166 episodes
The Playground Podcast Chris Byrne
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- Kids & Family
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4.8 • 13 Ratings
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Join Chris Byrne, The Toy Guy® as he presents a series of interviews with industry experts will tackle the topics of the toys, culture, toy history and talk with some of the leading people in the business of toys and children’s entertainment. Designed for anyone interested in toys, play and great stories, each weekly episode will feature engaging, entertaining conversation, useful information, insights, tales of the toys that we’ll never forget and so much more.
As they say, if it concerns toys and play, we’ll be kicking it around in The Playground.
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-playground-podcast/support
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Remembering Richard Gottlieb
Richard Gottlieb's death on October 26 from ALS was a blow for the people who knew and loved him, the toy industry, and, of course, this podcast.
In this short segment, Chris remembers and honors Richard and all his contributions, his amazing spirit and kindness, and much more.
We also talk a bit about continuing this show both to serve the industry and to honor Richard's memory.
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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-playground-podcast/support -
John Tong: Hong Kong, Opportunities and the Future
Chris talks to John Tong, chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council Toys Advisory committee. (Just one element of his diverse career.) They talk about Toy Fairs, opportunities in Hong Kong and how Hong Kong is coming back as a business center and gateway to Asia coming out of the pandemic.
The conversation was recorded at New York Toy Fair, and Richard and Chris divided and conquered to see as much of the show as possible...and find new guests for the rest of the season.
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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-playground-podcast/support -
A Change in the Era: A Chat with Litzky PR
Richard and Chris talk with Michele Litzky and Josslynne Welch about the history of Litzky Public Relations, the evolution of PR over the past quarter century, and the transition as Josslynne takes over the reins of the company.
It's a great conversation about toy industry history, succession planning, and much more. Listen in as we talk to two major players in the toy industry.
(Apologies for the cellphone going off. We didn't want to edit that out. Just pretend you're at a Broadway theater and annoyed. That's what Chris would do.)
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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-playground-podcast/support -
Mary Couzin: Creating Community in the Toy Biz
Chris and Richard talk to Mary Couzin about her career, the creation of People of Play, the upcoming 21st edition of the Chicago Toys & Games Fair, and the Young Inventors Challenge.
It's an energetic conversation, and you'll see why from her passion for play and the business to all she does why she's joining the Toy Industry Hall of Fame this year.
Listen in...and get as excited as we are about Mary and her work.
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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-playground-podcast/support -
Eric Poses: 25 Years of Winning
Chris talked with Eric Poses of All Things Equal Games about the 25th Anniversary of Leading Questions and his repeat of the cross-country car trip he did to launch the game in 1997. We caught up with him just as he was leaving. for 22 cities, with a stop at New York Toy Fair.
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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-playground-podcast/support -
Gaming the Industry: Elan Lee of Exploding Kittens
Richard and Chris talk with game inventor Elan Lee about his hugely successful game Exploding Kittens, developing great games, and his new line of Kitten Games, which Elan developed with his 4-year-old daughter.
This high-energy conversation will have you thinking about what makes a good game in the current market. Elan is also hugely entertaining and thoughtful about the role of games in our lives.
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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-playground-podcast/support
Customer Reviews
A Window Into the Toy Business
I absolutely love this podcast! Richard, Chris and their guests consistently offer information about recent trends in the toy business while reaching back through history to inform and entertain listeners about the impact that vintage toys and toy pioneers have had over the years.
I especially like learning about different demographics (like the influence of Aunts and Grandparents), as well as recent and upcoming toys, game consoles and entertainment properties.
Love Chris Bryne and so glad to learn about his podcast!
Making my way through all of Richard’s and Chris’ podcasts! Learning so much from their guests and getting huge chuckles from their sense of humor!
Fun and informative
Just listened to the Eggmazing story and found it both entertaining and enlightening (just like the best toys!).