I Couldn’t Throw It Out

Revisit pop culture history as former People Magazine reporter Michael Small and guests share the treasures they've saved for decades, including never-heard celebrity interviews, rare memorabilia, and maybe a little junk. Co-host Sally Libby helps decide if they should keep or toss their stuff. Will it be an epic case of Swedish Death Cleaning? Or an epic fail?

Last refreshed: July 21st, 2025 at 6:11 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

High School Poet: Donna Murphy Gets Literary

Broadway? Movies? TV? That's nuthin'. Stage and screen actress Donna Murphy first found fame on the high school literary magazine staff with Michael and Sally. Listen in as they read poems by Donna and others 50 years later -- and get a big surprise. 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 w...

Sep 03, 2022•51 min•Season 1Ep. 5

Flashdance's Jennifer Beals: My 1983 Interview Tape

When 19-year-old Jennifer Beals enrolled at Yale – after starring in 1983's Flashdance -- she couldn't escape a People Magazine interview in which I tried to impress her with my academic credentials. Listen in as I replay her patient response to my ridiculous cringe-worthy mistakes. 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...

Aug 13, 2022•52 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Joni Mitchell: Our Day Together in 1985

In 1985, Joni Mitchell gave me a multi-hour interview for People Magazine about flunking high school, Woodstock, Bob Dylan, her Chelsea apartment, poetry, painting, and much more -- which you'll hear in this episode. Oh, c'mon. Do not ask me to toss those tapes. (Part 1 of 2.) 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 suppo...

Jun 03, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 2

I Couldn't Throw It Out - Trailer

It ain't gonna be easy to throw out never-shared interviews with Joni Mitchell, Kiefer Sutherland, Eazy-E, and many others. That's the challenge coming up on I Couldn't Throw It Out. For decades, Michael Small has saved treasures, including 15 years of recorded interviews when he was a reporter for People Magazine. And more than 60 interviews with original hip-hip starts from his 1992 book Break It Down: The Inside Story from the New Leaders of Rap. That's not even mentioning all the cards and l...

Jun 02, 2022•6 min

Joni Mitchell: 1985 Interview - Her Wonderful Tales

When I interviewed Joni Mitchell for People Magazine in 1985, some of her best tales were the longer ones. Hear a few of them, including how she met Jimi Hendrix, why Jack Nicholson missed his cameo in her song, and a recitation of her 7th grade poem. No way will I ever toss this tape. (Part 2 of 2) 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 abou...

May 30, 2022•54 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Why Do We Save Things? Can We Throw Them Out?

In the first episode of our podcast, my co-host Sally Libby and I try to figure out why I -- and others -- feel the urge to save things. And then, sob, she makes me use the shredder. I know Sally's right. For decades, I've saved mementoes from when I was a reporter for People Magazine -- including hundreds of celebrity interview recordings. I also have more than 60 interviews with the original stars of hip-hop for my 1991 book Break It Down The Inside Story from the New Leaders of Rap. Then ther...

May 28, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 1

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