In Episode 3 of Tales From The Brick, Jon, aka 8 Bit Bricks, sits down with Manny Garcia, Season 1 contestant on LEGO Masters, who competed alongside his father, Nestor, as the show’s first father–son team. Manny shares his lifelong relationship with LEGO—from being rewarded with bricks as a kid, through his “dark ages,” and back into the hobby as a parent looking to connect with his children.

The conversation dives deep into Manny’s experience on LEGO Masters: the audition process, what the show really taught him about storytelling, aesthetics, and motion, and why the relationships built on and off camera mattered more than winning. Manny reflects on building with his dad, navigating TV production versus real LEGO building, and how Season 1 helped shape the future of the show in the U.S.

Beyond the show, Manny talks about the evolution of the LEGO fandom, convention culture, community collaboration, and why LEGO continues to push creativity forward through new parts, motors, programming, and play. The episode also explores mentoring future builders, inspiring kids and adults alike, and what Manny has planned next—from BrickWorld Chicago to BrickFair and beyond.

📍 Find Manny online: • TikTok: The Certified Brick Boy • Instagram / YouTube: GIB Bricks (Get Into Building) • Website: getintobuilding.com

Until next time… play well.

In Episode 2 of Tales From The Brick, Jon sits down with Joe Meno, longtime AFOL, founder of BrickJournal Magazine, and one of the key figures behind the early days of LEGO conventions in the United States. Joe traces his journey back to the late 1990s, when a job at the LEGO Imagination Center and the release of the first Star Wars sets pulled him out of his “dark ages” and back into the hobby.

The conversation dives deep into the origins of online LEGO fandom, including early community hubs like LUGNET and Brickshelf, and what it was like building and sharing MOCs before algorithms, social media, or influencer culture existed. Joe reflects on how those early spaces created genuine global connections—and friendships that still last more than 20 years later.

Joe also shares behind-the-scenes stories from organizing early conventions like BrickFest, the challenges of running volunteer-driven events, and how those experiences helped shape later conventions such as BrickFair, BrickWorld, and BrickCon. Along the way, he recounts memorable moments from Toy Fair, Comic-Con, LEGO community outreach, and unexpected opportunities that only LEGO could open the door to.

This episode is a firsthand look at how the LEGO community grew from small message boards into a worldwide phenomenon—and why, at its core, it has always been about people first.

📍 Find Joe Meno: • Facebook (search Joe Meno) • BrickJournal Magazine – available via twomorrows.com

Until next time… play well.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Tales From The Brick, where we tell the stories behind our favorite plastic bricks. This week, Jon is joined by Matt Cascone (aka MattsMiniFigs), a LEGO creator known for custom minifigs and MOCs he brings to red carpets, premieres, and live events to meet and photograph celebrities with his builds.

We discuss the logistics of celebrity LEGO moments: approaching premieres the right way, navigating security, why PR emails can be a black hole, and how showing the build in person often matters more than follower counts. Matt shares standout stories meeting celebrities like Ryan Reynolds, Becky Lynch (including WWE coverage), and behind-the-scenes moments from Live with Kelly and Mark, plus collaborations with NYC’s 92Y and what he hopes comes next.

Find Matt online: Instagram: @MattsMiniFigs His Wrestling Podcast: Mark IT Down Podcast / @MarkItDownPod

Until next time… play well.