When The Toy Coach was picking up steam, many people told me a focus on DEI and being black would be to the benefit of my business, but… my instincts said otherwise. And now? I was right.

This episode explores my personal feelings about the DEI initiative rollbacks that started with the US federal government and spilled out into a few corporations, how we feel, what we think, and what we’ll do now. 

Be sure to check the show notes for links to black-owned businesses you may be interested in buying from.

Let’s face it: toy brands get almost ALL the glory, but the inventors behind the product—people like you—deserve the spotlight too. In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, I’m sharing 5 lessons to take you from hidden genius to rising star, inspired by my own experience and my recent convo with Tim Walsh, inventor of ‘Blurt!’.

What if a simple classroom activity could unite generations? In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, we’re celebrating 30 years of Blurt with its inventor, Tim Walsh, and uncovering how a classroom exercise—reading dictionary definitions—sparked the creation of a game that’s built vocabularies, brought families together, and supported memory care.

Tim shares the journey of Blurt, from its beginnings as DeFUNitions to becoming a household favorite. We also spotlight the unsung heroes of the toy world—inventors who are “criminally unrecognized” despite creating cultural phenomena like UNO and LEGO. We explored how the industry can better recognize inventors, following examples set by Euro games that feature designers prominently.

Tim also highlights why play is essential for creativity, connection, and overcoming challenges—proving that toys are far more than just playthings.

Whether you’re a toy enthusiast, an entrepreneur, or someone who values the power of play, this episode will leave you inspired to think differently about toys—and the brilliant minds behind them.