As a kid, host Chris Byrne loved science toys. People whoknow him know that he especially liked making things that blew up. However, since about 1972, thanks to the CPSC, toy science kits haven’t included componentsfor making explosives. Still, Chris and his friends had it safer than kids in 1950 who played with the Gilbert Atomic Energy lab that had realuranium in it.Yet, even without toxicity or the chance tolose digits, kids today still love science, and Blue Marble is building exciting ways for kids to discover and create the foundation for future learning. Jared Wolfson is the CEO of Blue Marble, and they're known for National Geographic NASA, Disney toys and more—all with a science and discovery bent. In this episode, Chris and Jared talk about the company, their products, Jared's dynamic approach to retail—and why Chris still wants to blow stuff up.

Revitalizing and relaunch a brand almost 30 years after itsintroduction is never an easy task. However, when the brand was as popular and influential as the iconic Backyard Sports franchise of the late 1990s and early 2000s, thechallenge can be especially daunting.Second-grade teacher turned entrepreneur Lindsay Barnett, however, loves competition, as she tells me, and is more than up to the challenge. The result is an on-trend hybrid that relaunches the property for a new generation of kids—and creates a kidult sensation with those who grew up with thesegames. We talk about how Lindsay is making magic with the brand, and her insights behind why this brand, why now, and how a decades old, niche product can be back in the game. With an animated special already racking up views in the millions on YouTube, a licensing program that appeals to a broad range of ages, and a storyline that’s supportive, imaginative, and fully engaging, we fully expect that in the next year, Lindsay and her team at Playground Productions will knock this one out of the park.

In the dynamic world of marketing in today’s toy industry, staying on top of best practices isn’t always easy. This is especially true when it comes to influencers. Fortunately, we have some insights that may prove enlightening and useful.Mark Basset heads up the influencer business at Precisify inthe UK. You may have known the as Precise TV in the past. Mark and I talk about their unique, data-driven approach to developing content and how they've used that to build global success stories.After you listen, find out more here.

This is a special edition of The Playground Podcast. In the wake of the Supreme Court Ruling on February 20 that President Trump’s imposition of tariffs exceeded his authority to do so, there has been a lot of confusion in the toy industry.I can’t think of anyone better than Jay Foreman, CEO of Basic Fun, to comment on and put in perspective what this means for our industry and advice on how to respond and how to moveforward.Listen in!

In our second conversation about the emerging medium of social shopping, we sat down with Lee Parkhurst of Parkhurst marketing. I’ve known and admired Lee for years for his strategic thinking, insights, and the pure joy he brings to his work and the industry as a whole. In this conversation we talk in depth about Tik Tok, issues,best practices, and much more. Plus, you'll hear how a game turned into a QVC gig. It's a great story, and I know you’ll have a great time listening in.  

We're kicking off Season 8 of The Playground Podcast with two conversations about changing retail environments. Retail in the toy business has always been dynamic. Howeverthe last 30 years since the launch of eBay and Amazon has seen almost constant evolution. Today, we are at the forefront of yet another development—social shopping.Already established in China, where I got to see this phenomenon in action—and the power of reaching a targeted, responsive audience—it will inevitably gain traction worldwide. Just look at TikTok Shop.To get a better view of the medium and the opportunities fortoymakers, I sat down with Nic Jones of Situaction UK. Nic has been around the toy biz for 30 years, and his company a leader in the current conversation about Social Shopping. Listen in as we explore the medium and the opportunities.

I have been hoping to land this guest for a while—and finally the stars aligned. Azhelle Wade is the Toy Coach. If you’re in the toy industry, I’m pretty sure you know her—or at least know of her. After a dynamic career in product development,vshe has devoted herself to helping creators bring their visions of playthingsto life. In the years I’ve known Azhelle, every conversation we’ve had has been fun, informative, and filled with laughter. One thing we share is an understanding of the joy that toys can create for kids—complemented by the realities of a sometimes challenging industry. I’m so happy to share one of our wide-ranging talks with allof you.The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy News, The Toy Guy, and Beacon Media Group.

In our 7th annual year and review, James Zahn of The Toy Book and Toy Insider and John Baulch of Toy World UK join Chris to look back at the toy year for 2025...and ahead at what may be in the future.From tariffs to K-Pop Demon Hunters to the dynamic retail environment, we look at many (but by no means all) of the topics that have shaped 2025 and will continue to affect the toy business as we move ahead.

Eric Ostendorff spent more than 30 years at Mattel where he invented and protyped Hot Wheels sets and electromechanical products, earning more than 50 patents for his creative endeavors.  Eric is a true industry veteran with the stories to prove it, and it was a pleasure to hear some of them—and share them with all of you. After you listen, come back and check out these links he refers to: HW prototype set.   It's still sold!Modified Fireball set. Letterman Year 1: Letterman year 2: 

With more than a decade of experience across the U.S. and global markets, Audrey Birner is the U.S. Insight Director for Beano Brain. She’s a youth culture expert helping brands understand and engage kids, tweens, teens and their families. She believes the only way to truly understand Gen Alpha and Gen Z is to hear the unfiltered truth straight from the young people themselves.Chris sat down with Audrey to get inside the heads of the folks who get inside the heads of these kids, and we think you’ll find the conversation, interesting, energetic and informative.