Tales From The Brick

In Episode 21 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) is joined by Jeddi Tso, Product Development Manager at Bricker Builds, to explore the world of life-sized LEGO creations, creative careers, and turning passion projects into reality. Jeddi shares how a childhood spent digging through bins of loose LEGO bricks and building Exo-Force sets eventually led him into the wider AFOL community, working with LEGO YouTubers, and ultimately joining Bricker Builds after jokingly ending a YouTube video with “Bricker Builds, hire me.” That throwaway line unexpectedly changed the course of his career. The conversation dives deep into Jeddi's journey through creativity, video production, LEGO retail, and personal struggles during the uncertainty of post-college life. He explains how building a massive LEGO replica sword from Fire Emblem became both a deeply personal project and the catalyst that caught the attention of Bricker Builds founder Christopher Gearhart. Jon and Jeddi also discuss how Bricker Builds creates its iconic life-sized models, from giant Mario characters and Pokémon builds to wearable props, Star Wars helmets, and massive display pieces designed to inspire builders of all ages. They talk about the challenge of designing sturdy large-scale LEGO sculptures, balancing artistic vision with engineering, and how the company blends fan passion with professional design work. The episode also explores the LEGO convention scene, the welcoming AFOL community, social media burnout, creative confidence, and how LEGO can become both a creative outlet and a source of healing during difficult periods in life. Plus, Jeddi teases one of Bricker Builds’ most ambitious projects yet: a massive life-sized WALL-E-inspired build packed with moving features, advanced engineering, and over 15,000 pieces. Find Jeddi Tso and Bricker Builds: • Website: brickerbuilds.com • Instagram: @brickerbuilds • YouTube: Bricker Builds • Jetty’s Instagram: @exoeditstuff • Jetty’s YouTube: Exo Edits   To find the best LEGO deals, check out the Bargain Bricks app  Until next time… play well.

In Episode 20 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) is joined by Rob Klingberg, founder of Brickstuff, to explore the world of LEGO lighting, electronics, and the evolution of customization within the LEGO hobby. Rob shares how a lifelong fascination with electronics, model trains, and tinkering eventually led to creating Brickstuff after rediscovering LEGO through building modular sets with his kids. What started as experimenting with tiny wires and LEDs turned into one of the most respected lighting brands in the LEGO community. The conversation dives deep into the early days of LEGO lighting, the rise of the Maker Movement, Arduino microcontrollers, and how advances in DIY electronics helped make custom lighting more accessible for builders of all skill levels. Rob also discusses the philosophy behind Brickstuff’s products, from ultra-thin wiring and realistic lighting effects to custom sound modules, animated displays, and interactive features designed specifically for LEGO fans. Jon and Rob also talk about the growth of the AFOL community, the explosion of third-party LEGO accessories, the role of BrickLink in enabling creativity, and the balance between purist building and customization. Along the way, they discuss conventions, illuminated MOCs, LEGO trains, Minecraft, Halo, lighting giant UCS sets, and what the future of connected LEGO displays could look like.   📍 Find Rob Klingberg and Brickstuff: • Website: brickstuff.com • Instagram: @brickstuff • YouTube: @brickstuff • Facebook: Brickstuff LEGO Lighting   To find the best LEGO deals, check out the Bargain Bricks app  Until next time… play well.

In Episode 19 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) is joined by Dave Schefcik, the Nerd-in-Chief behind BrickNerd and a longtime voice in the LEGO fan community. Dave shares his journey from building imaginative worlds as a kid to rediscovering LEGO later in life through an unexpected office project that turned his workspace into a full blown “LEGOLAND Microsoft.” What started as a creative outlet quickly became something bigger, pulling him into LUGs, conventions, and the wider LEGO community. The episode explores how conventions shaped Dave’s path, from early experiences feeling out of place at LUG meetings to becoming a major contributor behind the scenes at events like BrickCon. He talks about LEGO as a shared language that connects builders across styles and skill levels, from mosaics to Great Ball Contraptions, and how collaboration drives creativity. Dave also dives into his work in LEGO fan media, including time with The Brothers Brick and eventually leading BrickNerd. He shares the philosophy behind the platform, focusing on storytelling, community voices, and content that goes beyond just new set releases. 📍  Find Dave Schefcik: • BrickNerd: bricknerd.com To find the best LEGO deals, check out the Bargain Bricks app Until next time… play well.

