For the Love of Brick: Interviews with LEGO Enthusiasts

It's Father's Day today and we are releasing a special episode dedicated to our late son Alby, who unexpectedly passed away a few weeks ago. Greg shares how LEGO played a role in their relationship and in the weeks after Alby's death.

Greg sits down with Bruce B. Heller, a US AFOL who went from a successful career in animation to building LEGO commissions full-time. He is also the founder of GayFOLs- a global community providing a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQIA+ AFOLs. He discusses some of the discrimination faced by many in the community, and what GayFOLs means to its members. Bruce educates listeners (and Greg) on how they can be allies to the LGBTQIA+ community and shares his hopes for the future of GayFOLs. ***Episode Content Warning: Suicide   Check out Bruce’s bespoke LEGO models through his Cornerstone Brick Designs business: cbdbespoke.com. To join the GayFOLs Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/899536703460398/ Follow GayFOLs on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/gayfols/   For our Australian listeners: If you require mental health support, here are some helplines: Lifeline – call 131114 or visit https://www.lifeline.org.au/ Suicide Callback Service – call 1300 659 476 or visit https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/ For our younger listeners, visit Kids Helpline online at https://kidshelpline.com.au/ or call 1800 55 1800 For LGBTIQA+ support – call 1800 184 527 or visit https://qlife.org.au/   For our International listeners, please speak with your doctor for local support services.   --   Thanks for listening :) Don’t forget to subscribe to us, wherever you get your podcast fix. Drop us a line by email (fortheloveofbrick[at]gmail.com) or at our socials if you want to say hi! Twitter: https://twitter.com/4theloveofbrick, IG: https://www.instagram.com/fortheloveofbrick/, or FB: https://www.facebook.com/forthelovebrick/.

In today's episode, Greg chats with Corey D. Samuels, the LEGO STEM Teacher from the first season of LEGO Masters US. Corey talks about how he uses LEGO to enhance students' engagement in his science, technology, engineering and mathematics classes. He discusses his other LEGO projects including his fashion creation, the Brego (LEGO brooch). Corey also chats about starting a charity with his brother Travis called Brothers Who Brick, a project close to their hearts, inspired by Travis’ diagnosis of cancer as a child.   Please check out Corey’s website to learn all about his various LEGO projects (STEM classes, Brego and Brothers Who Brick): https://samzbrego.com/ . You can hit Corey up on his socials including his personal one: https://www.instagram.com/samzbrego_llc/ or Brothers Who Brick’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/brothers_who_brick/ .   --   Thanks for listening :) Don’t forget to subscribe to us, wherever you get your podcast fix. Drop us a line by email (fortheloveofbrick[at]gmail.com) or at our socials if you want to say hi! Twitter: https://twitter.com/4theloveofbrick, IG: https://www.instagram.com/fortheloveofbrick/, or FB: https://www.facebook.com/forthelovebrick/.

Greg had the extraordinaire opportunity to chat with Nathan Sawaya – former corporate lawyer turned brick artist, renowned for his large-scale LEGO sculptures. Nathan is also a LEGO Master Builder, LEGO Certified Professional AND holds four Guinness records for his artwork! Nathan talks about his successful art career and how his art has evolved over the years. He also gives us an insight into his work helping bring the latest season of LEGO Masters US to the screen and how COVID provided additional challenges to the show’s production.   For our US listeners, LEGO Masters US Season 2 has officially started:  https://www.fox.com/lego-masters/ . To learn more about Nathan, see his past and current work including exhibition details, please visit https://www.brickartist.com/. Nathan's IG: https://www.instagram.com/nathansawaya/ .   --   Thanks for listening :) Don’t forget to subscribe to us, wherever you get your podcast fix. Drop us a line by email (fortheloveofbrick[at]gmail.com) or at our socials if you want to say hi! Twitter: https://twitter.com/4theloveofbrick, IG: https://www.instagram.com/fortheloveofbrick/, or FB: https://www.facebook.com/forthelovebrick/.

