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.
--------
21:22
--------
21:22
The Future of AI in Toys: Misha Sallee of Curio
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.
--------
24:00
--------
24:00
The Young Inventors Challenge: Powerful & Playfu.
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.
--------
31:45
--------
31:45
Matt Brown: Making Great Play
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.
--------
35:22
--------
35:22
Sue Warfield of ASTRA: Supporting Specialty
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.
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.
Portugal