Podcasts about fao schwartz

“Once there were three baby owls: Sarah and Percy and Bill. They lived in a hole in the trunk of a tree with their Owl Mother…” [1] These are the first lines in the children's picture book Owl Babies. One night the three children wake up and find that their mother has gone.   The older two siblings have theories about where their mother went and wavering confidence that she will return. The youngest one Bill just repeats “I want my mommy.” It is a simple story about growing up, about the difficult task of learning to become separate from our parents. Sweet Alexandra loved owls, animals, babies and the experience of childhood itself. This was her favorite story and the basis for her nickname “Owlexandra” or just plain “Owl.”   It is hard to move gracefully from being a child to adulthood. It is hard to leave behind our childhood especially when we are very well adapted to it. It is hard to care for children in this time of transition. It is hard to be a child, or the friend of a child, who is becoming an adult.   Stories help to guide us as we make our way. Alexandra loved stories like Frozen, Wicked, and Hamilton. Her mother is American and her father is from England so they read quite a variety of stories including those of the British author Enid Blyton (1897-1968). In Five on a Treasure Island the first book in the Famous Five series, Julian, Dick and Anne are on their way to spend their first summer away from their parents, at the seashore home of their uncle and aunt, and their cousin Georgina and her dog Timmy.   “The car suddenly topped a hill – and there was the shining blue sea, calm and smooth in the evening sun…” At the house they meet their aunt for the first time (and they “liked the look of her”). She says, “Welcome to Kirrin [Bay]… Hallo, all of you! It's lovely to see you… There were kisses all round, and then the children went into the house. They liked it. It felt old and rather mysterious somehow, and the furniture was old and very beautiful.” [2]   These books are filled with secret passageways, hidden treasure, stolen goods, old maps, smugglers, spies and suspicious strangers. But ultimately bravery, perseverance, kindness and loyalty are always rewarded. In the end everything is perfectly resolved and clear. You know where everyone stands. There is no gray area or ambiguity.   You might say that real life is not like this and you would be right. Each of us is a mixture of good and bad. But we need each other to remind us to feed what is good in us every day so that we grow in kindness.   I love the way Alexandra's parents talk about her as a “gift from God” and uniquely filled with Christmas magic. In London her older sibling asked Father Christmas (or Santa Claus) for a little sister and ten months later she arrived. Alexandra was an angel in our Christmas pageant right here where I am standing. At the age of three she fell in love with the realistic looking babies in the FAO Schwartz store window. She loved children and animals. The Marin Primary motto is “treasuring childhood” and Alexandra did. She participated in theater, sports like cross country. She made art including a painting based on the work of Keith Haring.   One of the greatest treasures in this Cathedral is a triptych that Keith Haring (1958-1990) finished only weeks before his death from AIDS. It shows a mother holding her baby surrounded by joyful angels.   Alexandra knew that the most important question for a child is not what do you want to be when you grow up. It is who do you want to be; or better how do you want to be. Alexandra was empathetic, a thoughtful caregiver who valued kindness above everything else.   This way of being matches the values of this Cathedral where it is not about who is in or out, who is good or evil, who is saved or damned. The style of faith here is not about condemning other people or other religions. It is not overly preoccupied with the sin which is so evident in the world, the cruelty and unkindness that lead to tragedies like a young person's death.   Instead we believe that God loves everyone without exception. We hold a faith that arises chiefly out of gratitude, out of an experience of nature's beauty and the simple pleasure of being kind and helping the people who travel along with us. Jesus says, “Blessed are the pure in heart… Blessed are the peacemakers” and we try to be people who build bridges and look for the best in others. We sing “All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.” And in the midst of terrible tragedy we remember what a gift our life is.   At the end of the service my friend Luis will sing a poem by the sixteenth century Anglican priest George Herbert. It ends with these words. They are a kind of invitation to God. “Come, my Joy, my Love, my Heart: Such a Joy, as none can move: Such a Love, as none can part: Such a Heart, as joys in love.” Love and joy – these are the qualities exemplified by God. They are the possibilities that we realize in our own life.   Jesus does not say much about what happens after we die, about what the poet Mary Oliver calls “that cottage of darkness.” But he does say over and over that God is like a loving parent, an Owl Mother if you will, who always returns, who cares for us as every day of our life as we face the struggles of maturing.   And I imagine heaven as like the opening of an Enid Blyton book, the beginning of summer when suddenly we come across “the shining blue sea, calm and smooth in the evening sun,” and we are welcomed with “kisses all round” into an old house and a new adventure. And we will see again our lovely Owl as a kind of angel filled with kindness and the magic of Christmas. [1] “Once there were three baby owls: Sarah and Percy and Bill. They lived in a hole in the trunk of a tree with their Owl Mother. The hole had twigs and leaves and owl feathers in it. It was their house.” Martin Waddell, Illustrated by Patrick Benson, Owl Babies (Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press, 1992). [2] Enid Blyton, Five on a Treasure Island Illustrated by Ellen A. Soper (NY: Hatchette Children's Books, 1997 originally published in 1942), 7-9.