Greg catches up with Jay Ong, a fellow Aussie AFOL behind Jay’s Brick Blog – an independent LEGO blog that started when social media was just in its infancy and influencers weren’t a thing. Jay shares with us why he finds creating media content about LEGO so fulfilling and what he hopes his followers get from following his blog. Jay talks about embracing the type of LEGO fan he is and his latest project ‘Extra Pieces’ – a shiny new LEGO podcast with another Aussie AFOL, Richard Jones (Rambling Brick).   Check out Jay’s Brick Blog: https://jaysbrickblog.com/ or follow his socials including his Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/jayong28/. In his spare time, Jay is also creating content for his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JaysBrickBlog/. If that wasn’t enough, he also has a podcast with Richard Jones called ‘Extra Pieces’: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/extra-pieces-lego-conversations-perspectives/id1561004198 .   --   Thanks for listening :) Don’t forget to subscribe to us, wherever you get your podcast fix. Drop us a line by email (fortheloveofbrick[at]gmail.com) or at our socials if you want to say hi! Twitter: https://twitter.com/4theloveofbrick, IG: https://www.instagram.com/fortheloveofbrick/, or FB: https://www.facebook.com/forthelovebrick/.

Greg chats with the accomplished emiko oye, a US jeweller who creates bold and colourful jewellery using repurposed LEGO. She shares with Greg her LEGO journey - going from having dreams of becoming a fashion designer to having her work exhibited at numerous shows and museums. Greg learns more about the unique qualities of LEGO that make emiko’s jewellery so engaging and how jewellery is considered a serious art form. emiko also talks about how blind luck played a role in connecting her with the LEGO Group, that kick-started their collaborations.   To get a chance to ogle at emiko's striking jewellery, please visit https://www.emikooreware.com/. You can also follow her socials: https://www.instagram.com/emikooreware/ and https://www.facebook.com/emikooreware.   --   Thanks for listening :) Don’t forget to subscribe to us, wherever you get your podcast fix. Drop us a line by email (fortheloveofbrick[at]gmail.com) or at our socials if you want to say hi! Twitter: https://twitter.com/4theloveofbrick, IG: https://www.instagram.com/fortheloveofbrick/, or FB: https://www.facebook.com/forthelovebrick/.

This episode features Tom Alphin, the multitalented AFOL who runs the Brick Architect website. Tom has authored The LEGO Architect book and Greg learns more about the process of creating a successfully published LEGO book. They chat about Tom’s resources for the LEGO community, such as the LEGO Storage Guide that helps people identify the most ideal way to organize their LEGO collection. Greg also hears more about his favourite of Tom's creations – the LEGO Brick Labels which helps AFOLs locate pieces amongst those walls of LEGO storage.     To follow Tom’s LEGO website, order the book or access the free LEGO storage guide or LEGO Brick labels, visit his website: brickarchitect.com. You can find links to his socials there too.     --   Thanks for listening :) Don’t forget to subscribe to us, wherever you get your podcast fix. Drop us a line by email (fortheloveofbrick[at]gmail.com) or at our socials if you want to say hi! Twitter: https://twitter.com/4theloveofbrick, IG: https://www.instagram.com/fortheloveofbrick/, or FB: https://www.facebook.com/forthelovebrick/.

Greg chats with Marcel Bonnici, an automation engineer behind the hugely popular YouTube channel ‘Astonishing Studios’, where he showcases his astonishing LEGO creations inspired by vending machines – machines that dispense food to even more advanced machines that actually cook the food! Greg learns more about the evolution of both Marcel’s machines and his YouTube channel, and the challenges of balancing practical mechanics with good-looking designs. Marcel also shares useful tips that may help hopeful LEGO YouTubers in finding success.

To see Marcel’s astonishing creations, please check out his Astonishing Studios YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW-nTiduQso39qU-nwRLFnw. And you can follow him on IG as well: https://www.instagram.com/astonishingstudios/

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Thanks for listening :) Don’t forget to subscribe to us, wherever you get your podcast fix. Drop us a line by email (fortheloveofbrick[at]gmail.com) or at our socials if you want to say hi! Twitter: https://twitter.com/4theloveofbrick, IG: https://www.instagram.com/fortheloveofbrick/, or FB: https://www.facebook.com/forthelovebrick/.

In celebration of the 10 year anniversary of LEGO Ninjago, Greg meets with Brayden Nelson and Lachlan 'Jan' Jansen - both who teamed up with two other Day 1 Ninjago friends to create an upcoming documentary called Ninjago 10 years of Spinjitzu: A Documentary. Greg gets a rundown on Ninjago including how to actually pronounce the word! They also share the process of tackling this remarkable project. Brayden and Jan share why Ninjago resonates with so many fans and generally rave on about the awesomeness of the show, the talented creators and the dedicated fan community.   Please watch the epic trailer for the upcoming release of Ninjago 10 Years of Spinjitzu: A Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDDnKJfniPI . You can follow both guests on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Ninja_Whip (Brayden) and  https://twitter.com/Marvellous_Jan (Jan). To further explore Ninjago, visit the Ninjago fan page: https://keepers-of-spinjitzu.com/ or tune in to the Ninjago podcast ‘The Marvellous Cast’ at https://www.youtube.com/c/TheMarvellousCast/ .   --   Thanks for listening :) Don’t forget to subscribe to us, wherever you get your podcast fix. Drop us a line by email (fortheloveofbrick[at]gmail.com) or at our socials if you want to say hi! Twitter: https://twitter.com/4theloveofbrick, IG: https://www.instagram.com/fortheloveofbrick/, or FB: https://www.facebook.com/forthelovebrick/.