In Episode 18 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) is joined by Jeff Sanders aka  Brick Bending, the mastermind behind some of the most mind-bending LEGO geometry on the internet. Jeff shares how a simple moment building with his kids led to a lifelong obsession with pushing LEGO beyond its intended limits, discovering that even basic bricks can curve, flex, and create stunning geometric art when approached with a mathematician’s mindset. The conversation dives deep into Jeff’s creative process, from early experiments with circles and intersecting shapes to massive installations made from tens of thousands of bricks. He also talks about exhibiting his work, from local museums to large-scale international showcases, and the surprising connection between his designs and traditional geometric art. Jeff also breaks down his journey into content creation - how years of trial and error across YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok led to viral success, and why storytelling, presentation, and even a bit of controversy play a role in getting people to see LEGO in a completely new way. 📍 Find Jeff Sanders (Brick Bending): • YouTube / Instagram / Facebook / Patreon: @brickbending • Website: brickbending.com To find the best LEGO deals, check out the Bargain Bricks app Until next time… play well.

On Episode 17 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) is joined by Chris Giddens aka Fazoom, one of the original AFOL pioneers. Chris is the co-creator of Old Grey Bricks and a LEGO Factory designer. He joins Jon for a deep dive into the early days of the LEGO fan community. Chris shares what it was like building in an era before social media, helping shape one of the first online LEGO communities, and eventually designing official sets during the experimental LEGO Factory program, offering a rare look at a unique chapter in LEGO history. The conversation also takes a powerful turn as Chris opens up about his battle with cancer and how LEGO became more than just a hobby - it became a source of focus, therapy, and resilience during one of the most challenging times of his life. 📍 Find Chris “Fazoom” Giddens: • Old Grey Bricks: Old Grey Bricks on YouTube • Instagram: @fazoom To find the best LEGO deals, check out the Bargain Bricks app Until next time… play well.

In Episode 16 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) is joined by Cody Ottley, the driving force behind the Bearded Builders Guild, BBG Forge, and the ever-growing BrickSlopes LEGO Fan Convention. Cody shares how a simple road trip conversation turned into launching one of North America’s fastest-growing LEGO conventions—expanding from a small group of ~80 AFOLs to a massive multi-day event with hundreds of builders, tens of thousands of square feet of displays, and a reputation for unmatched swag and community energy. The episode dives deep into the world of custom LEGO printing through BBG Forge—how Cody creates minifigs using only official LEGO parts, the philosophy behind “LEGO-ized” designs, and why they intentionally avoid competing with official releases by focusing on what LEGO hasn’t made yet. You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to run a convention at scale—from bulk LEGO orders and insane giveaways to faction-based themes, secret builds, and organizing chaos that somehow turns into an unforgettable experience. Plus, Cody breaks down the origins (and rules) of the Bearded Builders Guild—a LEGO “club” that’s part community, part inside joke, and fully embedded in convention culture. 📍 Find Cody Otley: • Instagram: @codio0937 • TikTok: @codio0937 • BBG Forge: BBG Forge • Bearded Builders Guild: Bearded Builders Guild • BrickSlopes: BrickSlopes LEGO Fan Convention To find the best LEGO deals, check out the Bargain Bricks app Until next time… play well.