Michael is CX* thought leader and creator of the CX Excellence Framework used by organisations around the world.  Michael spent over a decade in the USA working with GE Health on their world-wide Patient Experience programme. He also worked with USA brands such as Harley Davidson, IBM, Microsoft, MBNA, Citibank, FAO Schwartz, American Airlines, Dell, HP and Miller beer. Michael returned to Ireland in 1994 and set up the Dialogue Marketing agency creating award winning campaigns for organisations across many sectors and B2B/B2C Markets. Michael is passionate about CX and in 2014 launched The CX Company, a CX consultancy and Employee Experience (EX) communications and embedding group.   Michael spends much of his time educating organisations about the benefits of CX and founded The CX Academy in 2019 to provide certified online CX learning. The CX Certificate, Diploma and Essential courses are recognised as the global standard for CX certification and today operate in 90+ countries. He speaks and writes passionately about the CX discipline. He has spoken at conferences around the world and shares best practice insights on CX/EX* Excellence delivery helping companies to have greater success with their projects.

April and Laura are back with another fabulous guest interview! This week, our hosts welcome award-winning PR pro, Rachel Griffin, to the virtual recording booth. Rachel is the co-founder at PlayWise Partners and April's friend and colleague from our favorite industry award event — The Stevie Awards for Women in Business! Rachel has won gold awards two years in a row for her creative PR activations. On the show today, she discusses her favorite campaigns, including activations for Toys 'R' Us and FAO Schwartz. She also shares some insight into her latest activation for a new fashion doll brand at New York Fashion Week! Later in this episode, in honor of Valentine's Day, April and Laura dive into some creative holiday promotions from Pizza Hut and P.F. Chang's. Tune in for a chat about Pizza Hut's promo to break up with your significant other via Hot Honey "Goodbye Pies" and P.F. Chang's Dumplings for customers who have recently been... well, dumped. Follow Rachel's work here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelhgriffin/  Learn about PlayWise Partners here: https://www.playwisepartners.com/  PR NEWS OF THE WEEK: Read about Pizza Hut's Goodbye Pies promo here: https://www.marketingdive.com/news/pizza-hut-goodbye-pies-valentines-day-free-pizza/706932/  Read about P.F. Chang's Break-Up Dumplings here: https://www.delish.com/food-news/a46663011/pf-changs-free-dumplings-valentines-day/  Connect with Trust Relations: Have an anonymous PR horror story to share or questions you want to be answered on the show? Email us at contact@prwinedown.com. You can stream the show live at 2:00 pm ET every Saturday, on ElectroMagnetic Radio. You can also connect with Trust Relations on our website or on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com. Send in a voice message here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/prwinedown  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/prwinedown/message

