In Episode 15 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) sits down with Ryan Wood, Model Shop Manager at LEGOLAND Florida Resort, for a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to build and maintain entire worlds out of LEGO.

Ryan shares his journey from AFOL to Master Model Builder - starting with conventions and community, to landing a spot in a competitive build challenge that launched a 17-year career across multiple LEGOLAND parks. From helping construct LEGOLAND New York Resort during the chaos of COVID to managing thousands of models in Florida, his story is a mix of creativity, persistence, and being in the right place at the right time.

The conversation dives into the realities most fans never consider: how LEGO models survive extreme heat, snow, and even wildlife (yes, otters included), what happens when a model gets destroyed overnight, and how teams can rebuild entire sections before the park even opens. Ryan also reveals how digital design has transformed the parks, how Easter eggs sneak into displays, and why snow might actually be a LEGO model’s best friend.

Plus, get an inside look at building new attractions like the Galacticoaster, judging LEGO competitions with real astronauts, and what it actually takes to become a Master Model Builder - hint: it’s not just about being good at LEGO.

Until next time… play well.

In Episode 14 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) sits down with acclaimed comic artist Paul Lee, whose work spans giants like DC Comics, Marvel Comics, and LEGO’s own storytelling universe.

From illustrating iconic characters to becoming one of the go-to artists for LEGO comics, Paul shares his unexpected journey—from chasing a career in traditional comics to finding a new creative path through LEGO. What started as a childhood passion came full circle, leading him to work on LEGO Club Magazine, Ninjago comics, and even contributing designs to The Lego Batman Movie.

The conversation dives deep into the realities of the comic industry, why it became unsustainable, and how that turning point led Paul to reinvent his career. Along the way, he reveals behind-the-scenes stories from working with LEGO, including how AFOL knowledge gave him an edge, the surprising lack of rigid creative rules, and the techniques he used to make his artwork stand out.

Paul also shares incredible insights into the intersection of art and LEGO—from using 3D tools like BrickLink Studio to speed up production, to the subtle details that separate good LEGO art from great LEGO art. Plus, stories from Comic-Con, honoring fellow builders in his work, and what it really means to turn a creative passion into a lasting career.

Until next time… play well.

In Episode 13 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) sits down with Daniel Siskind, the visionary founder of Brickmania, a company that transformed a passion for building into one of the most recognizable brands in the custom LEGO space.

From receiving one of the earliest LEGO sets as a child to building an empire of high-end, military-inspired kits, Daniel shares how his obsession with parts, creativity, and community led to the creation of Brickmania. What started as small, handmade runs of custom sets quickly evolved into a full-scale operation, complete with in-house printing, design, and production.

The conversation dives into the early days of sourcing bricks before BrickLink existed, the hustle of turning eBay sales into startup capital, and how customer demand unexpectedly pushed Brickmania into the military niche it’s known for today. Daniel also opens up about scaling from solo builder to running a full team, the realities of balancing business with community, and what it takes to stay innovative in a rapidly evolving hobby.

From basement builds to industrial printers, this episode is a deep dive into what happens when passion meets persistence—and how one builder helped shape an entire corner of the LEGO world.

📍 Find Daniel Siskind/BrickMania: • brickmania.com • Instagram: @brickmania_toys

To find the best LEGO deals, check out the Bargain Bricks app

Until next time… play well.