All Episodes
The Playground Podcast — 214 episodes
Dee Dee Wright of Purpose Toys: Representation, Authenticity & Gorgeous Dolls
Play in Development: Dr. Kate Renshaw
James Zahn & Chris at Sweet Suite in New York
The Science of Success: Jared Wolfson of Blue Marble
Batter Up: The Return of the Backyard Sports Franchise
Data-Driven Creative: Mark Basset of Precisify
Now What? Jay Foreman on the Current Tariff Issues
Social Shopping 2: Lee Parkhurst
Social Shopping Part 1: Nic Jones of Situaction UK
Azhelle Wade: The Toy Coach
2025 in Review: James Zahn, John Baulch & Chris
Under the Hood with Hot Wheels: Eric Ostendorff of Inventoy
Kids & Brands: Audrey Birner & Beano Brain
Robots and Play: Jamie Zhang of Robosen
The Future of AI in Toys: Misha Sallee of Curio
The Young Inventors Challenge: Powerful & Playfu.
Matt Brown: Making Great Play
Sue Warfield of ASTRA: Supporting Specialty
Sticking the Landing: Josh Carman of Popdarts
Brea Brand: Connetix, Community and a Competitive Edge
Media Strategies 2025: Generation Media & Precise TV
John Baulch, James Zahn: Toy Fair & Beyond
Greg Ahearn: NY Toy Fair & Beyond
Billy Lagor, CEO of Entertainment Earth
Hong Kong 2025: A Chat with Sophia Chong
Nuremberg Preview: Christian Ulrich of Spielwarenmesse
2024 In Review: James Zahn, John Baulch & Chris
A Licensing "Wow:" Nicole Blake & Andy Quartin
AI and Toys: Nelo Lucich of Skyrocket Toys
Purposeful Play & Learning Design: Dr. Ben Miller
Jay Foreman: China & The Toy Biz 2024
Making Fun: Barry and Jason
Alex Taylor & Hot Wheels: A Passion for Performance
Josh Garrett: Readyland and Revolutionizing Play with Tech
Matt Nuccio: Design Edge and Its Ongoing Success
Greg Ahearn: The Toy Assocation Today & In the Future
Making a Hit: Jeffrey Breslow and Frank Adler
Denis Crushell: Maximizing Your Digital Strategy
Dan Klitsner--Invention, Narrative & Fun!
The Toy Foundation: Pam Mastrota
Sharon John: Build-A-Bear's Strategy for Success
Thomas Deumier of Cloud B: Sleeping Your Way to Success
California, NYC & What's Ahead: Andy Keimach of the Toy Association
Radical Play: How Toys & Culture Changed in the 60s and 70s
The Hong Kong Toy Fair, Perspectives on Barbie
Year End 2023: James Zahn & John Baulch
How Innovation Defines a Company: Joost Poulus of Moose
Towards More Effective Communication: Matt Abrahams
Remembering Richard Gottlieb
John Tong: Hong Kong, Opportunities and the Future
A Change in the Era: A Chat with Litzky PR
Mary Couzin: Creating Community in the Toy Biz
Eric Poses: 25 Years of Winning
Gaming the Industry: Elan Lee of Exploding Kittens
Innovation & The Playful Life: Brendan Boyle
Toy Zone: Alex Prieto, Director of Fun on The Company, The Future of Play...And More
Tik Tok, Innovation, and a Millennial-run Company: Jessica Kalichman of WowWee
AI, Invention & More Dan Klitsner, Inventor of Bop-It
Madame Alexander Turns 100! A Chat with David Morgenstern
Report from Hong Kong: Direct from the Toys & Games Fair
Getting Ready for Nuremberg: Christian Ulrich of Spielwarenmesse
2022 In Review: Our 4th Annual Discussion
Slaying Social Media: Josh Loerzel & Sky Castle Toys
100 Years of Fun: Jim & Donna Pressman on Their New Book
Price Protection in a Competitive Environment: Ron Solomon of Mapptrap
Isaac Larian: The Interview. Building a Life and a Business with a Passion for Play
ASTRA: Toy Boats and the State of Specialty
More than a Blip: Building a Business on Classic Play
Update on Toy Fairs: Kim Carcone of the Toy Association
Validating STEM & STEAM: A Chat with The Good Play Guide
Didier Pietri, CEO of Luki Lab & Strottman
Showcase Comes to the U.S.: Samir Kulkarni, CEO
Jeffrey Breslow: A Gamemaker's Life
Private Label, New Materials Inside Boley
Action Face CEO Kenny Davis on a New, Interactive Virtual and Real World Platform
Aaron Muderick of the Toy Association on Toy Fair & More
Building a Global Brand: Star Stable Gallops Into the Toy World
Toy Industry History: Barry Schwartz on 50 Years of Making Hits
From Fad to Brand: Rainbow Loom 10 Years In
What Disney's Current Situation Teaches Managers: Eric Pliner of YSC Consulting
Next Gen Genius: Yanofsky & Wiseman of WowWee
Jumping into the Toy Biz: Producer Brian Volk-Weiss
Jay Foreman: The Case for September Toy Fair
The Power of Collecting: Christian Braun of HobbyDB
