daughter Lucy starring in her play about our favorite topic, Theresa tells us how she cast them, why she wrote it, what she saves, and what she tosses Have thoughts about this episode? Send us a text More info, photos, and transcript: throwitoutpodcast.com Don't miss a thing: Join our mailing list Do you save stuff you can't throw out? Tell us about it Want to show support? Please rate/follow us wherever you get your podcasts....
Nov 10, 2023•36 min•Season 2Ep. 18
Tupac Shakur talks about his violent arrest for jaywalking; his Black Panther family; Hollywood hypocrisy; and his program for poor urban kids. Plus, special guests discuss his contradictions (explicit) Have thoughts about this episode? Send us a text More info, photos, and transcript: throwitoutpodcast.com Don't miss a thing: Join our mailing list Do you save stuff you can't throw out? Tell us about it Want to show support? Please rate/follow us wherever you get your podcasts....
Oct 20, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 17
Helen Keller’s friend, Hitler’s defier, Woody Allen’s teacher – the dancer who jolted America with moves you now see on TV, movies and music videos told me great tales in 1989. Have thoughts about this episode? Send us a text More info, photos, and transcript: throwitoutpodcast.com Don't miss a thing: Join our mailing list Do you save stuff you can't throw out? Tell us about it Want to show support? Please rate/follow us wherever you get your podcasts....
Sep 29, 2023•48 min•Season 2Ep. 16
As Dustin Hoffman, Andy Warhol, and Robert De Niro watched, did I ruin Bill Murray's night at the 1982 post-screening party? Former SNL writer Tom Gammill helps us decide. Have thoughts about this episode? Send us a text More info, photos, and transcript: throwitoutpodcast.com Don't miss a thing: Join our mailing list Do you save stuff you can't throw out? Tell us about it Want to show support? Please rate/follow us wherever you get your podcasts....
Aug 19, 2023•46 min•Season 2Ep. 15
With help from They Might Be Giants' John Flansburgh, it's time to toss treasures that I saved after writing the band's first 1985 review in People Magazine. Have thoughts about this episode? Send us a text More info, photos, and transcript: throwitoutpodcast.com Don't miss a thing: Join our mailing list Do you save stuff you can't throw out? Tell us about it Want to show support? Please rate/follow us wherever you get your podcasts....
Jul 21, 2023•48 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Hear the 1984 interview tape with this random trio: REO Speedwagon's Kevin Cronin, painter Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Gong Show host Chuck Barris Have thoughts about this episode? Send us a text More info, photos, and transcript: throwitoutpodcast.com Don't miss a thing: Join our mailing list Do you save stuff you can't throw out? Tell us about it Want to show support? Please rate/follow us wherever you get your podcasts....
Jan 09, 2023•31 min•Season 1Ep. 13
A 45-year-old tape recording about family ancestry leads to revelations about a kidnapped rabbi, a Johnstown drowning, two horrible car accidents, and connections to a hay barn in Lithuania, the New York Times management, Baltimore's symphony hall, and Joe Biden's junior high baseball team. And, hold onto your ear buds -- perhaps the greatest shock of all: This is an episode where I actually let go of some possessions and give them away. Just sayin'. There can be lots of surprises in life, and i...
Dec 28, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 12
In 1983, 16-year-old Kiefer Sutherland met me in Nova Scotia to discuss his first big movie role. Hear how he felt about actor dad Donald -- and how I messed up my People Magazine story. Have thoughts about this episode? Send us a text More info, photos, and transcript: throwitoutpodcast.com Don't miss a thing: Join our mailing list Do you save stuff you can't throw out? Tell us about it Want to show support? Please rate/follow us wherever you get your podcasts....
Dec 17, 2022•46 min•Season 1Ep. 11
When my wife Cindy's health declined after two kidney transplants, how would she find a third organ donor? The answer -- which involves my 33-year error -- could make you believe in miracles. And it also leads us to one last challenge: Can we toss the items that remind us of what happened? If you missed the first part of their death-defying tale, you'll find it here. Have thoughts about this episode? Send us a text More info, photos, and transcript: throwitoutpodcast.com Don't miss a thing: Join...
Nov 26, 2022•58 min•Season 1Ep. 10
At 20, my wife Cindy thought she was about to die. Following a lupus diagnosis at 15, her kidneys had shut down in a way that seemed fatal. But after devastating years on dialysis, many near-death experiences, and three kidney transplants, Cindy is going strong 46 years later. Her optimism and determination to survive, and the joy she got from painting and creating art, kept her going through each crushing health challenge. Reminded by cards and letters we saved, Cindy and I share in this episod...
Nov 26, 2022•58 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Rap mogul Eazy-E's death from AIDS complications in 1995 was a shock. Hear reactions at the time from Wu-Tang's Method Man and others. Plus, hear my 1992 talk with Eazy while driving in Compton during the L.A. riots. Have thoughts about this episode? Send us a text More info, photos, and transcript: throwitoutpodcast.com Don't miss a thing: Join our mailing list Do you save stuff you can't throw out? Tell us about it Want to show support? Please rate/follow us wherever you get your podcasts....
Nov 05, 2022•50 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Compton's rap mogul and NWA founder Eazy-E hanging out with me? Unlikely. But it happened in 1991 when I interviewed him for my 1992 book Break It Down: The Inside Story from the New Leaders of Rap. Hear Dr. Dre (former Yo! MTV Raps host) explain Eazy's huge cultural impact, then hear Eazy's candid interview. This is part 1 of 2. Coming up in the second part: my followup interview with Eazy in 1992 as we drove through Compton, just after the L.A. riots. Plus, reactions from Method Man and others...
Nov 05, 2022•59 min•Season 1Ep. 7
When bestselling spy novelist Joseph Kanon was a book publisher and I was his assistant, I secretly sent out letters in which I pretended to be the boss. Until the Brooke Shields incident. Listen as Joe learns what really happened in 1979. Have thoughts about this episode? Send us a text More info, photos, and transcript: throwitoutpodcast.com Don't miss a thing: Join our mailing list Do you save stuff you can't throw out? Tell us about it Want to show support? Please rate/follow us wherever you...
Sep 30, 2022•54 min•Season 1Ep. 6
