I Couldn't Throw It Out

I Couldn't Throw It Out

Revisit pop culture history as former People Magazine reporter Michael Small and guests decide the fate of 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?

Recent Episodes

March 18, 2025

The Lost Interview: Led Zeppelin’s Page and Plant

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
Feb. 9, 2025

Sending a Valentine's Day card? 10 tips to follow

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
Jan. 24, 2025

How Keith Haring Changed Art: Hear Him in '83

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
Dec. 23, 2024

Christmas Gifts and Hanukkah Cards: Toss or keep?

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.
Nov. 27, 2024

Listen up! A Violin Lesson With Strings Attached

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?
Oct. 11, 2024

Kooky reunion: 67-year-olds perform their 5th grade play

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

Recent Blog Posts

Jan. 25, 2025

Ancient Reads: My 3 Keith Haring Articles

The one Keith Haring treasure I have that no one else seems to have:  my People Magazine articles.  So I'm posting them here for anyone who wants to read them. By the way, if you're on Facebook, be sure to check out the very active Keith …

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Jan. 24, 2025

Vote now! Which Keith Haring treasures should I save?

The signed catalogue? The one-of-a-kind puzzle? The poster? The t-shirt? Tell me what should stay and what should go. Loading…

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Dec. 23, 2024

Why I save Christmas and Hanukkah cards

Since the 1960s, I saved every letter I received -- and any greeting card that had more than a signature inside.  But here's the problem:  I rarely go back and look at them.  So this holiday season, I decided to sort through the 76 C…

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About the Hosts

Michael Small Profile Photo

Michael Small

Host

Michael Small, the host of I Couldn't Throw It Out, can be seen telling stories on Youtube in the NYC storytelling showcase Tale. His plays have been presented in the New York International Theater Festival and The HOWL Festival. He and BT McNicholl co-wrote the book for the musical The IT Girl, which debuted Off Broadway in 2001 and is now performed regionally. His new musical The History of Light, which updates Gilbert and Sullivan songs with pop and hip-hop, was performed in a public reading at L.A.'s La Mirada Theater.

After 15 years as a reporter for PEOPLE Magazine, Michael became a manager of websites for Wired, Entertainment Weekly, and Rolling Stone, among others. Most recently, he was a product manager at MSNBC.com and NBC News Digital.

Michael's 1992 book Break It Down: The Inside Story of Rap included interviews with more than 60 hip-hop artists. And, yes, he also ghostwrote the biography of the superhunk Fabio. If you need a copy, let him know.

Sally Libby Profile Photo

Sally Libby

Co-Host

Sally LIbby, the co-host of I Couldn't Throw It Out, has a book of humorous verse in the works about the movers and shakers in world history. She and Michael Small co-wrote a parody of tax preparation manuals called Up Your Income Tax. (Unfortunately, the publisher went out of business when the book was being printed. More on that in the podcast.) After college, Sally worked at ad agencies in Boston and Miami before deciding to focus on raising her two children, including the podcast's art director Riley Welsh. Sally is a life-long lover of puns and dogs, and an inveterate question asker, which earned her a major role on I Couldn't Throw It Out.

Reviews

Wonderful conversations!

"Love these conversations about Michael’s treasures! I was amazed by how open Joni Mitchell was with him and so glad these interviews have emerged from their storage bins. Looking forward to many mor…"

PatLW14 | Aug. 9, 2022

LOVE IT

"As a college classmate of Michael Small, I was pretty sure his new podcast would a fun listen. Just heard his two segments with long-ago conversations he had with Joni Mitchell, I was wowed and urge…"

tluzzatto | Aug. 6, 2022

Delightful storytelling with a pop of pop culture

"An irresistible podcast for anyone who likes movies, music, TV, books, periodicals, humor, kindness, etc. Michael Small is a gift to the listening public."

PSJourno | Aug. 1, 2022

The Joni Interview is Priceless

"I am amazed that Joni was totally at ease with you. I have heard her speak with her guard up and undoubtedly for good reason. During these interviews she is completely at ease. She trusted that you…"

henry wasserman | Aug. 1, 2022

Telling your story

"Thanks for telling you story and helping other to get rid of items in their storage. Now, my wife wants me to follow suit."

amosdesigns | July 2, 2022

Great show!

"Very well executed idea. Love the conversations. Very insightful stuff!"

Jay73227 | Sept. 19, 2022

Great ‘cast

"Wow what a fun podcast, I love the topic I think most of us can relate:) the Joni Mitchell interview was fabulous I love how you were quite green Michael and couldn’t get over your questions in this…"

Emily | Sept. 24, 2022

Keeps getting better and better!

"Fun, insightful, well executed, great voices to listen to!"

Rebecca Welsh | Nov. 7, 2022

Truth can be stranger than fiction. (Someone needs to option this!)

"Don’t believe me? Strap yourself in for the two-parter of college sweethearts Michael and Cindy’s 45 years of love and her countless brushes with death during her lifelong search for the perfect mat…"

L. Levine | Nov. 26, 2022

Compelling Stories and Telling

"I highly recommend to anyone who appreciates listening to people who have something to say with keen insight, humility and an upbeat appreciation of what it means to be a part of this challenging era…"

Susan | Jan. 1, 2023

A Treasure House of Material

"The ingenious concept for this podcast (basically anything that packrat Michael Small has stored for decades might provide the occasion for an episode) allows for a crazy range of fascinating materia…"

NW Beekeeper | Jan. 28, 2023

Treasure!

"After a catchy title theme song, Michael Small unboxes one by one his interview recordings and various documents he kept as a reporter/author from decades ago. His podcast partner Sally Libby tries …"

EazySteve | March 4, 2023

Martha Graham talking about Helen Keller

"Absolutely amazing!!"

esm241 | Sept. 30, 2023

Claude Devonshire

"Thankfully, Michael has not thrown out his tapes and notepads filled with anecdotes and tales about Joni Mitchell, Bill Murray, Dustin Hoffman, and so many more. It’s often a revealing snapshot of to…"

Mrs. Gahalahachabus | Sept. 23, 2023

Spofford Pond School Envy

"It was pure pleasure to listen to you all. This 67 year old 5th grader from Spofford Pond School in Boxford (it’s Sidney Mannheim) is very impressed by all of the very talented 67 year old 5th grade…"

AnotherSid | Oct. 14, 2024

Awesome Keith Haring Interview!

"The Keith Haring Interview episode was awesome!! Hearing an interview 40 years later with such great information in his own words was great! As a fan this was a great listen! Thanks for Sharing!!"

MichaelTobinBX | Jan. 27, 2025