September Toy Fair: What It May Mean. Take 10
Thomas Kaeppeler of Ravensburger: Puzzling Out the Business
Steve Markey of Hog Wild: Toy Fairs, Retail & More
The Strong Museum: Game On
Making Music, Making Toys: Sarah Baskin of Far Out Toys
Strong Museum: The Doll Collections & The Power of American Girl
2021 Year in Review: Second Annual Thought Leader Panel Discussion
Dan Yaccarino: Drawing on a Great Career
Spielwarenmesse Update: A Conversation with Christian Ulrich
Making Amazon Work for You: Ryan Rollo of Channel Key
Take 10: Remembering Brian Goldner
Jennifer Caveza: Otis College Prepares the Next Generation of Toy People
Funko Games & Remembering Reuben Klamer
Jim Pressman Talks About a Lifetime of Play & Being Named to the Toy Hall of Fame
Rob Gardner of Joovy: Trends in the Baby Business
Industry Update: Steve Pasierb of the Toy Association
The Power of Collecting, Jeremy Padawer Part 2
Jazwares and The Emergence of Toy Powerhouse: Jeremy Padawer, Part 1
Industry Veteran Andy Weiner on the Toy Industry Foundation's Latest Initiatives and More
Social Media for Kids: Zigazoo is The Next Big Thing
The Essential Element of Emotional Intelligence: Renée Adams on This Emerging Trend
New Generation, New Markets: The Evolution of Madame Alexander
Mia Galison of eeBoo: The Art of Creating Positive Play
Chris Heatherly On Club Penguin, Roblox, NFTs and How Media is Evolving
Maximizing YouTube Advertising: Precise.TV
The Power of PANKs: Melanie Notkin of Savvy Auntie
Take 10: Potential Implications for The Toy Biz from Declining Birthrates
The Power of Audio: Drew Vernon of Tonies
Fandom, The Big Deal: Julian Montoya of The Noble Collection
Looking Back. Looking Ahead. Celebrating Two Years of The Playground Podcast
Running the Game: A Conversation with Filip Franke of Ravensburger
Getting Your Mojo On: A Conversation with Billy Langsworthy, founder Mojo Nation
Toikido Set To Launch: A Conversation with Founder Darran Garnham
Toy Trends in China: A Conversation with John Tong & Jacqueline Vong
Integrated Retail: Canada's Indigo Excels in Toys
Trends in Play, Pandemic & Beyond: David Kleeman
Insights for Inventors and E-Commerce Marketers: Zack Pentecost of Zuru
Listening & Understanding Kids Helps Build Brands: Joel Silverman
Technology, Media & Play: Gregg Stein, CEO of Skoog Media
Behind the Scenes of a Streaming Series: Brian Volk-Weiss
Chatting with "The Toyologist," Peter Jenkinson
Dimian: A Family Company in the European Market
Just Play: Co-Presidents Charlie Emby and Geoffrey Greenberg Talk Trends & 10 Years in Business
Maximizing Digital Marketing: Cheyn Crangle of Margle Media
2021--Preview of the Year Ahead, Part 2
2020 -- Year in Review, Part 1
Supply Chain Deep Dive: Gene Seroka of the Port of Los Angeles
Take 10: What's Behind Rising Costs in China?
Geoff Walker: The CEO of KidKraft on Innovation & Passion for Toy Making
Trends, Insights & Powerful Research: Nick Richardson
Take 10: Independent Toy Stores & the Pandemic
Gerrick Johnson: Inside The Analyst's Process
Jim McCafferty of JMP Creative: Talking Invention at the Magic Workshop
David and Goliath: Mr. Norman on How You Play the Game
Crazy Aaron and an Empire Built on Putty
Kim Culmone: The Ultimate Designing Woman for Barbie and Mattel
Take 10: Hong Kong, Shenzhen and What Changes Mean for the Toy Biz
The Toy Hall of Fame: Chris Bensch of the Strong Museum
Take 10: No Schoolyard Play & Implications for Toys: The Conversation
Richard Dickson, President & COO, Mattel: Insights on Play, Products and the Corporation
Alan Dorfman of Super Impulse: Building a Big Business on Tiny Toys
Richard North CEO of Wow Stuff" Innovation, Licensing and Thriving in the Pandemic World
Alex Tongue: CEO of Vango Toys. Entrepreneurship, Innovation & the Power of Social Media
Chris Down, CDO Mattel on the Strategies of a Design-Led Company & More
Ken Lewis: An Industry Veteran Talks about the Past, Present and Future of the Toy Industry
Jo Hall, CCO, Toys "R" Us Asia: An Inside Look at a Merchandising Powerhouse
Mastermind Toys New CEO Sarah Jordan: On Leadership, Innovation, Service and Excellence
Ronnie Frankowski, CMO Moose Toys: Innovation, Insight and Coping with Covid from Down Under
Dr. Lisa Willams: The Fresh (Dolls) Interview & her Incredible Journey from Academia to Walmart
ASTRA Goes Virtual: The Association Deals with COVID-19
