Get Dispensed The Pez Podcast

For nearly 100 years, PEZ has quietly travelled through childhoods, collections, road trips, kitchen drawers, and pop culture history. Now… something extraordinary is happening. On opposite sides of the world, two Toy Halls of Fame are circling the same question: 👉 Is it finally time for PEZ? In this cinematic episode, Greg uncovers the surprising race between America and Australia, the emotional story behind PEZ’s journey from Austrian mint to global icon, and why 2027 could change everything forever. One hundred years.Two halls of fame.One tiny click heard around the world. 🍬

In Episode 51 of Get Dispensed: The Pez Podcast, we dive into one of the smallest yet most fascinating corners of the PEZ universe… Japanese mini PEZ. Joining Greg is Houston-based collector and community builder Sid Jacobson, the man behind the Facebook Japanese Mini PEZ Collectors group. What starts as a niche curiosity quickly reveals itself to be a world of intricate designs, rare finds, and a passionate international following. From capsule machine culture in Japan to the thrill of chasing tiny grails, Sid shares how these miniature marvels captured his attention and why they continue to enchant collectors around the globe. Along the way, you’ll discover: How Japanese mini PEZ first appeared and how they were originally sold What makes them so unique (and so addictive to collect) The rarest and most sought-after pieces in the hobby Stories from the collector community that prove big connections can come in small packages And what Sid would create if he designed his own mini PEZ Plus, Greg puts Sid through the signature 12-question “Pez pack” challenge and a rapid-fire round that reveals the collector behind the collection. Whether you’re a seasoned PEZ head or just discovering the hobby, this episode proves that sometimes the smallest collectibles tell the biggest stories. So crack open a pack, line up those dispensers, and get ready—because this episode is small in size, but massive in charm. Stay sweet, Pez Posse! 🍬

What do you get when you mix Pez, play theory, and a world-class toy inventor? A conversation that crackles like a freshly opened candy pack. In this episode of Get Dispensed: The Pez Podcast, Greg is joined by the brilliant and endlessly creative Tim Walsh—toy and game designer, bestselling author, historian of play, and one of the minds behind iconic games like Blurt!, Mad Gab, and TriBond. With over 7 million games sold across 13 countries, Tim’s work has sparked laughter, competition, and connection in living rooms around the globe. But this isn’t just a stroll down memory lane—it’s a deep dive into the magic of play itself. Together, Greg and Tim explore the enduring legacy of Pez, from its ingenious design and pop culture evolution to its surprising place in toy history. They also tackle the big question buzzing in the collector community: why hasn’t Pez yet been inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame—and could its 100-year anniversary finally be the moment? Along the way, Tim shares insights from his fascinating career, including behind-the-scenes stories from his hit YouTube deep dive on Pez, thoughts on creativity as a superpower, and what makes a toy truly timeless. You’ll also get: 🍬 The classic “12 Candies” questions covering design, history, and the future of Pez ⚡ A high-energy Rapid Fire Round packed with playful surprises 🎯 A creative “Question of the Week” inviting listeners to dream up their ultimate Pez mash-up Whether you’re a seasoned collector, a toy enthusiast, or just someone who believes a little more play could make the world a better place, this episode is pure joy in dispenser form. So press that spring, tilt back the head, and… Seize the Play! 🍭

