The Imagination Brickshop’s LEGO Brickcast

Steve Miller

Welcome to The Imagination Brickshop! This is a LEGO-centric podcast where we review sets, break down the latest LEGO news, rumors, and latest reveals.  We talk about all things LEGO and even Alt Brand sets. Whether you’re a lifelong collector, a casual builder, or just love the brick, you’re in the right place.  

  1. 3d ago

    Ep. 223 - Bricklink Designer Program 2028 Wave 1 - My FIVE Finalists

    JPFANS Affiliate Link: https://jpfans.com/register?ref=800884367   421 incredible LEGO designs.  Only FIVE will make the cut.  But which ones deserve to become official BrickLink Designer Program sets? In this week's Wild Card Wednesday episode of BrickCast, I'm taking a deep dive into the upcoming 2028 Wave 1 BrickLink Designer Program, and after reviewing all 421 submissions, I've narrowed the field down to my personal TOP FIVE finalists! And believe me, this was NOT an easy decision! From medieval castles and pirate ships to incredible architecture, unique vehicles, and some truly imaginative creations, this wave features an amazing variety of designs from talented LEGO builders around the world.  But with only five designs ultimately being selected, some fantastic creations are inevitably going to be left behind. I started with 421 submissions, narrowed those down to 72 designs I absolutely loved, and then began the difficult process of separating the good from the great.  I divided my favorites into three categories based on piece count, evaluated what made each design special, and ultimately selected the five creations I believe deserve a place in the BrickLink Designer Program. Along the way, I'll share some incredible designs that caught my attention, discuss what makes a submission stand out, and reveal a few surprises that made narrowing down my choices especially difficult.  Some of my final selections might surprise you! With crowd voting wrapping up on October 14th and the official five finalists scheduled to be announced on November 12th, there's no better time to take a closer look at what could become some of the most exciting LEGO sets of 2028. But here's the big question: Will any of my five picks actually make the cut? Watch the episode to discover my selections, and then head to the comments to tell me which five designs YOU would choose.  Did I overlook a masterpiece?  Did I include something that doesn't deserve to make it?  I want to hear your thoughts! Explore the 421 submissions here: https://www.bricklink.com/v3/designer-program/2028-wave-1/main.page If you enjoy LEGO news, rumors, set reviews, and discussions about everything happening in the world of LEGO, be sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and join us here at The Imagination Brickshop for more episodes of BrickCast every week! Music Credit: YouTube Music Library #LEGO #bricklinkdesignerprogram  #BrickLink #LEGO2028 #LEGOIdeas #LEGOCommunity #BrickCast #TheImaginationBrickshop #LEGOMOC #AFOL #JPFans

  2. 5d ago

    Ep. 222 - LEGO Helm's Deep is HOW BIG?! + BrickLink Designer Program Updates - 10/12/26 - News & Rumors

    The LEGO rumors just keep getting BIGGER, and this week we have some massive developments surrounding the future of LEGO Lord of the Rings and the BrickLink Designer Program! In BrickCast Episode, we're diving into the latest LEGO news, rumors, and reveals, starting with some incredible new information about what could be coming to Middle-earth in 2027. We've already heard rumors about an Oliphaunt Battle and the Prancing Pony, but now new details about an enormous Helm's Deep have emerged. Just how massive could this set be, and what might it mean for the future of LEGO Lord of the Rings? If these rumors turn out to be true, collectors could have some difficult decisions ahead! Meanwhile, the BrickLink Designer Program is making headlines of its own! Series 9 preorders are underway, and the latest sales figures reveal some very interesting trends. Some sets are performing exactly as you might expect, while others might surprise you. We're breaking down the numbers, looking at which designs are generating the most excitement, and discussing what these results could mean for future releases. And with an astonishing 421 submissions competing for a spot in the first wave of 2028, the competition is only getting started! Don't forget, we'll be taking a closer look at those submissions in Wednesday's episode of BrickCast. But that's just the beginning! A massive new LEGO Icons set has leaked, bringing one of the world's most recognizable cities to life in brick form. We also have official images of two upcoming LEGO releases from the DC and Marvel universes, including a striking interpretation of one of Batman's most infamous villains and a skyline packed with recognizable Marvel landmarks. Are these sets destined to become must-haves, or will they leave collectors wanting more? We'll also take a look at some upcoming LEGO promotions, including the return of double LEGO Insiders points and the latest addition to the Restaurants of the World gift-with-purchase collection. And finally, for our Alternative Set of the Week, we're stepping outside the LEGO universe to examine a fascinating creation from Pantasy that combines nostalgia, engineering, and an impressive display piece. Could this be one of the more interesting alternatives to LEGO we've featured? From massive Middle-earth rumors and surprising BrickLink sales figures to leaked sets and exciting new reveals, there's plenty to talk about in this week's episode of BrickCast! What are you most excited about? Are you looking forward to the rumored LEGO Lord of the Rings sets, or have the latest BrickLink Designer Program developments caught your attention? Let me know in the comments! If you enjoy LEGO news, rumors, reviews, and discussions, be sure to like, subscribe, and join us every Monday for LEGO News & Rumors and every Wednesday for another episode of BrickCast! Music Credit: YouTube Music Library  NEW BrickShop Merch: https://imaginationbrickshop-shop.fourthwall.com/ #LEGO #LEGONews #LEGORumors #BrickLinkDesignerProgram #LEGOLordOfTheRings #HelmsDeep #LEGO2027 #BrickCast #LEGOLeaks #LEGOIcons #TheImaginationBrickshop

