The Iconic Dollcast

This week on The Iconic Dollcast, I’m joined by Nick (@dadsdolls), a doll collector, Barbie lover, customizer, and doll photographer!

Nick and I dive into his history with dolls, from his earliest memories and what it was like growing up loving dolls to the collection he has built today. We talk about his favorite eras of Barbie, his love for more recent releases, and some of the most special dolls in his collection.

We also get into the creative side of the hobby, including customizing, rerooting, doll photography, and sharing a collection on social media. Nick opens up about being an adult doll collector, dealing with judgment, and what it means to feel supported in a hobby that still carries plenty of stereotypes.

Of course, we have LOTS of Barbie talk! We discuss where Barbie stands in 2026, areas where we think the brand could still improve—including the lack of body and skin-tone diversity among Ken dolls—and some of Nick’s unpopular doll opinions.

Plus, we talk recent purchases, the new Deluxe Disney Villains dolls, and plenty more from the world of doll collecting.

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This week on The Iconic Dollcast, I’m joined by doll collector and artist Valerie (@mystitchindolliverse)

Valerie and I are diving into the creative world of doll artistry — from the dolls that first sparked her love of collecting to Blythe dolls, her favorite projects, and how she developed her own style as an artist.

We’re also getting into the reality behind creating: the tedious little tasks that go into a finished doll, challenging projects, the eternal struggle of keeping a craft room organized, and of course, why doll artists can NEVER bring themselves to throw away those tiny scraps of fabric and materials that might come in handy someday.

Valerie also shares her five essentials for anyone interested in trying doll design themselves, what social media has been like as a doll artist, and some of the latest pieces she’s been working on.

It’s a fun, creative conversation about collecting, making, and everything that happens behind the scenes before a finished doll ever makes it onto Instagram.

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This week on The Iconic Dollcast, we’re heading to Flatsyville! 🎀

I’m joined by Emily (@emily.in.flatsyville), a passionate collector of the wonderfully quirky and colorful Flatsy dolls of the 1960s and ’70s, and she’s here to give us a full introduction to these vintage cuties.

Emily takes us through the history of Flatsy — when the dolls first appeared, who produced them, what made them unique, and just how popular they were during their original run. We get into their adorable packaging, accessories and playsets, the different sizes they came in, and their surprisingly colorful hair that helped Flatsy stand out from other dolls of the era.

We also talk about the many Flatsy knockoffs, reproductions, and what it’s actually like to collect these dolls today. Emily shares tips for finding Flatsy dolls online, what collectors can expect to pay in 2026, which dolls are harder to track down, and some of the favorites from her own collection.

Whether you’re already a Flatsy fanatic or — like many collectors — have seen these little faces before but never knew their story, Emily is taking us on a trip through one of the most charming corners of vintage doll history.

Welcome to Flatsyville! 💕

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This week I’m joined by Frank (@fashionqueerhistorian) — doll collector, published author, fashion historian, and PhD researcher whose work explores queer fashion doll collectors and the relationship between dolls, identity, gender, and fashion.

We talk about Frank’s own history with dolls, why doll play has traditionally been so heavily gendered, and why boys playing with Barbie has historically been viewed so differently from girls playing with action figures. Frank also takes us inside his academic research and explains how something as seemingly simple as playing with and collecting dolls can tell us so much about gender, queerness, culture, and self-expression.

Then, of course, we get into BARBIE AND FASHION! We discuss Barbie’s relationship with the fashion industry, queer designers and fashion houses, some of Barbie’s greatest — and not-so-great — fashion moments, where Barbie fashion stands today, and Mattel’s complicated history when it comes to explicitly LGBTQ+ Barbie and Ken dolls.

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This week on The Iconic Dollcast, I’m joined by Summer (@dontouchmytoys), a toy and doll collector and the creator behind the fantastic Don’t Touch My Toys Instagram and YouTube accounts!

Summer and I dive into her journey as a collector, the wide variety of dolls and toys in her collection, and some of the most memorable pieces she’s found along the way. We also talk about the thrill of thrifting, her methods for finding hidden gems, underrated pieces in our collections, and those dream items that are still on the wish list.

We also get into the realities of sharing a hobby online—from navigating a large social media following to balancing collecting and content creation with a full-time job. Plus, we discuss the sometimes shady side of the collector community, why the word “influencer” gets thrown around a little too easily, and the pressures that can come with turning something you love into online content.

Summer also takes us inside her doll and toy space, shares some of her favorite finds, and gives her best advice for anyone looking to start—or grow—their own collection.

It’s an honest, fun conversation about collecting, thrifting, social media, and simply loving your toys.