In this heartwarming episode of Get Dispensed: The Pez Podcast, Greg travels across the Pacific (virtually, of course) to chat with American collector Michael McIntyre, better known in the Pez community as MrMcPez. What begins as a simple collecting story quickly turns into something far bigger. Michael shares how an accidental hobby grew into a lifelong passion for collecting Pez dispensers, building friendships across the globe, and ultimately turning candy-powered nostalgia into a force for good. Through long-distance charity cycling rides, Michael has raised funds for childhood cancer research, dedicating each ride to a child and spreading joy along the way. Joining the conversation is legendary collector Larry Mason — the current Pezhead of the Year and the first recipient of the Phenomenal Pezhead Award. Larry talks about the special Pez-inspired creations he makes for the children Michael rides for, and how the Pez community continues to rally together in remarkable ways. This episode is a reminder that sometimes the smallest things — a plastic dispenser and a piece of candy — can travel a very long road and carry a lot of heart. 🍬 In this episode: How Michael accidentally became a serious Pez collector The story behind MrMcPez Turning charity cycling into a mission for kids with cancer The role of the Pez community in supporting families Larry Mason’s custom Pez creations for the children Michael rides for Holy grail dispensers and dream Pez designs The Rapid-Fire Round and Question of the Week Because sometimes Pez doesn’t just dispense candy… it dispenses kindness. So load up your favourite dispenser and join Greg for another sweet adventure in the world of Pez collecting. Stay sweet, Pez Posse! 🍬

What happens when a seasoned journalist meets a pocket-sized candy icon? In this episode, Greg heads stateside to Connecticut to chat with John Breunig, editorial page editor for eight daily newspapers with Hearst Connecticut Media Group, and the author of the delightful piece “My Collection of Pez Stories.” From Halloween beginnings and newsroom desk displays to international Pez souvenirs, custom wedding dispensers, and one unforgettable theatre incident involving flying candy, this episode is packed with heart, humour, and headline-worthy moments. John shares how storytelling shaped his collecting journey, how Pez helped him teach his son the alphabet, and the incredible tale of his Captain Kirk Pez going on loan… to William Shatner himself. Yes, really. Along the way, we hit all 12 Pez questions, dive into a rapid-ire round, and tackle the Listener Question of the Week: If you could turn one moment from your life into a Pez dispenser, what would it be? This one’s a perfect blend of nostalgia, journalism, family, laughter, and candy-fuelled chaos. So load up your dispenser, sit back, and enjoy one of the most story-ich episodes yet. Stay sweet, Pez Posse! 🍬🎙️

What if Superman had a PEZ dispenser… in the 1960s? In this episode of Get Dispensed: The Pez Podcast, Greg “The Downunder Pez Hunter” uncovers one of the most fascinating near-misses in PEZ history. After a brief appearance on Netflix’s King of Collectables (Season 3, Episode 2), a deeper story emerges. In the mid-1960s, PEZ came remarkably close to releasing a Superman dispenser. Vending boxes were designed. Advertising sheets were printed. Prototypes were made. And then, everything stopped. Drawing on original advertising material, collector discoveries, and decades of misidentified prototypes, Greg explores how twelve Superman PEZ dispensers almost entered the world, why the project was likely cancelled, and how a handful of these rare pieces quietly survived for decades under the wrong names. Today, only four are confirmed to exist. Where are the others? This episode is part detective story, part pop culture history, and part collector legend. It’s a reminder that PEZ isn’t just candy. It’s a record of what mattered, what nearly mattered, and what slipped through the cracks. And sometimes, the most interesting stories aren’t about what was released… but what almost was.

🎙️ Get Dispensed: The Pez Podcast Episode 39 – PepperChacha: Thailand’s Queen of Colour and Creativity Get ready to travel to one of the most vibrant and smile-filled places on Earth — Thailand! 🇹🇭 This week, Greg — the Down Under Pez Hunter — unwraps a conversation as bright and bold as Bangkok’s night markets with the amazing Chacha Arita Ramnarong — actress, singer, martial artist, tattoo artist, and proud Pez collector known to her fans as PepperChacha. From starring on stage and screen to creating art on skin and collecting Pez on her shelves, Chacha lives and breathes creativity. In this episode, she shares:🍬 How her career in music and acting began🎨 The balance between performing, tattooing, and design💛 The story behind her friendship with Pez fan Anna Santos Salinas (and that famous Pez Nurse tattoo!)🇹🇭 What the Pez collecting community looks like in Thailand — and why it’s growing fast🧘‍♀️ Plus — which five dispensers she’d save in an emergency! Greg and Chacha also tackle the Rapid-Fire Round, and this week’s Pez Question of the Week:👉 If a Pez dispenser could come to life for one day, what would it say to you? It’s a colourful, creative, and candy-sweet episode that celebrates art, friendship, and Pez from across the world. 🎧 Tune in and discover why Thailand’s Pez spirit shines as bright as Chacha’s smile!