In Episode 15 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) sits down with Ryan Wood, Model Shop Manager at LEGOLAND Florida Resort, for a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to build and maintain entire worlds out of LEGO. Ryan shares his journey from AFOL to Master Model Builder - starting with conventions and community, to landing a spot in a competitive build challenge that launched a 17-year career across multiple LEGOLAND parks. From helping construct LEGOLAND New York Resort during the chaos of COVID to managing thousands of models in Florida, his story is a mix of creativity, persistence, and being in the right place at the right time. The conversation dives into the realities most fans never consider: how LEGO models survive extreme heat, snow, and even wildlife (yes, otters included), what happens when a model gets destroyed overnight, and how teams can rebuild entire sections before the park even opens. Ryan also reveals how digital design has transformed the parks, how Easter eggs sneak into displays, and why snow might actually be a LEGO model’s best friend. Plus, get an inside look at building new attractions like the Galacticoaster, judging LEGO competitions with real astronauts, and what it actually takes to become a Master Model Builder - hint: it’s not just about being good at LEGO. Until next time… play well.

In Episode 14 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) sits down with acclaimed comic artist Paul Lee, whose work spans giants like DC Comics, Marvel Comics, and LEGO’s own storytelling universe. From illustrating iconic characters to becoming one of the go-to artists for LEGO comics, Paul shares his unexpected journey—from chasing a career in traditional comics to finding a new creative path through LEGO. What started as a childhood passion came full circle, leading him to work on LEGO Club Magazine, Ninjago comics, and even contributing designs to The Lego Batman Movie. The conversation dives deep into the realities of the comic industry, why it became unsustainable, and how that turning point led Paul to reinvent his career. Along the way, he reveals behind-the-scenes stories from working with LEGO, including how AFOL knowledge gave him an edge, the surprising lack of rigid creative rules, and the techniques he used to make his artwork stand out. Paul also shares incredible insights into the intersection of art and LEGO—from using 3D tools like BrickLink Studio to speed up production, to the subtle details that separate good LEGO art from great LEGO art. Plus, stories from Comic-Con, honoring fellow builders in his work, and what it really means to turn a creative passion into a lasting career. Until next time… play well.

In Episode 13 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) sits down with Daniel Siskind, the visionary founder of Brickmania, a company that transformed a passion for building into one of the most recognizable brands in the custom LEGO space. From receiving one of the earliest LEGO sets as a child to building an empire of high-end, military-inspired kits, Daniel shares how his obsession with parts, creativity, and community led to the creation of Brickmania. What started as small, handmade runs of custom sets quickly evolved into a full-scale operation, complete with in-house printing, design, and production. The conversation dives into the early days of sourcing bricks before BrickLink existed, the hustle of turning eBay sales into startup capital, and how customer demand unexpectedly pushed Brickmania into the military niche it’s known for today. Daniel also opens up about scaling from solo builder to running a full team, the realities of balancing business with community, and what it takes to stay innovative in a rapidly evolving hobby. From basement builds to industrial printers, this episode is a deep dive into what happens when passion meets persistence—and how one builder helped shape an entire corner of the LEGO world.   📍 Find Daniel Siskind/BrickMania: • brickmania.com • Instagram: @brickmania_toys To find the best LEGO deals, check out the Bargain Bricks app Until next time… play well.

In Episode 12 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) sits down with Corey Samuels - LEGO Masters champion, STEM educator, and the most dapper LEGO Masters contestant. He shares his journey from a kid in New Jersey building freestyle creations to becoming a standout contestant on LEGO Masters, and eventually taking home the trophy. Along the way, he dives into how LEGO became more than just a hobby, transforming into a career rooted in education, storytelling, and inspiring the next generation of builders. The conversation explores behind-the-scenes moments from LEGO Masters, the hustle of turning pandemic-era uncertainty into a thriving STEM business, and how Corey built his own path teaching kids through creativity and hands-on learning. From viral builds to building a brand, Corey’s story is all about betting on yourself and building something bigger than bricks. 📍 Find Corey Samuels: • Instagram / TikTok / YouTube: @samzbrego Until next time… play well.