  3. Oct 7

    Ep. 221 - The 7 Levels of LEGO: Ranking Sets From Trash to Treasure

    What actually makes a LEGO set…good? We all do it. We see a new LEGO set and almost instantly decide whether we love it, hate it, or fall somewhere in between. But what exactly is our brain calculating in those few seconds? Inspired by Malcolm Gladwell’s concept of “thin-slicing” from Blink, I decided to put that instinct to the test by creating The 7 Levels of LEGO. And yes…I fully expect some of you to disagree with me. We’re starting at Level 1, where LEGO sets go when something has gone terribly, terribly wrong. From infamous themes of LEGO’s past to some questionable modern decisions, these are the sets that make you wonder: Who thought this was a good idea? Then comes Level 2, which might contain my most controversial LEGO opinion yet. There are beloved themes here. Historically important sets. Sets I personally have nostalgia for. But nostalgia and importance don’t necessarily make something good. By Level 3, we arrive where the overwhelming majority of LEGO has always lived—and that’s not an insult. In fact, this might be the level that best represents what LEGO has meant to generations of kids. Level 4 is where things start getting REALLY good. Level 5 is where LEGO sets become the centerpieces of collections. UCS. Icons. Modulars. Ideas. BrickLink Designer Program. But size and price alone aren’t enough to get you here. Then there’s Level 6. These are the rare ones. The sets that separate themselves from everything around them. In a great year, LEGO might only produce one or two sets truly worthy of this level. So what could possibly sit ABOVE those? That brings us to Level 7. And I’m not telling you what it is. Because once we get there, I think it changes the entire question we started with. What makes a LEGO set good? Maybe we’ve been asking the wrong question all along. Welcome to The 7 Levels of LEGO. Music Credit: YouTube Music Library #LEGO #BrickCast #AFOL #LEGOCollection #LEGOSets #LEGORanking #LEGOCreator #LEGOUCS #LEGOMOC

  4. Oct 5

    Ep. 220 - Is This the BEST Bricklink Designer Program Series Yet? - 10/5/26 - News & Rumors

    It’s a HUGE week for LEGO news, rumors, leaks, and releases—and BrickCast Episode 220 has a little bit of everything! We’re kicking things off with a quick update on the latest LEGO GWPs, including Astrobot and the Darth Vader’s Lightsaber promo alongside the massive new UCS Super Star Destroyer. Plus, another LEGO Insiders Double Points event is right around the corner! Then it’s time for BrickLink Designer Program Series 9! Pre-orders officially begin Tuesday, October 6 at 10AM CT, and we’re taking one last look at all five sets before the madness begins. And if those aren’t enough fan-designed sets for you, voting is now OPEN for the 2028 Wave 1 series—with an incredible 421 designs competing for just five spots! We also finally have official images of LEGO Icons Dragon Ball: Shenron & Goku, and there’s a LOT to talk about with LEGO’s latest major licensed set. But then come the leaks and rumors…A mysterious new LEGO Ideas GWP may be bringing back the TEAL Classic Space minifigure, new NINJAGO sets have surfaced, and we may already know our next UCS Star Wars set for August 2027: Anakin’s Jedi Interceptor! And finally, we’ve got NEW information about the rumored LEGO Marvel Skyline—and this set sounds much more ambitious than I originally expected. An Architecture-style Marvel display featuring some of the most iconic locations and vehicles in the Marvel universe…plus Galactus?! There is a TON to unpack this week. Let’s get into it! Music Credit: YouTube Music Library #LEGO #LEGONews #LEGORumors #BrickCast #LEGOStarWars #LEGOMarvel #DragonBall #NINJAGO #BrickLinkDesignerProgram #LEGOLeaks

