Toy Stories

In the final episode of Season 1, we chat with industry favorite, Mary Couzin, founder of People of Play.  We talk with Mary about how she found her way into the toy industry and how she eventually became a leader in creating a community for inventors.  We talk about games and ask Mary if her years of experience have revealed a secret sauce for success.  Also, we ask Mary a question she's never been asked before.  Listen in to hear the daring question and more. 

Listen in as we talk about Dads and visit with the Top Banana at Bananagrams, Rena Nathanson.  Rena chats about the founder of the company, her Dad, Abe Nathanson.  From childhood through growing a business as partners, theirs was a wonderful, heartwarming journey.  

The always entertaining Eric Poses, owner of All Things Equal, discusses being a one-man operation and carving a path in his business life that allows him to place what he values in the forefront.  During and post Covid lockdown many people began evaluating their work life in the same terms Eric always has.  Ryan Stelzer of Strategy of Mind joins us to discuss this awakening of a segment of the workforce. 

How did The Walking Dead and running from zombies play a part in the success of the company, Hunt A Killer? Ryan Hogan and Derrick Smith, co-founders of Hunt A Killer, discuss the lessons they learned from past failures that led them to the success they are seeing now.  

Join us as we talk to two Black women business owners about how they got started, being Black-owned businesses in the toy and game industry, and their fast track from start-up to Target shelves. Don't miss our fascinating conversation with Daedrea Fenwick of Kulture Karaoke whose business literally started in a car on the way to her birthday party and Amanda Wilson, Mom to twins who took matters into her own hands when she couldn’t find representative products for her kids. 

Kevin Carroll and Steve Mark of Tenzi and Certified Play Expert Ahren Hoffman of Crazy Aaron's help us explore the psychology and physiology of why we want to play games and what keeps us coming back. Tune in to find out what Shigeru Miyamoto has in common with a fast paced dice rolling game. 

With over a decade and a half of experience in the toy industry, our co-hosts Tami Murphy and David Blanchard of GPI join host, Scott Whitney for a sneak peek at this upcoming mini-series podcast taking a deeper look at the games we love and the people who made them real.   Episode 1 drops March 22, 2022.