🎙️ Get Dispensed: The Pez Podcast Episode 37 – “Watt a Dispenser! How ABT Electronics Shocked the Pez World” (feat. Isaiah Robles) ⚡ When a family-owned appliance store from Illinois suddenly dropped its own Pez dispenser, collectors everywhere did a double take. In this electrifying episode, Greg chats with Isaiah Robles from ABT Electronics — one of the creative sparks behind the ABT Pez Truck that’s had the Pez world buzzing. From the company’s 1930s beginnings to its eco-friendly innovations and theme-park-sized showroom, Isaiah reveals how a fun idea in a tech empire turned into one of the most surprising Pez collaborations ever. Tune in to hear: 🚛 How the ABT Pez Truck came to life ⚙️ The behind-the-scenes journey from pitch to candy popper 🌍 The “electric” response from collectors worldwide 💡 “Watts” the future for their Pez truck Whether you’re into gadgets, good ideas, or great Pez stories — this one’s fully charged with creativity and collector energy. 🎧 Listen now and see why the ABT Pez Truck has everyone saying… “Watt a dispenser!”

Get Dispensed: The Pez Podcast – Episode 35: Bricks, Toys & Pez with Brian Baum What happens when a lifelong toy collector, Lego artist, and Pez hunter combine passions? You get Brian Baum — a creator who builds worlds one brick at a time and sneaks Pez magic into the mix. In this episode, Greg (the Down Under Pez Hunter) sits down with Brian to talk about: 🧱 His journey from toy collecting to becoming a Lego artist 🍬 The first Pez he ever owned — and the latest one he’s added to his collection 🎨 How he creates epic Lego Pez artworks (with thousands of bricks!) 🎭 Why the Pez community feels more like family than a hobby 🎁 His “desert island” top 5 toys and the stories behind them Plus, Brian takes on the Rapid-Fire Round — where Pez meets Lego in some hilarious “what if” mash-ups. Whether you’re a brick builder, a Pez collector, or just love geeking out over toys, this episode is stacked with creativity, colour, and candy-popping fun. 🎧 Hit play and join the Pez Posse for another sweet adventure!

🎙️ Get Dispensed the Pez Podcast Episode 33 – Poutine, Polar Bears & Plastic Heads: Lindsey Kirschner’s PEZ Story Grab your loonies, toonies, and a fistful of Pez candy—we’re heading to the Great White North! In this episode of Get Dispensed: The Pez Podcast, Greg sits down with Toronto’s own Lindsey Kirschner, a passionate Canadian collector with a love for all things Pez. From NHL exclusives to tales of hunting down dispensers in snowy Canada, Lindsey shares her story of how Pez became a sweet part of her life. We dive into her collection, favourite dispensers, and the friendships and fun that come with being part of the Pez Posse. Of course, we play 12 Questions for 12 Candies and put Lindsey through the fan-favourite Rapid Fire Round—including whether she’d choose hockey or maple syrup, and which Canadian food should become a Pez dispenser! Plus, don’t miss this week’s listener challenge: If you could pick one Canadian icon—real or fictional—to be made into a Pez dispenser, who would it be and why? It’s a fun, friendly, and frosty ride through Canada’s Pez scene—so tune in, stay sweet, and enjoy Lindsey’s story, eh?