  5. Sep 30

    Ep. 219 - LEGO E.T. Review & More INCREDIBLE 80's Inspired LEGO Sets

    LEGO has been going HARD after our nostalgia lately...and if you grew up in the 1980s, this might be one of the best times ever to be a LEGO fan. In BrickCast Episode, I’m reviewing the brand-new LEGO Ideas 21370 E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, but this episode quickly became about MUCH more than just one set. We’ll take a closer look at LEGO’s new version of one of the most recognizable characters in movie history, including its design, articulation, glowing heart, some fantastic hidden Easter eggs, and the surprising story behind the original fan model that eventually became an official LEGO set. And because this is E.T., we have to talk about the movie itself. More than four decades later, its impact is still incredible, and there are a few connections to Star Wars that you may have completely forgotten about. Then comes the big question: Is this actually a good LEGO set? My wife built E.T. this time around, so she’s taking over the ratings, and one of her scores genuinely shocked me. We’ll see where she lands on the build experience, displayability, playability, value, and ultimately whether E.T. deserves a spot in your collection. But E.T. is only the beginning...I’m also looking at five other LEGO sets that every 1980s nostalgia fan should have on their radar. Movies, cartoons, video games, transforming robots, time machines...LEGO has quietly assembled a pretty incredible lineup for those of us who remember growing up during the decade. And somehow, there’s still SO MUCH left for LEGO to explore. Knight Rider? The A-Team? ALF? ThunderCats? Beetlejuice? The NeverEnding Story? The Karate Kid? If LEGO could make ONE more set based on something from the 1980s, what are you choosing? NEW MERCH: https://imaginationbrickshop-shop.fourthwall.com 🎵 Music Credit: YouTube Music Library #LEGO #LEGOIdeas #ET #ETTheExtraTerrestrial #1980s #80sNostalgia #LEGONostalgia #BrickCast

  6. Sep 28

    Ep. 218 - 7,000+ Piece Helm’s Deep?! HUGE NEW LEGO 2027 Sets Are Coming - 9/28/26 - News & Rumors

    There is a LOT to cover in this week’s LEGO News & Rumors! We’re kicking things off with a closer look at the upcoming 40899 Astro Bot GWP before diving into some potentially HUGE LEGO Lord of the Rings sets rumored for 2027. Helm’s Deep could be returning with more than 7,000 pieces, the Prancing Pony may finally be happening, and yes… we could actually be getting a Peter Jackson minifigure! Plus, another LOTR set is rumored for February with the 11395 Oliphant Battle. Then we jump into two mysterious LEGO Architecture sets reportedly coming in 2027. Could we finally be getting the Golden Gate Bridge and the Parthenon? There’s also another addition to the Dinosaur Fossils collection rumored for May 2027, featuring TWO Velociraptors and an Owen Grady minifigure. Plus, we break down the rumored lineup for LEGO Minifigures Series 30, including the Oni Warrior, Raven Knight, Flower Child, Sea Monster, Gondolier, Kid Knight, Spa Woman and more. We’ve also got new information on a LEGO Icons French Bulldog, two mysterious LEGO Art sets, and the newly revealed LEGOLAND Park Adventure set coming exclusively to LEGOLAND and LEGOLAND Discovery Center stores. And finally, I’ll preview next week’s Brickshop Alternative Set of the Week: the Barweer BWR101 Ultimate Playset Scale Stinger Mantis! With more than 3,000 pieces, this massive build takes inspiration from the iconic ship from Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor. As always, remember that many of the 2027 sets discussed in this episode are based on rumors and preliminary information. Names, prices, piece counts, release dates, and other details can change until officially announced by LEGO. Let me know in the comments: Which of these rumored 2027 sets are YOU most excited about? Thanks for watching and supporting The Imagination Brickshop! 🎵 Music provided by the YouTube Audio Library. #LEGO #LEGONews #LEGORumors #LEGO2027 #LEGOLordOfTheRings #LOTR #LEGOArchitecture #LEGOStarWars #LEGOJurassicWorld #LEGOMinifigures #LEGOCMF #LEGOLAND #LEGOLeaks #BrickCast #TheImaginationBrickshop

