Podcasts about Birkin

On today's MJ Morning Show: Pope RIP Someone marred the Howard Frankland Bridge Morons in the news Red Robin's 'bottomless' burger How should you give a handshake? Do women want a red pill or blue pill type (Matrix reference) What is 'hat fishing' when it comes to dating? Rotten kids in the neighborhood Pope RIP Top 100 places to celebrate Easter Singer claims he was high 24/7 back when he sang the band's hits 88-year-old woman's home burned down by neighbor burning sex toys FSU resumes classes Birkin bags... how much do they cost to make? How does the way someone smells affect friendship? Video... guy has refrigerator balanced on his head while bicycling Billy Ray Cyrus and Elizabeth Hurley Capital One is buying Discover Martha Stewart took a dig at Katy Perry 2025 Michelin Stars... none for Tampa Bay area Sam's Club model removes all checkout lanes Flight canceled when a flight crew member doesn't show up

This week, we're uncorking a bottle and unraveling a digital dilemma: why does Gen Z believe everything they hear on TikTok? Will they be able to Klarna their $1,400 Birkin?We're bringing the hot takes, sipping some wine, and asking the real questions: Is it a vibe, or is it just misinformation with good lighting?Pour a glass and press play—because this one's going to be juicy.Wine: Panilonco Reserve Carmenère (Trader Joe's)

The Birkin bag made by French luxury retailer Hermès has become a status symbol for the global elite. Notoriously difficult to obtain, the world's rich obsess over how to get their hands on one. But when US retailer Walmart recently launched a much cheaper bag that looked very similar to the Birkin, nicknamed a "Wirkin" by others, it sparked discussions about wealth disparity and the ethics of conspicuous consumption.In this episode we speak to two sociologists, Parul Bhandari from the University of Cambridge in the UK and Aarushi Bhandari from Davidson College in the US, about the Birkin and what it symbolises. This episode was written and produced by Katie Flood. Sound design and mixing by Eloise Stevens and theme music by Neeta Sarl. Read the full credits for this episode and sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation.If you like the show, please consider donating to The Conversation, an independent, not-for-profit news organisation.Birkin bags, Swiss ski resorts and Louis Vuitton: how super-rich Delhi housewives strive to be part of a global eliteBirkin handbags, Walmart's ‘Wirkin' and the meme-ification of class warfare

US President Donald Trump has called for Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to be fired, a day after the central bank chief delivered a stark warning about the effects of tariffs. Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping is ending his Asian tour with a visit to Cambodia, portraying China as a stable trading partner. Plus, the Hermès Birkin handbag is about to get a lot more expensive, at least in the US. 

Jerome Powell zit in een spagaat met zijn rentebeleid. Een beleid dat overhoop wordt gegooid door Donald Trump. De baas van de Amerikaanse centrale bank geeft nu openlijk toe dat in écht in een dilemma zit. Hij is bezorgd dat hij binnenkort moet kiezen tussen het beheersen van de inflatie en het ondersteunen van de economische groei. Christine Lagarde (van de Europese Centrale Bank) heeft ook een probleem. De inflatie in Europa is al jarenlang te hoog, maar nu naderen we het punt dat 'ie te laag is. Wij van BNR Beurs zijn de beroerdste niet en kijken deze aflevering hoe die twee centrale bankiers de problemen moeten oplossen. En vooral: wat jij er als belegger van merkt. Dan hoor je ook meer over chipproducent TSMC. Het gerucht ging dat dat bedrijf Intel ging redden, door nauw met ze samen te werken. TSMC helpt Intel nu uit de droom: dat gaat niet gebeuren. Wel laten ze hun aandeelhouders dromen van goede resultaten: ze gaan ondanks de handelsoorlog gewoon hun doelen halen.Over die handelsoorlog gesproken: we hebben het ook over Georgia Meloni. Zij is Europa's geheime wapen. De premier van Italië gaat namelijk in gesprek over de tarieven-tsunami van Trump. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jerome Powell zit in een spagaat met zijn rentebeleid. Een beleid dat overhoop wordt gegooid door Donald Trump. De baas van de Amerikaanse centrale bank geeft nu openlijk toe dat in écht in een dilemma zit. Hij is bezorgd dat hij binnenkort moet kiezen tussen het beheersen van de inflatie en het ondersteunen van de economische groei. Christine Lagarde (van de Europese Centrale Bank) heeft ook een probleem. De inflatie in Europa is al jarenlang te hoog, maar nu naderen we het punt dat 'ie te laag is. Wij van BNR Beurs zijn de beroerdste niet en kijken deze aflevering hoe die twee centrale bankiers de problemen moeten oplossen. En vooral: wat jij er als belegger van merkt. Dan hoor je ook meer over chipproducent TSMC. Het gerucht ging dat dat bedrijf Intel ging redden, door nauw met ze samen te werken. TSMC helpt Intel nu uit de droom: dat gaat niet gebeuren. Wel laten ze hun aandeelhouders dromen van goede resultaten: ze gaan ondanks de handelsoorlog gewoon hun doelen halen.Over die handelsoorlog gesproken: we hebben het ook over Georgia Meloni. Zij is Europa's geheime wapen. De premier van Italië gaat namelijk in gesprek over de tarieven-tsunami van Trump. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Perché non ho questa borsa? La prima clip è un breve estratto di “Je t'aime… moi non plus” cantata da Jane Birkin e Serge Gainsbourg (etichetta Fontana, 1968 all rights reserved). La seconda e la terza clip sono tratte dal canale YouTube CBS Sunday Morning all rights reserved. Nell'immagine, la vera borsa di Jane Birkin

Thank you to Polygon for supporting this show.

Can you fund your retirement by selling Air Jordans? We learned that Hermès Birkin bags have averaged an annual increase in value of 14.2%, outperforming the S&P 500—but are they truly investments? Investors often view illiquid assets positively because they're tangible, whereas stock investments can be up one minute and down the next. We explore the world of alternative investments in collectibles, including designer handbags, sneakers, cars, fine art, baseball cards, and more. Should these luxury items be part of your portfolio?A financial adviser can help you see the full picture, taking into account your tax situation and other assets that may be put to better use.Henssler Money Talks — April 12, 2025  |  Season 39, Episode 15Follow Henssler:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HensslerFinancial/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/HensslerFinancial LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/henssler-financial/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hensslerfinancial/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hensslerfinancial?lang=en X: https://www.x.com/hensslergroup “Henssler Money Talks” is brought to you by Henssler Financial. Sign up for the Money Talks Newsletter: https://www.henssler.com/newsletters/ 

This week on the SheerLuxe Vodcast, Polly Sayer is joined by Harriet Russell and Vanessa Menrad. Together they discuss whether influencers are turning their backs on luxury fashion, especially in light of recent safety concerns surrounding high-end items like Birkin bags. The three then go on to share some book recommendations – including Emily Henry's upcoming release Great Big Beautiful Life – before going on to talk about the significance of turning 30 and the pressures that come with milestone birthdays. They then turn their attention to this week's hottest culture news, including a star-studded theatre production featuring Cate Blanchett, a new Netflix murder mystery series and our new cover star Ramla Ali. Finally, the trio tackle some listener dilemmas…Subscribe For More | http://bit.ly/2VmqduQ Get SheerLuxe Straight To Your Inbox, Daily | http://sheerluxe.com/signup Congratulations to Lauren Pluguez for winning the Our Place bundle. Please email podcast@sheerluxe.com with your details and colour choice so we can send it your way!COMPETITION | Fenty BeautyTo enter, please leave a comment below stating why you love the SL podcast! We will then pick a winner. Please read the T&Cs before entering.* Terms & Conditions: The entrant must be 18 or over to enter, and it is only valid to UK entrants. Only one entry per person. No alternative cash or otherwise to the stated prizes are available. SheerLuxe is not responsible for and will not offer any compensation, financial or otherwise, for any loss, damage or disappointment arising if the prize is not fulfilled by the providing company for any reason whatsoever. PANELPolly Sayer | @pollyvsayer | https://www.instagram.com/pollyvsayer/ Harriet Russell | @harrietrusselll712 | https://www.instagram.com/harrietrussell712/ Vanessa Menrad | @vnssmnrd | https://www.instagram.com/vnssmnrd/ AD | Dune London | https://www.dunelondon.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elle porte un manteau de fourrure coupé comme un trench, sur une robe polo, qui recouvre elle-même une nuisette beige en soie. Sur ses mains, des gants roses. A ses pieds, des mocassins en cuir marron. Une barrette retient ses cheveux miel. Un sac Birkin promène son nécessaire, notamment les cigarettes cachées dans une boîte de cotons tiges, qu'elle fume en secret. Aujourd'hui, en partenariat avec La Cinémathèque française, je vais vous raconter l'histoire de la silhouette légendaire de Margot Tenenbaum.La magnifique exposition consacrée au cinéaste vous attend, tout comme les costumes de l'héroïne, à la Cinémathèque française à Paris jusqu'au 27 juillet

Cardi B was stunned to find that her 6-year-old daughter Kulture, who she shares with estranged husband Offset, drew a little black heart on her just over R 1 million Birkin bag. So we wanted you to tell us what the most expensive thing your child has ever broken...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An abandoned NYPD precinct in Brownsville will be converted into affordable housing after a deal between the city and developers. Meanwhile, authors Otessa Moshfegh and Eddie Huang are auctioning off personal items — including a fake Birkin bag and a used toothbrush — at Chinatown's Golden Unicorn restaurant. Plus, as wildfires become more frequent in New York and New Jersey, WNYC's Sean Carlson speaks with Friends of Firefighters founder Nancy Carbone, counselor Kia Carbone, and FDNY firefighter Michael Schreiber about the toll on firefighter mental health.

