logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2024
1h 10m

American Girl Doll

David Farrier
About this episode
In this week’s episode, David visits the American Girl store in Los Angeles, attempting to learn what is so American about the American Girl doll. There he meets Alyson Campbell, the Senior Events and Marketing Coordinator at American Girl - who explains how the store works. He then gets Jamie Cygielman on the line, senior vice president and GM for American ... Show More
Up next
Nov 3
Midterm Election
In this week’s Flightless Bird, David and Rob look at the midterm elections and what to expect - bringing in expert Erin Geiger Smith, a journalist and author who has worked at Reuters and Business Insider and has covered US elections extensively. Join us for bonus Flightless Bir ... Show More
57m 23s
Oct 27
Scary Clowns
In this week’s spooky Flightless Bird episode (you know, Halloween and that) we look at one of the scariest motifs known to man: Clowns. Rob and David are joined in the studio by Guilford Adams, director of the documentary American Clown and a professional clown himself - to disc ... Show More
57m 1s
Oct 20
Bigfoot Day
The Patterson-Gimlin Bigfoot film is as iconic as the moon landing and footage of the JFK assassination. But was it real? In today’s episode, we have the final, conclusive answer to this question. If you missed the memo, today is the National Bigfoot Day, so Flightless Bird is do ... Show More
1h 5m
Recommended Episodes
May 2025
American Girl Dolls | 136
During the 1990s a doll that taught kids about American History became a major force within the crowded toy market. The 18 inch historically accurate dolls were expensive and only available by mail order, but they managed to capture the imagination of an entire generation and in ... Show More
26m 40s
Apr 2021
The doll
About a doll story 
3s
Jul 2023
Barbie: German Sex Doll to American Icon
<p>She's an icon, a polymath, a fashionista, and she's absolutely everywhere right now.</p><br><p>Where did Barbie come from? What has she represented to the many who have bought and played with her? And what makes her an American doll?</p><br><p>In this episode, M.G. Lord joins ... Show More
31m 54s
Dec 2012
How Barbie Doll Works
<p>In this episode, Josh and Chuck explore the history, cultural impact and feminist ire raised by the Barbie doll. The boys are joined by Gordon Javna, the founder of the Bathroom Readers' Institute and publisher of Uncle John's Bathroom Reader.</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ... Show More
1h 1m
May 2023
it's a doll's house and we're living in it (with Dr. Jillian Hernandez)
This episode is a director's cut version of So we’re all obsessed with dolls right now, including extra discussions on dolls in horror films, "living dolls," the power of Bratz, and an interview with Dr. Jillian Hernandez, professor and author of Aesthetics of Excess: The Art of ... Show More
1h 23m
Oct 2023
Are dolls good for girls?
<p>Kim Chakanetsa speaks to a psychologist and a doll maker to discuss the impact of playing with toys on the brain. </p><p>Dr Lisa Dinella is an expert on how toys influence the child’s brain, their sense of self and even the opportunities they have in later life. She is a profe ... Show More
27m 15s
Nov 2023
Why Do We Play With Dolls? with Freyja Hartzell
Dolls play a huge part in our childhoods. Whether it was your best friend, or it gave you the creeps, your doll probably had some role in making you who you are today. This week, Getting Curious is getting all dolled up! Freyja Hartzell joins Jonathan to talk about disability rep ... Show More
54m 10s
Jul 2023
Introducing LA Made: The Barbie Tapes from LAist Studios
"LA Made: The Barbie Tapes," from LAist Studios, tells the true story of the making and marketing of the most famous doll in the world, Barbie, told by the people who did it. We’ll hear from Mattel co-founder Ruth Handler, who spent years trying to convince her own company to mak ... Show More
31m 48s
Sep 2023
The World’s Most Famous Doll (Who Shall Remain Nameless for Legal Reasons) Goes to Court to Protect Her Brand
With the success of Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster movie, we are once again living in a doll’s world. Toymaker Mattel has long had a reputation for aggressively defending its Barbie-related intellectual property. Hosts Trisha Rich and Maggie Mendenhall Casey are joi ... Show More
55m 4s