Nick and Cory revisit the classic sequel, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, which Cory firmly believes is superior to the original. Join us as we explore the critic and audience scores, lament of Roger Ebert's disdain for these movies, and debate which movie is superior.We  deep dive FAO Schwartz, the high-end toy store (that actually exists!) the multiple versions of video games for these movies (and Nick's struggle to beat them), and even discuss who might make THAT hotel cameo in a updated version of the movie. We'll finish up with a look at the missed opportunities for a proper trilogy and a quick peek into Macaulay Culkin's career post-Home Alone. We promise, you'll walk away with a newfound appreciation for both movies and a healthy dose of nostalgia! So, come join us for this short holiday trip through the Big Apple!Thanks for listening; If you feel like supporting us, this is where you do that!BuyMeACoffee Check out or other content/socials here. LinktreeCurrent Hosts (Season 4):Cory Williams (@thelionfire)Nick Growall (@nickgrowall)Ash Hurry (@filmexplorationah)Cass Elliottt (@take5cass) Guy in the Chair:Terran SherwoodVoice of the Time Machine:Kristi Rothrock (@letzshake)Editing by:Nick GrowallFeatured Music:"Quantum Recast Theme" - Cory Williams"Revival" - Daniele Musto"Pukka" - Bellodrone"Kings and Queens" - Wicked Cinema"Kiss the Cat" - Al Town"Birdcage" - Al Town"Passenger" - Abloom*Music and licenses through Soundstripe

WEBSITE: https://www.dspmediaonline.com/show/just-wondering-with-norm-hitzges/ Just Wondering is sponsored by Fluent Financial at https://www.fluentfinancial.com MORE ABOUT NORM: https://www.justwonderingpodcast.com Listen on the Go, 24/7! Download the NEW Fan Stream Sports APP on iOS and Android! Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-wondering-with-norm-hitzges/id1702002645 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1XHsL9qJA4rGGKTMteLWFY?si=07cf2fa29d05404e Follow Norm on X at: @NormsClubhouse - https://www.x.com/normsclubhouse Join the NEW Fan Stream Sports Facebook group to interact with hosts and other fans: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1701025303664208 Just Wondering is also sponsored by:  Goodness Steak Seasonings at https://www.bringthetasty.com/ Oh Hail Roofing at https://www.ohhhail.com/

What's up, dudes?  I pity the fool who misses this episode all about the toughest man in the world! Yes, Bradley Lyndon from Million Monkey Theater joins me to talk all about the team up between Mr. T and Emmanuel Lewis in this wacky 1984 special!  Mr. T stars as Benny, a Salvation Army-style Santa  who meets a young latch-key kid, played by Emmanuel Lewis of TV's Webster, who seems to have lost his Christmas spirit. Mr. T sets out to change Billy's mind, taking him around the city to all the touristy must see spots! First up is FAO Schwartz, where    David Copperfield gives him an ‘80s cigarette smoke filled magic lesson. There's even an Olympic figure skater routine at Rockefeller Center! The duo then proceed to Radio City Music Hall, where Maureen McGovern serenades them with Christmas songs. In typical kid fashion, Webster falls asleep watching a rehearsal and consequently imagines himself as one of the toy soldiers in the Rockettes' Christmas Show. Oh yeah, he also meets Willie Tyler and his dummy Lester. Naturally, in the big holiday  finale, he's moved to realize the true meaning of Christmas, before being reunited with his workaholic parents.This one's got it all! ‘80s icons? Check. Former variety show stars? Yup. The true meaning of Christmas? As only Mr. T could tell it! So grab your gold chains, pack your trick quarter and cigarettes, and take an incredibly expensive carriage ride to this episode!Million Monkey TheaterFB: @MillionMonkeyTheaterIG: @millionmonkeytheaterCheck us out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Totally Rad Christmas Mall & Arcade, Teepublic.com, or TotallyRadChristmas.com! Later, dudes!

