Get Dispensed The Pez Podcast

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 do Jelly Belly jelly beans, wild candy inventions, and Pez dispensers all have in common? One brilliantly creative mind: David Klein.  In this episode, Greg “The Down Under Pez Hunter” Potent is joined by the legendary candy innovator behind Jelly Belly, Polar Popcorn, and Sandy Candy for a joyful deep dive into the world of confectionery creativity, novelty design, and collectible culture.  From David’s very first Pez memory to his thoughts on candy storytelling, dispenser design, and what makes a sweet idea truly stick, this episode is packed with insight, imagination, and more than a few sugar-fuelled sparks of inspiration. Plus, David tackles the infamous 12 Candies, survives the Rapid Fire Round, and helps us dream up what a next-generation Pez-style dispenser could look like.  Whether you’re a lifelong Pez collector, a candy connoisseur, or just love a great origin story, this episode is a colourful ride through innovation, nostalgia, and the art of turning small ideas into legendary brands.  So flip back that Pez head, press play, and let’s step into a world where jelly beans meet Pez dreams.  🍬 Stay sweet, Pez Posse! 

Ever wondered how Pez actually gets from the factory… to the shelves of your local shop? In Episode 43, Greg (your Down Under Pez Hunter 🇦🇺) continues the behind-the-scenes journey of the Pez world, this time diving into the vital link between importers and retailers: the wholesalers. Joining the show is Lyle Baker, General Manager of The Distributors Brisbane, one of the key players helping Pez dispensers and refills reach stores across South East Queensland. Together, we unwrap the real-life “Pez pipeline” as Lyle shares what it’s like moving stock from warehouse to storefront, how Pez performs with retailers, and what happens when a new release drops and demand goes through the roof. Plus: ⚡ Rapid Fire Round: Pop or Drop! ❓ Question of the Week: What’s the most unusual place you’ve ever found Pez for sale? Whether you’re a hardcore collector or just love the sweet nostalgia of those little candy bricks, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and a whole lot of Pez love. 📩 Share your Question of the Week answers: getdispensedpodcast@outlook.com 📱 Or jump onto Facebook: Get Dispensed: The Pez Podcast 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 41 – “PEZ Masters of the Universe: Custom Art with Martin Kreitlein” Get ready, Pez Posse — this episode is an absolute powerhouse of nostalgia, creativity, and custom art magic! This week, Greg (your Down Under Pez Hunter) travels — figuratively — to the stunning Franconia region of northern Bavaria, home of medieval towns, legendary brewing traditions, and one very imaginative artist. Meet Martin Kreitlein — SAP Analytics Consultant by day, creative visionary by night, and the mind behind some of the wildest and most inventive Masters of the Universe x PEZ custom figures you’ve ever seen. With nearly 350 custom pieces under his belt — including about 70 MOTU–PEZ hybrids — Martin has redefined what a PEZ dispenser can be. In this episode, Greg and Martin dive into: 🍬 Martin’s earliest PEZ memories 🍬 Growing up with Masters of the Universe in 1980s Franconia 🍬 How selling his childhood toys led to rediscovering the spark decades later 🍬 The journey from collector → creator → published author 🍬 Why he rebuilt his entire MOTU collection — and later sold it to pursue art full-time 🍬 The very first time he fused a MOTU body with a PEZ head 🍬 His boldest, most imaginative crossover creations 🍬 What he’d save if he could only grab five custom figures in an emergency 🍬 His dream lineup for an official PEZ x MOTU wave And of course… 🔥 A Rapid Fire Round 🔥 The Question of the Week 🔥 A look into his two brilliant books: How to Build Action Figures from PEZ-Dispensers (Parts 1 & 2) Martin’s story is packed with creativity, passion, and the joy of rediscovering childhood imagination through art. Whether you’re into PEZ, custom figures, Masters of the Universe, or just love a good creative origin story — this episode is pure candy-coated fun. ✨ Where to find Martin: Check out his incredible customs and both books on Amazon, and follow him online to see his latest creations. Hit subscribe, share with your collector mates, and join the Pez Posse for more candy-fuelled fun every week. Pez Posse — keep hunting, keep creating, and keep the stories clicking. Happy collecting!  