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The Iconic Dollcast is back! 💖 After a much-needed summer break, I’m checking in with a quick life update, chatting about what I’ve been up to, and giving you a little preview of what’s coming this fall!

The fall season officially kicks off with the Patreon premiere on October 2nd, followed by the return of weekly main episodes of The Iconic Dollcast on October 4th! 🎙️✨ I’m sharing all the details about what you can expect from Patreon, including bonus episodes, early access and lots of new conversations beyond the usual doll talk.

You can SUBSCRIBE to the Patreon Channel NOW!

Thank you for sticking with me during the break. I’m so excited to be back! 💕

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Patreon: @Iconicdollcast

Join me for an incredible extra-long conversation with one of the toy industry’s most accomplished designers, Stefanie Eskander, whose remarkable career has spanned more than 45 years.

Beginning as a children’s illustrator before transitioning into toy design, Stefanie has worked for some of the biggest names in the business, including Mattel, Hasbro, Tonka, Fisher-Price, Play Along Toys, and Small World Toys. Her creative fingerprints can be found on some of the most beloved toys and dolls of the last four decades, including Moonglow (Rainbow Brite), Popples, Jem and the Holograms, Sweetie Pops, Maxie, MoonDreamers, Tonka Trucks, Cabbage Patch Kids, Skydancers, and so much more.

Stefanie also takes us behind the scenes of one of the most fascinating eras in toy history—working at Hasbro during the legendary Jem and the Holograms vs. Barbie and the Rockers rivalry. We discuss what it was really like designing toys at major companies, juggling multiple product lines in different stages of development, and navigating the creative and corporate challenges that come with bringing iconic toys to life.

We also dive into why toy and doll designers so rarely receive public recognition, the strict confidentiality surrounding unreleased projects, and the reality that many toys can spend months—or even years—in development before never making it to store shelves. Finally, we explore how the toy industry has evolved over the decades and what it’s really like to build a career creating the toys that shaped generations.

This is a fascinating conversation filled with incredible stories, behind-the-scenes history, and insights you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you’re a lifelong collector, toy enthusiast, or simply curious about how your favorite childhood toys came to life, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

This episode also marks the finale of this year’s Summer Session! Thank you so much for spending your summer with me and all of my incredible guests. The Iconic Dollcast will return this fall with an all-new lineup of episodes, interviews, and deep dives into the world of dolls, toys, and pop culture. I can’t wait to share what’s next—see you this fall!

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This week on The Iconic Dollcast, I’m joined by Dr. Erick DuPreefor one of the most thoughtful conversations we’ve ever had about what doll collecting really means. We go far beyond the dolls themselves to explore identity, memory, history, and the deeply personal connections that make this hobby so meaningful.

We discuss Erick’s own journey with dolls growing up, why doll collecting is so often misunderstood as an “immature” hobby, and why male collectors frequently face even greater criticism. We also challenge the common assumption that collecting is always about healing childhood trauma and explore how every collector brings something unique to the hobby.

Together, we dive into how our collections often reveal more about who we are than we realize, why doll collectors can sometimes become defensive, the unique language and culture that exists within collecting communities, and the important role dolls play in preserving history. We also discuss how doll companies can continue expanding diversity and representation, Erick’s published books on dolls and doll collecting, and so much more.

Whether you’ve been collecting for decades or have never understood why someone would, this conversation offers a fascinating look at the psychology, culture, and lasting importance of doll collecting.

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Celebrity dolls have been a part of pop culture for nearly a century, and in this episode I’m counting down my Top 10 favorite celebrity dolls in my personal collection!

Before the countdown, we take a quick look back at the history of celebrity dolls, beginning with the iconic Shirley Temple dolls of the 1930s and how celebrity dolls evolved into the collectibles we know today.

From Lindsay Lohan, Brandy, Hilary Duff, and a few unexpected picks (yes… Fran Fine from The Nanny makes the list!), to pop culture icons like the Spice Girls and Britney Spears, I’m sharing the dolls that mean the most to me, why I love them, and what makes each one so special.

I also talk about how valuable many of these dolls have become over the years, whether their quality still holds up by today’s standards, and finish things off with an unboxing of Mattel’s brand-new Miley Cyrus doll!

Whether you’re a longtime doll collector, a pop culture fan, or just feeling nostalgic, I hope you enjoy this countdown!

✨ Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and let me know in the comments: What’s your favorite celebrity doll of all time?

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This may be the most random Doll Check-In yet.

This week I’m talking about American Girl’s 40th Anniversary releases (so far), the newly revealed Girl of the Year, JAKKS Pacific’s upcoming Super Villain (and Supergirl?) dolls, and why I passed on the new Padmé Amidala collector doll. I’ll also discuss the new Barbie Deluxe Rare Find doll featuring the classic Superstar face mold and ask the important question: why is the new He-Man doll so ridiculously attractive?