Born to a single, loving, hippie mother and possessing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Rutgers, Brandi Merolla didn't recognize the brightly lit storefront at 4th & Broadway. She was on her way home in the fall of 1983 when she came upon this neon temple. As she walked up to open the door, she saw a sign that said “HELP WANTED”. Brandi asked for an application and when the clerk at the Info Desk saw her resume and her art background she told Brandi “Why don't you apply for the Art Department?” Brandi had no idea that this new, huge record store employed artists and soon her life would change in a way she couldn't imagine. On this week's episode, Brandi Merolla takes us through her time at Tower during the infancy of Store 125 in The Village and all the opportunities and events she was a part of during this fascinating time in Tower's history. Brandi created backdrop displays for the in stores of Iggy Pop, Fela, Kate Bush, The Cure, Souxsie & the Banshees, Lou Reed, Paul Young, Violent Femmes, Timbuk 3, Samantha Fox, and Max Roach.4th & Broadway's front window was prime NYC real estate and Brandi tells us about a time she got a thumbs up from an artist whose  work she recreated in the window and then later collaborating with The Beastie Boys for their window display before their debut “Licensed To Ill” came out. Hint: They didn't get everything they wanted. Hers is a story of opportunity, loss and ultimately redemption. When Brandi left Tower, it wasn't on her terms. But despondent over losing this $4.25 an hour job she would have gladly continued to work, someone whispered in her ear that this was the best thing that could have ever happened to her. Soon Brandi was taking all of the skills she learned at Tower and making foam core displays for 90% of the record labels based in NYC. She also parlayed this into a position with FAO Schwartz and a 20 year affiliation with The Howard Stern show where she has probably been exposed to more foam core displays of Gary Dellabate's teeth than anyone in the tri-state area. Join us for this fascinating story on “2500 DelMonte Street: The Oral History of Tower Records”.   Also, we open this week's episode with a tribute to Patti Drosins, wife of Russ Solomon who passed away at the end of November 2022. 

FAO Schwartz will sell toys at Target, Jeff Bezos rocket crashes, Prince Charles wants to make amends with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Leonardo DiCaprio and Gigi Hadid are allegedly together, and Jennifer Anniston purchased Oprah's farm

Dan Fogler [Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Balls of Fury, The Walking Dead, The Goldbergs, Take Me Home Tonight] talks with Anna about his first job working for a moving company, his second job as “The Amazing Zoltar” selling discontinued toys at FAO Schwartz, how he landed the role of playing Francis Ford Coppola in The Offer, losing his virginity, sage advice from Philip Seymour Hoffman and a lot more.Today's first call is from Monica whose boss continues to make unwanted advances despite her repeated rejections. Monica lives in Spain, and she would most likely lose her job if she were to call out the inappropriate behavior. Next to call in is Rebecca whose career as a Disney animator ended more than a decade ago when her department was shut down. Now working as a medical assistant, Rebecca finds herself missing the art world and has begun pursuing the career she was forced to give up. Unfortunately, her husband is not supportive, and she can't understand why. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode Mark talks about one of his favourite films: the 1988 American fantasy comedy-drama "Big" directed by Penny Marshall. The story of the film follows 12 year-old Josh Baskin (played by David Moscow), from Cliffside, New Jersey, who one night - while at a fun fare with his Mom, Dad, and little sister Rachel - encounters an antique arcade fortune teller machine called "Zoltar" and who makes a wish to it for him to be "big" and then overnight grows into becoming an adult version of himself (played by Tom Hanks). When the fun fare moves on, taking the mysterious "Zoltar" fortune teller machine with it, Josh is forced to flee his family home to temporarily live in New York City while they attempt to find out where the "Zoltar" fortune teller machine is so that he can be turned back into a kid again. Josh is assisted by his best friend, Billy Kopecki (played by Jared Rushton), who immediately helps him with money, with finding a rundown apartment in New York City, and with finding a job to survive the six weeks that it will take to find out where the "Zoltar" machine will be next - which leads Josh to innitially take a job as a computer operator at MacMillan Toy Company, before he is recognised by the company's owner, Mr. MacMillan (played Robert Loggia), as having an insight into what toys children like and why, and is subsequently given a promotion to becoming vice president in charge of project development at FAO Schwartz. As Josh's reputation in the toy company grows he begins to attract the attention of a rival at the company, Paul Davenport (played by John Heard), who is jealous of Josh's rapid rise and also of all the attention now being put on Josh. Josh also starts to attract the attention and the affection of Susan Lawrence (played by Elizabeth Perkins), who over the course of the film starts to feel a youthful exuberance because of her interactions with Josh, and who starts to fall in love with Josh - but who has no idea who Josh really is, nor how old he really is. The iconic soundtrack to the film was composed by the great Howard Shore. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/markthepoet/message