One-on-one pod today, Chris is in New York, and TJ is in Hawaii. We chat about our emoji usage, Erewhon hotel pop-ups, emotional support water bottles, buying out the bar from seat 39C, a Hawaiian musician playing covers at the gastropub, getting lei'd, Jake Gyllenhaal's Broadway "gut reno," competitive Sauana mastery, Chris went to a breadless i-D Magazine dinner at Raf's, death to false Birkin distressing, a review of the Graydon Carter memoir, and TJ did some shirtless driving. twitter.com/donetodeath twitter.com/themjeans howlonggone.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New Sode; DAS is (not so) GOOD. I am involved' with a new CEO of an AI x Crypto project that is a copy French pasta of Fetch AI that accomplishes nothing  dragged me from Gstaad to the filth of New York City Midtown for Digital Asset Summit but he promised me a J12 and PaxG if I was good. Obviously I was not. My Proof of Work is that I did not do any. Alas, I felt like John Mayer wandering through the halls of the Javits Center, wanting to scream at the top of my lungs, there is just no such thing.   Is there no more deeply offensive question than “What are you excited about in crypto right now?”  Such a statement to me indicates you cannot differentiate wine varietals, do not have a subscription to Barrons and your porn collection is not international.  In veritas- I'm excited about its impending doom to smithereens with a side order of Depinned Tokenized Real world perps all over my body on a new L2 rolled up on SUI on an AI bot money laundered on a hooker in Miami at the Penthouse in the Faena. Alas, the plethora of stupidity within the web3 ecosystem continues to amaze and inspire me to pivot to something real and pure, like Tether.But I digress. My guest today is the striking barbie doll former Duchess of the Surf Lodge turned career crypto Degen Ms Jessica Rossman.  Do not be fooled by her French manicure and blonde tresses; her pipeline is longer than your term sheet as well as your you know what. I have been a fan of Jessica since the Bush administration, and how could you not, what with her Jewish persuasion, pithy vocabulary, her ana Kate Moss high cheekbones, Bera Baddy accessories and her ability to have every low tier L2 founder salivating at her feet for a .. job at any waking side event- is where her magic only beginsHer illustrious career began where every good story should, working for Diet Queen Tanya Zuckerbrot Dietician to the star as her diamond right hand where Louboutins and size 0 was the office aesthetic, much like Binance.. As a wannabe elitist rich skinny bitch like yours truly,  I followed Jessica's every move and every bite in an attempt to have the lifestyle that I deserved . Until of course, she was horrifically wrongly accused of being an ADHD pill frontrunner of Ms. Zuckerbrots entire operation by the Diet world's SBF equivalent named Emily Gellis in a Federal Lawsuit in a pathetic attempt to take Queen Zuckerbrot down. Luckily, like SBF, Emily did not succeed and Jessica escaped unscathed reputation intact and found salvation in being a hot Degen girl in crypto alongside the wisdom to know that the truth, like code, and like Trust Fund always prevail. Jessica now serves as the Business Development Lead at Kadena, a Proof of Work Token that horizontally scales. Jessica is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to conference survival tips, Degen trading, Panel outfits, telegram organization, not letting Federal lawsuits get you down, and most importantly that routine is the death of any existence. Most importantly, Jessica stands by that it is harder to get off the waitlist for a Birkin than to understand building on Kadena. 

When it comes to collecting, few people do it with the same passion, precision, and pure joy as Marci Hirshleifer. As a key force behind the legendary luxury retailer Hirshleifers, she's not just curating for the store—she's curating for herself. From an ever-expanding rainbow of Chanel flap bags to vintage and modern Hermès Kellys & Birkin's that have been worn in just right, her collection is both deeply personal and endlessly aspirational.But Marci isn't just about amassing things—she's about using them. In a world where collectors often keep pieces locked away, she believes that luxury is meant to be lived in. Bags inside of bags, jewelry stacked to perfection, charms that make every piece feel like hers—Marci's effortless maximalism has become its own form of influence, inspiring collectors around the world to embrace their own styles boldly.Of course, collecting is in her DNA. Hirshleifers has been setting the standard in luxury retail for over a century, and while her mother and aunts didn't always see themselves taking over the family business, for Marci, the pull was undeniable. A big reason for that? Her aunt Lori Hirshleifer—who has been a guest on this very show—was more than just family. She was a mentor, a style icon, and a major influence on the way Marci collects. The two share a love for the hunt, an appreciation for both the new and the storied, and a philosophy that true luxury is about confidence and self-expression.Now, as the head of personal shopping and a driving force behind the women's buying team, Marci is in a unique position—balancing her own collector's eye with the ever-evolving tastes of the clients she styles. Today, we're diving into the mindset of a true collector—what makes a piece worthy of her collection, the thrill of the hunt, and why some of the most valuable things are the ones that get used and abused the most. Let's get into it. This is Marci Hirshleifer, for Collectors Gene Radio.Hirshleifers - https://hirshleifers.com/Marci's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/marcihirshleiferCameron Steiner - https://www.instagram.com/cameronrosssteinerCollectors Gene - https://www.collectorsgene.com

Ep. 183: For this Girl Chat, we're joined by Hannah Chody—content creator, entrepreneur, and all-around style expert. She's built a loyal following for her effortlessly chic fashion and sharp business insights, but today, we're going deeper. Hannah breaks down the secretive process of buying a Birkin, gives us an inside look at her Lake Como wedding—including what she'd do differently—and shares how she made the leap from Wall Street to entrepreneurship. Plus, we get into her family's legacy with Garrett Popcorn and how she revived an Austin cult-favorite nut milk brand. It's a fun and fascinating convo about style, business, and going after what you really want in life. Leave Me a Message - click here! For Mari's Instagram click here! For Pursuit of Wellness Podcast's Instagram click here! For Mari's Newsletter click here! For Hannah's Instagram click here! Sponsored By: Upgrade your wardrobe with luxury essentials at a fraction of the price. Shop Quince for high-quality cashmere, silk, and more—50–80% less than similar brands. Get free shipping and 365-day returns at quince.com/pow. Turn your home into a sanctuary with Cozy Earth's ultra-soft bedding and bath essentials. Get 40% off at cozyearth.com/pursuit with code PURSUIT. Ditch the toxins and switch to safe, effective cleaning with Branch Basics. Get 15% off at branchbasics.com/POW15 with code POW15. #branchbasicspod Upgrade your sleep with Dream Recovery. Get deeper rest and glowing skin with their innovative sleep essentials. Use code PURSUIT15 at dreamrecovery.io for an exclusive discount. Upgrade your protein game with Maui Nui—100% wild-harvested, stress-free venison packed with clean, nutrient-dense protein. Supplies are limited, so grab my favorite cuts now at mauinuivenison.com/POW. Show Links: Boost your energy and focus with Bloom Sparkling Energy—zero sugar, natural caffeine, and prebiotics for a refreshing lift without the crash. Topics Discussed 00:00:00 Welcome 00:00:41 Hannah's background 00:02:37 The grind at Goldman Sachs 00:08:09 Biggest shift from NYC to Austin 00:10:31 Tips on making new friends 00:13:58 How Hannah met Chad 00:16:34 9+ year relationships 00:21:18 Hannah's engagement 00:23:10 Hannah's wedding 00:24:39 Some of Hannah's favorite wedding things 00:27:28 Things to avoid during wedding planning 00:28:40 Day of wedding advice 00:29:54 How Hannah became a content creator 00:34:34 How to handle online criticism  00:37:28 Hannah's personal style 00:41:30 Lore of a Birkin bag 00:44:55 How to get a Birkin bag 00:52:48 The food in Europe vs. the food in the U.S 00:55:23 Fronks 00:59:41 Tom Ford eye shadow dupe? 01:18:00 Has Hannah had work done? 01:02:43 How would Hannah style Taylor Swift? 01:04:25 Emotional and logistical wedding tips for brides  01:05:23 Tips for exchanging vows 01:06:18 Designer items to splurge on on a budget 01:07:33 What made Hannah join the family business 01:09:13 Skincare and beauty must haves 01:11:06 How to stand out in a saturated industry? 01:14:16 What to invest in for a luxury style on a limited budget

