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Clutch Power: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Eric Crittenden
A Show about the Ways We Love LEGO. In-depth conversations about LEGO. Hosted by Emmy-nominated reporter Eric Crittenden.
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- 2 weeks ago57 min
When did LEGO get so complicated? (LIVE show from Dragon-Con 2026!)
Who let me in front of a crowd? A badly-needed analysis of how, why, and when LEGOs got so complicated I held at Dragon Con 2026!Joining me on this panel were two familiar faces for viewers of Clutch Power 18: What Race is a LEGO Minifig?:Corey D. Samuels - LEGO Masters Contestant and LEGO STEM TeacherChristine “Tacos” Blandino - LEGO Masters Contestant and LEGO STEM TeacherI can’t thank them enough for coming on the panel with me! They have done so many cons and panels and they brought a much-needed air of confidence and professionalism to the panel.I also want to thank John Christian, head of the Maker track at Dragon Con. Thank you for taking a chance on me! LEGO has had 0 representation at Dragon Con, but based on the turnout and amount of questions, people wanna chat LEGO. And I am happy to oblige.if you’re a Clutch Power supporter, you get an entire other panel I did solo, with the intriguing title ILLEGAL LEGO (oooooh). This one was more casual, sillier, and you can see me in a big dumb LEGO brick costume. Who doesn’t want that?It’s $2 / month to become a Clutch Power supporter, and you’ll get bonus content for every released episode so far - along with a companion MOC for most episodes.Join the Patreon!All music by Nihilore (www.nihilore.com):Alter EgoNonexistent
- 4 weeks ago1h 5m
Where is the Taylor Swift LEGO set? (with my fiancée!)
Olivia Rodrigo has a LEGO set. BTS has a LEGO set. Where is the LEGO set for the biggest pop star in the world? Today’s guest: Olivia Sheane aka my fiancée! We got engaged on August 12th and I want you guys to get to know her. She is a Taylor Swift fanatic in the same way that I am a LEGO fanatic. Once she named 300 Taylor Swift songs off the dome which I don’t even think I could do for LEGO. If you’re a Clutch Power supporter, you’ll get a bonus act called: “Idol Merch”. Olivia and I walk through Taylor Swift’s recent merch offerings (for Life of a Showgirl) and hold it up next to her best stuff. You’ll also get access to a special MOC just for this episode! I asked Olivia what icon best represents Taylor Swift and she said her famed rhinestone guitar. Turns out there are not a ton of rhinestone-adjacent elements but I did my best! It’s $2 / month to become a Clutch Power supporter, and you’ll get bonus content + a MOC for every episode! Become a Member! Music by Nihilore (www.nihilore.com): The Other Side Alter Ego Breaking the Cycle Hemiteleia The Promised Place Beyond the Clouds This is How You Know I Had a Good Weekend
- Aug 10, 202647 min
Can LEGO Outperform the Stock Market? (with Phil Edwards and KDX Bricks Analytics!)
Some LEGO sets are worth their weight in gold. Some LEGO sets are worth more than that. And a small cabal of LEGO Investors is finding ways to make serious profit. Two guests today! First, the incredible Phil Edwards. If you haven’t seen Phil on Youtube yet, consider this your formal invitation. For a data / culture fiend like me, his videos are a feast every single time. Here are some of my favorites from his recent videos: The cult of Buc-ee’s I bought a billboard to explain billboards Why these playgrounds disappeared Of course, the video that prompted me to reach out is The secret economics of LEGO, which takes a different look at this whole weird world of investments. My other guest - Kevin of KDX Bricks Analytics. Kevin’s videos are very straightforward, very numbers- and facts-based, and, as someone who had no exposure to this world, fascinating. If you want to dip a toe into the LEGO Investing pool, he told me people can get started here: Brick Seller Boot Camp Kevin says, and I quote: “it’s a game changer for anyone doing over $10k of profit annually”. For Clutch Power supporters, you get a bonus segment with Kevin all about the green flags and red flags of LEGO themes. One theme he mentioned surprised me…makes me want to do an episode on it. Which theme? You’ll have to join to find out! It’s $2 / month to become a Clutch Power supporter, and you’ll get bonus content + a MOC for every episode! Join the Patreon! All music by Nihilore (www.nihilore.com): Alter Ego Nonexistent Apparition Eternal Light Laissez-faire
- Jul 27, 202639 min
LEGO and Nintendo - Best Friends or Mortal Enemies?
