This week ttep inside the vivid mind of the artist as he unpacks the wild ride of launching Mind Sponge a boundary-pushing toy brand blending 80s nostalgia, street culture, and pop absurdity. From a robotic ice cream cone to bat-inspired figures and cuckoo clocks, Mindsponge Toys pulses with bold energy and personal story. He opens up about the struggles and sparks of his creative journey how ADHD, addiction recovery, and deep love for music and toys shaped his path.

Whether it's growing a brand from the ground up, building hype with smart drops, or navigating the wild west of vinyl production, Mindsponge Toys delivers raw insight with heart. Plus, you’ll get the inside scoop on upcoming drops like Robo Sun and Collider Bat.

If you’re a fan of designer toys, DIY creativity, or just chasing what sets your soul on fire his is the episode you’ve been waiting for.

On Instagram: @mindspongetoy

This Episode is Sponsored by: Empire Blisters – Your go-to source for blister packaging! With 19+ styles and bundle deals, they’ve got everything you need to make your toys shine. Use code TOYSONTAP10 at checkout for 10% off. Patreon members get 20% off another reason to join!

Want to become a sponsor? Email: toysontappodcast@gmail.com

Support the Show on Patreon Unlock exclusive episodes, early access, and behind-the-scenes content: patreon.com/toysontap

Thanks to Our Supporters: @dketoys | @massiveminihorse | @dimensionxtoys @bootlegtoyco | @pocket_salsa | @dirtyyetti @dan_overdorff_art | @zimotco | @barbarian_rage @mannycartoonstudios | @pickmansvinyls Shaun C. Downey | @richiemanic | @recollectiontoys @rubbercitytoys | @acid9toys | @teneki_toys @angryhedgehog

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Ben, co-owner of ToyCon UK and Ko-Re Ko-Re, joins Toys on Tap to break down the highs and hurdles of the 2024 show. With 46 booths and 10 tables packed, the event hit full capacity, drawing global talent and even an appearance from Mutant Vinyl Hardcore.

We dive into the logistical chaos of planning in London, from venue headaches to managing crowds with a queue lottery system.

We also unpack the explosive rise of Labubu, the toy causing frenzy (and fights) in East London, and discuss why Pop Mart’s artist-driven approach might just outshine Funko.

Plus: 2025 plans, shipping shifts to Hong Kong, and why international trade politics are making toy production harder than ever.

Hit play—this episode is a full booth breakdown for collectors and creators alike.

On Instagram: @toyconuk

This Episode is Sponsored by: Empire Blisters – Your go-to source for blister packaging! With 19+ styles and bundle deals, they’ve got everything you need to make your toys shine. Use code TOYSONTAP10 at checkout for 10% off. Patreon members get 20% off another reason to join!

Want to become a sponsor? Email: toysontappodcast@gmail.com

Support the Show on Patreon Unlock exclusive episodes, early access, and behind-the-scenes content: patreon.com/toysontap

Thanks to Our Supporters: @dketoys | @massiveminihorse | @dimensionxtoys @bootlegtoyco | @pocket_salsa | @dirtyyetti @dan_overdorff_art | @zimotco | @barbarian_rage @mannycartoonstudios | @pickmansvinyls Shaun C. Downey | @richiemanic | @recollectiontoys @rubbercitytoys | @acid9toys | @teneki_toys @angryhedgehog

Rate & Review the Show! Leave a rating and review wherever you listen it's the best way to help Toys on Tap grow!

We are back at it again with Ron English in this fourth installment of his life. We journeyed through his toy making as he has taken on some of the most intense messaging and "propaganda". The same spirit we heard about with his billboards, we saw in his toys.

From MC Supersize and Temper Tot, Ron knows no boundaries in making toys.

Here how he has pushed the limits of what toys can be on this weeks episode of Toys on Tap!

On Instagram: @ronenglish

This Episode is Sponsored by: Empire Blisters – Your go-to source for blister packaging! With 19+ styles and bundle deals, they’ve got everything you need to make your toys shine. Use code TOYSONTAP10 at checkout for 10% off. Patreon members get 20% off another reason to join!

Want to become a sponsor? Email: toysontappodcast@gmail.com

Support the Show on Patreon Unlock exclusive episodes, early access, and behind-the-scenes content: patreon.com/toysontap

Thanks to Our Supporters: @dketoys | @massiveminihorse | @dimensionxtoys @bootlegtoyco | @pocket_salsa | @dirtyyetti @dan_overdorff_art | @zimotco | @barbarian_rage @mannycartoonstudios | @pickmansvinyls Shaun C. Downey | @richiemanic | @recollectiontoys @rubbercitytoys | @acid9toys | @teneki_toys @angryhedgehog

Rate & Review the Show! Leave a rating and review wherever you listen it's the best way to help Toys on Tap grow!

On this episode of Toys on Tap, we dive deep into the incredible career of legendary artist and toy maker Mark Nagata, a pioneer in the world of sofubi and the creative force behind Max Toy Company. From childhood days obsessing over kaiju figures to airbrushing at the Academy of Art, Mark takes us on a wild ride through freelance illustration, Goosebumps covers, magazine publishing, and building a toy empire with his son Max.

Hear how a chance encounter with artist Kazuhiko Sano sparked a lifelong love for airbrush art.

Discover what it was like illustrating for Goosebumps and navigating the shift from traditional to digital.

Travel with Mark to Japan, where his heritage and passion for soft vinyl toys collide in powerful, personal ways.

This isn’t just a conversation; it’s a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and radness.

On Instagram: @maxtoyco

This Episode is Sponsored by: Empire Blisters – Your go-to source for blister packaging! With 19+ styles and bundle deals, they’ve got everything you need to make your toys shine. Use code TOYSONTAP10 at checkout for 10% off. Patreon members get 20% off another reason to join!

Want to become a sponsor? Email: toysontappodcast@gmail.com

Support the Show on Patreon Unlock exclusive episodes, early access, and behind-the-scenes content: patreon.com/toysontap

Thanks to Our Supporters: @dketoys | @massiveminihorse | @dimensionxtoys @bootlegtoyco | @pocket_salsa | @dirtyyetti @dan_overdorff_art | @zimotco | @barbarian_rage @mannycartoonstudios | @pickmansvinyls Shaun C. Downey | @richiemanic | @recollectiontoys @rubbercitytoys | @acid9toys | @teneki_toys @angryhedgehog

Rate & Review the Show! Leave a rating and review wherever you listen it's the best way to help Toys on Tap grow!

Summer Slime is back and we’re diving into its roots, growth, and the community that makes it one of the most beloved events in the indie toy scene. In this episode, we sit down with Quang of Creature Bazaar to unpack the origin story of Summer Slime, originally started by legendary artist Paul Kaiju, and how it evolved into the vibrant, backyard-style toy gathering it is today.

Quang shares how Creature Bazaar stepped in to host the show after it lost its original venue, and how they’ve turned it into more than just a toy drop, think tacos, artist-designed tees, a curated crowd, and a vibe that feels like family. From pandemic phone calls with Bawana, Paul, and John Rampage to organizing full-scale toy events like Creature Vision, Quang gives us a glimpse into what it takes to build lasting connections in the toy community.

Whether you're a long-time collector or a first-timer, this episode will get you hyped for the August 2nd event in Santa Ana and show you why Summer Slime isn’t just a show, it’s a movement.