Your wish is granted.  Our professor of fun, Sara Netzley, is back to discuss which one is at least slightly better: Big or 13 Going on 30.    Big was released in 1988, which puts Roy and Sean at the same age of Josh Baskin.  Will this and the humor of Tom Hanks be enough to kick Jennifer Garner, with all her pluck and beauty, out of Jenna Rink’s custom dream house?  We ask if either film does more than buzz the cringe tower, and what about the Thriller dance scene choice?  The guys put on their best bedazzled tuxedos to join Sara in a fun episode.  We hope you enjoy it as much as the other old man MacMillan's and Baskin's FAO Schwartz display.   Connect with Sara! Personal Twitter: @saranetzley Sara the author's Twitter: @sarawhitney_ Connect with us! Facebook: Moving the Needle  Twitter: @mtnpod Instagram: @mtnpod E-mail us at mtnpodcast@gmail.com Our website is: http://mtnpodcast.com/ If you could write a review on your pod player of choice, we would appreciate it very much.   Our next episode, #46, is 1979’s Being There with Peter Sellers and Shirley MacLaine.  We are joined once again by Jo (@jomccunephotography – IG) to discuss this multi-award-winning film. 

Taylor Swift released an album while we were sleeping, The Pantone Color of the year, An amazing Home Alone gingerbread house, College of Pop Culture Knowledge, A different way to save for kids' college, FAO Schwartz is offering an overnight stay

Todd Parr is an award-winning Children's Book Author (and illustrator!) He has authored more than 50 books for kids that have been translated into 15 languages! Four of which were published just this year! (which in book land, is just CRAZY PANTS unheard of!) Many of his books are about hard situations like losing a loved one, feeling different & why being unique is awesome. Which is obviously up my alley! I was super stoked to have Todd on the podcast. We talk about how he got started in this crazy book journey, why we need kindness in this world, & how not knowing what you're doing can help you get to where you want to go! If you're an aspiring children's illustrator, this episode will inspire you by the serendipitous way Todd started his career. From books to working with incredible brands like FAO Schwartz & Sesame Street! (ahh!) Even if you're not an illustrator, you'll love Todd's exuberant spirit! Mentionables: Dealing with Dyslexia. Going outside the box. Dealing with people who don't understand you. Serendipity. Head to www.jenipherlyn.com/blog/39 to read the show notes, and see Todd's amazing FAO Schwartz windows! Eep! And be sure to pop in on Instagram to say hello! www.instagram.com/rainydaydiariespod

May the FAO Schwartz be with you. Check out Niall on Bat Minute! Follow us on Twitter or join us in the Facebook group!

When you need someone to falsely support your delusions, when you wear boxer shorts appropriate for work (remember it’s called underwear for a reason), when everything is controvurtial, even if you’re a Streamer (our official designation of Generation Z), TechnoRetro Dads wants you to dream big — but not right now.  It’s Monday morning and you’ve got to go to work/school so kickstart your week with 77 minutes of fun and fandom.   In the NEWS… Will Star Wars Resistance return for another season? Will Ewan McGregor make our dreams come true and play Obi-Wan in a series?   We Love Our Cereal The Addams Family teams up with GM’s Monster Cereals. Fruity Pebbles might make a neat marshmallow treat. Boxes of cereal marshmallows are spotted at FAO Schwartz. Lucky Charms marshmallows get Jet Popped.   At the Movies: Dreamscape Dennis Quaid, Kate Capshaw, Max Von Sydow, Christopher Plummer, and Eddie Albert meet together in their dreams in the second PG-13 movie, Dreamscape.     Vinyl Scratchback: Music of Your Dreams Musical groups from the ‘70s and ‘80s were living the dream with nocturnal themes: Eurythmics — “Sweet Dreams” Van Halen — “Dreams” Heart — “These Dreams” Tom Petty — “Runnin’ Down a Dream” Dan Hartman — “I Can Dream about You” Moody Blues — “Your Wildest Dreams” Hall & Oates — “You Make My Dreams” Fleetwood Mac — “Dreams” George Harrison — “Dream Away” Aerosmith — “Dream On” Blondie — “Dreaming” Cheap Trick — “Dream Police”, “All We Need Is a Dream”, “I Must Be Dreamin’”, “Mandocello”   Thanks for tuning in to TechnoRetro Dads, EarBuds!  Go online for more TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, RetroZap.com, or TechnoRetroDads.libsyn.com.  Pick up your TechnoRetro Dads merchandise at TeePublic.  Don’t forget to rate and review TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, share us and with us on social media, get TechnoRetro merchandise at TeePublic, and join discussions on Discord about toys, cereal, games, movies and/or shows from the ‘70s and ‘80s by giving the ‘Dads your feedback via voice mail at (209) 878-7323 or sending us your mp3dback via electronic-M to podcast@TechnoRetroDads.com.