Love is in the air—or should we say Je t'aime… moi non plus? Comedian Milo Edwards joins Gráinne Maguire and Chantal Feduchin-Pate for a deep dive into France's most effortlessly cool couple: Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin. A whirlwind romance of cigarette smoke, black paint, and an unfortunate incident with a ruler, their love defined an era—though, like a well-worn Birkin bag, it didn't stay pristine forever. This week, it's the most French episode of the podcast so far. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rolex is a series of paradoxes. They sell obsolete and objectively inferior mechanical devices for 10-1000x the price of their superior digital successors… and demand is stronger than ever in history! Their products are comparable to a Hermès Birkin bag in price, luxury status and waitlist times… yet they produce over 1m units / year (roughly 10x annual Birkin production). They make the most universally recognized and desired Swiss watches… yet their founder wasn't Swiss and didn't start the company in Switzerland! If Rolex were publicly traded, they'd almost certainly be among the top 50 market cap companies in the world… yet they're 100% owned by a charitable foundation in Geneva that (among other things) literally just gives away money to local people in the city.Tune in for one of the most fascinating and admirable companies we've ever covered on Acquired. We had an absolute blast making the episode, and hope you enjoy it as much as we did!Sponsors:Many thanks to our fantastic Spring ‘25 Season partners:J.P. Morgan PaymentsServiceNowFundriseHuntressLinks:The Renaissance of the Swiss Watch Industry - Marc BridgeHODINKEE - Inside All Four Rolex Manufacturing Facilities“If you were…” campaignWorldly Partners' Multi-Decade Rolex StudyEpisode sourcesCarve Outs:BlueyAcquired on Armchair ExpertEleven ReaderMore Acquired:Get email updates with hints on next episode and follow-ups from recent episodesJoin the SlackSubscribe to ACQ2Check out the latest swag in the ACQ Merch Store!‍Note: Acquired hosts and guests may hold assets discussed in this episode. This podcast is not investment advice, and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any financial transactions.

WELCOME TO CARRIED AWAY... THE SATC REWATCH PODCAST - where two twenty something women rewatch the iconic 90s series... twenty something years later. In this weeks episode we see Sam loose a Birkin and a new client, Miranda reveals she is pregnant, Carrie lies to Aidan about her past  & Charlottes gets some devastating news about her ability to conceive. We get Carried Away… discussing the complexities of Charlotte and Miranda's situations & the impact on their friendship, Carrie's search for answers about her past choices, Mirand-ie and the decaf coffee pods, a 4k Birkin, Charlottes fertility doctors lack of training, Miranda's support for Charlotte, Sam's waiting list frustration, Carrie telling Aidan Miranda's secret, Miranda's choice, 3 aunts and abso-fucking-lutely everything in between. Find out which characters we relate to most and our hilarious quotes of the episode!

The collagen powder at the supermarket? Total garbage. But Jena Covello's? ELITE.Jena is the mastermind behind Agent Nateur—the luxury skincare brand taking over Hollywood, featured in Vogue, Erewhon, and Net-a-Porter. Diagnosed with endometriosis at 23, she ditched traditional medicine for alternative healing and built one of the most sought-after skincare lines EVER. In this episode, Jena spills the real tea on “clean beauty” lies, industry buzzwords, and the Birkin... plus a few words on Melania Trump's style and influence in the fashion world. Buckle up!❗️Disclaimer: This episode is not sponsored by Agent Nateur, and there are no affiliate links or discount codes associated with the brand. This is just a genuinely fascinating conversation with a true pioneer in the space.Thank you to our sponsors!

