Episodes

  • 206. The Lasting Marks of Human Hands

    206. The Lasting Marks of Human Hands
    Mar 1 2026
    In this reflective episode, Martin explores how antiques connect us to the forgotten lives of the past. A chance discovery of a granite canal post near a historic 1790 house sparks a deeper meditation on craftsmanship, stewardship, and legacy. From 18th-century canal workers to New England cabinetmakers, the objects that survive today are more than decorative artifacts — they are physical evidence of human effort, ambition, and care. Through the lens of early American furniture and historic infrastructure, this episode considers what it means to be stewards rather than owners, and asks an important question: what will survive of us? Antiques are not about nostalgia — they are about continuity, perspective, and the quiet responsibility of preserving memory across generations.
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    8 mins
  • 205. Smartphones vs. 18th-Century Furniture (‘My Kids Don't Want my Antiques')

    205. Smartphones vs. 18th-Century Furniture (‘My Kids Don't Want my Antiques')
    Feb 27 2026
    This is a short podcast on my observation. Each week I hear the same unsettling phrase: “My kids don’t want my antiques.” It’s a reflection of a larger shift — fewer young people feel emotionally connected to the objects of the past, and categories like formal dining furniture, china, and traditional collections have taken a hit. Is it the internet, changing lifestyles, disposable culture, or simply shifting priorities? In this episode, I explore what’s really happening in the antiques world, whether we’ve lost something along the way, and why a hopeful email from a 14-year-old listener might signal that the next generation of collectors is already quietly forming.
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    6 mins
  • 204. Brown Furniture Isn’t Dead: A Boston Masterpiece Sets a New Benchmark

    204. Brown Furniture Isn’t Dead: A Boston Masterpiece Sets a New Benchmark
    Jan 3 2026
    A Boston mahogany linen press has just shattered expectations, soaring to a price level rarely seen in today’s market for American brown furniture. In this episode, Martin breaks down the remarkable sale at John McInnis Auctioneers in Amesbury, where competitive bidding pushed this exceptional piece into record territory. Joining the conversation is Martin’s good friend, Peter Sawyer—and the underbidder on the piece—who offers a rare behind-the-scenes perspective on what made this linen press so important, why serious collectors recognized its significance, and how quality, provenance, and condition can still ignite intense demand. Peter also noted that when an object comes to market combining condition, quality, form, rarity, and limited availability, buyers would be wise to pay close attention. Together, they explore what this sale signals for the future of Boston furniture and whether reports of “brown furniture’s death” have been greatly exaggerated. YOUTUBE VIDEO
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    13 mins
  • 203. Linda Zimmermann on Civil War Soldier Albion Brooks

    203. Linda Zimmermann on Civil War Soldier Albion Brooks
    Dec 5 2025
    Martin sits down with author and historian Linda Zimmermann to explore her powerful new book, A Civil War Soldier and Me—the true story of Sgt. Albion Brooks of the 8th Connecticut Volunteers. Over the course of 30 years, Linda traced Albion’s life through original letters, diaries, and family papers spanning three generations. In this conversation, she and Martin discuss how a single Civil War soldier became a personal obsession, starting with a dusty trunk of documents and leading to thousands of miles of battlefield travel. You’ll hear about:
    • Albion’s journey from Maine and Bridgeport, CT to the front lines
    • His experiences at Antietam, Fredericksburg, Suffolk, Burnside’s North Carolina Expedition, Drury’s Bluff, Bermuda Hundred, and Cold Harbor
    • What his letters reveal about courage, humor, faith, and the emotional weight of war
    • Linda’s immersive battlefield visits that retrace where he marched, fought, and died
    • Albion’s final hours at Cold Harbor, as recorded by the chaplain who stood at his bedside
    • Martin also shares a brief anecdote about his own Civil War–era family history, adding another personal layer to the discussion
    If you’re drawn to personal soldier stories, Civil War history, or the emotional power of original letters and diaries, this episode of The Everything Else Show offers a rare, intimate look at one young man whose words still speak across 160 years. SHOW NOTES Podcaster Martin Willis' great, great, great grandfather: William James Hipp (b. ~1842, SC; d. 1902, GA) served in Company F, 44th South Carolina, and He lost his arm at the Battle of Frazier’s Farm (Glendale, Virginia) in 1862. Furniture made with one arm below. http://antiqueauctionforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/albion.mp4
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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • 202. Why Antiques Matter with Johanna McBrien