There are so many layers to entrepreneurship that needs to be explored when you want to become successful in it. Going deep into the retail side of it is Shannon Curtin. Shannon is a beauty industry expert, art curator, real estate developer, clean water activist, and the founder of TPG, The Possibility Group. She gives great insights into retail as she provides her personal experience in the industry, from talking about a trip she took down to FAO Schwartz in New York to the Hallmark Channel. Shannon also gives out her thoughts on retail buying and specialty retail as well as the things suppliers should stop doing. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! Here’s How » Join the On the Shelf community today: Ontheshelfnow.com On The Shelf Now Facebook Group On the Shelf Now Facebook On The Shelf Now Twitter On the Shelf Now Instagram

With the holiday season upon us, Sime and Victor brave the cheerful, crowded, and so-damn-wet streets of New York on a Sunday afternoon with our friend, and Christmas enthusiast, Bob Proctor. Have a listen to the sorts of holiday glee NYC has to offer.

In this episode: In this episode: Stephanie Dalfonzo, author of Goodbye Anxiety. Hello Freedom shares tips & tricks to manage stress and anxiety and even insomnia. 3 radio people reunite to share where they are now and why some of it has to do with Anxiety being the catalyst! Russ shares a story about latex and fruit??? Traci tells her story about her meltdown in front of FAO Schwartz in NYC. Stephanie reveals the details behind her Cheetos incident. Have you heard of the tapping technique for managing stress & insomnia? 35 techniques straight out of Stephanie’s book to help say goodby to anxiety Do you have issues of feeling anxiety when you are walking into an unfamiliar place? Have you ever had a meltdown that seemed like it would never end? What can you do??? How do you escape your negative voice when it gets into the judgement zone? Try Afformations instead of Affirmations.

Today on the Toy Power Podcast we cover the latest round of news from all corners of fandom. Mattel dive into the movie business and we have some ideas for them – not all of them good! Those NECA Movie Turtles get a mainstream release – how far can the line go? Did someone say Vanilla ICE? Some interesting headlines as the toy industry begins to take shape in a post-TRU world with big moves by Walmart and FAO Schwartz. Is the in-store magician our favorite new character? The new She-Ra cartoon has a reveal date but will Mattel be ready in time? #notbloodylikely Is Michael Bay making a Home Alone movie? Ben wonders why the Vultures head is so popular while Trent bemoans the psychology behind numbered Star Wars Black figures. We then have a quick look at a toy that features in EVERYones household – LEGO! But how did you read that just now? LAYGO? LEGO? LAEGO? Will Ben ever find missing dragon wing that was stolen by the heater? Will Trent every NOT send himself new toys from his Lego Postal Office? All the answers await you… #asktoypower Support the show.

This week we are the queens of the galaxy as we talk about The Rick & Morty Deck Building Game, Zardoz v Barbarella, Star Wars Life, Old Marvel crossover into the MCU, Our Obituaries, The LEGO Technic Bugatti Chiron, Blockbuster Beer, the return of FAO Schwartz, Incerdibles 2 breaks more records, Creep's "Awake", Marie Severin, Gary Friedrich, Gaming Goat, DC Universe, Thriller 3D comes to Imax, The 3D Craze of 1983, and lots of random geekiness. The resistance password is "Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch", it's time for a Geek Shock!