How do toys shape who we become? Today, I sit down with a fascinating toy historian Chris Byrne who reveals the hidden power of play - from how different toys develop everything from relationship skills to problem - solving abilities.    We explore why true play isn't about reaching an end goal, but about embracing the pure joy of the journey. Whether you're looking to understand the art of playing alongside your kids or giving them space to explore independently, this episode will transform how you think about playtime. Join us for a rich conversation about rediscovering the magic that happens when we give ourselves permission to simply play.   After exploring the art of play with our toy historian today, I want to share something powerful with you. My book Fertile Imagination tackles a crucial truth: we can't guide our children toward imagination if we've lost touch with our own. I'll show you the exact framework I used to reawaken and strengthen this superpower – the same one that transformed both my life and my three sons'. If you're ready to rediscover your creativity and childlike zest for life, grab your copy now: https://bit.ly/fertilebook     In this episode, you will hear:    Play is a process, not a means to an end, and embracing it can reduce stress. Imagination influences every decision we make. Playing with toys helps kids develop problem-solving and relationship skills. Adults benefit from play too—it fosters creativity, joy, and innovation. Letting children lead playtime strengthens their confidence and creativity. Kids learn by doing, and unstructured play is vital for their development. In corporate settings, a playful mindset can unlock new ideas and innovation. Fear of failure limits creativity—kids don't judge play, and neither should we.   This episode is brought to you by:    Fertile Imagination: A Guide For Stretching Every Mom's Superpower For Maximum Impact – My book is available as a hard cover, paperback, and also as an audiobook. If you are on the go and wish to quickly jot down where you can purchase the book then head to: https://bit.ly/fertilebook.    If however you want to grab the audio version then head to the show notes to click the direct Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Fertile-Imagination-Stretching-Superpower-Maximum/dp/B0CK2ZSMLB   About Chris Bryne   Chris Byrne has spent over 35 years in the toy industry, holding major marketing and creative roles before launching Byrne Communications, a consultancy specializing in product development, strategic planning, and marketing. A passionate advocate for the power of play, he has studied its impact on child development and creativity across industries. He has appeared on major media outlets worldwide, sharing insights on toys, play, and innovation. He also co-hosts The Playground Podcast, diving deep into the toy industry's past, present, and future.   SHARE this episode with fellow moms and entrepreneurs who want to bring more creativity into their lives! Chris's insights on play, imagination, and innovation are a must-listen for anyone balancing motherhood and career growth. Let's embrace play, rediscover joy, and inspire the next generation! Supporting Resources:   Website: https://www.thetoyguy.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetoyguy/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetoyguyofficial/ The Playground Podcast: Spotify & Apple Podcasts Subscribe and Review   Have you subscribed to my podcast for new moms who are entrepreneurs, founders, and creators?  I'd love for you to subscribe if you haven't yet.    I'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast for writer moms. About Fertile Imagination   You can be a great mom without giving up, shrinking, or hiding your dreams. There's flexibility in how you pursue anything – your role, your lifestyle, and your personal and professional goals. The limitations on your dreams are waiting to be shattered. It's time to see and seize what's beyond your gaze. Let's bridge your childhood daydreams with your grown-up realities. Imagine skipping with your kids along any path – you, surpassing your milestones while your kids are reaching theirs. There's only one superpower versatile enough to stretch your thinking beyond what's been done before: a Fertile Imagination. It's like kryptonite for impostor syndrome and feeling stuck when it's alert!    In Fertile Imagination, you will awaken your sleeping source of creative solutions. If you can wake up a toddler or a groggy middle schooler, then together with the stories in this book – featuring 25 guests from my podcast Unimaginable Wellness, proven tools, and personal anecdotes – we will wake up your former playmate: your imagination!  Advance Praise    “You'll find reality-based strategies for imagining your own imperfect, fulfilling life in this book!” —MARTHA HENNESSEY, former NH State Senator    “Melissa invites the reader into a personal and deep journey about topics that are crucially important to uncover what would make a mom (and dad too) truly happy to work on…even after the kids are in bed.” —KEN HONDA, best-selling author of Happy Money    “This book is a great purchase for moms in every stage of life. Melissa is like a great friend, honest and wise and funny, telling you about her life and asking you to reflect on yours.” —MAUREEN TURNER CAREY, librarian in Austin, TX           TRANSCRIPT 00:00:00 Chris: I really believe is what we play with as kids really becomes, we become a lot of that. And we had a basement in our house that had a room in it, that had a window in it. And my brothers and I would create puppet shows. And we would do that. And we would just go round up all the kids in the neighborhood and say, you have to watch this puppet show. And they did. I mean, they were good. But it was really about storytelling. It was about connection. It was about making things up and just feeling very alive in that moment, feeling very connected to who I was at that time and being able to share that with other people. 00:00:43 Melissa: Welcome to the Mom Founder Imagination Hub, your weekly podcast to inspire you to dream bigger. Plan out how you're going to get to that next level in business, find the energy to keep going, and make sure your creative juices are flowing so that this way you get what you really want rather than having to settle. Get ready to discover how mom founders have reimagined entrepreneurship and motherhood. Ever wonder how they do it? Tune in to find out. 00:01:09 Melissa: And stretch yourself by also learning from diverse entrepreneurs who might not be moms, but who have lessons you can tailor about how you can disrupt industries and step way outside of your comfort zone. I believe every mom's superpower is her imagination. In this podcast, I'm gonna give you the mindset, methods, and tools to unleash yours. Sounds good? Then keep listening. 00:01:36 Melissa: So how do toys shape who we become? Have you ever asked yourself that question as you are giving your child a toy? If that toy is going to influence their career choices ahead or the way that they are, their character. Today, I sat down with a fascinating toy historian, Chris Byrne. 00:02:04 Melissa: Now he is a 35 year plus veteran of the toy industry. He's held major marketing and creative positions earlier in his life. And he's appeared on TV talking about toys and play in the US and around the world. He's even been on the Live with Kelly and Mark show as a regular guest. And he has his own podcast, by the way, the Playground Podcast. 00:02:29 Melissa: So, Chris reveals today the hidden power of play, from how different toys develop everything from relationship skills to problem-solving abilities. We also explore why true play isn't about reaching an end goal, it's about embracing the pure joy of the journey. So, whether you're looking to understand the art of playing alongside your kids or giving them some space to explore independently, this episode is going to change how you think about playtime. So I encourage you to join us for this rich conversation about rediscovering the magic that happens when we give ourselves permission to just play. 00:03:10 Melissa: Okay, so before we jump into the conversation, I wanna just let you know that after the conversation, I would invite you to explore the art of play with my book, Fertile Imagination. Why is that relevant to you as a mom? Here's what I want you to know. It's really hard to guide our kids toward imagination if we've secretly lost touch with our own. So in my book, Fertile Imagination, I share with you the exact framework that I used in order to reawaken my imagination, play with my imagination, stretch my imagination, and strengthen what I believe to be our greatest superpower. 00:03:56 Melissa: So this framework is super simple to follow. It is guided and it is also provided in lots of really cool journaling question prompts in the book. And it's gonna be the same exact process that I used in order to really get back in touch with that little childlike spirit that all of us has, but maybe we forgot we have held quite tightly close to our hearts. 00:04:22 Melissa: So, I invite you to go ahead, rediscover your creativity, and see if you can find your childlike zest for life. Because I really believe that it's hard to teach our kids things that we may have forgotten are natural to us, and maybe came naturally to us when we were younger. So enjoy the conversation. The link to the book is available in the show notes where you're listening to this. Let me read the actual link so that you can learn more about my book, Fertile Imagination. 00:04:53 Melissa: It is a bit.ly link. So it is bit.ly/fertilebook. You can absolutely grab a copy right there of Fertile Imagination. If you wanted the audio version that is available exclusively via Amazon. So go ahead and check out the show notes for that link. Thank you again. And I hope you enjoy the conversation and let me know what you think at the end, I will share with you my top three takeaways that you can apply to your immediate mom life. Thank you so much. 00:05:28 Melissa: Chris Byrne. I am so excited to have you here on the Mom Founder Imagination Hub. How are you? 00:05:35 Chris: I am very well. I'm so excited to be with you. Thank you so much for the invitation. 00:05:40 Melissa: I couldn't get enough of your TED Talk. I was like, oh my gosh, he's not just a toy historian. He's like a toy psychologist. I loved it. I loved it. So welcome to the show. Chris, I want to just start with the big, big question on my mind. Help me understand from your perspective, decades in the industry, learning about the art of play, like what is an imagination to you and do you consider it a superpower? 00:06:12 Chris: Well, I absolutely consider our imagination our superpower. It is the one thing that, really one of the many things that really define us as human beings. Nothing happens in our world that doesn't start in the imagination. It can be, what do I want for lunch? Or what do I want to be when I grow up? Or should I marry this person? Or should I have children? 00:06:34 Chris: Or whatever it is because we begin in the imagination and other kinds of animals, you just put food in front of them and they eat, it's instinctual. But for us, it's not- as humans, it's not just instinctual. We literally create our worlds on a daily basis and that starts in the imagination. 00:06:54 Melissa: I agree. And it's interesting because as a fully grown adult, I would say that when I was writing my book, Fertile Imagination, and I see it as like a superpower for moms who are technically adults. I feel like it's a topic that is seldom discussed amongst adults. Like, is this something that you are noticing? Or maybe, you know, people that have that childlike quality because of your industry? What's your take on imagination, the art of play, and being an adult? 00:07:30 Chris: Well, I think all of those are really critical to who we are, because play is really the act of asking a question, what if? What if I do this? What if I, you know, as an adult in can be, what if do whatever? For me, as a kid is like, what if I jump off this wall? What's gonna happen? You know, but we grow up and we have a little bit more, more adult kind of perceptions, if you will, for that. And it really is like trying to spin out a scenario. 00:08:06 Chris: So if I am going to take a new job, for example, what is that gonna be like? Who am I gonna be working with? And we begin to develop stories around things in our imagination. And those stories are very important because we really can't take action to make things real until we've imagined them as a concept. 00:08:28 Melissa: Yeah. And so, okay. So this is something that I'm struggling with right now. This is like real time, I need some help, get me unclogged sort of stuff. So this idea of having a story in my mind and having a vision I want to make real, the vision side of it is so hard right now for me to see, mainly because it's like, there's things that I've envisioned in the past, but I haven't made happen. So I don't know kind of like how to play myself to a solution or a vision or just kind of like, think with a little less of like the past, you know, like hindering this vision. 