🎙️ Get Dispensed: The Pez Podcast — Episode 40 Pamela & Keith Roland – A Pez Love Story from Green Bay 🧡 This week, we’re heading to the home of cheese, football, and fantastic Pez collectors — Green Bay, Wisconsin! Meet Pamela and Keith Roland, a true Pez power couple who have built their collection, community, and connection one dispenser at a time. Host Greg Potent — the Down Under Pez Hunter — unwraps their story from the very beginning: how they met, how Pez became part of their relationship, and how they manage life as a collecting duo. From favourite finds to convention memories and the all-important question — who decides where the Pez go on display? — this episode is packed with fun, love, and plenty of candy-coloured nostalgia. Plus, we dive into the 12 Pez Questions, a lightning-fast Rapid-Fire Round, and this week’s listener challenge: 💬 Who’s your Pez partner in crime? Tune in for a heartwarming look at how a shared hobby turned into a lifelong adventure — proving that when it comes to Pez, the best collections are the ones built together. 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts and follow along on Facebook at Get Dispensed: The Pez Podcast!

🎙️ 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 38: Kate Murphy – The Voice of Shopkins PEZ Cupcake Queen, Cheeky Chocolate, Kooky Cookie, Strawberry Kiss and Apple Blossom — they may be tiny, but they’ve got big personalities. And all five share one incredible thing in common: their voice This week on Get Dispensed: The PEZ Podcast, Greg sits down with Kate Murphy, the powerhouse voice actor behind the entire Shopkins PEZ range — making her the only person ever to voice a full PEZ collection. Kate shares how she got her start in voice acting, what it’s like bringing animated icons to life from inside the booth, and the surreal experience of hearing her own voice click out of a PEZ dispenser. From behind-the-scenes recording secrets to her favourite fan moments, this is one episode that’s as sweet as it sounds. 🍬 Plus: Greg unwraps 12 fun-filled questions, a rapid-fire “PEZ Speed Clicks” round, and this week’s listener challenge: 👉 If you could voice any PEZ dispenser set, who would you pick — and why? So pop open a pack and tune in — it’s time to get dispensed with Kate Murphy: The Voice of Shopkins PEZ!

🎙️ 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 36 – From Orcutt with Love: Pez Collecting with Anna Santos Salinas G’day Pez Posse! In this sweet new episode, we're heading to the sunny Central Coast of California to meet Anna Santos Salinas — a vibrant collector, global Pez helper, and proud resident of the quirky little town of Orcutt. Anna’s love for Pez runs deep, and so does her passion for connecting with collectors from all over the world. From her most prized dispensers to the five she’d save in a Pez emergency, we unwrap it all! She shares unforgettable stories from conventions past (Pacific Coast and Vegas, anyone?), and even dishes on her dream Pez set if she ran the design department (licensing be damned!). Plus, Anna reveals how she tracks her growing collection, the surprises she’s stumbled upon during her hunts, and the one dispenser still on her bucket list. Whether you’re a seasoned Pezhead or just starting your collection, Anna’s journey is equal parts inspiring, hilarious, and full of heart. So pop in your favourite candy brick, and join Greg — your Down Under Pez Hunter — as we dive into another colourful chapter of the Pez world. 🎧 Topics in this episode: The Pez scene in Orcutt, CA Convention memories & collector stories Helping Pez fans across the globe – including a mystery celebrity! Cataloguing tips & display tricks The ultimate Pez bucket list item A Pez-themed word association showdown 📩 This Week’s Pez Posse Challenge: What Pez in your collection feels like a fossil? Something so rare, old, or odd it should be in a museum? Tell us! Email getdispensedpodcast@outlook.com  or hit us up on Facebook. 👉 Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share the show with your fellow Pezheads! 🔗 [Listen now on your favourite podcast app]

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 34 – From Austria to Australia: A Conversation with PEZ International’s Peter Hempel For any PEZ collector, this is the one episode you DON’T want to miss! Today’s episode is one for the history books! Greg, the Down Under Pez Hunter, sits down with Peter Hempel, Area Business Manager at PEZ International, for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the company that started it all. You’ll hear about: 🎉 An exclusive revel of a new dispenser collaboration hitting the shelves in 2026 🌏 What part of the world is PEZ’s next big growth area 🔄 The challenge of adapting PEZ to suit different parts of the globe 👥 How important is the collecting community to PEZ ⚡ What is the rarest PEZ dispenser Peter has ever held in his hands Plus a lot more! 💬 This week’s listener question is super special: PEZ International would like YOU to provide some ideas on how the collecting community wants to celebrate their 100-year anniversary in 2027? A special set of popular dispensers over the years? A mega-gathering? Maybe something totally unexpected? Who knows, it might get added to their existing planning! Share your ideas at getdispensedpodcast@outlook.com  or on the Get Dispensed Facebook page. Click, collect, and tune in—it’s time to talk PEZ!

