Places are unique to us. We become attached to them. And when you ask people to name a place that means a lot to them, there’s a good chance they’ll talk about home. Our homes are full of stuff, from practical items like vacuum cleaners and chairs to sentimental treasures such as photo albums and heirlooms inherited through generations. All these objects help make a space a place. But what happens when we lose them? And how does the loss of even mundane objects, seemingly insignificant items, impact our emotional well-being? Surprisingly, there isn’t a whole lot of research in this area.

This episode examines furniture poverty. What is it, how does it affect people and their ability to connect with others, and what can we do about it?