Deb Johns on Vogue experience with Tiffany's then Design Director John Loring ~ ". . . you learned every day. We used to have a Tuesday speaker come in. John Loring came in from Tiffany. And the best line I ever heard was he said he was standing at the front of Tiffany greeting customers and a little boy and his mom walked in and he had an FAO Schwartz bag. And he looked out at the broad floor of Tiffany with all the lights and blue boxes and he said, "Mommy, what is this?" And she said, "It's Mommy's FAO Schwartz." And so that was a moment in his life. He said it defined the importance of his brand." Deb Johns - Founder and Creative Director SCOUT Bags in studio interview with Andy Ockershausen Andy Ockershausen: This is Andy Ockershausen and this is Our Town. And I have a new guest and she's not really my guest, she's the guest of the Bubes family. Deb Johns: I'll take it. Andy Ockershausen: That ain't bad. We know that. But Deb Johns is an inventor, a designer, a wonderful, wonderful part of Our Town. And I'm so glad she moved her business here. And Deb is a designer. And Deb, the founder of SCOUT bags. Deb Johns: SCOUT bags. Andy Ockershausen: What a great reputation to women. They all know what I'm saying. I did not know. Now I know. Deb Johns: Yeah, and if they don't, they do now, right? Yeah. Andy Ockershausen: Now I know because you're gorgeous and I remember that. Deb Johns: Thank you. Andy Ockershausen: That's important. Believe me. Deb Johns: Thank you. Andy Ockershausen: When you go around selling. So Deb, you moved ... But you were in business in New York. Deb Johns: I was. Andy Ockershausen: You worked at Vogue. The New York Experience - Vogue Glory Days Deb Johns: Yes, yes. Andy Ockershausen: Were they the glory days of Vogue? I guess they're still glory days. Deb Johns: You know, it really was the "devil wears Prada". In fact, my days at Vogue were in the late '70s, early '80s when it was such an era of surplus, of enormity, of just vision and creativity. Andy Ockershausen: Wow. Deb Johns: What a great place to be in that time. I think I was in New York City the day disco died but I was at the discos until they died. We were club kids, we were running around, we were learning the business. And I had the benefit of really meeting some of the most iconic designers and influencers in those days in the business. Andy Ockershausen: I know exactly what you're saying, how important that is. But did you grow up in the city? Deb Johns: I did not. I am a mutt. I'm a true mutt. I grew up all over the country, west coast, east coast, northeast. Andy Ockershausen: Military? Deb Johns: No, my father was with a big corporation and instead of leaving us all week and going on the road he said, "Let me just move them every couple of years," which, frankly, I think made us really adaptable. Andy Ockershausen: Oh, I'm sure it did. Deb Johns: Yeah, very adaptable. Andy Ockershausen: A wonderful life, huh? Deb Johns: Yeah, yeah. And I feel very comfortable anywhere I go. Andy Ockershausen: Well, how'd you end up in New York? Cornell University - Design School Deb Johns: I ended up in New York, went to Cornell University, majored in design and textiles. It was really very much by plan. Andy Ockershausen: That's one of the world famous design schools - Cornell. Deb Johns: It's great. Great design school. Spent a semester in- Andy Ockershausen: Tough winters but great school. Deb Johns: Yeah, if you can get through that snow with your high boots on. But I did have a- Andy Ockershausen: I remember looking at a map and I don't think that New York State has been without snow since November. Deb Johns: I don't think so. And the city too. Andy Ockershausen: What a rough winter. Deb Johns: It's been a touch one. I have a son up there and- Andy Ockershausen: Where's he going? AOL - Jim Kimsey Deb Johns: He actually went to Michigan and works for AOL. He's an interviewer,

** IF YOU'VE ENJOYED THIS PLEASE LEAVE A SHORT REVIEW** 1.45 – Michael’s career, GE, Harley-Davison and FAO Schwartz – 2.16 – Dialogue and the evolution into customer experience (CX) – 3.50 – 2017 results and what differentiates top from bottom – 7.10 – The role of leaders in building CX culture (the CEO is key!) – 8.20 – ‘The customer is #1’ – a disconnect in organisations – 9.40 – Biggest blocker to excellent CX is politics – 12.40 - Geoff Bezos and the ‘customer’ chair in the boardroom – 13.30 – Richard Branson’s ‘staff first, not customer’ –  19.10 - Really great companies hire people who give a damn! – 20.14 – Zappos Culture School – 20.30 – The impact of poor customer experience – 22.55 – Customer experience vs customer service – 24.50 – Customer expectation dictates customer experience – 25.55 – High expectations of a consistent CX – 27.10 – Involving your people is central to CX culture – 29.57 – The impact of emotion – 32.30 – Leading with respect and being brave. For more see www.thecxcomany.com

