We're half way through 2026 — we made it! That also means it's time to revisit the year with our friend Preternia and tell you what we think were the best toys of the year up to this point! Did any of your favorites make the list?   

Visit https://preternia.com to keep up with everything from Jon.

Follow us @aic_podcast on Instagram [https://instagram.com/aic_podcast], Facebook [https://facebook.com/aicpodcast], X [https://twitter.com/aic_podcast], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeNtqD5fka34ndNJ4kD0zlw]

Start creating a podcast today with Zencastr! Learn more. [https://zencastr.com/?via=erik]

Intro and other voices by Joe Azzari

https://www.instagram.com/voicesbyjoe/

Theme Music is "Game Boy Horror" by the Zombie Dandies

Proudly part of the Non-Productive Network [https://non-productive.com/]

The Best Toys of 2026 (So Far) Feat. Preternia

..and now for something completely different! We love movies just about as much as we love toys, and while they don't always influence each other (see Toys on Film for that), we do love talking about them! So we are proud to introduce "Adventures in Collecting: Reel Talk" where Erik and/or Dave will tackle a straight up movie review. SO... since this channel is typically about toys, what better way to launch this new episode type than with the latest Pixar movie, Toy Story 5! What did Erik think about this movie? Watch and find out!

Follow us @aic_podcast on Instagram [https://instagram.com/aic_podcast], Facebook [https://facebook.com/aicpodcast], X [https://twitter.com/aic_podcast], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeNtqD5fka34ndNJ4kD0zlw]

Start creating a podcast today with Zencastr! Learn more. [https://zencastr.com/?via=erik]

Intro and other voices by Joe Azzari

https://www.instagram.com/voicesbyjoe/

Theme Music is "Game Boy Horror" by the Zombie Dandies

Proudly part of the Non-Productive Network [https://non-productive.com/]

Reel Talk: Toy Story 5 (2026) | A Movie Review and Analysis

Do you feel that? Change is in the wind as three creatives known for their work on lines like G.I. Joe Classified and Marvel Legends at Hasbro have made the move over to Boss Fight Studio. Join us for a deep dive chat with friends of the pod Lenny Panzica, Tony Collela, Cory Cantelupe, and Chris McLeod from Boss Fight Studio as we discuss the big move, what's in store, what they'll be working on, and what they're leaving behind in this nearly 2-hour mega episode.   

Stay up-to-date on all things Boss Fight Studio https://bossfightstudio.com

Follow us @aic_podcast on Instagram [https://instagram.com/aic_podcast], Facebook [https://facebook.com/aicpodcast], X [https://twitter.com/aic_podcast], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeNtqD5fka34ndNJ4kD0zlw]

Start creating a podcast today with Zencastr! Learn more. [https://zencastr.com/?via=erik]

Intro and other voices by Joe Azzari

https://www.instagram.com/voicesbyjoe/

Theme Music is "Game Boy Horror" by the Zombie Dandies

Proudly part of the Non-Productive Network [https://non-productive.com/]

Making Toys Like a Boss... Fight Studio: A Chat with Lenny, Cory, Tony, and Chris

Welcome to AICNN (Adventures in Collecting News Network) where toy news matters! On this very special extended edition of your AIC News Brief, we're covering the top toy stories you need to know headed into the week of June 8th, 2026.

Follow us @aic_podcast on Instagram [https://instagram.com/aic_podcast], Facebook [https://facebook.com/aicpodcast], X [https://twitter.com/aic_podcast], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeNtqD5fka34ndNJ4kD0zlw]

Start creating a podcast today with Zencastr! Learn more. [https://zencastr.com/?via=erik]

Intro and other voices by Joe Azzari

https://www.instagram.com/voicesbyjoe/

Theme Music is "Game Boy Horror" by the Zombie Dandies

Proudly part of the Non-Productive Network [https://non-productive.com/]

AIC NEWS: Week of June 8, 2026

Ahoy mateys! This week we're joined by Wyoming-based creator Quaid Owen Cundall to talk all about his project — Tide-Realm Corsairs. These 1:12 scale pirate action figures sculpted and prototyped by Four Horsemen Studios need your help on Kickstarter to become a reality. Learn all about them in this episode!  

Back Tide-Realm Corsairs here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/406936874/tiderealm-corsairs-fantasy-pirate-action-figures

Follow us @aic_podcast on Instagram [https://instagram.com/aic_podcast], Facebook [https://facebook.com/aicpodcast], X [https://twitter.com/aic_podcast], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeNtqD5fka34ndNJ4kD0zlw]

Start creating a podcast today with Zencastr! Learn more. [https://zencastr.com/?via=erik]

Intro and other voices by Joe Azzari

https://www.instagram.com/voicesbyjoe/

Theme Music is "Game Boy Horror" by the Zombie Dandies

Proudly part of the Non-Productive Network [https://non-productive.com/]

You Are a Pirate: Tide-Realm Corsairs with Creator Quaid Owen Cundall

Welcome to AICNN (Adventures in Collecting News Network) where toy news matters! On this very special extended edition of your AIC News Brief, we're covering the top toy stories you need to know headed into the week of May 25th, 2026.