Greg meets with Andrew Tuppen and Damian Hinds, known by many as last year’s runner-ups of LEGO Masters Australia, but their love of LEGO extends much further than the limits of the show. They reflect over their time on LEGO Masters but also discuss how the show has allowed them to launch their own LEGO business, Clicking Bricks – where they continue to spread their love of LEGO with others whilst often supporting valuable community organisations and schools in the process. Greg can’t help but get caught up in their genuine joy and enthusiasm for the colourful plastic bricks in this episode.     To learn more about Andrew and Damian’s newest LEGO adventure, Clicking Bricks, visit their website: https://www.clickingbricks.com/, or follow their socials on FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Entertainment-Website/Clicking-Bricks-106409857691576/ and IG: https://www.instagram.com/clickingbricks_au/ .     --   Thanks for listening :) Don’t forget to subscribe to us, wherever you get your podcast fix. Drop us a line by email (fortheloveofbrick[at]gmail.com) or at our socials if you want to say hi! Twitter: https://twitter.com/4theloveofbrick, IG: https://www.instagram.com/fortheloveofbrick/, or FB: https://www.facebook.com/forthelovebrick/.

Greg gets to wear his cultural hat this episode as he chats with US Brick Artist, Kate Hunter, known for her striking mosaics, ranging from recreations of 1960s Pop Art to her own original creations.  Kate shares how creating mosaics was initially a way for her family to cope with COVID lockdown, and how her mosaic sets spread beyond her home, bringing joy and comfort to other members of the local community. Greg and Kate chat about Kate finding LEGO as her art medium and how the LEGO Art range could be broadening the appeal of LEGO to a wider audience.   To check out Kate’s extraordinaire mosaics plus her regular live streams with a fellow AFOL, please visit her IG: https://www.instagram.com/brickhuntress/. And if you fancy having an idea or photograph made into a LEGO mosaic, hit her up by email: brickhuntressmosaics[at]gmail.com   --   Thanks for listening :) Don’t forget to subscribe to us, wherever you get your podcast fix. Drop us a line by email (fortheloveofbrick[at]gmail.com) or at our socials if you want to say hi! Twitter: https://twitter.com/4theloveofbrick, IG: https://www.instagram.com/fortheloveofbrick/, or FB: https://www.facebook.com/forthelovebrick/.

Greg chats with British AFOL Chris Smith from FC Brickstand, a brick football club from the Buildersliga. Chris explains his transition from recreating football stadiums with LEGO to the creation of a fully-fledged brick football club, complete with fierce competition with other teams, an enthusiastic fan base and a star striker. Greg also learns about the important work Chris does through Pure Brick Studio, a social enterprise via a bricklink store plus creative LEGO studio for people with disabilities. It’s an all-round wholesome episode!   Follow Chris’ brick football club, FC Brickstand, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/fcbrickstand. To view Chris’ LEGO stadium recreations, visit http://brickstand.com/. And check out his meaningful work with people with disabilities through the Pure Brick Studio: https://www.instagram.com/purebrickstudio/ .                                                                                        --   Thanks for listening :) Don’t forget to subscribe to us, wherever you get your podcast fix. Drop us a line by email (fortheloveofbrick[at]gmail.com) or at our socials if you want to say hi! Twitter: https://twitter.com/4theloveofbrick, IG: https://www.instagram.com/fortheloveofbrick/, or FB: https://www.facebook.com/forthelovebrick/.

Greg is introduced to the wonderful world of GBC (great ball contraptions) after chatting with an Aussie GBC expert, Rohan Beckett. Greg learns how GBCs blend fun, engineering and problem-solving together, including some of the ingenious ways GBCs transport balls from point A to B. Rohan shares the joys but also the unique challenges of engaging in this niche LEGO area. Despite GBCs being one of the more popular displays at conventions, Greg hears how exhibiting GBCs can feel like wrangling 100 toddlers!