🎙️ 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 32 - Vintage Finds, Skull Armies & the Zonker Confession – Stephen Mullin G’day PEZ Posse! In this episode, we’re heading to Cincinnati, Ohio, to meet listener-turned-guest Stephen Mullin — a vintage collector, marketer, and one-time rock-and-roll frontman who also happens to own one of the largest vintage Skull Armies in the PEZiverse. 💀✨ Stephen shares how a family connection reignited his love of collecting after a long pause, and why he prefers living on the “edge” of the PEZ community rather than right in the middle of it. We also dive into: 🎸 From frontman to flea markets — how music and PEZ collide in Stephen’s story 🛍️ Legendary finds, including a $40 cello jackpot in Boston 💀 What makes the vintage Skull so irresistible (and how his army grew so large) 😱 The infamous Zonker confession about his childhood headless dispensers 🌍 Life near Jungle Jim’s and decades of attending PEZamania 🕰️ The future of PEZ collecting, seen through the eyes of a vintage hunter It’s a conversation full of surprises, laughter, and some of the quirkiest tales yet from the PEZ Posse. Whether you’re chasing grails, building armies, or just smiling at the memories, this one’s for you. 🎵 Get Dispensed: The PEZ Podcast — where every dispenser has a story.

🎙️ 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.

🎙️ Get Dispensed the Pez Podcast Episode 30: Patty Thomas – Stop Motion, PEZ Swag & Crossing Borders for Candy Get ready to press play on some serious PEZ magic because in this milestone 30th episode of Get Dispensed: The PEZ Podcast, we’re chatting with a collector who’s as creative as she is kind. Patty Thomas hails from Vermont, the land of maple syrup, but she’s all about the mint. Peppermint Patty, to be exact. With a collection gifted by fellow fans from around the globe, Patty has become synonymous with sweetness in the PEZ community. In this episode, we unwrap: How a simple dispenser started her PEZ journey 🎁 Why she’s the stop-motion superstar of the PEZ world 🎞️ Her globe-spanning adventures helping collectors (including one cross-border rescue mission!) 🌎 And what exactly PEZ swag is — and why she’s the queen of it 👑 Plus: rapid-fire faves, rarest treasures, and what it's like to juggle collecting with her work as an occupational therapist. This one’s full of heart, humour, and click-worthy stories you won’t want to miss. 👉 Got a favourite piece of PEZ swag? Tell us! Email getdispensedpodcast@outlook.com or message us on Facebook: Get Dispensed: The PEZ Podcast Tune in. Click on. Join the Posse.

🎙️ 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 - “Walking into PEZ: Ben Sindel’s 800-Dispenser Journey” G’day PEZ Posse! I’m Greg, the Down Under PEZ Hunter, and this is Get Dispensed: The PEZ Podcast — the show where we click open stories from collectors, artists, and pop culture PEZheads around the globe. Today’s guest is literally walking the walk. He first discovered this very podcast while strolling to work… and now he’s here telling his own PEZ story. Meet Ben Sindel — a husband, father of four, and UK-based collector whose love for PEZ spans nostalgia-filled childhood summers in Vienna, flea market treasure hunts, and a collection that’s grown from attic boxes to over 800 dispensers strong. We chat about the thrill of the hunt, those magical first memories, selling off and rebuilding a collection, the art of storage (and family debates that come with it), and his dream PEZ pilgrimage to the Visitor Center in Connecticut. Plus, Ben takes on our Rapid Fire Round — no thinking, just clicking! 💌 Collector Callout: Ben is on the hunt for US sports team PEZ dispensers. If you can help, reach out and let’s make a PEZ dream come true! So lace up your walking shoes, hit “play,” and join us for a sweet stroll through the colourful world of PEZ collecting. 🎧 Listen now — and keep on dispensin’!  

🎙️ 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!

🧊✨ Get Dispensed the Pez Podcast Episode 27: Skating, PEZ, and Possibility with Andrew Prince 🍬⛸️ In this heart warming episode of Get Dispensed: The PEZ Podcast, Greg welcomes Andrew Prince from Gliding Stars Toledo—a phenomenal program that empowers individuals with disabilities through adaptive ice skating. You might’ve cheered at Pezamania without realising your applause—and your donations—were helping make dreams come true on the ice. Andrew pulls back the curtain on how Gliding Stars transforms lives, from custom skating equipment and dedicated volunteers to standing ovations at end-of-season shows. We talk about: The power of ice skating as therapy Real-life stories of transformation The role the PEZ community plays in keeping dreams gliding forward And of course, Andrew’s own favourite PEZ memories! Whether you’re a long time PEZ Posse member or new to the rink, this one will leave your heart full and your dispenser just a little sweeter. 💙 Learn more or donate at GlidingStarsToledo.org 🎧 Listen now and let us know—have you seen the Gliding Stars perform? Reach out at getdispensedpodcast@outlook.com or message Greg via the Facebook page!