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PODCAST

Toys on Tap

Toys on Tap is a designer-toy podcast, creative platform, and production studio founded and hosted by Abraham Musto. It interviews artists, sculptors, collectors, and creators from the designer-toy, sofubi, resin, vinyl, bootleg, and collectible-art communities. Toys on Tap also helps artists develop and launch physical toys through production planning, factory coordination, crowdfunding strategy, packaging, storytelling, and promotion.

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All Episodes

101:40

Ep. 260 Toys on Tap w/ Janky Toys: Making Art While...

Toys on Tap ·

2026/01/26

We sit down with Christopher (Janky Toys) for a wide-ranging, deeply honest conversation about making art, surviving the market, and staying human in the process. We talk DesignerCon, orbiting the toy scene without chasing the spotlight, and why working with artists, not just collectors, changes everything. We get personal about job loss, burnout, therapy, and the cost of caring too much at work. From bootleg toys and parody art to AI’s impact on creativity, shrinking runs, and the shift toward

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43:02

Ep. 259 Toys on Tap w/ GonKong Studios:From Tattoo...

Toys on Tap ·

2026/01/19

We sit down with Josh of Gong Kong Studios to trace a path that runs from childhood anime obsessions to tattooing, and eventually into soft vinyl toy making. We talk Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh, obscure robot cartoons, and how discovering sofubi at a hardcore show flipped a creative switch. Josh walks us through the real learning curve of toy production; failed airbrushes, resculpting after tough feedback, scaling figures down to what actually sells, and navigating factories with help from the right people

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50:33

Ep. 258 Toys on Tap w/ Nofubi Toys: Hong Kong, Kaiju,...

Toys on Tap ·

2026/01/12

We sit down with Dan to explore how a life spent in Hong Kong, at the crossroads of Eastern and Western pop culture, shaped his path into toy design. From growing up surrounded by kaiju, Ultraman, and untranslated toys, to building a career in commercial design, this episode traces how creativity evolves without ever disappearing. We talk soft vinyl, 3D printing, factory precision, and why limited, in-house production matters when you want control over your work. Dan shares the story behind his

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85:58

Ep. 257 Toys on Tap w/ Akashik Records Toys: Ten...

Toys on Tap ·

2026/01/05

We’re diving deep into kaiju culture, business reality, and what it really takes to last in the indie toy world. From childhood obsessions with Pokemon to turning collection into creation, we sit down with Dave to trace a decade-long path of trial, failure, and hard-earned clarity. We talk DesignerCon strategy, why business discipline matters more than pure creativity, and how failed Kickstarters don’t have to define you. Dave opens up about gatekeeping, trusting your instincts, and building toys

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77:40

Ep. 256 Toys on Tap w/ Spumoni Toys Co: Building Toys...

Toys on Tap ·

2025/12/29

We’re breaking down the real indie toy grind, fresh off DesignerCon and IndyToy Show, talking vendor culture, why pre-show connection matters, and what separates good shows from great ones. Then we go deep with Spumoni Toys. From growing up in connection with a family-run toy factory producing iconic figures, to falling in love with kaiju, Power Rangers, and animation, to teaching himself 3D sculpting during lockdown, this is a raw look at building toys from obsession and grit. We unpack Kickstarter

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51:01

Ep. 255 Toys on Tap w/ MindSponge Toys: Toy...

Toys on Tap ·

2025/12/22

This episode is a full-tilt ride through art, toys, culture, and creative obsession. MindSponge breaks down his rapid rise in the art-toy world, sharing how he sold out early releases, navigated preorders, and learned why building a core audience matters more than chasing followers. We dive into vinyl production, staggered drops, hip-hop influence, and balancing artistic integrity with toyetic appeal. MindSponge also takes a turn and opens up about overcoming addiction, turning creativity into

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55:43

Ep. 254 Toys on Tap w/ MUMBOT: Art, Toys, and Playing...