In Episode 11 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) is joined by Liz Puleo, LEGO Masters Season 3 contestant, teacher, and creative force behind @lizpbuilds. Liz shares her unconventional journey into LEGO - from being banned from her brother’s basement LEGO city as a kid to rediscovering the hobby through her children and diving headfirst into the AFOL community during COVID. They talk about Liz’s rapid rise from building her first MOC to winning Best Pop Culture at her first convention, going viral in the LEGO community, and ultimately landing on LEGO Masters as one half of the unforgettable “Masshole Moms.” The episode also dives into her experience on the show, from chaotic challenges and behind-the-scenes stories to building under pressure, embracing creativity, and how LEGO became both a personal passion and a powerful outlet for connection and joy. 📍 Find Liz Puleo: • Instagram: @lizpbuilds • TikTok: @lizpbuilds Until next time… play well.

In Episode 10 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) is joined by TJ Bricky, LEGO Ambassador, content creator, and licensed therapist. TJ shares how LEGO has been part of his life since childhood, from early ‘90s sets to rediscovering the hobby through the Las Vegas Architecture skyline and diving back in fully with massive builds like the Titanic and Eiffel Tower. They talk about LEGO as both a creative outlet and a therapeutic tool, from mindfulness and reconnecting with your inner child to TJ’s real-world experience using LEGO in therapy sessions with kids. The episode also explores content creation, conventions, the online LEGO community, and why the best way to enjoy the hobby is simply to do LEGO your way. 📍 Find TJ Bricky: • TikTok: @tj.bricky • Instagram: @tj.bricky • YouTube: @tj.bricky • Twitch: @tjbricky Until next time… play well.

In Episode 9 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) is joined by Maddie (BrickenMad), a LEGO builder and BrickFair staff member who shares her journey into the hobby and her perspective as an LGBTQ+ member of the LEGO community. Maddie talks about growing up around LEGO with four brothers, rediscovering the bricks during the pandemic, and how that rediscovery led to building travel-inspired MOCs, collecting modulars, and eventually sharing her creations online. They also discuss Maddie’s time creating LEGO content on TikTok, how the platform and creator landscape have changed over the years, and the welcoming nature of the LEGO community for builders of all backgrounds. The episode touches on inclusive communities like AFOL Gals and Pals and GayFOL, the experience of attending and working at BrickFair, and the creativity that comes from building for fun—including the viral moment when Maddie’s cat turned the LEGO Colosseum into the world’s most expensive cat bed. 📍 Find Maddie online: • Instagram: @Bricken_Mad • TikTok: @BrickenMad Until next time… play well.

In Episode 8 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) sits down with John Sosis—host of the Building Friendships podcast/web series and LEGO Ideas creator behind the Full House submission with Jodie Sweetin. John shares the unexpectedly intense story of how LEGO re-entered his life in 2014 during recovery from major surgeries, when he stumbled into a Toys “R” Us, grabbed the Palace Cinema modular, and rediscovered a version of LEGO that was far more detailed—and far more customizable—than what he remembered as a kid. From there, it spiraled (in the best way) into a deep dive through missed themes, aftermarket hunting, and ultimately building a platform where guests open up while they build. The conversation veers into the modern LEGO ecosystem: aftermarket chaos, scalping culture, pricing creep, GWPs, and whether LEGO’s increasing focus on adults could someday expand into “edgier” IP territory. John also breaks down how Building Friendships evolved from a scrappy apartment shoot into a studio production with big-name guests, why ~450 pieces is the sweet spot for a one-hour interview, and how LEGO acts as the perfect distraction that gets people talking—sometimes too honestly. He closes with practical creator advice: stop overthinking, hit record, iterate, and let the show find its shape over time. 📍  Find John Sosis: Instagram / TikTok: @sayaintososis YouTube: @buildingfriendships Until next time… play well.