My main topic, though, is KATSEYE. Why are there still no KATSEYE dolls on the market? I break down the group’s potential as a doll brand, the very obvious parallels between KATSEYE and the Spice Girls, and why I think next year would be the perfect time for the Spice Girls dolls to make a comeback.

This week on The Iconic Dollcast, I’m joined by fellow American Girl enthusiast Blake Changnon (@blake.changnon) for a heartfelt conversation about the dolls, books, and characters that have stayed with us throughout our lives.

Blake shares his personal journey with American Girl and how the brand helped him navigate difficult challenges growing up, offering comfort, inspiration, and a sense of belonging when he needed it most. Together, we discuss the lasting impact of American Girl’s stories, the historical characters that resonate most with us, and why these dolls continue to matter decades after their debut.

We rank favorite dolls, books, and outfits, debate which character is the most iconic in the brand’s history, and reflect on the memories these beloved characters have given us. We also dive into the realities of being adult doll collectors—especially as men—and why collecting is more accepted today than ever before, while still carrying certain stigmas and misconceptions.

Along the way, we talk about how doll collecting influences friendships and relationships, how American Girl has evolved through changing times and fan criticism, and our thoughts on the brand-new The Making of American Girl book.

Whether you grew up with these characters or discovered them later in life, this episode is a celebration of the stories, history, and community that make American Girl so special.

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This week on The Iconic Dollcast, HAPPY PRIDE 🌈 — I’m joined by Peter Andrew Danzig for a conversation all about queer representation in dolls… and why it’s so often hidden in plain sight. From queer-coded fashion dolls to the rare few that were actually marketed as openly gay, we explore the complicated history of sexuality, masculinity, censorship, and identity in the toy aisle.

We dive into the controversy surrounding dolls inspired by Elton John and Keith Haring, the legacy of Gay Bob, Magic Earring Ken, RuPaul, Trixie Mattel and so much more — including how even American Girl has faced controversy over LGBTQ+ representation. We also discuss why male dolls still struggle with body diversity and how characters like Ken have been heavily queer coded for decades without companies ever fully acknowledging it.

From camp to controversy, coded marketing to genuine inclusivity, this episode explores what queer representation in dolls has looked like in the past — and what we hope it could become in the future.

This week on The Iconic Dollcast, I’m joined by Madeline and Malachi (@all.my.plastic.children) for the first-ever couple interview on the show—and it’s one of the most unique conversations we’ve had yet. Brought together through a shared love of dolls, toys, and miniature worlds, the two open up about their relationship, their collecting journeys, and the very eclectic tastes that make their collection stand out.

We talk about what truly makes dolls so special, why some people are fascinated by them while others seem uncomfortable, and whether the fear surrounding dolls is really just fear of the unknown. We also discuss the realities of collecting as a couple, the assumptions often made about male doll collectors, and the social dynamics that come with sharing your passion online.

Plus—we dive deep into the incredible world of SMART DOLLS: where they came from, what makes them different, and why they’ve developed such a devoted fanbase. Madeline and Malachi also get candid about social media notoriety, online bullying, and the highs and lows of being visible in the collector community

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This week on the Iconic Dollcast I’m joined by doll and toy designer Cimmi (@thedollhead) for a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the toy industry.

Cinni worked for Play Along, Mattel, Hasbro and more — helping create dolls tied to major pop culture icons including Hannah Montana, The Cheetah Girls, Taylor Swift and many other unforgettable toy lines from the 90s and 2000s.

We discuss how she worked her way up in the industry, the reality of designing dolls and toys to fit strict budgets, and what it was like seeing her creations hit store shelves for the very first time. We also talk about her work on brands like Cabbage Patch Kids, Polly Pocket, Baby Alive and My Little Pony, along with the evolution of toy design from hand sculpting to 3D printing and scanning.

If you’ve ever wondered how dolls actually get made or what it really takes to build a career in toy design, this episode is packed with nostalgia, insider stories and behind-the-scenes insight.

USE CODE "ICONIC" at https://www.seaglimmers.com/ for a 10% discount on the BRAND NEW Seaglimmers eco friendly plush dolls!

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This week on the Iconic Dollcast, I’m joined by Jenna (@heyyalldolls) for a fun and nostalgic conversation all about the joy of doll collecting and the memories attached to it. We dive into the dolls from our childhoods that somehow disappeared from memory until we rediscovered them years later—and why those finds can feel so emotional and special.

