Toys & Licensing

Episode 5 — "From Creator to Global Brand: Deborah Stallings Stumm on the New Licensing Power Players" In Episode 5, Todd Lustgarten and Steve Reece sit down with Deborah Stallings Stumm , founder of CreatorCaster.com and one of the most forward‑thinking voices in the creator‑economy‑meets‑licensing space. Deborah has spent years helping digital creators, influencers, and emerging IP owners turn o...

Episode 4 — When Toy Licensing Meets Collecting (with Christian Braun, HobbyDB) In this episode of the Toys & Licensing Podcast, Todd and Steve explore one of the most powerful forces shaping the modern toy industry: the point where licensing meets collecting — and they're joined by someone who sits right at the centre of that universe. Christian Braun, founder & CEO of HobbyDB, joins the show to...

In Episode 3 of the Toys & Licensing Podcast , hosts Todd Lustgarten and Steve Reece turn the spotlight on trade shows—the beating heart of the toy and licensing industries. From networking opportunities to deal-making moments, trade shows are where brands, licensors, and toy companies come together to shape the future of play. With the forthcoming Licensing Expo in Las Vegas just around the corne...

Episode 2 of the Toys & Licensing Podcast brings a special guest into the mix—James Zahn, widely known as The Rock Father . With his unique blend of pop culture expertise, toy industry knowledge, and media savvy, James has carved out a distinctive voice in the world of toys, entertainment, and licensing. Todd Lustgarten and Steve Reece sit down with him to explore his journey, his perspective on t...

Welcome to Episode 1 of the Toys & Licensing Podcast ! Hosted by two long-time industry veterans, Todd Lustgarten and Steve Reece, this show dives deep into the world of toys, licensing, and brand building. With decades of combined experience shaping strategies, negotiating deals, and guiding companies through the ever-evolving toy and licensing landscape, Todd and Steve bring insider knowledge an...