Follow us @aic_podcast on Instagram [https://instagram.com/aic_podcast], Facebook [https://facebook.com/aicpodcast], X [https://twitter.com/aic_podcast], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeNtqD5fka34ndNJ4kD0zlw]

Start creating a podcast today with Zencastr! Learn more. [https://zencastr.com/?via=erik]

Intro and other voices by Joe Azzari

https://www.instagram.com/voicesbyjoe/

Theme Music is "Game Boy Horror" by the Zombie Dandies

Proudly part of the Non-Productive Network [https://non-productive.com/]

AIC NEWS: Week of May 25, 2026

This week we're joined by Tyler Ham, a creative with a history that's seen him work with SEGA, Disney, ILM, Mego, and now — the Jason Universe! Erik chats with Tyler about his decades spanning career across pop culture and what it's like to be part of the team relaunching Jason Voorhees.   

Follow Tyler @tylerjham [https://instagram.com/tylerjham] on Instagram or online https://www.tylerham.com/

Follow us @aic_podcast on Instagram [https://instagram.com/aic_podcast], Facebook [https://facebook.com/aicpodcast], X [https://twitter.com/aic_podcast], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeNtqD5fka34ndNJ4kD0zlw]

Start creating a podcast today with Zencastr! Learn more. [https://zencastr.com/?via=erik]

Intro and other voices by Joe Azzari

https://www.instagram.com/voicesbyjoe/

Theme Music is "Game Boy Horror" by the Zombie Dandies

Proudly part of the Non-Productive Network [https://non-productive.com/]

Relaunching a horror icon and the worldof pop culture and collectibles with Tyler Ham

Welcome to AICNN (Adventures in Collecting News Network) where toy news matters! On this very special extended edition of your AIC News Brief, we're covering the top toy stories you need to know headed into the week of May 11th, 2026.

Follow us @aic_podcast on Instagram [https://instagram.com/aic_podcast], Facebook [https://facebook.com/aicpodcast], X [https://twitter.com/aic_podcast], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeNtqD5fka34ndNJ4kD0zlw]

Start creating a podcast today with Zencastr! Learn more. [https://zencastr.com/?via=erik]

Intro and other voices by Joe Azzari

https://www.instagram.com/voicesbyjoe/

Theme Music is "Game Boy Horror" by the Zombie Dandies

Proudly part of the Non-Productive Network [https://non-productive.com/]

AIC NEWS: Week of May 11th, 2026

Somehow we got to 200 numbered episodes—and somehow—that happened to fall on May the 4th! We're celebrating the double special occasion with friend of the pod, frequent guest, and fellow Star Wars enthusiast, Hasbro's Steve Evans! Join us as we reminisce about how we all discovered a galaxy far, far away and what it means to us today.  

Follow us @aic_podcast on Instagram [https://instagram.com/aic_podcast], Facebook [https://facebook.com/aicpodcast], X [https://twitter.com/aic_podcast], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeNtqD5fka34ndNJ4kD0zlw]

Start creating a podcast today with Zencastr! Learn more. [https://zencastr.com/?via=erik]

Intro and other voices by Joe Azzari

https://www.instagram.com/voicesbyjoe/

Theme Music is "Game Boy Horror" by the Zombie Dandies

Proudly part of the Non-Productive Network [https://non-productive.com/]

May the 4th be with You! Celebrating Star Wars Firsts with Hasbro's Steve Evans

WWE's Wrestlemania 42 is now in the books and it's time to unpack it and determine who we think is most deserving of the action figure treatment from the fine folks at Mattel. Part review, part analysis, and part fantasy booking, join us as we discuss the ins and outs of the last PLE stop on the road to Wrestlemania!

Follow us @aic_podcast on Instagram [https://instagram.com/aic_podcast], Facebook [https://facebook.com/aicpodcast], X [https://twitter.com/aic_podcast], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeNtqD5fka34ndNJ4kD0zlw]

Start creating a podcast today with Zencastr! Learn more. [https://zencastr.com/?via=erik]

Intro and other voices by Joe Azzari

https://www.instagram.com/voicesbyjoe/

Theme Music is "Game Boy Horror" by the Zombie Dandies

Proudly part of the Non-Productive Network [https://non-productive.com/]

Premium Toyetic Event: WWE Wrestlemania 42

From Funko and WWE to Star Wars, Bandai, Marvel, LEGO, and more, grab the cart and hit the aisles with Dave and Erik as they talk toy news, collecting, culture, and more!

Erik Weinbrecht

Shows