00:09:15 Chris: Right. It's a great, it's a great thing. I mean, I'm sorry you're going through that, but I think that if you look at how a child plays, right, when they get an idea and they don't sit there and think, well, if I just do this or I do this or I do that, it's going to be fun, right? They come, that's not fun. I'm done. I'm on to the next thing. And I think as adults, we should do that too. If something is becoming too much effort, if it's not working, then we just drop it and go on to the next thing. 00:09:47 Chris: And I don't think there's any harm or foul in that. And I think that when you look at a kid who is imagining and playing, they're not judging the play as they're doing it. They're looking at well, where did this take me and where should I go next from it? And it's a much freer, kind of more peaceful way to go through the world. 00:10:08 Chris: I mean, I talk about things that I've done that turned out to be mistakes. And I call them I said, well, that was a once in a lifetime experience. As in I don't have to do that again. I learned the lesson. 00:10:20 Melissa: Yeah. And I think, you know, approaching any problem from that perspective releases that pressure to get it right the first time. And it gives you like the levity to get back up and just be like, okay, let's go at it again. And I imagine like, cause I noticed also, and I know that this side of it might be a little bit more conventional thinking, but like, you actually bring these ideas into corporate settings, you know, the art of play. 00:10:51 Melissa: And I'm like, if I think about the different environments where it's not okay to play. It's not okay to make mistakes. Like how do you sell that idea of we're just playing right now and don't get frustrated if it works or not in like a corporate setting, you know? 00:11:11 Chris: Well, one of the things that's so interesting in a corporate setting is people come into a meeting or a brainstorming and they're focused on one specific outcome, right? So if you're focused on an outcome, you kind of end-run the process of play because play is a process. Play is asking, what if, you know, let's go down this road and let's go down this road and see what it is. So I always encourage people to be as off the wall as possible. I will give you an example that almost got me fired. 00:11:43 Melissa: This is a good one, okay. 00:11:44 Chris: And nobody will like it, but I was working with Ideal, with Ideal Toy Company and we had the Shirley Temple doll. And nobody, we had these porcelain $400 Shirley Temple dolls and Shirley Temple dolls were huge in the '30s and still with doll collectors, but nobody was buying them. And we thought, how do we get rid of them? And I said, well, why don't we put them on the QE2 and use them as skeet? Like people can launch the doll. 00:12:11 Chris: So the brand manager got really mad at me. And told me I was inappropriate. But as we talked more, we ended up doing a doll collecting event with Cunard that actually turned out to be good. So the idea is, go out there and play off the wall in a safe environment, obviously. So the idea of creating an environment where it's safe to play, where it's safe to have that sort of impulsive childish response to a situation is okay. 00:12:45 Chris: We would never have promoted that in a corporate sense. But the idea that we were just playing with ideas and being silly. That opens the pathway to being really creative and to seeing what could actually work. And then once you get that, you put the action steps in place to get to the next step. 00:13:05 Melissa: Yeah, I think just, you know, going crazy and just really trying to break out of conventional thinking and our very logical pathways in our mind, it's like first we do this, that, the other. It's almost like some sentences, right? And the way we like greet each other, it's so like rehearsed that to come up with something like, oh my gosh, I love your outfit. You know, it reminds me of like a toy soldier or something. It would be like way off, but it would start rapport, I think. Rapport or like, you know, people would be like, kind of weirded out. But I've always tried that. How can I not weird people out? 00:13:44 Chris: Well, it's, right, well, that's always a question, but I don't really worry about that too much. But I think that one of the things, again, as I was saying about process, but also getting over fear, right? As adults, we think, well, what if I get it wrong? Children, when they play, if you watch them play, they don't worry about getting it wrong. They just think, well, that didn't work. That didn't do what I wanted it to do. Let me do something else. They haven't built a hierarchy of judgment and really being unkind to themselves about doing something wrong. 00:14:19 Chris: And if you embrace play, there's really no kind of, you can't be wrong when you're playing, right? Some things may be practical, but there's imagination and there's spinning things out, things that might never become real, but then things that actually could practically become real. And the process of getting to that point is actually pretty joyful. 00:14:42 Melissa: And I think we could all use some more joy these days, that's for sure. Adults and children alike. So let's see, let's go back in time. So let's go back to the time where you recall maybe playing with a toy and feeling like an insane amount of joy. If you can think about, you know, your one moment or one of the moments, I'm curious to hear your perspective. 00:15:06 Chris: Well, it's really interesting because one of the things that I really believe is what we play with as kids really becomes, we become a lot of that. And we had a basement in our house that had a room in it. They had a window in it. And my brothers and I would create puppet shows. And we would do that. And we would just go round up all the kids in the neighborhood and say, you have to watch this puppet show. And they did. They were good. But it was really about storytelling. It was about connection. It was about making things up and just feeling very alive in that moment, feeling very connected to who I was at that time and being able to share that with other people. 00:15:52 Melissa: Wow, so that's interesting. So it's funny because I feel like maybe I was, because I was an only child for most of my upbringing, like a lot of the things I did were just on my own and I had to really figure out how to make something out of what was around me. So let me share like this one thing that I would do to just pass the time. And of course, like in the background, like there was like maybe Magnum P.I. playing or, you know, name- Hawaii Five-0, whatever my mom was into. 00:16:25 Melissa: So I would go to the closet and I would take out a shoebox. And I would proceed to create like a scene. So they're called dioramas. I looked it up because I was like, this is a weird thing that I just kept doing all the time. And then I would create little figurines and put like little slots, you know, on the sides and move the little carboards in and out, you know. And I was like, okay, I have to ask Chris, like, what does that say about me? I have no idea. 00:16:56 Chris: Well, I mean, I would say it sort of starts you as a storyteller, which is what you're doing today. You're telling stories and you're facilitating other people telling stories. But it's also, I mean, especially for children at that age, it's about trying to make sense of the world and the stories they tell us, like trying to make sense of relationships. I'll tell you another story. 00:17:18 Chris: Years ago, we were playing with some kids with Barbie dolls. And they had all these different Barbie dolls. And one kid took all the blonde Barbie dolls and they were making fun of the brunette Barbie doll. And we were just watching this and going, yeah, this is somebody who is working out a reality in their life. 00:17:38 Chris: And that is really what play is, because even as she, in this case it was a girl, became powerful in that situation, was able to stand up for herself, you're giving your brain the sense that you can actually do this. If you do it vicariously, you've already had that experience on some level. So that when you confront that in real life, it might be easier, or you might have a solution. 00:18:03 Chris: I mean, how many times do you go into a situation, an interview or whatever, and you've rehearsed what you're gonna say? And your brain already knows that. It's like visual, what they talk about in sports about visualizing, you know, the outcome. You know, you're already having that experience, which is so cool. Cause our brain doesn't know the difference sometimes between reality and what we imagine. 00:18:24 Melissa: I love that. I love that. And so, yeah, who knows what I was trying to work out? There are a lot of things going on in my home. I'll tell you that much. But yeah, I think, you know, that idea though, just like trying to work things out that, you know, maybe you don't have that first person experience with, but like doing it through the use of a toy. Have you noticed at a curiosity any sort of changes with the dynamics between toys and kids now that there's like AI sort of toys out there? 00:19:01 Chris: There are so many different types of play experiences. What we were just talking about is more traditional doll or action figure or stuffed animal kind of play where a child is really doing that. Some of the other stuff with AI or licensed space like Star Wars, Marvel, all of that is beginning to understand yourself as a capable human being. 00:19:23 Chris: So for example, if I'm a superhero, I can feel. I can have the feeling of what it's like to be a superhero. And I always say, if your life is all about mom is in control, eat your peas, get in the minivan, do your homework, suddenly if you're a superhero, that's very empowering. And then empowering as an individual to be able to confront the world in a different way because you're empowered. So it's very classical, the kind of totemistic idea that we take on the powers of the superheroes. 00:19:59 Chris: And even though we're not gonna fly, we're not gonna lift, we're not gonna pick up a truck, we're not gonna do that, you have the emotional sense of capability, which is really what it's all about. 00:20:10 Melissa: That's interesting. I think, I mean, I don't know. Now that I think about my kids, for example, their toy experiences these days is really YouTube videos and playing video games and things like that. And I wonder if that's also along the same thread of what you just said, feeling the different capabilities like running fast or jumping high, things like that. 00:20:37 Chris: I think definitely. I mean, it's, you know, YouTube videos are like today's cartoons, right, on some level. You know, I grew up watching cartoons and, and it was- so they're looking at who are my role models and who are, you know, somebody's doing something. Oh, I'd like to try that. And, you know, or oh, wow, they tried that, I'm not gonna do that, but what would it be like if I did this kind of thing? 00:21:03 Chris: So I think that it's a window on the world and people are always concerned about screen time and I'm never concerned about screen time so much as I'm concerned about what's on the screen. So that is what's being modeled through the YouTube things, things that you as a mom or a parent want your child to be consuming because it can be very supportive or it can be kind of dangerous depending on what kids have access to. 00:21:30 Melissa: Yeah. And it's so interesting what you're sharing right now, because I mean, I had Saturday morning cartoons, for example, and I ate a lot of cereals with all the dyes and all these other things. And my kids literally tell me, they're like, oh, we want to have Saturday morning cartoons just like you. But of course, it is that YouTube thing. And I limit it to SpongeBob. Like, that's appropriate for their ages right now. 00:21:54 Melissa: But I think that's so interesting, this whole idea of rehearsal and visualization and imagination. I wonder because when it comes to toys and just the way that they've changed through the years, how did, for example, Tickle Me Elmo, how did that support people in terms of capabilities or anything? I'm curious. 