Tag: Collecting
Collecting More Than Objects: How Kids Build Identity with Kit Hinrichs (Ep. 19)

Collecting More Than Objects: How Kids Build Identity with Kit Hinrichs (Ep. 19)

By |

What if the “random stuff” your kids collect is actually shaping who they become?

In this episode, Joline Godfrey and Kit Hinrichs, founder and Creative Director at Studio Hinrichs, discuss the unexpected power of collecting as a tool for raising curious, confident, and connected kids. Joline and Kit, a renowned designer and lifelong collector, explore how collecting begins in childhood and evolves into a meaningful way to build identity, resilience, and connection. Through stories from Kit’s extensive collection of Americana, including historic flags, toys, and artifacts, they highlight how every object carries history, geography, and personal meaning.

Joline and Kit discuss:

  • Why does collecting often start earlier than parents expect
  • How collecting builds intellectual, social, and human capital (FISH)
  • The role of storytelling in helping kids connect to history and values
  • Why collecting is about meaning, not money
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Joline Godfrey:

Connect with Kit Hinrichs:

About our Guest: 

Kit Hinrichs is one of America’s most respected graphic designers and a renowned collector of American flags and historical artifacts. With a career rooted in branding and visual storytelling, Kit has spent decades exploring the intersection of design, history, and culture. His collection spans traditional flags, textiles, folk art, and unique Americana, each piece carrying a story of craftsmanship and national identity. He is also the author of Broad Stripes, Bright Stars, a graphic history celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
Collecting as a Vehicle for Engaging Kids in Building Financial Engagement with Douglas Dreier (Ep. 15)

Collecting as a Vehicle for Engaging Kids in Building Financial Engagement with Douglas Dreier (Ep. 15)

By |

Collecting is more than a hobby. 

It’s a bridge between generations, a tool for financial learning, and a way to preserve family stories.

In this episode, Joline Godfrey welcomes Douglas Dreier, founder of The Collection Connection, to discuss how collecting ties memory, history, and financial skills together. From comic books to baseball cards, collecting not only nurtures curiosity but also teaches kids valuable life lessons.

Douglas shares:

  • How collecting preserves stories and strengthens family bonds
  • Why nostalgia drives people to reconnect with childhood joys through objects
  • Ways parents can use their child’s interests (like comics or Pokémon) to build bridges
  • How collecting teaches financial lessons like bartering, budgeting, and valuing assets
  • The role of passion-driven collections in fostering social connection and lifelong learning
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Joline Godfrey:

Connect with Douglas Dreier:

About our Guest: 

The Collection Connection founder, Douglas Dreier, has spent his entire life cultivating the art and understanding the power of collection. With over 15 years spent managing a private museum dedicated to sharing a wide variety of items and collections, Douglas has amassed a variety of iconic items that not only tell a story but portray a unique aspect of human history. 

At the core of Douglas’s mission lies a love for learning and teaching. Before managing his family’s museum, Douglas earned his Master’s Degree in Instructional Design from the University of Maryland, Baltimore College before teaching in low-income areas of Baltimore, Maryland and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Now, Douglas has ventured into the business and consulting side of collecting with The Collection Connection. His vision is to make a community in which he can share his knowledge of museum ownership, investor relationships, curating exhibits, and understanding historical significance. Douglas seeks to inspire others with his passion for collecting. Be it natural history, documents, books, sports, entertainment, and anything else, Douglas believes such items have the power to excite our imaginations, transform our understanding, and bring us closer together. 

Douglas is on the board for the Smithsonian Institute Traveling Exhibition Services (SITES), the Smithsonian Regional Council for Los Angeles, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More