For a chance to view Rohan’s amazing GBCs, visit his YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoHDc70y6GUu7fM_isgRPxQ.   And if you want to pick Rohan’s brain, you’ll find him at the following Facebook groups: OZLUG: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OZLUGAustralianLegoUserGroup LEGO Technic Australia: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1490126504538763 Australian GBC Team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/763230430392160 .                                                                                          --   Thanks for listening :) Don’t forget to subscribe to us, wherever you get your podcast fix. Drop us a line by email (fortheloveofbrick[at]gmail.com) or at our socials if you want to say hi! Twitter: https://twitter.com/4theloveofbrick, IG: https://www.instagram.com/fortheloveofbrick/, or FB: https://www.facebook.com/forthelovebrick/.

Welcome to For the Love of Brick’s first episode for 2021! To launch Season 2, we are releasing a special episode in celebration of this week’s Brickvention, Australia’s LEGO fan convention hosted in Melbourne. Greg hears from a collection of AFOLs who share their fondest experiences of Brickvention. Common themes of community, creativity and sharing their love of LEGO with their peers and the wider community are throughout this little episode.

Special thanks for this week’s guests: Bailey Fullarton (flickr.com/photos/bfbricks/) Jay Ong (instagram.com/jayong28/) Rohan Beckett (facebook.com/groups/763230430392160/) Wade Davey (youtube.com/watch?v=VVp_A83k8fo) Jason Cichon (flickr.com/141887484@N05) Sue Ann Barber (bricknerd.com) Steve Reynolds (youtube.com/channel/UC5sSICdD8nQFKT0Tttm_PWg) Richard Jones (instagram.com/ramblingbrick/) Kale Frost (instagram.com/frostbricks/)

If your calendar is clear this weekend, you can visit Brickvention from the comfort of your own home as it’s moved online this year. Definitely worth a look: brickvention.online/

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Thanks for listening :) Don’t forget to subscribe to us, wherever you get your podcast fix. Drop us a line by email (fortheloveofbrick[at]gmail.com) or at our socials if you want to say hi! Twitter: twitter.com/4theloveofbrick, IG: instagram.com/fortheloveofbrick/, or FB: facebook.com/forthelovebrick/.

In this final episode for 2020, our first ever Christmas Special, we finally learn more about our host, Greg McDonald, and why he thought we needed yet another podcast in this world! We hear from previous guests on how LEGO helped them through 2020, including Greg’s own tale of how LEGO helped him survive self-isolation due to a COVID scare. Greg basically thanks the entire world for the podcast… but seriously, thanks to all our guests, listeners and everyone involved in helping make For the Love of Brick come to life. And happy festive season to you all!

Big shout out to this week’s guests: James Pegrum - Brick to the Past: (https://www.instagram.com/bricktothepast/) Megan Lum and Alice Finch - Women’s Brick Initiative: (https://www.instagram.com/thewomensbrick/) Kale Frost – Frost Bricks: (https://www.instagram.com/frostbricks/) Loretta Sanford – UNLEASH: (https://www.instagram.com/littleoldlegolady/) Marco Andre – 100 LEGO Stories: (https://www.instagram.com/100legostories/) )

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Thanks for listening. We’ll be back in January 2021 :) Don’t forget to subscribe to us, wherever you get your podcast fix. Drop us a line by email (fortheloveofbrick[at]gmail.com) or at our socials if you want to say hi! Twitter: https://twitter.com/4theloveofbrick, IG: https://www.instagram.com/fortheloveofbrick/, or FB: https://www.facebook.com/forthelovebrick/.

Greg chats with Loretta Sanford from UNLEASH (United Network of LEGO Enthusiasts in Senior Housing) – a program that brings the joy of LEGO into the lives of older citizens residing in senior housing. Greg learns about how this innovative program challenges many of the unhelpful assumptions made about older adults’ capabilities and their interests. Loretta also shares the many benefits citizens gain from participating, and how LEGO can be used as a tool to combat bullying in this group.

To learn more about UNLEASH, visit https://www.unleashcommunity.com/. To see what Loretta and the team have been up to recently, check out Loretta’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/littleoldlegolady/. Loretta is keen for UNLEASH to grow so if you’re interested in running a program local to you, please get in touch via email unleashbuilders[at]gmail.com.

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Thanks for listening :) Don’t forget to subscribe to us, wherever you get your podcast fix. Drop us a line by email (fortheloveofbrick[at]gmail.com) or at our socials if you want to say hi! Twitter: https://twitter.com/4theloveofbrick, IG: https://www.instagram.com/fortheloveofbrick/, or FB: https://www.facebook.com/forthelovebrick/.