00:22:22 Chris: Well, Tickle Me Elmo was kind of an outlier in that, you know, in terms of classical play. Tickle Me Elmo became a fad, right? And fads take on a life of their own. They kind of jump the shark or jump from the toy industry because Tickle Me Elmo started as an entertaining little preschool doll for preschoolers, infants and preschoolers. Suddenly it becomes this whole cultural phenomenon that everybody has to have. 00:22:50 Chris: It becomes, so it's a fad, so it becomes kind of a marker in time. So if you were around for Tickle Me Elmo, and you remember that, it's sort of a springboard to your memories of what the latter part of 1996 was about, because that's when Tickle Me Elmo was really huge. So that's not really kind of play in the way that I talk about it a lot. That becomes a cultural event. And my other joke about Tickle Me Elmo, Tickle Me Elmo was $40 really, basically, or more. You know, you can have a Tickle Me Elmo and be really cool for a lot less than you can have a Birkin bag. 00:23:26 Melissa: Wow, yeah, that's true. That is true. It's so funny, this conversation just takes me down the whole nostalgic route. Like I'm thinking about my Steve Urkel joke pull doll. Do you remember that one? 00:23:39 Chris: Yeah, yeah, of course. 00:23:41 Melissa: Yeah, so anyways, I'm totally like aging myself right now. I'm like, oh, I had Steve Urkel and I had Popples and all the like. What do you think, you know, nostalgia? Let's talk about that. Because I feel like a lot of marketers use that, you know, in order to kind of like pull forth a certain generation, let's say. And I even feel like at a supermarket, like I'm like, I think they know who their shoppers are with the music. But let's talk about nostalgia. 00:24:09 Melissa: Like, and again, thinking about more quote unquote modern toys, you know, like. And back to like these like electronics, like do you think that it'll be the same sort of calling card, I think is the right phrase? Like when someone starts saying, oh, like, let's say 10 years from now, you know, what's the name of the- Stumble Guys? Like, do you think that people will say like a certain like thing on video games and it'll have the same emotional pull as like Tickle Me Elmo, Popples, or Cabbage Patch? 00:24:41 Chris: It's hard to know. The thing about nostalgia is it's really for adults, right? Nostalgia is for people looking back. When you're three and four, you're not nostalgic for much. You're not remembering much. Maybe you remember your pull ups, right? When you had your pull ups. But you don't, you're not really nostalgic for something because you haven't been around that much. 00:25:03 Chris: The challenge from a toy marketing standpoint is relying on nostalgia to sell toys. Because I mean, yes, there's a certain level of you as a mom had My Little Pony or Littlest Pet Shop or any of those huge hits, Masters of the Universe. And you want to share those with your child. But for it to engage your child's imagination, there has to be something authentic to them. It's not just, mom liked this, so I'm going to like it too. That doesn't really work. 00:25:31 Chris: Look at Barbie and how Barbie's been redefined over the years, because Barbie always reflects the culture at any given time. So in 1959, she could be a fashion model or a bride, right? Pretty much, those are the Barbie options. Today, there are hundreds of careers and there's hundreds of abilities. And Barbie, the Barbie line looks like the world kids are growing up in, just as it did in 1959. It's just a more diverse and broader world with more possibility for girls and women today than it was in 1959. 00:26:08 Melissa: So when it comes to the toy industry, who's actually using their imagination to come up with like what to make for the future? Like, is it a combination of kids and adults? Is it like who's actually imagining like right now, like in the Mattels, et cetera, you know, what's coming down the line like 10 years from now? It's going to be hot and cool. And like, how do you how do you imagine something like that? 00:26:36 Chris: Well, it's hard. I mean, I think I think it's like, you know, my crystal ball usually needs a shot of Windex so I could get a clearer sense. But it's more an art than a science, that's for sure. And it's looking at trends. It's looking at how are kids playing, how are they interacting, how are they socializing, what is fun to them, and what's going on in the culture at large. Because the toy industry always reflects the culture. 00:27:03 Chris: We're always reflecting, because kids, you know, most healthy kids, they aspire to being big. They wanna grow up and they want the things like their parents have. So back in the, you know, in the early 2000s when cell phones came out, you saw tons of preschool cell phones, right? You don't see that so much anymore because the preschoolers have a real cellphone. 00:27:25 Chris: But you see things that will allow them to feel like they are part of the culture and they are growing up into it and that they are older and perhaps more capable than they really are because that's an important imaginative tool to help in the maturation process. 00:27:41 Melissa: That's fascinating. So that's true. It was definitely a lot of like, I don't know, mommy and me things. Like you see them with like a cash register or like a Target cart, right? The plastic little one, right? Cause their parent is shopping at Target. And so I wonder because it's like, there's some habits that as a parent, like maybe we wanna shake off ourselves, but we're inadvertently doing a lot. 00:28:06 Melissa: So like the cellphone one, I'm like, oh God, yeah, mommy has a cellphone and now her child does too. And it's like, how can I stop? And it's a reinforcement, but I'm wondering, okay, so in terms of the future and in terms of toys, have you ever done or seen any sort of things where the mom was playing with the child versus the child was playing by themselves? Like any differences there? 00:28:31 Melissa: Because I would love to just kind of inspire a listener right now to consider the fact that actually getting lost in play with their child can be even more beneficial than just having your child play with a toy to the side and you're doing something completely different. 00:28:52 Chris: I think that is critically important. One of the things that we're talking to parents of Gen Z and Gen Alpha kids. And Gen Alpha was born 2010 to this year. And one of the things that parents talk about is some of the best part of their day is when they're playing with kids. And what I always suggest is that if you're playing with your kid, especially if they're a preschooler, let the child run the play and you respond. Don't tell them, oh, look at this, oh, do that. 00:29:24 Chris: And you don't have to teach, it doesn't have to teach them anything, right? It doesn't have to teach. Kids are going to learn. So really letting that child's imagination drive the experience because, you know, I think every parent has had the experience where your child comes up with something and you go where did that come from? 00:29:45 Melissa: 100%. All the time. 00:29:47 Chris: And it's because they're sponges and they're listening to their absorbing everything and then they're processing it to their childlike brains or their childish brains. So I think that letting the child do that, but being there and being in communication is really important. 00:30:02 Chris: When I was growing up and maybe when you were too, we had three different worlds. We had kid world where no adults came in and the kids were doing that. We had adult world where we weren't allowed, where the parents would do that. And then there was family world, which is dinner and vacations and being yelled at about your grades or whatever that was. 00:30:21 Chris: But those three worlds don't really seem to exist anymore. And parents and kids are much more integrated in one another's lives. I think that's an outcome of COVID. It's actually a very positive outcome from COVID. Because you as mom and dad, have fun with your kids. Come on. It's, again, back to the idea of process rather than outcome. They don't have to become an expert ball player. They don't have to become an expert thing at times. They can actually just learn and play and discover the world and share those discoveries with you. 00:30:51 Melissa: Yeah, I love that. And I think it's an opportunity for someone that has to think a lot in life and feels the stresses of life to kind of let go and just stop thinking and just going with what is. Be present. You know, be totally present. 00:31:12 Chris: Be totally present and just be open to what it is. It's trying not to, as I was saying, it doesn't have to have a definitive outcome. And the one thing I think we've lost track of, often in our culture right now, is the idea of embracing process. It's really okay to make mistakes. It's really okay to try something, as long as you get up and start again. 00:31:36 Chris: I mean, how many times have you, I was talking about, for me, I learned to ski late. And I'm a really mediocre skier. I'm enthusiastic, but I'm not good. And I had somebody who was teaching me and he said, Chris, eventually I was scared. Eventually you're gonna have to point your skis down the hill. So I did it, I fell a lot, I did that, but I was so eager to learn that I'd fall and get up again. 00:32:04 Chris: I had to learn how to get up, but that's the thing that I think is, you know, if you have an idea of where you'd like to go but embrace the process on the way there because who knows what you're going to learn and what you're going to discover. 00:32:16 Melissa: Yeah, I definitely agree with that. I think that's the key to any goal. It's just you have to really fall in love with the process as you head towards the vision the goal, you know, whatever it is that you're trying to accomplish. And I also love the fact that, you know, as with play it's like there's something that's so pure about it, you know, when left on unmanipulated. 00:32:40 Melissa: It's like as a parent, we might have this desire to like educate our kids up to wazoo with regards to like every educational toy out there and every moment with we're with them, we're teaching them another language or coding or something. But I think, you know, just being open to a little bit, you know, unstructured play and that time with your child has so many benefits. And I think, you know, Chris, the work that you're doing just stay connected to like play as just being fun and okay and positive is is really helpful. Thank you so much for the work that you've done. 00:33:18 Chris: Thanks. I mean, I really do think that it as I mentioned, joy before it really does open the door to being joyful and going, oh, wow, that's fun, you know? I mean, when was the last time you said, oh, wow, that's really fun. 00:33:31 Melissa: 100%. Yeah, for sure. Thank you so much, Chris. So where can listeners continue to learn about their favorite toys, about you, about what's up ahead in the toy industry? 00:33:42 Chris: You can come see the toyguy.com. That's probably the best way. And then on Instagram, I'm thetoyguy. So, yeah. And I post a lot of pictures from things like toy fairs and different things and things that are fun for me and that make me giggle. 00:33:58 Melissa: Thank you so much, Chris. Have an awesome one. 00:34:01 Chris: Thank you. 00:34:03 Melissa: My three takeaways for this conversation that you can absolutely take to the bank and apply in your home are, first, this idea that playing with our kids has benefits for our kids, but also for us, especially if you're a super busy mom. It helps put you in the immediate present moment. So that's a big, big perk right there. 00:34:25 Melissa: Second is this idea that it's all about the process as opposed to the final answer. And that's something that I know is hard to think about when you're constantly thinking about what's next in your life. So thinking about play as something that you're doing and it's a process instead of to put together that Lego piece might be a great shift in your thinking and could relieve you of the stress and pressure of getting things right. 00:34:54 Melissa: Second, no, actually my third point here, my third point would be that in terms of the benefits of playing, I hadn't realized how psychologically deep some of these toys touch the minds of our kids. So the simple fact that we are thinking about, you know, working out relationships when you're doing a diorama, which may have been the case for me personally or maybe you're thinking about whether or not you have skills like a superhero, which was something that Chris shared, I just never thought about how psychologically interesting playing with a toy could be. 00:35:32 Melissa: So you might want to reconsider this idea that playing with a toy is just a way to distract your child or keep them focused on something other than breaking things. There could be real psychological value and also something for you to just consider psychological opportunity when it comes to the choices behind the toys we put in front of our kids. 00:36:00 Melissa: So I hope you enjoyed this conversation. Again, this episode was brought to you by my book, Fertile Imagination. I am excited about it. It's a guide for stretching every mom's superpower for maximum impact. Your imagination is your superpower. That is why I had Chris on the show today. I encourage you to check out the show notes where you could actually purchase the book and let me know that you did. I am always available for conversation and any questions. Thank you so much and I appreciate you. And until next Tuesday.