Saddened by the recent announcement that Toys R Us will be shutting its doors forever, Christie and Nicole have decided to take this opportunity to honor the stores and brands of yesteryear that have succumbed to similar unfortunate fates. In loving memory of: Toys R Us Babies R Us Kids R Us KB Toys FAO Schwartz Noodle Kidoodle Discovery Zone Zany Brainy Warner Brothers Store Caldor Bradly’s Aimes Gadzooks Limited Too The Limited Delias Contempo Casuals Rheul Mars Walbaums A&P Genaurdis Borders B. Dalton The Wiz PC Richards CompUSA HH Gregg Circuit City The Sharper Image City Sports Ritz Camera Linens N’ Things Chi Chi’s Bennigan’s Kenny Roger’s The Sizzler Bob Barker as the Host of The Price is Right Additionally, this episode is also dedicated to all the parents that spent their Friday or Saturday nights during the 90’s in a mall with your daughters. Your sacrifices have not gone unnoticed. Be sure to like us on Facebook so that you stay up to date with everything and anything Underwhelmed Podcast related- https://www.facebook.com/underwhelmedpodcast/. Christie can be found on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/realchristiewheeler and Nicole can be found at https://www.instagram.com/realnicolekokinos. The official Underwhelmed Podcast Instagram page is- https://www.instagram.com/underwhelmedpodcast. Christie also misses the time when Chris Gunnels was her friend and even thought about emailing us. You’re our friend now, so be sure to email us at info@underwhelmedpodcast.com with your questions and suggestions!

Elna Baker helped hundreds of babies get adopted at her old job. No, not human babies. Elna was a fake nurse at a fake adoption center in FAO Schwartz, where she helped place realistic baby dolls in the homes of wealthy Manhattanites. Hear how she got attached to a little bundle of plastic joy in her story she told for RISK! in New York City. Host Eugene Mirman digs into the details of Elna's unusual job in this episode of Hold On.   In each episode of the Audible Comedy series Hold On, host Eugene Mirman (Bob's Burgers) pauses the funny stories of comedians and performers to get the skinny behind the story. Featured and future guests include: Jim Gaffigan, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Lisa Lampanelli, Mike Birbiglia, Reggie Watts, Kumail Nanjiani, Maria Bamford, Hasan Minhaj, John Mulaney, and more! Enjoy new episodes weekly on Audible.

Brought to you part by http://xdi.com 69-year old Toys 'R' Us was once the mecca of kids' gifts. But it was eventually overtaken by Walmart and ultimately Amazon. In its fight to stay relevant, Toys 'R' Us amassed $5 billion in debt. That came from slashing prices, signing major, exclusive licensing deals with toymakers and buying up other toy giants FAO Schwartz and KB Toys over the past decade. This past week Toys 'R' Us filed for bankruptcy. There is a generational moment of inflection occuring. If you don't believe me, ask the giraffe. 

In the third installment of the smash hit spin-off podcast MAL ADVICE, @Malive joins me to talk about her new podcast @AFewBeersIn and crack open extra special bonus episodes of Where’s The Brand New Album? & Tired of Weezer! The Based On Nothing sub-podcast family is all here. Mal also dishes out advice on pet tigers, how to roll your tongue, how to fall back in love with food, how to launch a viral challenge (#VASELINECHALLENGE), what instrument to make your child play, dating superheroes, True Detective season 3, confusion related to the minions, whether or not to watch LOST, supervillians, a Harry Potter reboot, what to name 11 cats, Star Wars, Mission Impossible 5, stuffed animals, that time Mal and I went to FAO Schwartz together and so much more. Follow Mal on Twitter, check out her podcast and subscribe to that one and this one too while you’re at it!

If you know me you know I am a collossal muppets fan. In fact I have my own muppet I created at the muppet work shop at FAO Schwartz. So this episode is a really big deal to me. Muppeteer and original Avenue Q cast member Stephanie D'Abruzzo stopped by the the Slam Pig Podcast Studio to talk about all things muppets, voices, and the joys of being able to work with amazing artists like Jim Henson for the last 20 years. it's one of my most favorite interviews ever! Enjoy.