Clutch Power – Details, episodes & analysis

Look at any LEGO set from the 90s, and it'll be pretty weird. Unique pieces, insane printing, tech like fiber optics, light sensors, or electric motors...there is something incredibly special about this era of LEGO. Join me as I do a deep dive into the themes of the 90s, and explore what changed in the decades since.

Today's guest: the wonderful and inventive R. R. Slugger! Slugger's videos explore the lesser-known areas of LEGO with a sincerity that is not touched by nostalgia. A few of my favorite videos:

• I ❤️ LEGO Studios
• R.R. Slugger’s Top 10 LEGO Trans Colours!
• LEGO Galidor: 20th Anniversary Retrospective!

Please show Slugger some love! There aren't enough content creators like him.

Find episode notes and more at clutchpower.substack.com.

All music by Nihilore (www.nihilore.com):

• Bells
• Without Fear They Flew
• Alter Ego
• Truth and Justification
• Haven
• Semantic Satiation
• Our Monstrous Purpose

Seven questions to help you learn more about Clutch Power, me, and my goals for the show. Think of this like a intro course!

Find episode notes and more at clutchpower.substack.com.

All music by Nihilore (www.nihilore.com):

• Alter Ego
• This Time is Precious
• Without Fear They Flew

Clutch Power is an NPR-style show about the ways we love LEGO. Each episode, Emmy-nominated reporter Eric Crittenden will take a deep-dive into one aspect of LEGO fandom, from the highs of LEGO Star Wars to the lows of Galidor.

Find episode notes and more at clutchpower.substack.com.

All music by Nihilore (www.nihilore.com)

• Warmth

LEGO on social media is represented by loud voices, sound effects, and hot takes. It can be easy to dismiss this stuff as clickbait, but an enormous amount of work goes into grabbing and keeping your attention. Join me as I take a look at the hooks and hot takes that make up LEGO short-form content.

Today's guest: the brilliant SamWyattBricks! Sam is the king of what he calls "hooks": the first five seconds of his videos are designed to catch your attention. His videos showcase an extraordinary creativity working within current trends. He tries to post a short every two days, so go check out his most recent stuff!

And spend six minutes watching his only long form video (to date). Sam says he wants to do more of these, and I really like the more lowkey vibe he gives with a longer runtime.

• EVERY LEGO STAR WARS COMPLETE SAGA MINIFIGURES IN REAL LIFE!!!!

American Psychological Associate episode on shrinking attention spans: https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/attention-spans

Find episode notes and more at clutchpower.substack.com.

All music by Nihilore (www.nihilore.com):

• Haven
• Everything You Say is a Lie
• The Author Never Dies
• Our Monstrous Purpose
• We Are Already Dead
• Alter Ego
• Home

In 1997, a giant wave hit a cargo ship, knocking 62 containers into the ocean. One of those containers held over four million LEGO pieces. It wasn't long after that the pieces began to wash up on the British shoreline. Even now, you can still find pieces from 28 years ago, which paint a stark picture of plastic waste, ocean currents, and human habits.

Today's guest: Tracey Williams of LEGO Lost at Sea! Tracey is a beachcomber, an activist, and an artist who uses LEGO and other plastic debris that washes up on shore to raise awareness about plastic consumption. Her Instagram page chronicles the LEGO found along the beaches, from the common flippers and flowers to the extremely rare octopi and black dragons.

Tracey is also the author of Adrift: The Curious Tale of LEGO Lost at Sea. This book is extremely poignant and effective with its message, not to mention contemplative and almost...peaceful? In a way. She selects certain poems and quotes that evoke the gentle roar of the ocean. 

I know this episode explores a lot of difficult ideas. I felt very overwhelmed while editing this episode, so I want to link you to the resource that helped me: Gameplan: It’s time to beat plastic pollution.

Here's the link to the image of woman standing on beach full of plastic.

And here's Ted Danson speaking at a U.S. House of Representatives Natural Resources subcommittee.

Find episode notes and more at clutchpower.substack.com.

All music by Nihilore (www.nihilore.com):

• Oceans Apart
• Fatigue
• Escape
• Our Time is Short
• Elgengrau
• Aquamarine, My Distant Blue

A lot of folks say LEGO Minecraft sets are ugly, too simplistic, and too blocky (I may or may not be one of them). But after giving it some thought and talking through my feelings, I came to realize: LEGO and Minecraft are kinda perfect for each other.

Today's guest: the very fun Cheesey Studios! Caleb has spent the last three years working on a giant LEGO Minecraft build, and his YouTube channel shows the entire process of the build: from its very humble beginnings to the behemoth it is today. His other videos are also a lot of fun: looking at modern LEGO sets, or diving back into themes from childhood. He is endlessly entertaining, and I am so happy I got to talk to him about LEGO and Minecraft!

Here are some of my favorite Cheesey Studio videos:

• I Spent 3 YEARS Building a LEGO Minecraft World
• Revisiting LEGO Harry Potter: The Prisoner of Azkaban
• LEGO Sharks!

Find episode notes and more at clutchpower.substack.com.