Greg meets up with fellow Melburnian, Richard Jones, the editor and curator of ‘The Rambling Brick’. Richard shares how his unique take on LEGO eventually resulted in the creation of his long form LEGO blog. Richard introduces us to Bill and Mary- two minifigures first featured in the 6000 Ideas book, and shares his extensively researched speculation about their appearances throughout the years! Richard and Greg discuss their shared enthusiasm for the return of in-person AFOL events.

Check out Richard’s extensive LEGO blog: https://ramblingbrick.com/. Or visit his socials including IG: https://www.instagram.com/ramblingbrick/. Twitter: https://twitter.com/ramblingbrick .

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Thanks for listening :) Don’t forget to subscribe to us, wherever you get your podcast fix. Drop us a line by email (fortheloveofbrick[at]gmail.com) or at our socials if you want to say hi! Twitter: https://twitter.com/4theloveofbrick, IG: https://www.instagram.com/fortheloveofbrick/, or FB: https://www.facebook.com/forthelovebrick/.

Greg chats with Shelly Corbett, a fine arts photographer who has made a name for herself in toy photography circles, mostly for her stunning LEGO minifig photographs. Shelly shares with Greg some of the ins and outs of toy photography and why people should consider going on a toy photography adventure themselves! She also enlightens Greg with some very useful tips in transitioning from simply taking photos of plastic toys to capturing photos that make your toys feel alive.

Want to take your toy photography to another level? Check out the Toy Photographers website Shelly co-created, which also features an in-depth podcast: https://toyphotographers.com/. To see Shelly’s gorgeous photos, check out her website: https://shellycorbett.com/. Or try these socials: IG: https://www.instagram.com/shellycorbettphotography/ Flickr: https://live-fts.flickr.com/photos/32309295@N08/ .

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Thanks for listening :) Don’t forget to subscribe to us, wherever you get your podcast fix. Drop us a line by email (fortheloveofbrick[at]gmail.com) or at our socials if you want to say hi! Twitter: https://twitter.com/4theloveofbrick, IG: https://www.instagram.com/fortheloveofbrick/, or FB: https://www.facebook.com/forthelovebrick/.

Greg meets with Henry Pinto, whose official title is LEGO Masters Australia 2019 Champion- one half of the winning team with LEGO partner, Cade Franklin. Henry shares behind-the-scenes stories from the set including how Henry’s building style was initially unsuited for the competition, and how Cade and Henry's building styles luckily complimented each other. Greg and Henry have a serious geek out over mechs, and we learn more about Henry’s techniques for building his popular robots. Henry also reveals some tips for any budding future contestants of LEGO Masters out there.

Check out Henry’s socials to see his amazing builds, especially his famous mechs. IG: https://www.instagram.com/the_lego_dark_knight/ Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/145406000@N04 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/orionpax1981/

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Thanks for listening :) Don’t forget to subscribe to us, wherever you get your podcast fix. Drop us a line by email (fortheloveofbrick[at]gmail.com) or at our socials if you want to say hi! Twitter: https://twitter.com/4theloveofbrick, IG: https://www.instagram.com/fortheloveofbrick/, or FB: https://www.facebook.com/forthelovebrick/.

In today’s episode, Greg sits down with Kevin Hinkle, a talented freelance artist who took a twelve-year detour away from his artistic career to work for LEGO Group. He reflects over the early beginnings of his career, earning slightly above the minimum wage in a LEGO store, to eventually working in LEGO community management covering the North, Central and South America. Kevin also discusses his LEGO comic about LEGO fans, ‘Bricks in the Middle’. We learn about the advantages of being known in the community for his LEGO illustrations, but simultaneously the difficulties of changing the perception of his artistic capabilities and style.

You can connect with Kevin via his Twitter (https://twitter.com/MrHinkleDraws), IG (https://www.instagram.com/MrHinkleDraws/) or website (https://www.kevinahinkle.com/). If you want to deep dive into Kevin’s story, you can find the Forever Sorting podcast on Kevin’s youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/MrHinkleDraws/featured. Last but not least, you can check out his free LEGO comic: https://bricksinthemiddle.com/ .

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Thanks for listening :) Don’t forget to subscribe to us, wherever you get your podcast fix. Drop us a line by email (fortheloveofbrick[at]gmail.com) or at our socials if you want to say hi! Twitter: https://twitter.com/4theloveofbrick, IG: https://www.instagram.com/fortheloveofbrick/, or FB: https://www.facebook.com/forthelovebrick/.