Toys on Tap ·

2025/12/15

What happens when art week chaos, toy shows, Web3, and long-term creative vision collide? We sit down with MUMBOT for a wide-ranging, honest, and surprisingly grounding conversation on building a sustainable art life without losing your soul. From Miami Art Week and live painting to navigating Asian toy markets, choosing the right shows, and resisting the pressure to turn everything into a cash grab, this episode is packed with real talk. We dig into long-term projects, community over clout,

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75:35

Ep. 253 Toys on Tap w/ Madworld Toys: From Needles to...

Toys on Tap ·

2025/12/08

After finally seeing each other at DesignerCon, we get to dive into the awkward art of navigating conventions and the respect it takes to approach people well. Madworld shares how 18 years of tattooing, childhood love of monsters, and a creative slump pushed him into sofubi. We get to walk through the journey from early sketches to producing his kaiju Eborath, the sludge-born protector inspired by sci-fi and horror. From selling out at G-Fest to planning new designs, Adam’s story is grit, community,

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57:01

Ep. 252 Toys on Tap w/ Mecha Virus: Kaiju, Customs,...

Toys on Tap ·

2025/12/01

We sit down with Mechavirus for a fast-moving dive into his journey from Boston street art to kaiju customs to full-on vinyl production. Todd talks returning to the scene, the rise of DIY toy studios, and the spark behind his robot-meets-steampunk aesthetic. He breaks down early factory struggles, how tech changed the game, and why U.S. vinyl production is finally leveling up. Todd also teases his newest project, The Watchers, blending humanoid and mech forms. A killer look at creativity, craft, and

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48:52

Ep. 251 Toys on Tap w/ The Last Goldfish: From...

Toys on Tap ·

2025/11/24

Kelly Barfield grew up without TV, without many toys… but surrounded by ancient Egyptian artifacts. Now she designs toys at Kid Robot by day and builds her own wonderfully strange fish-themed empire by night. We dive in with Kelly as she unpacks how museums shaped her imagination, why humor is hiding in history, and how her journey went from car modeling to Nerf blasters to art-toy storytelling. We explore the beauty of odd, inexplicable objects, the joy of making things that outlive the digital

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71:31

Ep. 250 Toys on Tap w/ Paul Kaiju: From Model Kits to...

Toys on Tap ·

2025/11/17

In this packed episode, we sit down with the legendary Paul Kaiju to trace his path from early model kits and “Wild West” vinyl experiments to becoming one of the most influential artists in the sofubi world. We dive into shipping nightmares, unexpected tariffs, and the obscure paint techniques behind iconic Japanese vinyl. Paul opens up about his early commissions, his transition into original designs, lessons from Goto-san’s workshop, and the evolution of events like SummerSlime and DesignerCon

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64:25

Ep. 249 Toys on Tap w/ Sebastián Gómez: From Chile to...

Toys on Tap ·

2025/11/10

We sit down with 3D artist and toy designer Sebastian to explore his incredible journey from Chile to the U.S., where he arrived without knowing a word of English and found his voice through art and toys. From sketching Thundercats and TMNT to sculpting for Disney and landing a licensing deal with Mondo, Sebastian shares how a childhood love for collecting became a full-fledged creative career. We dive into his work in animation, digital sculpting, and custom toy design for his son, all while

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56:29

Ep. 248 Toys on Tap w/ Rick Kitagawa: Kaiju Coaching...

Toys on Tap ·

2025/11/03

What if the monsters in your head could help you grow? In this episode, we sit down with Rick; artist, toy designer, and creator of Kaiju Coaching which helps to explore how “inner monsters” can fuel creativity instead of fear. From his early days in screen printing and co-founding a San Francisco print shop to sculpting vinyl figures, Rick’s story weaves art, anxiety, and empowerment into one wild narrative. Hear how he blends mythology, mental health, and monster metaphors to coach creatives

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95:12

Ep. 247 Toys on Tap w/ Theo Cane: From Battle Bars to...

