How Do Ya Figure?

Matt Acevedo joins us again to go down a nostalgic road.  A specifically leading to large menu with a speaker box and a window where a person hands you your food.  This week we are talking all about the Bobby's World McDonald toys, the first toys not he show that spark not just memories of the past, but smells of fries and shakes and that old box it came in.  Enjoy!  Follow!  Subscribe!

Ken Napzok (co-host of Force Center podcast and author of Why We Love Star Wars) joins us this week to chat the Star Wars Miniatures, the failed line from the 80s.  Why this line didn't connect, why it might have been ahead of its time, and what we would have liked to see if it had continued on.  Leave us a review and subscribe!

Yuma, intergalactic pro wrestling family man, toy maker and life long collector joins us this week to discuss the toys surrounding Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace.  How it felt when Star Wars was back, Toys R Us' flooded with incredible characters for a movie we had not seen yet, and the excitement that was 1999.

Joan Ford joins the podcast again to discuss Greta Gremlin from Neca.  Why we were so excited about this character getting a figure, how to bring Gremlins back to the spotlight and much more!

We are joined by Erik Arana from Bossfight Studios to talk Legends of Lucha Libre!

We are joined by Andres Gallego this week to talk about the Terminator 2 Kenner Line.  How the line managed to survive without making toys of the movies main characters.  And the greatest part of the line, the ability to make your own Terminator, and why we all thought that would usher in a new future.

We are joined by Jim Beard (writer) who talks with us about GI Joe Adventure Team and Major Matt Mason.  Two toys that influenced the media, and pop culture in ways no other line did!  We talk to the appeal of a line that doesn't have a cartoon, or movie or anything surrounding it, writing for characters you love, and much more!

Loryn Stone (Toy Wizards and Pop Lurker) joins us to discuss an array of topics in toys.  What got her back into collecting as an adult, how the hobby evolved with her, Green Power Rangers, Inspector Gadget, what conversations aren't happening in the toy world, and much much more!

We are joined this week by Eric Rodriguez (Nerd Chronic) to discuss the few action figures from Batman '89, how the toys changed the movies, the merchandise crazy for future Batman movies, that may be better remembered than the movies themselves.  And of course, Bob the Good.

Mike Carlson (Podcast the Ride) joins us again as we go over our favorite action figures from 2020.  This terrible year was only made bearable by the works of Hasbro, NECA, McFarlane, Mattel, and Super7.  We go through a wave of nostalgia as we discuss Turtles, DC, Marvel Legends, Star Wars and so much more all in plastic form!

Greg Hahn is back with us as he finished collecting EVERY Battle Beast figure!  We talk about finishing a collection, how he feels now that the quest is over and why these toys are the ones he went for. 

We are joined by Playwright and Action Figure Scholar Jonathan Alexandratos to talk about the 90s phenomena Mighty Morphin Power Rangers!  A quick history of the toys, what set them apart from everything else on the shelf, how this franchise took off, what inspired the look of the figures, what trends they help set in the 90s.   How pop-culture and toys can help you figure our your identity and Blake finally has a leg up on Justin with an IP, and puts Justin to the test of figuring out classic MMPR villains!  

Ed Greer (Ed Greer Destroys, Reboot It) joins us to discuss growing up with G.I Joe, the struggle of finding all the figures, and looking back at how much some of those action figures would have cost today.

Jenna Busch (Co-host of Historical Podcast, Host of Cocktails with Stan)  joins us to discuss the history and smells of Strawberry Shortcake, collecting as a child and an adult, having a partner who also collects, and the connection of toys and memories when it comes to smells of toys, stickers, markers and much more!

Steve Ozer (WWE at Mattel) joins us to discuss his favorite action figures, how collecting and working in the industry work in tandem, his road to working in toys and the value of a strong community.  

Holly Anabel Brown (Comedian, Well Actually Podcast) joins us to talk about some creepy board games in time for Halloween!  Mysterium and Horrified!  Two games that stand out for their impressive art work, world building, and collectable mini-figs.  We also learn a lot about Settlers of Catan, how board games are a litmus test for any relationship, and that any game night can be ruined if you can't explain your game.  Listen! Subscribe!  Review!

Connie Shin (Thundercats ROAR) joins us to go through history through the eyes of American Girl Dolls.  The boutique collectible that gave its girls some incredible miniatures, books to expand on their own stories, and a great return policy.  We discuss the many different dolls and what working in an American Girl Doll store was like.

Matt Acevedo (Mass Effect Adventum, Hit Points Podcast) sits down to discuss the great Amiibo-pocalypse of 2014.  A quick history of the Nintendo toy-to-life craze, how they affected gaming, why they have outlasted Disney Infinity and Skylanders, and one of member of the podcast reveals themselves to be a Nintendo World Champion!