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Behind every collector's obsession is a story. Hear the world's most passionate enthusiasts share surprising tales about their personal collections — and their unbreakable connections with them.

Dec 1, 2018

Tis the season! TV and radio journalist Callie Crossley rings in the holidays each year by bringing a portion of her "black Santa" collection to her office at WGBH in Boston — much to the delight of her colleagues. Hear Callie talk about collecting in a way that's particularly meaningful to her. BONUS: The podcast...


Nov 15, 2018

Holy habañero! Hot sauce enthusiast Vic Clinco spills the story on his epic collection of the combustible condiment — well over 8,000 bottles and counting — and how his love of the heat inspired a career change.

Vic's collection featured on Atlas Obscura • Opening theme: "Keepers" by Still Flyin' • Closing...


Nov 1, 2018

Grammy- and Tony-winning songwriter Allee Willis has co-written some of pop music's most enduring earworms (think "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire and "I'll Be There For You" from the TV show Friends), but her collection of kitsch takes the cake — and inspired her to create an online kitsch museum. Hear Allee tell...


Oct 15, 2018

In 1989, baseball player Bill Ripken's Fleer trading card raised eyebrows when fans noticed an obscenity written in black ink on the end of his bat. Nearly three decades later, collector Jon Pederson still celebrates the card's crazy history at BillRipken.com, a showcase for the many variations of the "FF" card that...


Oct 1, 2018

From fragments of rocket heat shields to a hunk of Skylab, Tina Stagg has assembled quite the collection of space exploration memorabilia — much of which has actually flown in space, and all of which is on display in her space-themed home in Hobart, Australia. Hear Tina describe how her love of space history puts her...