Toys on Tap ·

2025/10/27

This week, we sit down with Theo Kane, the former battle rapper, filmmaker, and the creative force behind Slimehouse TV. From spitting bars to sculpting toys, Theo’s story is one of relentless creativity and reinvention. He shares how growing up with an antique-dealer father sparked his obsession with toys, how 90s plastic junk became modern treasure, and why authenticity always beats algorithms. They dig into the grind of building a niche YouTube empire, the evolution of toy culture, and the

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79:30

Ep. 246Toys on Tap w/ David Coffman: The Secret...

Toys on Tap ·

2025/10/20

From a farm in Gilroy to the world of animation and sofubi, David's journey is one of grit, creativity, and community. In this episode, We sit down with the artist behind Secret Handshake Toys to talk about how Saturday morning cartoons sparked a lifelong love of animation and toy collecting. David shares his path from Hallmark animator to indie toymaker, how social media reshaped the collector scene, and what it takes to turn passion into production. From sculpting his first Kappa to launching his

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67:01

Ep. 245 Toys on Tap w/ Chance Priest: Handcrafted...

Toys on Tap ·

2025/10/13

After 2 years away, Chance returns to Toys on Tap with a massive update. From running a 45,000 sq. ft. warehouse to streamlining his operation, Chance opens up about the grind, the downsizing, and the auctions that keep his empire alive. He’s created over 200 handcrafted figures, each sculpted, molded, and painted by hand, while balancing the late-night creative rush and the chaos of Comic Cons. We dive deep into the wild world of bootlegs, from rare Mexican TMNT figures to the hidden factories

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60:30

Ep. 244 Toys on Tap w/ Toy Monster Podcast: Toy...

Toys on Tap ·

2025/10/06

What happens when lifelong toy collectors turn their childhood obsessions into careers and creative ventures? In this episode of Toys on Tap, we sit down with Chris and Nick; tattoo artists, podcasters, and toy fanatics, to explore how toys have shaped every stage of their lives. From chasing the world record for Optimus Prime figures to turning nostalgia into sculpted art, they unpack the emotional heartbeat behind collecting and creating. Together they dive into the realities of toy production

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59:20

Ep. 243 Toys on Tap:Bootlegs, Basslines & Resin...

Toys on Tap ·

2025/09/29

This week on Toys on Tap, we sit down with Christian of Pope Toys for a deep dive into the wild intersections of collecting, customizing, and creating. From childhood Ninja Turtle hunts and Ghostbuster yard-sale scores to horror-inspired kitbashes and rare bootleg finds, the conversation traces how a love of toys evolved into a resin-casting practice that thrives on experimentation. Along the way, they unpack the challenges of painting, resin work in cold climates, and the realities of shipping

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43:48

Ep. 242 Toys on Tap: From Punk to Kaiju: Paul’s...

Toys on Tap ·

2025/09/22

This episode of Toys on Tap dives into the origins of legendary toy maker Paul Kaiju (Paul Copeland). From 1970s Chicago mornings watching Speed Racer, Kimba, and Son of Godzilla with his dad, to hunting Japanese die-cast treasures in Little Tokyo, Paul’s story is pure nostalgia. The path winds through skateboarding, punk shows, and even a career in aerospace, where resin casting first sparked his sculpting journey. Blending punk art, skate culture, and Japanese vinyl, Paul built a foundation for an

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70:45

Ep. 241 Toys on Tap: Dinos, Mechs, and Making It...

Toys on Tap ·

2025/09/15

This week we sit down with illustrator and toy designer Tony Bui to dive into his creative journey from Saturday morning cartoons and Street Fighter marathons to launching his own toy lines. Tony shares how he balanced art school with military commitments, made the leap from greeting cards to resin toys, and found his footing in the indie toy scene with smash-hit dinos and mech-inspired creations. Hear how Captain Pink Eye was born at a Vegas con, what’s next for his sofubi dreams, and why mixing

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323 results

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