In Episode 7 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) is joined by Andrew Bulthaupt, owner and administrator of BZPower, one of the longest-running Bionicle fan communities on the internet. Andrew shares how Bionicle’s rich mythology and transmedia storytelling pulled him in at just the right moment in the early 2000s - and how BZPower grew from a merger of early fan sites into a 25-year-old community that predates YouTube, Wikipedia, and modern social media. They discuss how fandom evolved from message boards to today’s content-creator landscape, why Bionicle remains a small but fiercely loyal niche, and how fans—including former Bionicle builders who are now LEGO designers—continue to shape the hobby. The conversation also dives into Bionicle’s convention roots (especially BrickFair), the evolution of Bionicle MOCs into more organic, sculpture-like builds, and the ways the community still gathers today through the Bionicle LUG. The episode closes on a heartfelt tribute to Joe Meno (our guest from episode 2), reflecting on his warmth, his passion, and the lasting impact he had on the LEGO community - from Toy Fair memories to the simple joy of catching up at conventions. 📍 Find BZPower & BioniLUG: • bzpower.com • bionilug.com Until next time… play well.

In Episode 6 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) is joined by Erin Landry, Season 3 LEGO Masters contestant and owner of Bottomless Bricks in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Erin shares how she found LEGO as an adult through family life, garage-sale brick hunts, and pop-culture favorites like the LEGO Ideas Yellow Submarine—eventually turning that passion into a community-focused LEGO business. They talk about what it’s really like to run an independent LEGO shop, navigating a three-year shutdown, reopening stronger after LEGO Masters, and why staying authentic matters when building both a business and a community. The episode also dives into LEGO education, FIRST LEGO League, events, and how LEGO continues to bring people together at every age. 📍 Find Erin & Bottomless Bricks: • 163 South Street, Pittsfield, MA • bottomlessbricks.com • Instagram: @bottomlessbricksberkshire | @folkybrick Until next time… play well.

In Episode 5 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) is joined by Ridwan, better known as Ridzbricks, a professional creative director, filmmaker, and LEGO content creator who breaks down what actually makes great LEGO content online. Ridzbricks shares his LEGO journey—from childhood hand-me-down bricks and classic sets like Blacktron, through his dark ages, and back into the hobby via building with his daughter. He talks about how moving into a dedicated LEGO space reignited his passion and eventually led him into content creation, first through minifigure photography on Instagram and later across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. The conversation dives deep into practical, no-nonsense advice for creators: what a “hook” really is, how to stop the scroll, why editing and cutting the fat matters, and how content should entertain, educate, or inspire (ideally more than one at once). Ridzbricks explains why you don’t need expensive gear to start, how lighting and audio actually work, why phones are more than good enough, and how overthinking equipment often stops people from creating at all. They also talk candidly about LEGO’s explosion in recent years—set volume, rising prices, shrinking discounts, and how the flood of content has changed the community. The episode closes with honest advice about authenticity, not being precious with your content, learning from failure, and why the most important step is simply pressing record and making the video. 📍 Find Ridzbricks online: • TikTok / Instagram / YouTube: Ridzbricks Until next time… play well.

In Episode 4 of Tales From The Brick, Jon is joined by Victor and Maggie from EclipseGrafx, one of the longest-running and most respected custom LEGO printers in the community. The conversation traces Victor’s journey back into LEGO through a chance visit to a LEGO Store at Downtown Disney, his frustration with expensive “display-only” custom minifigures, and how that led him to start making his own; with the goal of creating pieces meant to be played with, not locked behind glass. Victor and Maggie share the real story behind EclipseGrafx’s evolution: early water-slide decals, their first event at Lyndhurst Manor, the move into pad printing, and the constant balance between quality, speed, and sustainability. They talk candidly about learning the hard way, why quality matters more than trends, and how creative vision often clashes with market expectations. The episode also dives deep into LEGO fandom history and convention culture - how events have changed over the last 15–20 years, the impact of The LEGO Movie and LEGO Masters, and why the modern hobby feels more saturated than ever. Along the way, Victor shares behind-the-scenes stories involving Marvel, LEGO trademarks, logo redesigns, glow-in-the-dark printing, kits that almost broke him, and the unexpected paths that led EclipseGrafx to work with LEGO itself. They also discuss acquiring Brick Warriors, launching custom injection-molded accessories, funding new molds through Whatnot streams, and what’s coming next - including Halo collaborations, Fallout, Castle, Vikings, and beyond.  🔗 Find EclipseGrafx: • eclipsegrafx.com – custom printed figures & parts • brickwarriors.com – injection-molded accessories • Whatnot – live streams, rare items, and community fun Until next time… play well.

