What happens when our childhood obsessions become the map of who we are? 

In this episode of Charmed, host Sam Todd is joined by author and the internet's queen of memory collecting Martina Calvi, to chat about a lifelong love affair with junk journaling, ephemera and the tiny treasures that hold a whole story. 

Martina takes us behind the scenes of her creative life - from starting her first travel journal on an epic three-month European family trip at age eight, to building her stunning trilogy of books, including her latest release, The Art of Snail Mail.  

They dive deep into the emotional side of collecting: how handwriting and handmade letters act as the ultimate antidote to digital "slop", why perfectionism is the enemy of creativity, and why the scuffed, dirty little things we hold onto mean we are actually living. 

Plus, in a very special show-and-tell moment, Martina brings in a gorgeous handmade parcel filled with tactile treasures for Sam, and they tackle your listener questions on the brutal realities and unexpected costs of writing and publishing your first book. 

Charmed, with Sam Todd. Stories worn to tell, with Pandora. 

 

THE END BITS

Follow Sam Todd on instagram/ TikTok @SamTodd

HOSTED BY: Sam Todd 

PRODUCED BY: Sally Best 

DOP: Becky Lillyman

VIDEO EDITOR: Phoebe Edwards

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Shauna Anderson

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land on which we have recorded this podcast.

What happens when our childhood obsessions become the map of who we are?&nbsp;
In this episode of Charmed, host Sam Todd is joined by author and the internet's queen of memory collecting Martina Calvi, to chat about a lifelong love affair with junk journaling, ephemera and the tiny treasures that hold a whole story.&nbsp;
Martina takes us behind the scenes of her creative life - from starting her first travel journal on an epic three-month European family trip at age eight, to building her stunning trilogy of books, including her latest release, The Art of Snail Mail. &nbsp;
They dive deep into the emotional side of collecting: how handwriting and handmade letters act as the ultimate antidote to digital "slop", why perfectionism is the enemy of creativity, and why the scuffed, dirty little things we hold onto mean we are actually living.&nbsp;
Plus, in a very special show-and-tell moment, Martina brings in a gorgeous handmade parcel filled with tactile treasures for Sam, and they tackle your listener questions on the brutal realities and unexpected costs of writing and publishing your first book.&nbsp;
Charmed, with Sam Todd. Stories worn to tell, with Pandora.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
THE END BITS
Follow Sam Todd on instagram/ TikTok @SamTodd
HOSTED BY: Sam Todd&nbsp;
PRODUCED BY: Sally Best&nbsp;
DOP: Becky Lillyman
VIDEO EDITOR: Phoebe Edwards
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Shauna Anderson
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land on which we have recorded this podcast.

Hosted by Sam Todd, Charmed is a podcast about collecting, nostalgia, pop culture and the personal stories behind the things we treasure.

Warm, funny and a little bit obsessed, Charmed celebrates the emotional pull of the small stuff - the lucky charms, sentimental jewellery, childhood souvenirs, irrational purchases and tiny treasures that somehow become part of who we are.

Ever kept a concert ticket for years? Held onto a charm because it reminds you of someone? Refused to part with a childhood toy, a Disney pin, a friendship bracelet or a tiny piece of merch that means way more than it probably should?

That’s where Charmed begins: with Sam stepping inside the worlds of collecting, nostalgia and personal obsession to uncover the stories behind the things people keep close.

Each episode explores a different collecting world - from Disney and fashion archives to fandom, pop culture, toys and accessories - and Sam isn’t doing it alone. She’s joined by familiar faces from each of these worlds, unpacking the pieces they treasure most and the memories tucked inside them.

It’s whimsical, nostalgic in all the right ways, and made for anyone who knows the smallest things can hold the biggest stories.

Because sometimes we collect things. And sometimes, what we’re really collecting are memories.

Follow Sam at @samtodd

Hosted by Sam Todd, Charmed is a podcast about collecting, nostalgia, pop culture and the personal stories behind the things we treasure.
Warm, funny and a little bit obsessed, Charmed celebrates the emotional pull of the small stuff - the lucky charms, sentimental jewellery, childhood souvenirs, irrational purchases and tiny treasures that somehow become part of who we are.
Ever kept a concert ticket for years? Held onto a charm because it reminds you of someone? Refused to part with a childhood toy, a Disney pin, a friendship bracelet or a tiny piece of merch that means way more than it probably should?
That&rsquo;s where Charmed begins: with Sam stepping inside the worlds of collecting, nostalgia and personal obsession to uncover the stories behind the things people keep close.
Each episode explores a different collecting world - from Disney and fashion archives to fandom, pop culture, toys and accessories - and Sam isn&rsquo;t doing it alone. She&rsquo;s joined by familiar faces from each of these worlds, unpacking the pieces they treasure most and the memories tucked inside them.
It&rsquo;s whimsical, nostalgic in all the right ways, and made for anyone who knows the smallest things can hold the biggest stories.
Because sometimes we collect things. And sometimes, what we&rsquo;re really collecting are memories.
Follow Sam at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/samtodd">@samtodd</a>

Charmed

The brutal truth about writing your first book with Martina Calvi  

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/0e71d3a5-7aaa-43ac-93ba-b4ef004d2145/transcript