All music by Nihilore (www.nihilore.com):

• Dead City
• The Days That Flee By Without Any Mercy
• The Dissolution of Collusion
• Alter Ego
• Garden
• Broken in Two
• Oblivious

Bionicle has a life of its own: defensive fans, deep lore, and a unique building system. But before all that, 25 years ago, Bionicle was a three-page concept in the hands of Alastair Swinnerton. And that’s when he helped to create something magical.

Two guests on today’s episode. First, Alastair Swinnerton: screenwriter, novelist, and co-creator of Bionicle. Alastair takes us back in time to his screenwriting “gang” that ran across the original Bionicle pitch: BoneHeads of Voodoo Island.

The second guest is Garrett O’Donnell of Atlanta Brick Co, one of the largest second-hand LEGO stores in the world. Garrett is an expert on all-things Bionicle, and in the Patreon bonus we explore the wild world of Bionicle mask collecting - from the most common masks to the rarest and most valuable.

This episode took a ton of work and collaboration and I’m so proud of it. It’s both goofy and heartfelt, just like Bionicle. This themes was such a huge part of my childhood and it was so much fun traveling back and time and reminiscing about days past.

Find episode notes and more at clutchpower.substack.com.

All music by Nihilore (www.nihilore.com):

• Alter Ego
• Building Nest in the Ruins
• Defective
• Hearts and Minds
• Behind the Mask
• Creative Destruction

Over 26 years, LEGO has put out over 1,700 Star Wars minifigs, ranging from classics like Darth Vader to deep cuts like Kithaba. But obscure or not, Blue Milk Figs collects them all, having one of the only complete LEGO Star Wars minifig collections, tucked away in a hidden, climate controlled room.

Today’s guest: Blue Milk Figs! Boasting a complete minifig collection, along with every Star Wars animal, big fig, creature, and droid, BMF is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to LEGO Star Wars. He can literally look at his wall and see how LEGO’s design trends have changed over the years, and he has such an expertise in not only LEGO collecting but also LEGO preservation.

If you’re looking to get into collecting LEGO Star Wars minifigs, a good first step is Bricklink, but you’ll want to supplement that with other online catalogs. They are ever-shifting and you can never claim one is “correct”.

My recommendations:

• Bricklink
• Minifigs.nl
• Brick Economy

Find episode notes and more at clutchpower.substack.com.

All music by Nihilore (www.nihilore.com):

• Alter Ego
• Phantasms
• Climbers in the Dark
• Hands Clasped at the End of the World
• Katabasis
• Man Alone Chimes the Hour

In the video games industry, there’s a concept known as the Game of the Year (or GOTY). This is that, but for LEGO: proving scientifically, without a doubt, the very best LEGO set that came out in 2025.

But there’s more to it than just choosing the best set. I created several categories to discuss:

• Best Minifig
• Best Collectable Minifig
• Best Polybag
• Best Set Under $50
• Best Gift with Purchase (GWP)
• Best Original IP LEGO Set
• Best Licensed LEGO Set

Today’s guest: Caleb from Cheesey Studios! He’s back! You might know Caleb from Episode 4 of Clutch Power: LEGO and Minecraft: A Match Made in Heaven or from his much, much more successful YouTube channel. Caleb is an absolute gem and a real LEGO nerd like me, and I had so much fun talking about the highs and lows of LEGO in 2025.

But Caleb isn’t the only guest! You’ll also hear from three other past and future Clutch Power guests.

Find episode notes and more at clutchpower.substack.com.

All music by Nihilore (www.nihilore.com):

• Tricks
• Untitled

LEGO's new Smart Play System is very controversial. And everyone’s got an opinion. But I wanted to talk to some people with credibility - beyond just “adult LEGO fan”: someone who's actually USED the Smart Brick, and someone who's dedicated to children's well-being.

Two guests on today's episode!

First, Graham E. Hancock of Blocks Magazine! Graham was at CES in January when LEGO unveiled the Smart Brick, and he spoke to me about his initial impressions, and his excitement of the Smart Brick's potential. 

If you haven't checked out Blocks Magazine before, it is absolutely worth your time. It is in-depth, beautifully designed, and just a treat for the uber LEGO nerd like myself.

I also spoke to Rachel Franz of Fairplay, a children's well-being advocacy group that works to "put kids' needs ahead of corporate greed". Rachel raised some fascinating points about the Smart Play System and LEGO's marketing and she's a wonderful counter-balance.

My goal with this episode is to give you multiple perspective on the Smart Brick. Right now it seems like every LEGO YouTuber is sharing their thoughts, though only a few have actually played with the brick.

A few who have:

• Tiago Catarino
• CNET's Bridget Carey
• CNN's Rikka Altland

And there are a few others out there as well.

I also want to link R. R. Slugger's great opinion piece on the Smart Brick. As always, Slugger always has well-thought-out opinions, and he shares a perspective different than most I've seen.

If you’re a Patreon supporter, you get a bonus build for this episode! It’s a portrait of the Smart Brick graduating from college. Cap, gown, diploma - the works. Supporters get a link to the digital build and a wishlist if you’d like to order it and build it for yourself!

Join the Patreon!

All music by Nihilore (www.nihilore.com):

• Alter Ego
• Fringe Weaver
• Follow Me Into The Dark
• An Unexpected Hanging
• Divine Violence