What does it take to turn a bubble toy into a sellout success and a two-time TOTY nominee? In this episode, we dive into the award-winning retail and demo strategy behind Poppin Colorz’ Galactic Color Bubble Machine.

From open-box packaging to live demos that pulled shoppers off the sidewalk, Ron Weizman of South Beach Bubbles shares how they turned a classic play pattern into a shelf-stealing hit.

Cast your vote for the Poppin Colorz Galactic Bubble Machine, nominated for Outdoor Toy of the Year! Open to Toy Association members and media.

What if kids could learn about sports, INSIDE SportsCenter? Well 27 licensing deals, 7 TOTY nominations, and 1 incredible host all led to this incredible feat of edutainment.

For 2025, Abacus Brands teamed up with ESPN and a roster of elite athletes to create the ESPN Virtual Reality Headset. This fully immersive toy is nominated for Educational Toy of the Year and delivers sports history, rules, trivia, and facts in a way kids have never experienced before.

What started as an inventor's pitch, evolved into a collectible phenomenon. Sky Castle Toys is showing us what happens when you combine viral content with collectibility…and it’s Sticki Rolls. 

Sticki Rolls is nominated for Collectible Toy Of The Year, and if you ask me, they should be the ones taking home the TOTY (sorry Lego!) Sky Castle built a brand, demand, and a community from scratch, and they’re only continuing to grow. Driven by viral content and partnerships with niche artists, the Sticki rolls brand is one of the few toys that can get kids excited about putting down their phones…even if it’s just to cover them with stickers. 😏

You’ve heard of the Oscars and Emmys… but have you heard of the TOTYs? In this episode, we’re breaking down why the Toy of the Year Awards are such a big deal, how to get nominated, and how a TOTY nod can boost your sales, press, and SEO. Plus, I’m sharing what really goes down at the black-tie gala and how finalists can turn their moment into a marketing win. If you're a 2026 finalist, check the nominees here and claim your promo spot before your category sells out!

Behind every “yes” in the toy industry, there’s a mountain of “no’s,” countless hours of hustle, and more trial and error than most people expect. At one point, he came close to walking away from it all—until a single line from an episode of Bluey reminded him that making games was exactly what he was meant to do.

In this episode, I’m joined by Jeremy Posner, owner of Shenanigans Toys and Games, the inventor behind Beagle or Bagel, Bears in Barrels, and Piggy Piggy. He’s worked with toy giants like Hasbro and Mattel, won Game Innovator of the Year at the TAGIEs, and been named to the Mojo Nation 100 six times. But here’s the twist: it still took him eight years to consistently meet his royalty goals.

You’ll learn why licensing a game doesn’t mean you’ve made it, what makes a concept truly “sellable,” and how long it actually takes to start seeing returns. Jeremy also shares how he trained his brain to be more creative.

Hit play and steal a few smart moves for your next big creative leap.

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Zabina Bhasin, a child psychiatrist and founder of In KidZ, who has brought diversity and inclusivity to the forefront of the toy industry. Dr. Zee shares her journey from mental health specialist to toy industry insider, discussing her experiences as an entrepreneur and her strategies for staying true to her mission. She provides insight into her efforts to educate children about different cultures and create a sense of belonging for all. With two toy industry award nominations, Dr. Zee's work is not only recognized but celebrated. This episode also touches on Dr. Zee's childhood and the game that sparked her love for toys. Her advice for budding entrepreneurs is insightful, rooted in her own humble beginnings.

Calling all game people! In this week’s episode, we delve into the captivating world of game development with Christian Castro, Director of Product Development at Relatable. Christian's conversation highlights the story behind "Search Party Chaos at the Park," a first-of-its-kind 3D board game that's been nominated for the prestigious Toy of the Year Award. 

The game, a family-friendly cooperative experience, introduces a unique blend of storytelling, search-and-find gameplay, and stunning three-dimensional pop-up structures. As we explore the development process from ideation to TOTY nomination, Christian unveils the challenges faced, the creative collaborations undertaken, and the milestones achieved. The undertaking of this complex project was well worth it in Christian’s eyes, as the result was a game-changing (hopefully award winning) board game experience that bridges the gap between flat board games and immersive three-dimensional play.

If you plan to submit your own game for a TOTY nomination, this is an episode you should dive right into. We kick off with an overview about the award itself, and share where you can find more information on how to apply. Our guest provides insights on what it takes to actually BE nominated, encouraging you to push the envelope on your next toy or game creation to snag a future TOTY nomination for yourself!