The Iconic Dollcast

This week on The Iconic Dollcast, I’m joined by fellow American Girl enthusiast Blake Changnon (@blake.changnon) for a heartfelt conversation about the dolls, books, and characters that have stayed with us throughout our lives.

Blake shares his personal journey with American Girl and how the brand helped him navigate difficult challenges growing up, offering comfort, inspiration, and a sense of belonging when he needed it most. Together, we discuss the lasting impact of American Girl’s stories, the historical characters that resonate most with us, and why these dolls continue to matter decades after their debut.

We rank favorite dolls, books, and outfits, debate which character is the most iconic in the brand’s history, and reflect on the memories these beloved characters have given us. We also dive into the realities of being adult doll collectors—especially as men—and why collecting is more accepted today than ever before, while still carrying certain stigmas and misconceptions.

Along the way, we talk about how doll collecting influences friendships and relationships, how American Girl has evolved through changing times and fan criticism, and our thoughts on the brand-new The Making of American Girl book.

Whether you grew up with these characters or discovered them later in life, this episode is a celebration of the stories, history, and community that make American Girl so special.

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This week on The Iconic Dollcast, HAPPY PRIDE 🌈 — I’m joined by Peter Andrew Danzig for a conversation all about queer representation in dolls… and why it’s so often hidden in plain sight. From queer-coded fashion dolls to the rare few that were actually marketed as openly gay, we explore the complicated history of sexuality, masculinity, censorship, and identity in the toy aisle.

We dive into the controversy surrounding dolls inspired by Elton John and Keith Haring, the legacy of Gay Bob, Magic Earring Ken, RuPaul, Trixie Mattel and so much more — including how even American Girl has faced controversy over LGBTQ+ representation. We also discuss why male dolls still struggle with body diversity and how characters like Ken have been heavily queer coded for decades without companies ever fully acknowledging it.

From camp to controversy, coded marketing to genuine inclusivity, this episode explores what queer representation in dolls has looked like in the past — and what we hope it could become in the future.

This week on The Iconic Dollcast, I’m joined by Madeline and Malachi (@all.my.plastic.children) for the first-ever couple interview on the show—and it’s one of the most unique conversations we’ve had yet. Brought together through a shared love of dolls, toys, and miniature worlds, the two open up about their relationship, their collecting journeys, and the very eclectic tastes that make their collection stand out.

We talk about what truly makes dolls so special, why some people are fascinated by them while others seem uncomfortable, and whether the fear surrounding dolls is really just fear of the unknown. We also discuss the realities of collecting as a couple, the assumptions often made about male doll collectors, and the social dynamics that come with sharing your passion online.

Plus—we dive deep into the incredible world of SMART DOLLS: where they came from, what makes them different, and why they’ve developed such a devoted fanbase. Madeline and Malachi also get candid about social media notoriety, online bullying, and the highs and lows of being visible in the collector community
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This week on the Iconic Dollcast I’m joined by doll and toy designer Cimmi (@thedollhead) for a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the toy industry.

Cinni worked for Play Along, Mattel, Hasbro and more — helping create dolls tied to major pop culture icons including Hannah Montana, The Cheetah Girls, Taylor Swift and many other unforgettable toy lines from the 90s and 2000s.

We discuss how she worked her way up in the industry, the reality of designing dolls and toys to fit strict budgets, and what it was like seeing her creations hit store shelves for the very first time. We also talk about her work on brands like Cabbage Patch Kids, Polly Pocket, Baby Alive and My Little Pony, along with the evolution of toy design from hand sculpting to 3D printing and scanning.

If you’ve ever wondered how dolls actually get made or what it really takes to build a career in toy design, this episode is packed with nostalgia, insider stories and behind-the-scenes insight.

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This week on the Iconic Dollcast, I’m joined by Jenna (@heyyalldolls) for a fun and nostalgic conversation all about the joy of doll collecting and the memories attached to it. We dive into the dolls from our childhoods that somehow disappeared from memory until we rediscovered them years later—and why those finds can feel so emotional and special.

We also talk about the luxury (and chaos) of having a dedicated doll room, how the perception of adult doll collecting has evolved over the years, and the huge role social media has played in bringing collectors together from all over the world. There’s something really special about finally “finding your people” in the doll community, and we get into how that sense of connection has changed the hobby for both of us.

Of course, we couldn’t skip American Girl. We discuss our favorite historicals, the best places to hunt for dolls, why there are far more adult AG collectors than people realize, and why restoring and refurbishing American Girl dolls is weirdly therapeutic and satisfying. We also share some of our best thrift store finds, thoughts on the newer modern AG dolls, and plenty more doll collector rambling along the way.
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