It seems like a no-brainer collab, but LEGO and Nintendo have a history messier than your one bum cousin. On this episode, a look at LEGO and Nintendo’s first time butting heads in the 60s, and how that evolved into the beautiful partnership of 2026. Today’s guest: Chris Byrne, AKA The Toy Guy! Chris is a genuine talent who’s appeared on Live with Kelly and Mark, Oprah, Good Morning America, and a million other shows! He loves talking toys. Here are a few of my favorite Chris Byrne appearances: Chris’ Ted Talk: How Your Childhood Toys Tell Your Life Story Hot Summer Toys 2019 (one of my favorite YouTube thumbnails ever) Where Are Kids Today and How to Meet Them A hundred thousand thanks to Chris for talking with me. Nintendo has such a fascinating history that they don’t really talk about; it was fun looking back! If you’re a Patreon supporter, you’ll get a bonus act called: “I Dreamed a Dream”. My old podcast collaborator Joseph Thomas and I brainstorm LEGO sets for some lesser-known LEGO themes including: Fire Emblem Mother Tomadachi Life You’ll also get access to a special MOC just for this episode! I learned how to draw Mario when I was eight and I’m happy to share that those skills transfer to LEGO! It’s $2 / month to become a Patron, and you’ll get bonus content + a MOC for every episode! Join the Patreon! Music by Nihilore (www.nihilore.com): The Other Side Alter Ego An Unwavering Will The Author Never Dies Forgiven Reluctance
- Jul 13, 202637 min
Loretta Veney's Mom
Loretta Veney had been building LEGO with her mom for decades. And even after her mom was diagnosed with dementia, their love of LEGO kept them together. Today’s guests: the wonderful Loretta Veney! Loretta is an inspirational speaker, author, and LEGO Serious Play facilitator. Her mom was diagnosed with dementia in 2006, and in the years after, through the highs and the lows of the disease, LEGO would help ground her mother. Here are a few links if you want to see more of Loretta: Read about Loretta’s mom and LEGOs here. WCVE PBS did a wonderful documentary with Loretta and other caregivers and you can see them in action (around 15:30). Loretta’s book: Being My Mom’s Mom Loretta is such a jolt of positivity; I feel honored to share her story. For Clutch Power supporters, you’ll hear a bonus segment with Natalia Kasperovich. Natalis runs Bricks for Better Brains and ran a study about the relationship between people living with dementia and LEGO. It’s really interesting stuff. I have experience working with people with dementia and they are often treated like children, so it’s super important to give them agency whenever possible. I love that Natalia’s work is doing that! You’ll also get access to a MOC I built just for this episode! It’s a portrait of Loretta’s mom, Doris. I hope it does her justice. It’s $2 / month to become a Clutch Power supporter, and you’ll get bonus content + a MOC for every episode! Join the Patreon! All music by Nihilore (www.nihilore.com): Alter Ego Nonexistent The Water and the Well Garden Escape Aquamarine, My Distant Blue
- Jun 29, 202639 min
The Heat Death of LEGO Universe
LEGO Universe shut down on January 31st, 2012. But a group of players are dedicated to keeping the lights still running - 14 years later. Today’s guests: HailStorm and aronwk from Nexus Universe. Nexus Universe is a public server where you can experience LEGO Universe like it’s 2011 again. It’s extremely simple to set up - only took me a few minutes. All you’ll need is a Discord to get the game key, and you’re on your way! Get started here! Both HailStorm and Aaron warned me of what they call the “scam server”. I won’t get into specifics, but they say it’s another LEGO Universe server that will charge you money for stuff as simple as like levelling up. I can personally vouch that Nexus Universe is safe, credible, and constantly moderated, so if you want to experience LEGO Universe, go with Nexus. If you’re a Clutch Power supporter, you get a bonus video. My buddy Joe from Jeez! joins me as we play through the opening of LEGO Universe. If you’re not sure if LEGO Universe is for you, check out that video - you’ll get the answer! You’ll also get access to this MOC I built just for this episode! is a recreation of the Nexus Force symbol (the good guys in LEGO Universe). If you, like me, thought making a five-pointed star would be simple, then you, like me, might be struck but how not true that is. It’s $2 / month to become a Clutch Power supporter, and you’ll get bonus content + a MOC for every episode! Join the Patreon! All music by Nihilore (www.nihilore.com): Alter Ego Nonexistent Four and a Half Tatami Violence
- Jun 15, 202634 min
What Race is a LEGO Minifig?
WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE LEGO says yellow represents every person. LEGO fans of color disagree. On this episode, a deep dive into the origins of the “yellow everyman” and the consequences that’s had on the LEGO fandom. Today’s guests are numerous and wide-ranging, from philosophers to LEGO Masters contestants. In order of appearance: Randall Wilson - LEGO Masters Contestant and Brick Artist Wes Royer - founder of BLACKLUG Levi Knighten - LEGO fan and writer Roy T. Cook - Professor of Philosophy, University of Minnesota Corey D. Samuels - LEGO Masters Contestant and LEGO STEM Teacher Christine “Tacos” Blandino - LEGO Masters Contestant and LEGO STEM Teacher This episode is the culmination of months of work, research, and feedback - not just from those six guests. I want to shout-out a few others for working with me on this episode: Harrison White BrickContractor brick5cape Syreeta Gates Jerry Shannon Olivia Sheane (my girlfriend!) If you’re a Clutch Power supporter, you get a bonus act between Parts 2 and 3 called “The Yellow Option”, where I jump back to 2015 when LEGO’s “yellow minifig myth” was stretched to its limits. I also talk to LEGO fans of color who do use the yellow minifig to represent them. It’s $2 / month to become a Patron, and you’ll get bonus content + a MOC for every episode! Join the Patreon! Sources: Hollywood’s Racism Exposed…by LEGO (Wired) Everything is Racist (Wyatt Cenac) Why are Emojis Yellow? (Lily Alexandre) The Smiley Face was Invented for Corporate America (Smithsonian Channel) The Yellow LEGO Minifigure. Is it Black is it White? View from the kids eye. (Iceberg Bricks) Inside the AC360 doll study (CNN) The First and Last Time I Experienced Racism (Grindr) People Tell The Stories Of The First Time They Experienced Racism! (Yours Truly) BILLY DEE WILLIAMS: Lando’s Significance to Star Wars, Chemistry with Diana Ross & Innate Smoothness (Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum) George Lucas talks STAR WARS, Coppola, gender/race + more from Cannes 2024 (That Shelf) LEGO Booth Comic-Con 2015 (TrolleyTimeSD) San Diego Comic-Con 2015: LEGO Booth Tour (GamesRadar) DC & Lego Steal the Show at Comic-Con 2015! (fanlalatv) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTxTPz-bnuw" target="_blan
- Jun 1, 202631 min
Copy of The Heat Death of LEGO Universe
There are over 250 Bricks & Minifigs stores that claim to be independent. But what kind of control does the corporate office have over its franchises? BAM (Bricks & Minifigs) is entrenched in Internet outrage, at least one lawsuit, and allegations flying around. Many BAM locations have come out with statements saying they are “locally owned and operated small business.” On this episode, I sit down with a franchise attorney to examine BAM’s Franchise Agreement, how it compares to its Operations Manual, and some of the more uncommon aspects of that agreement. I also take those questions to Ammon McNeff, CEO of Bricks & Minifigs. In the spirit of transparency, I’ve put up the full, unedited interview with Ammon on my Patreon. You can view it for $2. Join the Patreon! Also, to address claims that I’m working with BAM or I’m in their camp, let me say: I have shared the full interview with Reckless Ben, the YouTuber who put these allegations into the spotlight. I am more than willing to share any information I have with relevant parties. My loyalty is, and will always be, to the truth. All I ask is that these parties share in that loyalty to the truth. All music by Nihilore (www.nihilore.com): Alter Ego Nonexistent Building Nests in the Ruins
About Clutch Power
A Show about the Ways We Love LEGO. In-depth conversations about LEGO. Hosted by Emmy-nominated reporter Eric Crittenden.
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