  7. Sep 23

    Ep. 217 - The Ultimate LEGO Collector’s Dilemma: What To KEEP & What to SELL?

    What LEGO sets in your collection could you NEVER bring yourself to sell? That question came up during a conversation with a coworker. I told them that if I ever moved and had to seriously downsize, I’d probably sell most of my LEGO collection rather than move it all. Then they asked the obvious follow-up: “Would you keep anything?” Oh yeah. Absolutely. So for this Wild Card Wednesday, I’m counting down the 10 LEGO sets in my collection that I would NEVER sell. And these aren’t necessarily the 10 “best” sets I own. They aren’t the most expensive, the biggest, or even the rarest. These are the sets that mean something to me. We’ve got some legendary Star Wars builds, an unusual piece of LEGO history made from something other than plastic, an architectural model with a family connection, a transforming icon from the '80s, one of my favorite animated characters of all time, a massive model of one of America’s most famous homes, and a few builds that have stories worth far more to me than their aftermarket value. Some are worth hundreds—or even well over $1,000. Others aren't worth much at all. But they’re priceless to me. So if The Imagination Brickshop collection ever had to go...these 10 are coming with me. What is the ONE LEGO set in your collection that you would never sell? Let me know in the comments! Music Credit: YouTube Music Library. Empire State Building Video Credit: Virtual Brick Lab - https://www.youtube.com/@VirtualBrickLab #LEGO #LEGOCollection #BrickCast #LEGOSets #LEGOCOLLECTOR #StarWarsLEGO #LEGOIdeas

  8. Sep 21

    Ep. 216 - That’s NOT LEGO Voltron?! + LEGO’s HUGE Fall GWP Lineup! - 9/21/26 - News & Rumors

    Happy First Day of Fall, Brickheadz! Fall has officially arrived, and LEGO is celebrating with a brand-new spooky GWP—but apparently we're also skipping straight ahead to Christmas! In BrickCast Ep. 216, we're breaking down the latest LEGO news, reveals, GWPs, promotions, and rumors heading into the final months of 2026. We’ve got a newly revealed haunted build just in time for Halloween, an update to the upcoming Astro Bot GWP that changes what we originally thought about its release, and the official reveal of this year's LEGO Icons Holiday House. But that's just the beginning. We also have a look at the upcoming GWP and Double Points calendar—including when you may want to hold off on that big LEGO purchase and when it might finally be time to pull the trigger. Plus, the Restaurants of the World collection continues after stops in Japan, Mexico, and Greece. Where are we headed next? Then it's time to duel! LEGO Ideas has officially announced the winner of the Yu-Gi-Oh! It’s Time to Duel! Challenge. Five incredible finalists battled it out, but only one could become an official LEGO Ideas set. We're taking a look at all five finalists, the winning design, and what happens next for the fan designer. And finally, for the Brickshop Alternative Set of the Week, we're going WAY back to 1981 Japan for a 3,900+ piece beast-form combining mecha that might look very familiar to children of the '80s. Five robotic lions, nearly two feet tall, chrome armor, full LED lighting...Yeah. We need to talk about this one. What story are you most excited about this week? And which country would you like to see represented next in the Restaurants of the World collection? Music provided by the YouTube Music Library. #LEGO #LEGONews #LEGORumors #LEGOIdeas #LEGOGWP #YuGiOh #LEGOIcons #BrickCast #TheImaginationBrickshop

4.9
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Imagination Brickshop! This is a LEGO-centric podcast where we review sets, break down the latest LEGO news, rumors, and latest reveals.  We talk about all things LEGO and even Alt Brand sets. Whether you’re a lifelong collector, a casual builder, or just love the brick, you’re in the right place.  

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