Anatomy of a Mega-Hit: The Story of Zuru's Rainbocorns
From Kitchen Table to Hit Product: The Eggmazing Story, A Classic Toy Tale
Playing with PlayMonster: A Conversation with Bob Wann & Tim Kilpin
Diversity & Inclusion: Understanding The Need and Implementing Programs
Catching Up with WIT: Janice Ross & Mary Kay Russell
Bryan Stockton, Former CEO of Mattel, on The Past, Present and Future of Toys
Current Issues in the Dynamic Toy Industry: A Conversation with James Zahn
Toy Fair, Licensing and What's Going on with Hong Kong: A Conversation with Jay Foreman, Part 2
Coronavirus, Bankruptcies and Challenges in the Toy Industry 2020--A Conversation with Jay Foreman, Part 1
The Story of Pictionary: A Conversation with Game Inventor Rob Angel
Mattel During COVID-19: A Conversation with Steve Totzke, Mattel CCO
Music, Play and More--Josh Shriber of Jammin With You
Robots, Electronics and Toys--A Conversation with Davin Sufer of WowWee Toys
University Games: Bob Moog on the Company's History and the Future of Games, Retail and Engagement
Inside the Strong Museum of Play, A Conversation with Head Curator Chris Bensch
Inside The Learning Journey : From World Book to World Class (24 minutes)
Patents, Trademarks & Protecting Your IP, Part 2 (22 minutes)
Patents, Trademarks & Protecting Your IP, Part 1 (33 minutes)
Coronavirus Toy Industry Update with Steve Pasierb, CEO of The Toy Association (20 minutes)
Current Toy Issues: Coronavirus, Plastics and Predictions
Arnie Rubin: A Look Back, A Look at Current Issues & His Secret of Long-Term Success
Transmedia Storytelling: What You Need to Know for IP & Licensing
Toy Fair New York 2020: Past, Present and Predictions
A Groundbreaking New Platform for Inventory Management: Alloy.ai's Matt Hansen
Nuremberg 2020: Wrap-Up Trends and Conversations with Hog Wild and Lottie Dolls at Spielwarenmesse
Nuremberg 2020 Day 3: Overall Trends, German Market Insights And How Exhibitors Can Maximize the Show
Nuremberg 2020 Day 2: The Value of Toy Fairs, One Company's Sustainable Structure, and Timeless Dolls
Nuremberg 2020: An Interview with Mark Foster of Playmobil, Strategy, Expansion & More
Toy Fair New York: What to Expect, What's New...And What's Ahead
The Decade in Review-Part 2: The Trends
The Decade in Review-Part 1: The Toys
Year-End Conversation with Steve Pasierb Part Two
Year-End Conversation with Steve Pasierb-Part One
FAO's David Nigli Talks about The Iconic Store and Brand--The Original Experiential Marketer
A Conversation with Keith Meggs of Far Out Toys
Barbie, YouTube, Dallas and More: Current Toy Industry Issues
The Inside Story: Content, Entertainment, Kids & More. A Conversation With the Head Writer of Paw Patrol--Part 2
The Inside Story: Content, Entertainment, Kids & More. A Conversation With the Head Writer of Paw Patrol--Part 1
Staying Safe, Avoiding Counterfeits and More for Q4: A Conversation with the Toy Association
A Conversation with Charles Albert, CEO Creativity, Inc.
Tariffs, China & The Dynamics of an Uncertain Market: A Conversation with Jay Foreman CEO of Basic Fun
Industry Check-In: Tariffs, Hong Kong, Entertainment & More
Innovation, Creativity and Transforming Businesses with Jamie Gallagher
Live From Sweet Suite, Part 2: More Conversations from the Floor
Live From Sweet Suite: Conversations with Industry Leaders
The Changing Entertainment Landscape & What It Means for the Toy Biz
Toys "R" Us and the Future of Toy Retailing
Living in "What Is" vs. "What If": A Chat with Lenore Skenazy of Let Grow
Britain, Brexit & Baulch: A Conversation with John Baulch, Founder and Managing Editor of Toy World
A Conversation with The Hong Kong Trade Development council
Licensing in 2019: A Conversation with Maura Regan, President Licensing International Part 2
Licensing in 2019: A Conversation with Maura Regan, President Licensing International Part 1
Tariffs: Implications & Predictions. A Conversation with the Toy Association
A Conversation with Tech Expert Robin Raskin - Part 2
A Conversation with Tech Expert Robin Raskin - Part 1
Stem Toys Substantive Learning...Or Marketing Tool?
Talking About the China Toy Market (and more) From the Guangzhou Toy & Edu Fair
Toy Fair & 2019 Trends, Continued
2019 Trends & Toy Fair Wrap-Up
Introduction to The Playground! Come play with us!