🎙️ Get Dispensed the Pez Podcast Episode 31: Mentors, Memories & Minty Magic – Bob & Faye Tipton’s PEZ Legacy G’day Pez Posse, and welcome back to Get Dispensed: The PEZ Podcast — the sweetest show where little plastic heads click open not just candy, but friendships, memories, and a whole lot of community spirit. This week’s episode is all about mentors, milestones, and the magic of PEZ. My guests, Bob & Faye Tipton, have spent decades at the heart of the collecting world — from running the Washington PEZ Gathering, to writing books, to leading the weekly community Zoom calls that bring collectors together across the globe. For me, they’ve been more than collectors. They’ve been mentors, cheerleaders, and friends. Whether it’s offering advice, welcoming new faces, or even saying, “I’ve got just the dispenser you’ve been looking for,” Bob and Faye embody everything that makes the PEZ community special. We’ll chat about:🍬 Their origin story and the first (and latest!) dispensers in their collection🍬 Bob’s passion for PEZ badges and why they matter🍬 Memories from gatherings and conventions that shaped their journey🍬 What keeps them clicking after all these years🍬 And — since Bob’s recently retired — what a “PEZ retirement dream” looks like! Stick around for a rapid-fire round of Click Quick questions, and this week’s listener challenge: What’s your PEZ retirement dream? Mine’s heading to Europe to meet as many collectors as I can — but I want to hear yours! Bob & Faye’s story is a reminder that PEZ isn’t just about the candy or the plastic — it’s about the people. ✨ Tune in for an episode filled with wisdom, warmth, and a whole lot of minty magic.

🎙️ Episode 29 – Behind the Seams with Victoria Gridley: Costume, Creativity & PEZ This week, we’re trading sugar for stitches… but don’t worry — PEZ still makes a fashionable appearance! G’day PEZ Posse! In this episode, we go behind the seams with the wildly talented Victoria Gridley — a Wardrobe Technician, costume designer, and creative force behind dazzling performances from the Royal New Zealand Ballet to film sets deep in the kiwi bush. Victoria doesn’t just sew fabric — she stitches stories. From mythical creatures to quick-change chaos, she brings characters to life while empowering performers with every detail, dart, and drape. But beyond the tulle and thread, Victoria has a quirky side: she’s also a PEZ collector! And in this episode, she opens up her costume trunk and her candy drawer as we chat about her creative journey, her love of peppermint pop-culture, and her dream dispenser design. You’ll hear about: ✨ Her bold leap from Australia to New Zealand’s stage scene 🧵 Why costume design is more than just sparkle 🦘 The PEZ dispensers that made the trip across the Tasman 🎭 The creatures of Aotearoa brought to life in ballet 👗 And what happens when backstage goes hilariously wrong So whether you’re into tutus or toy heads, this episode is your all-access pass to the sweet spot where costume meets candy. Tune in now to Episode 29 of Get Dispensed: The PEZ Podcast — where Victoria Gridley proves that creativity really can come wrapped in cellophane.

🎙️ Get Dispensed the Pez Podcast Episode 28: A History of PEZ – From Cake Mix to Candy Icons How did a 1920s peppermint lozenge become a global pop culture phenomenon? In this special milestone episode of Get Dispensed: The PEZ Podcast, Greg (aka the Downunder Pez Hunter) cranks back the candy clock to unwrap the sweet and surprising history of PEZ. From cake mix origins and anti-smoking mints to Baby Yoda and Funko Pop hybrids, this episode is packed with quirky facts, collector gems, and a whole lotta PEZ love. Hear how PEZ evolved through the decades, discover the rarest dispensers (looking at you, Space Gun and World's Fair Astronaut B 👀), and find out why Santa Claus still tops the PEZ charts. PLUS – Greg celebrates over 2,000 downloads in 30 countries and shares why this community is the real magic behind the plastic heads and brick candy. Whether you’re a vintage-vibes collector or new to the world of spring-loaded sweetness, this nostalgic ride is a must-click. 🎧 Hit play, stay sweet, and let’s get dispensed!