Why do we love robots so much? Especially as toys?  And for so long? I think it’s because toy robots perfectly reflect embody the intersection of imagination, play, and technology.

Robots reflect our fundamental curiosity about life itself—what it means to move, think, or act independently. For children, they are magical objects that blur the line between the inanimate and the animate, allowing them to project stories of adventure, control, and companionship. For adults, robot toys oftenreflect deeper cultural hopes and anxieties about progress, automation, and the future.

In this episode, Chris talksto Jamie Zhang, Senior Director and CFO of Robosen.The company has made a splash with its super, sophisticated robots based on Buzz Lightyear and Optimus Prime. In September 2025, they have introduced a Mini line starting with eight Toy Story characters and many more to come.

Jamie and Chris talk about robotics, developing a line of well-priced, yet sophisticated best friends that give consumers new ways to express their fandom and connect with their favorite characters on a personal level.

Among the many issues currently bouncing around the toy biz,AI is one a lot of people are talking about, thinking about, and looking at ways to integrate it into play experiences.

In this episode, Chris talks to Misha Sallee, CEO of Curio. Thecompany’s first products are AI-powered playmates that can make play engaging,educational, and more fun. We talk about his toys, and AI’s potential for toys.

And, in a Playground Podcast first, I also get to interview a toy…in real time.

The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy News, TheToy Guy, and Beacon Media Group.

Listen in to a really special episode. We’re talking about aprogram that’s near and dear to my heart, the Young Inventor’s Challenge. I’m joined by program director Ahren Hoffman, Amy Saldana from kiddywampus, Hilary Key from The Toy Chest, and Julie Burczyk from Tools for Teaching.

We talk about how these leading specialty retailers have I integrated the Young Inventors Challenge into their businesses and why it's consistenlty a success.

Now in its 20th year, this a powerful program that inspiresyoung people, celebrates the essential nature of play, and for specialty retailers helps them build community. By the way, it’s a great opportunity for sponsors as well.

Find out more here.

Matt Brown is one of the coolest and most thoughtful guys inthe toy business. His dedication to play and kids is always inspiring.

Over the years, since he entered our industry with Zoob,Matt and Chris have had many conversations about the role of play in children’s lives and why play is so critical to all of us.

In this conversation, we talk about how play literally shapes kids' brains, uses of AI to support play, Matt's new project, the Kibeam Wand that has the potential to transform learning to read, and much more.

Listen in to this lively conversation.

Sue Warfield is the president of ASTRA, and a good friend.She has been a passionate leader of her organization and an equally passionate proponent of play and its value in culture.

In this episode, Chris talks with Sue about their shared perspectives on play and its role in child development, and the necessity of play in building healthy children.

The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy News, The Toy Guy® and Beacon Media Group.

He's created a sensation from his kitchen table. This is one of those wonderful, classic toy biz stories about a great idea that finds its way.

With a combination of creativity, ingenuity, social media, and timing, Josh Carman has created a hit with Popdarts and along the way created a great family activity, a challenging game...and a new sport.

Listen in to his story!

In this episode, Chris talks to Brea Brand, founder of the Australian-based magnetic tile company Connetix.

With a combination of passion, creativity, and a commitment to excellence, Brand and her company have made a strong entry into the highly competitive magnetic tile business.

How she's built the brand and kept the focus on kids' play experiences make this a great conversation with some great tips for other visionary entrepreneurs.

One of the most important components of any toy program inthis highly competitive and crowded market is a strategic media program.

Given the proliferation of platforms, changes in demographics and emerging product categories, it can be a challenge.

Well, listen in because I sat down during New York Toy Fairwith three people who are at the forefront of this changing market and whose track record of success is truly impressive.

Lisa Morgan of Generation Media, Denis Crushell of Precise.TV, and I began a conversation at the Nuremberg Toy Fair on these topics as part of that show’s business forum, and we continue it here, joined by Lisa’s colleagues Alex Taylor-Smith.

It is truly exciting to share my conversation with thesethree industry leaders with you.

In this episode James Zahn of Toy Book and Toy Insider, John Baulch of Toy World UK, and Chris talk about the show, the products, the toy biz, and the year ahead.

It's the 7th time these three industry experts have sat down to have a conversation about the toys and the times.

Listen in to the conversation.

Chris talks with Greg Ahearn president and CEO of the Toy Association on the last day of the recent NY Toy Fair from the show floor.

They talk about the almost universally positive response to the show, the future of the NY show, what's going on in LA, the exceptional work being done by the Association in DC, and the important work of The Toy Foundation.

It's a somewhat wide-ranging conversation, but it's important listening for those who want to stay in the know about the work the Association is doing on behalf of the entire toy industry.