Oscar the Octopus

Send us Fan MailGregory was two weeks old when his mother, Kalli, perched a stuffed animal named Oscar the Octopus on his bassinet. He's 30 now. Gregory and Kalli look back on why a small toy may have played an outsized role in their lives. Music by Blue Dot Sessions. objectdiaries.com

Send us Fan MailThis story is about the unexpected power of a single object, a piece of paper, and how one man was able to use that power to change his life.  Imran Mohammad Fazal Hoque has had to hide his identity for more than half his life. You'll find out why in this episode of Object Diaries. Stories about human connection told one treasured possession at a time.This episode was produced by Jessica Terrell, April Estrellon, and Lisa Weiss. Music by Blue Dot Sessions. ---------------- Learn more about Imran Mohammad Fazal Hoque's work via his website, here. Bring an Object Diaries workshop to your community or workplace. Foster connection, engagement, and belonging through a modern version of childhood "show and tell."objectdiaries.com

Send us Fan MailGabrielle Blackwell was 28 when she wrote me a letter about a secret diary that she discovered in her mother's drawer as a young child.  If this were only about a secret diary, it would be a good story.  But this is so much more than that.  It's about mothers and daughters, about the secrets we carry, and how sometimes an ordinary object can become an extraordinary tool for healing.This episode was produced by Jessica Terrell, April Estrellon, and Lisa Weiss.Consulting was provided by John Barth. Music was provided by Blue Dot Sessions. Initial production development was provided by Isoke Samuel and John Sepulvado. Thank you to Jill Barancik, Jeanine Cornillot, Charity Elder, and Kerry Donahue for your notes and feedback. Thank you to Gabrielle and Pamela Blackwell for sharing your story and for so graciously modeling how to have difficult conversations with ourselves and the people we care about. Special thanks in memoriam to Stan Weiss, who inspired the series. May his memory be a blessing. ----------------Bring an Object Diaries workshop to your community or workplace. Foster connection, engagement, and belonging through a modern version of childhood "show and tell." objectdiaries.com

Send us Fan MailSome people seem to hold on tightly to things.  Others could throw most everything away.  I'm a bit of a hoarder.  I hold on to a lot of objects because they remind me of people I care about. And I just can't let go. I trace a lot of my obsession with objects to my father who died of cancer in 2023. I sat down with him, before he got really sick, to talk about a toy collection that meant a lot to both of us. Through talking about his toys, I learned a lot about my father, and myself. This episode was produced by Jessica Terrell, April Estrellon, and Lisa Weiss. Music by Blue Dot Sessions. -------------Bring an Object Diaries workshop to your community or workplace. Foster connection, engagement, and belonging through a modern version of childhood "show and tell." objectdiaries.com

Send us Fan MailIntroducing the Object Diaries Limited-Series Podcast: Stories About Human Connection Told One Secret Object at a Time. Produced by Jessica Terrell, April Estrellon, and Lisa Weiss. Music by Blue Dot Sessions. objectdiaries.com