    202. Why Antiques Matter with Johanna McBrien
    Apr 24 2025
    In this episode, we’re joined by Johanna McBrien who has worked in the field for more than 40 years in the antiques, publishing, and museum fields. From Historic New England to teaching at RISD and Boston Architectural College, Johanna has spent her career digging into the rich stories behind furniture, interiors, and decorative arts. Johanna discusses her love for 18th century Salem, MA furniture (see our related video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVB-tb1GOfk ), also she talks about what’s hot (and what’s not) in the antiques market, why you should collect what you love instead of chasing value, and how the loss of historical education is putting our connection to antiques at risk. For Johanna, it’s simple: when antiques lose their stories, they lose their soul. Tune in for a thoughtful, engaging chat about why history matters—and why understanding the past is essential to preserving the beauty and relevance of antiques today. Johanna is the currently t executive director of the Dedham Museum and Archive.
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    52 mins
  • 201. Fire Buckets & The Borden Limner

    201. Fire Buckets & The Borden Limner
    Dec 7 2024
    The Single Portrait Martin grew up near historic Portsmouth, New Hampshire—a treasure trove of Colonial-era antiques and stories. In the 1980s, he uncovered a set of stunning fire buckets and portraits linked to local artist John S. Blunt. With help from his friend, historian Joe Copley, Martin pieced together their history, leading to a record-breaking $32,500 bid at auction. It’s a story about discovery, passion for history, and the thrill of bringing the past to life—dedicated to Joe, who helped preserve Portsmouth’s legacy. Post script: I forgot to mention, the red pigment on the back of the canvases, was a telltale of John S. Blunt's work! John S. Blunt, Portsmouth (1798-1835)Related Blog With Images
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    17 mins
  • 200. Jake Sconyers | The Boston Molasses Disaster

    200. Jake Sconyers | The Boston Molasses Disaster
    Sep 6 2024
    The 1919 Molasses Flood was a tragic and significant event in the history of Boston’s North End, reflecting the challenges of a rapidly changing city after World War I. In this episode, Jake Sconyers from the HUB History podcast delves into the disaster, examining the working-class Italian immigrant community it affected, the lasting impact on the neighborhood, and how the Great Molasses Flood has become a piece of Boston's enduring mythology. BIO: Jake Sconyers is the founder and cohost of HUB History, a weekly podcast where we share our favorite stories from Boston’s history. Before starting the podcast, Jake founded and ran a walking tour company called Boston Strolls for a couple of seasons. More recently, he has been a lecturer at Cambridge Center for Adult Education, an organizer of History Camp Boston, and a volunteer docent at the Shirley-Eustis House.In addition to Jake's obsession with Boston history, he takes the photographs that he shares here, and he enjoys running marathons, kayaking, gardening, making jam and jelly, brewing hard cider, and grilling and barbecuing tasty meats. At work, he helps physicians use their EHR. He is a volunteer with a dog rescue called Shultzs Guest House and he gives platelets to the Red Cross. Jake's Websites jacobsconyers.com I like to take pictures. I take pictures of Boston, of my adventures, of breaking news, of animals, and flowers, and sunsets. I post the decent ones on this site. You can consider this the canonical site for Jacob Sconyers. https://www.hubhistory.com/ My wife and I host a weekly podcast. It’s our way of sharing our favorite stories from Boston’s history. https://historycamp.org/ History Camp is an unconference for history, founded in the Boston area and expanding beyond. I built and maintain their website, as well as helping to organize monthly history events for History Camp enthusiasts. Firemen stand in thick molasses after the disaster in 1919. The Great Molasses Flood in Boston's North End killed 21 people and injured 150.
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • 199. Martin Willis, My Life with Antiques

    199. Martin Willis, My Life with Antiques
    Aug 5 2024
    First ever monologue discussing how I got into antiques, and the adventure along the way. From digging bottles, a 1964 garage sale, to my dad auctioning for the first time by replacing a drunken auctioneer. Let's not forget a $300k rug fragment that came from the box lot of things that could not sell at a yard sale. This fragment was from the same home that we were all excited about the Paul Revere silver spoon & and lastly a story that could have inspMrs Doubtfire! Email: auctionpodcast@me.com
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    34 mins