This episode needed to happen.

Before we get into the hard truths, we pause to celebrate a major milestone. One hundred and fifty episodes. What started as a short audio-only experiment has grown into a full video podcast with tens of thousands of listeners, over eighty thousand YouTube views, and more watch time than I ever imagined. If you’ve been here for any part of that journey, thank you. Truly.

But this episode isn’t a victory lap. It’s a reality check.

Over the last year, and especially heading into 2026, it’s become impossible to ignore what LEGO is doing and why they’re doing it. Prices are rising. Big sets are getting bigger. Entry points are disappearing. And this isn’t a temporary phase or a rough patch. We’ve crossed the point of no return.

This is not a gripe episode. This is not a rant. This is an acceptance episode.

We’re talking honestly about the reality of collecting LEGO in 2026 and beyond, and the uncomfortable truth that LEGO is perfectly fine pricing casual fans and budget-conscious collectors out of the hobby. They don’t need every consumer anymore. The data has proven that. If some people walk away or go third-party, LEGO is okay with that. The system still works for them.

The episode breaks down into three parts. First, how we got here, framed through the familiar stages of grief that many longtime fans have unknowingly gone through over the last few years. Then we hit the tipping point, the recent moments that made it crystal clear that LEGO can charge almost anything and still sell out, from licensed juggernauts to preorder numbers that feel almost unreal. Finally, we look forward. What this means for collectors. What it means for investors. And how you can approach the hobby with clearer eyes and better expectations.

We talk supply and demand, hype cycles, GWPs, patience, and why “pay to play” is no longer a warning, but the rule. We also discuss alternatives, because for the first time in a long time, going outside the LEGO ecosystem isn’t just a fringe option, it’s a rational one.

If you’ve ever felt conflicted about your LEGO spending, frustrated by prices, or unsure how long you can keep up, this episode is for you. Not to tell you to quit, but to help you understand the game as it exists now, not as we wish it still was.

LEGO didn’t lose. LEGO didn’t change accidentally. LEGO won.

The question is what you do next?

Music Credit: YouTube Music Library

This week’s news and rumors episode feels less like a recap and more like a warning. LEGO Pokémon has officially arrived, and the rollout is already doing exactly what many people feared it would. Massive, premium sets. Limited promos. Insider-only rewards. And a buying frenzy that started the moment listings went live. If you’re just now catching up, there’s a very real chance some of this wave is already gone, or already creeping into resale territory.

We break down the full Pokémon launch hitting February 27, from the more approachable builds to the massive Kanto-era centerpiece that instantly became the center of controversy. Between exclusive GWPs, Insider point rewards, and a price tag that demands commitment, this release has sparked serious debate about who these sets are really for and whether the average fan ever had a fair shot in the first 24 hours.

And Pokémon isn’t the only Nintendo-related shock this week.

We also finally got our first look at a brand-new Legend of Zelda set, giving fans a glimpse at what’s coming next for the franchise in LEGO form and adding even more fuel to an already wild week of announcements.

On top of that, the episode is stacked with major news across multiple themes, new promos tied to LEGO Insiders, and one of the most loaded BrickLink Designer Program rerelease drops yet. With limited preorder windows, regional release times, and demand already spiking, this is another reminder that timing matters more than ever if you want your hands on sets you thought were already gone forever.

We talk hype, scarcity, resellers, and what these rapid sell-outs say about the direction LEGO is heading in 2026.

If you want to know what’s coming, what’s controversial, and what you may have already missed, this is an episode you don’t want to skip.

Music Credit: YouTube Music Library

In this episode, I’m taking a closer look at one of the most quietly interesting releases from the BrickLink Designer Program — Riverside Scholars from Series 4. This is a set that didn’t make a lot of noise at launch, didn’t sell out during preorders, and yet, in my opinion, has aged in a way very few BrickLink sets manage to do.

We’ll talk about why Riverside Scholars struggled during preorders, what makes it stand out now, and how its value, presentation, and overall experience compare to other Series 4 releases. It’s a great example of how first impressions don’t always tell the full story — especially in the BrickLink ecosystem.

If you’ve skipped over this set, wondered whether it was worth the price, or questioned how BrickLink Designer sets age once the dust settles, this episode is for you.

Music Credit: YouTube Music Library