In Episode 3 of Tales From The Brick, Jon, aka 8 Bit Bricks, sits down with Manny Garcia, Season 1 contestant on LEGO Masters, who competed alongside his father, Nestor, as the show’s first father–son team. Manny shares his lifelong relationship with LEGO—from being rewarded with bricks as a kid, through his “dark ages,” and back into the hobby as a parent looking to connect with his children. The conversation dives deep into Manny’s experience on LEGO Masters: the audition process, what the show really taught him about storytelling, aesthetics, and motion, and why the relationships built on and off camera mattered more than winning. Manny reflects on building with his dad, navigating TV production versus real LEGO building, and how Season 1 helped shape the future of the show in the U.S. Beyond the show, Manny talks about the evolution of the LEGO fandom, convention culture, community collaboration, and why LEGO continues to push creativity forward through new parts, motors, programming, and play. The episode also explores mentoring future builders, inspiring kids and adults alike, and what Manny has planned next—from BrickWorld Chicago to BrickFair and beyond. 📍 Find Manny online: • TikTok: The Certified Brick Boy • Instagram / YouTube: GIB Bricks (Get Into Building) • Website: getintobuilding.com Until next time… play well.

In Episode 2 of Tales From The Brick, Jon sits down with Joe Meno, longtime AFOL, founder of BrickJournal Magazine, and one of the key figures behind the early days of LEGO conventions in the United States. Joe traces his journey back to the late 1990s, when a job at the LEGO Imagination Center and the release of the first Star Wars sets pulled him out of his “dark ages” and back into the hobby. The conversation dives deep into the origins of online LEGO fandom, including early community hubs like LUGNET and Brickshelf, and what it was like building and sharing MOCs before algorithms, social media, or influencer culture existed. Joe reflects on how those early spaces created genuine global connections—and friendships that still last more than 20 years later. Joe also shares behind-the-scenes stories from organizing early conventions like BrickFest, the challenges of running volunteer-driven events, and how those experiences helped shape later conventions such as BrickFair, BrickWorld, and BrickCon. Along the way, he recounts memorable moments from Toy Fair, Comic-Con, LEGO community outreach, and unexpected opportunities that only LEGO could open the door to. This episode is a firsthand look at how the LEGO community grew from small message boards into a worldwide phenomenon—and why, at its core, it has always been about people first. 📍 Find Joe Meno: • Facebook (search Joe Meno) • BrickJournal Magazine – available via twomorrows.com Until next time… play well.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Tales From The Brick, where we tell the stories behind our favorite plastic bricks. This week, Jon is joined by Matt Cascone (aka MattsMiniFigs), a LEGO creator known for custom minifigs and MOCs he brings to red carpets, premieres, and live events to meet and photograph celebrities with his builds. We discuss the logistics of celebrity LEGO moments: approaching premieres the right way, navigating security, why PR emails can be a black hole, and how showing the build in person often matters more than follower counts. Matt shares standout stories meeting celebrities like Ryan Reynolds, Becky Lynch (including WWE coverage), and behind-the-scenes moments from Live with Kelly and Mark, plus collaborations with NYC’s 92Y and what he hopes comes next. Find Matt online: Instagram: @MattsMiniFigs His Wrestling Podcast: Mark IT Down Podcast / @MarkItDownPod Until next time… play well.