What if a cookie could be as exclusive as a Birkin bag? That's exactly what Last Crumb has done—turning baked goods into a coveted luxury experience that sells out in minutes. In this episode, we sit down with Raphael Farasat, founder of Truffl and the branding genius behind Last Crumb, to break down: How they built a $140-a-box cookie brand that people fight to get their hands on. The psychology behind exclusive drop models (and why they drive insane demand). Why copywriting, packaging, and storytelling matter just as much as the product itself. If you've ever wondered how to take a product from ordinary to obsession-worthy, this is the episode for you. Hit play and get ready to take notes.   Last Crumb Website Last Crumb Instagram Truffl Branding Agency

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[REBROADCAST FROM Jul 9, 2024] Writer Yasmin Zaher's debut novel,The Coin is a 2025 Gotham Book Prize finalist! The story is about a teacher obsessed with cleanliness who gets caught up in a Birkin bag reselling scheme. She joins me to discuss.  

Jeremy Au explored the intricacies of understanding customer personas and the challenges of market research. He emphasized the importance of creating nuanced personas for effective marketing, distinguishing them from harmful stereotypes by grounding them in real customer behaviors and needs. He shared insights on the pitfalls of traditional survey methods, particularly how timing and context can lead to inaccurate data, as seen in an example where sober participants misrepresented their preferences for draft beer. Jeremy also analyzed the economic mechanics of customer lifetime value, citing a Southeast Asian SaaS company that generated $100,000 per customer lifetime by charging $1,000 monthly with a 75% margin and a 10-year average retention. Additionally, he discussed Disney's long-term marketing strategy to cultivate lifetime loyalty across generations, contrasting it with the scarcity-driven luxury branding of Hermès and its Birkin bags. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/marketing-personas-loyalty Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Spotify English: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T Bahasa Indonesia: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vs8t6qPo0eFb4o6zOmiVZ Chinese: https://open.spotify.com/show/20AGbzHhzFDWyRTbHTVDJR Vietnamese: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yqd3Jj0I19NhN0h8lWrK1 YouTube  English: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcast  English: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464

Dette er en liten smakebit fra da Louise Angelica Riise var på besøk hos Fetisha+1 på Podimo!Realityikon Louise Angelica Riise er i studio og serverer rykende varm te. Hvorfor satte hun ned foten på opptak, og hva hadde en fake Birkin med det å gjøre? Er det John Arne Riise eller David Eriksen som har gitt henne mest fame? Og hvilken versjon av Louise er det Davids sexy stemme klarer å lure frem?Om du ikke allerede har Podimo-abonnement, så kan du få 30 dagers gratis lytting ved å følge lenke: Podimo.com/fetisha

This episode, Eamon & Merlin talk a new episode of Real Housewives of Potomac where Gordon puts doubts on Mia's stories, leading to a confrontation at Ashley's Drag King event. Plus, the newest episode of Married To Medicine that sees Toya welcome to the group a bundle of joy… in the form of a Birkin. Then, a new episode of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills where Kyle has had enough of the mild questioning leading to one of the most ridiculous storm off's in Housewives history. And finally, Part One of the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City reunion where jewelry is the hot topic of conversation, but gets cooled down by Lisa's cold heart. 4:38 - Real Housewives of Potomac: Season 9: Episode 15 58:10 - Married to Medicine: Season 11: Episode 08 1:30:50 - Real Housewives of Beverly Hills: Season 14: Episode 08 2:30:25 - Real Housewives of Salt Lake City: Season 05, Episode 17 We are Eamon and Merlin, a queer married couple from Texas living in Pittsburgh, PA. We love reality television, wrestling, drag queens, and pretty much anything that can be called even kinda gay. A Gay & His Enby is a podcast where we talk about everything we love in terms of media and pop culture; everything thats gay and gay adjacent; basically all the conversations we have in our living room we are now putting in front of a microphone and on the internet for you. We have launched our MERCH STORE! We are so excited to bring you these designs, all made by Merlin, commemorating some of our favorite iconic moments! Shop now at https://AGayAndHisEnby.Threadless.com Every week, we have the pleasure and privilege of recording from Sorgatron Media Studios in Pittsburgh. The theme song for our main show is Pulsar by Shane Ivers, and the theme song for Binge Watch is Higher Up by Shane Ivers, both of which you can find at https://www.silvermansound.com All of our social media can be found at our linktree: https://linktr.ee/agayandhisenby In recent years, states have pushed forward a record number of bills that attack LGBTQ rights, especially transgender youth. The current obession with Drag Queens is no exception. This is a thinly veiled attempt to outlaw gender expressions that do not fall within the cisheteronormative guidelines. Please consider donating to one of the following charities to help make the US a safer place for Queer folks to live in peace. American Civil Liberties Union (https://www.aclu.org/issues/lgbtq-rights) Trevor Project (https://give.thetrevorproject.org/give/63307/#!/donation/checkout) PFLAG (https://pflag.org/donate/) True Colors United (https://my.truecolorsunited.org/give/107399/#!/donation/checkout) OutRight International (https://outrightinternational.org/take-action/give) Lambda Legal (https://support.lambdalegal.org/site/Donation2;jsessionid=00000000.app30130a?df_id=6680&mfc_pref=T&6680.donation=form1&NONCE_TOKEN=D3311163DF16F06EEA5520010BAF90B5) GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (https://donate.glad.org/give/123741/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=webheader) Human Rights Campaign (https://give.hrc.org/page/118560/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=or_gnr_hrc_homepage2022) It Gets Better Project (https://give.itgetsbetter.org/give/250737/#!/donation/checkout)

Send me a text!!This week I'm joined by Noor, host of The Reality Is podcast, and we get into the things!! We talk about who owes what on Married to Medicine, Toya's Birkin party, a Married to Medicine couples retreat vs a Real housewives cruise, the dark Real Housewives of New York season finale, Kyle getting caught redhanded and more!LA WILDFIRE DONATIONS/RESOURCESACCESS BONUS AND VIDEO EPISODES BY BECOMING A PATRON HEREFollow me on InstagramFollow Noor on Instagram and listen to her podcastSupport the show HERE

This week @ema.jones breaks down the astrology of Ashley Darby exploring her drag persona, Bronwyn Newport being self deprecating and sarcastic, and a Birkin shower. Also in this episode is: Stacey Rusch feeling unsettled, Erika Jayne caught between two friends, and a plea for compassion towards the Sagittarius Queen, Lisa Barlow.

This episode of Old Money is your cheat sheet to decoding the new era of status symbols—and spoiler alert: it's not about Bugattis or Birkin bags anymore. Today we're breaking down why flexing with fakes, over-leveraging on luxury, and trying to Instagram your way into Kim Kardashian's social circle is officially out. Instead, we're diving into six unexpected markers of modern wealth that scream class without the cringe so you can embody “quiet luxury” while stacking cash and staying classy.

In this episode, Stauney and Sadie dive into the life and legacy of the incomparable Jane Birkin. They explore her decades-long career as an actress and musician, reflecting on her iconic collaborations with Serge Gainsbourg and her enduring influence on art and culture. The duo also unpacks the fascinating story of the Birkin bag, tracing its origins from a chance encounter to become a global symbol of wealth, exclusivity, and status—particularly in the United States. Join us as we celebrate Birkin's artistic impact, examine how her name became synonymous with luxury, and discuss what the cultural obsession with the Birkin bag reveals about modern society. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is it wrong to crave the allure of luxury, or can you satisfy your style desires without splurging your savings? On today's Jesus Fix It podcast, we dig deep into the heart of "dupe culture" and how it's reshaping fashion and lifestyle choices. Remember when toting a Guess or Coach bag was the ultimate status flex? We share a nostalgic laugh over those days while exploring how today's savvy shoppers are replacing high-priced luxuries with budget-friendly alternatives. From "firkins" (the faux Birkin bag) to bargain beauty buys, we're spilling the tea on how to maintain a chic look without emptying your wallet. Join us as we share personal style confessions and strike a balance between loving luxury and being financially savvy.Embracing a thoughtful approach to spending, we explore the intersection of faith, finances, and the natural desire for nice things. We question society's obsession with material wealth and consider how to respect both fashion and fiscal responsibility. Tithing, avoiding debt, and understanding the real value of possessions are part of our discussion, as we reflect on how our relationship with money and material goods evolves over time. With social media fueling consumer cravings, "dupe culture" emerges as a hero, offering affordable paths to high-end aesthetics. So grab your coffee and get ready for a candid chat filled with laughter, life lessons, and a fresh perspective on living bougie on a budget.