We also talk about the luxury (and chaos) of having a dedicated doll room, how the perception of adult doll collecting has evolved over the years, and the huge role social media has played in bringing collectors together from all over the world. There’s something really special about finally “finding your people” in the doll community, and we get into how that sense of connection has changed the hobby for both of us.

Of course, we couldn’t skip American Girl. We discuss our favorite historicals, the best places to hunt for dolls, why there are far more adult AG collectors than people realize, and why restoring and refurbishing American Girl dolls is weirdly therapeutic and satisfying. We also share some of our best thrift store finds, thoughts on the newer modern AG dolls, and plenty more doll collector rambling along the way.

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This week on The Iconic Dollcast

I’m joined by Paige (@thenostalgiatoybox) for a deep dive into the toys that defined our childhoods—from the late 90s into the early 2000s. We’re talking everything from Strawberry Shortcake to Polly Pocket, Barbie to American Girl—and the unforgettable playsets (yes… the toy food!!) that made these worlds feel so real.

We get into Paige’s personal collection growing up, what made these toys so special, and how the quality compares to what we’re seeing on shelves today. Plus, we break down the essential toys of the era, shout out some seriously underrated gems, and revisit icons like Doodle Bears, Furby, and Water Babies.

And of course—we couldn’t ignore the massive nostalgia wave taking over toy aisles right now. Is it living up to the hype?

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This week on The Iconic Dollcast, I’m taking you inside the Denver Doll & Toy Super Show! 🛍️

Come along for a vlog-style day as I break down my budget, wishlist, and expectations before hitting the floor—then I take you through some of the most unique vendors and standout finds of the show. As well as some classic and random favorites!

Spoiler: Britney was nowhere to be found 👀

Barbie and Star Wars completely dominated—and American Girl was noticeably missing.

Plus, I’m showing you what I bought, what I probably shouldn’t have bought, and the items I regrettably left behind!

If you love dolls, collecting, and the thrill (and regret) of the hunt… this one’s for you.

This week on The Iconic Dollcast, I’m joined by Riccardo (@lonely.doll_) for a fun and honest conversation all about our doll journeys and the pieces that mean the most to us—especially when it comes to Barbie.

We dive into what it’s really like collecting outside of the U.S., including the rising challenges collectors are facing worldwide and how tariffs have impacted the accessibility and pricing of dolls across the globe.

We also get into the current state of the doll industry—why Monster High continues to be a major competitor to Barbie (and shouldn’t be underestimated), plus a little My Scene nostalgia and how the new releases compare to the originals.

From the growing normalization of doll collecting to the creative (and sometimes painful) process of customizing and rerooting, we cover both the joy and the reality of the hobby. We also explore the evolving role of AI in the toy industry—what it could mean moving forward, for better or worse.

Plus, we share our personal grail dolls, recent purchases, and so much more.

This week on Iconic Dollcast, I’m joined by Sam (@samanthajeanv on TikTok) for a deep dive into all things American Girl —from nostalgic childhood memories to the brand’s modern evolution.

We explore how our adult interests in history and storytelling connect back to the dolls and books we grew up with, and why those iconic American Girl catalogs (that every grandma somehow had lying around) made such a lasting impact.

We also get into some very real character debates—like why Samantha Parkington might be one of the most misunderstood dolls in the lineup… and why Molly McIntire might actually deserve the “brat” title instead 👀

Plus, we dive into:

• How the American Girl brand has shifted over the years—and what we think about where it is today

• The importance of the original historical books vs. the newer adaptations

• A spoiler-filled discussion on Raquel Reyes and why she feels like a step in the right direction

• The brand’s approach to rereleases and the interesting choices they make to keep the historical line alive

• Our picks for the most underrated and overrated dolls

It’s nostalgic, a little controversial, and full of love for the stories and dolls that shaped us.

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This week on The Iconic Dollcast, I’m joined by Bobby (@blytheandfriendz) for a deep dive into the whimsical, collectible world of Blythe dolls.

Bobby shares his personal doll journey—including what it was like growing up with a passion that wasn’t always understood—and how he found his place within the doll community. Together, we explore the fascinating history of Blythe, from their original 1972 release by Kenner to their unexpected resurgence as a global collector favorite.

I’ll be learning right alongside you as Bobby breaks down what makes Blythe dolls so unique—from their signature look to the artistry of customization and the passionate community behind them. We also get into the different companies that have taken on Blythe over the years, how to spot an authentic doll vs. a knockoff, and why getting your hands on a real Blythe today can be a bit more complicated than you might expect.

Plus, we talk about Blythe’s surprising impact on pop culture, and why these dolls continue to captivate collectors around the world.

If you’ve ever been curious about Blythe—or just love hearing about the deeper stories behind doll collecting—this episode is for you.

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