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Show your nails some love with https://iloveislashop.com Use code MANIFESTELLE to get 10% off your first order. (featured in the video: Ruby Cat Eye) Become a Paid Subscriber and get Uninterrupted Episodes: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/manifestelle/subscribe Get more content like this in your inbox

LauRen got her fake Birkin from Walmart and she was disappointed.  Maney lost a family member suddenly War of the Roses  Forgive and Forget- I threw out our stuff LauRen […] The post The Day Maney Had To Say Goodbye appeared first on Kiss 95.1.

LauRen got her fake Birkin from Walmart and she was disappointed. Maney lost a family member suddenly War of the Roses Forgive and Forget- I threw out our stuff LauRen thought she saw a kidnapping Banished words in 2025 They cut down all the trees! Pop Culture Triva Support the show: https://www.mrlshow.com/

Support us on Patreon for BONUS episodes each month & other perks: https://www.patreon.com/thesavegpodcast BOOK CANADIAN ROCKIES TRIP WITH US (August 2025): https://trovatrip.com/trip/north-america/canada/canada-with-rose-lee-aug-17-2025 Korea trip is SOLD OUT! waitlist: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/vegan-adventures-in-south-korea-with-cheap-lazy-vegan-rose-24678821 Happy New Year, everybody! In this episode, we discuss the horrific plane crash that happened in South Korea that unfortunately took the lives of 179 people. For the first time, the combined wealth of the world's richest 500 people at one stage hit more than $10 trillion, the Bloomberg index revealed. Elon Musk fights with MAGA about immigration and his desire to hire low-wage workers from abroad. Walmart released the WIRKIN or their cheaper version of the Birkin (a luxury bag by Hermes). A pregnant woman was stabbed 14 times by her pizza delivery driver for a bad tip. Absolute madness! What a start to the year!

Hermès iconic $14,000 Birkin bag is being imitated at Walmart for $78 and it's now SOLD OUT!KAMUGO Genuine Leather Handbag for Women, available on Walmart's website, is gaining attention on social media for its striking resemblance to Hermès coveted Birkin bags, which come with a huge price tag.  The bag, which is now being referred to as the “Walmart Birkin Bag is being seen as a budget-friendly alternative to the Hermès Birkin To subscribe to The Pete McMurray Show Podcast just click here

Wretches, we're back! This week, we're diving deep into the state of fact-checking. We also discuss Susie Wiles, Justin Trudeau, and the ongoing turmoil at The Washington Post. Wretch on! Time Stamps:  06:27 Front Page 52:46 Obsessions 1:00:01 Reader Mail 1:02:01 Favorite Items Show Notes: The Daily Beast: L.A. Mayor Suffers Brutal On-Air Moment as Wildfires Rage  The New York Times: Meta to End Fact-Checking Program in Shift Ahead of Trump Term The Verge: Threads and Instagram are for politics now, says Adam Mosseri  The New York Times: As Trump Praises Meta Decision, Tech Watchdogs Warn of Surge in Disinformation The Silver Bulletin: The rise and fall of "fact-checking" The Free Beacon: RIP, Meta Fact-Checkers. Don't Let the Door Hit You on the Way Out. Axios: Axios interview: Trump chief of staff Susie Wiles vows to block West Wing troublemakers  CNN Business: Trump camp was fed questions for Fox News town hall in advance from person inside network, new book says  The Daily Beast: Trump Privately Complains About Clingy Elon Musk: NYT Reporter  The New York Times: Trudeau's Canada, Again  The New York Times: Washington Post Lays Off 4% of Its Work Force  The New York Times: Washington Post Cartoonist Quits After Jeff Bezos Cartoon Is Killed The New York Post: Walmart's $78 Hermès Birkin dupe is the fashion world's hottest new handbag — and luxury lovers are fuming  The New York Times: How Will We Eat in 2025? 9 Predictions to Chew On.  The Free Beacon: CNN's High-Profile Defamation Trial Is Underway—and Jurors Appear Open to 10-Figure Payout The Free Beacon: Navy Vet Suing CNN Warned He Would ‘Seek Legal Damages' if It Ran Report Full of ‘Libel' TV Technology: Hub: Streaming Viewers More Accepting of TV Ads   The Wall Street Journal: The Misunderstood Consequences of Jimmy Carter's Presidency

This episode was recorded prior to the California wildfire disaster. Our hearts are with everyone affected, and please stay safe out there

Welcome Back, chumpettes! Sarah kicks off this episode of Reality Water Cooler with her signature blend of warmth and humor, even as she battles a mid-intro sneeze attack! Get ready for a deep dive into the wild world of reality TV and celebrity gossip.Episode Breakdown:1. Real Housewives of Salt Lake City (RHOSLC)The latest drama unfolding in Salt Lake City's most glamorous friend group!Feuds are flaring, alliances are shifting, and one cast member might just be on the verge of implosion.Sarah analyzes the shady moments, the power moves, and her predictions for upcoming episodes.2. Jeff Lewis LiveA recap of Jeff Lewis' latest antics on his SiriusXM show.From snarky comments to behind-the-scenes drama, Sarah spills on what's keeping this real estate mogul-turned-broadcaster in the spotlight.3. Celebrity News and GossipThe latest controversies and surprises from Hollywood's elite.She chats her thoughts on the Dave Portnoy and Grace O'Malley feud and the family feud going on between tWitch's former wife Allison and his entire family. They are NOT happy about his private struggles that she wrote about in her new book. Why Listen?If you live for a mix of wit, warmth, and deep dives into reality TV chaos, Sarah's got you covered. She's not afraid to call it like she sees it, laugh at herself, and keep her audience engaged. Grab your favorite drink and join the Reality Water Cooler—where the gossip flows as freely as the iced tea in Texas!

Demi Moore's Golden Globes win highlights new phase in her epic career; Walmart's version of Birkin bag becomes a viral hit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michael Mack, Owner of Max Pawn, talks fake Birkin Bags being sold at Walmart and how hard it is to get on the list for an Hermes Birkin bag.

Dr. Daltria, founder of The Associates Advantage (@theassociatesadvantage) is here to share her story of going from 7 first associateships/jobs to finding her happy associate position and starting her business. We break down our first impression ICKS!!! and green flags! what are: - red flags from interviews? and signs the job is actually a good environment? what can you do to avoid choosing a workplace you'll hate? - green flags for meeting patients, subliminal cues, and helping patients overcome anxiety - small talk news of the week: the walmart birkin @drconniewang, @justaquickpinch

MAFS is off again this week so join Sarah and Mary as they laugh and chat their way through a myriad of topics: Sarah's birthday, Mary's “Karen” dinner review, Will Ferrell's as degenerate Buddy the Elf, 2024's most viral travel trends, and more… Join us on Patreon as we go  deeper with more laughs and ridiculous topics: OnlyFans star's 1000 man sex challenge, Walmart's Birkin bag, and more. Subscribe, follow, like, and review wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, Follow, Like, and Review, Wherever you get your podcasts.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, & Facebook. Get RUMP Merch here:https://areyoumypodcast.bigcartel.com/ sarahcolonna.commaryradzinski.com    Sarah's merchMary's merch © 2020-2022 Are You My Podcast?

News with Sean 12-31-2024 It's NYE! PLUS it's not a Birkin... It's a Wirkin!

Join Alex in the studio for a fun interview with Saweetie! Saweetie opens up about her current approach to relationships, the craziest way she caught a partner cheating on her, when you should keep gifts (especially Birkins) from an ex, and why she might be done dating rappers. She also discusses her love of hot cheetos, the time she was renting rooms from Craigslist, coding on Myspace, and her new music. Enjoy!

Tim talks figures, Pizza Hut helping you find a job, a woman's purse choice, Sydney Sweeney, the former Abercrombie CEO, Jimmy Carter outside and why Fresno kids have no shot. American Royalty Tour

Hermes is the top fashion stock right now… but it just got sued for running a handbag hustle.Starbucks' greatest threat is Luckin Coffee… and Luckin's coming to America.Finally, airlines are required to auto-refund your canceled flight… because burdens are big.Plus, the #1 ranked bar in the world is in Mexico City… and it's ½ the price of NYC cocktails.$HESAY $LKNCY $AAL—-----------------------------------------------------Subscribe to our new (2nd) show… The Best Idea Yet: Wondery.fm/TheBestIdeaYetLinksEpisodes drop weekly. It's The Best Idea Yet.GET ON THE POD: Submit a shoutout or fact: https://tboypod.com/shoutouts FOR MORE NICK & JACK: Newsletter: https://tboypod.com/newsletter Connect with Nick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolas-martell/ Connect with Jack: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-crivici-kramer/ SOCIALS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tboypod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tboypodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tboypod Anything else: https://tboypod.com/ Subscribe to our new (2nd) show… The Best Idea Yet: Wondery.fm/TheBestIdeaYetLinksEpisodes drop weekly. It's The Best Idea Yet.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.